Hello my gorgeous tutu-loving friends! It's Emma here, and I'm positively giddy to be back in my favourite time machine - my fabulous pink shire horse, Magic Meg! I just adore exploring the history of ballet, and this month I'm taking us right back to September 1977!
The Derbyshire countryside has been awash with pink this week - Magic Meg looks absolutely divine with her golden hooves, sparkling pink mane, and the gorgeous shade of pink I’ve painted her saddle with. My pink tutu is shimmering as well, reflecting the bright autumnal sunlight. It's hard not to be cheerful when you're wearing pink and have such a magnificent pink steed to travel with!
Before we delve into all things ballet in September 1977, let’s have a quick chat about this month's new ballet designs, shall we?
The Tutu Trend for September
Firstly, there’s the utterly divine “Celestial Waltz” tutu – made from the most beautiful, shimmering starlight fabric I've ever seen. And of course, there’s the must-have "Strawberry Swirl" tutu - a luscious red tutu layered with pink silk and adorned with delicate berry embroidery. Imagine the delightful swirl this would create as you leap! You can find both in my online shop on www.pink-tutu.com – the link is in my bio!
And now, on with the journey to September 1977!
A Glittering Grand Evening at Covent Garden
We galloped through the countryside, the air filled with the sweet scent of heather and autumn leaves, and landed smack-bang in front of the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. September 1977 was abuzz with excitement for the grand opening night of "The Nutcracker", which had just completed a beautiful 40-day tour around Europe. Imagine, 40 whole days of tutus, magic, and exquisite dancing – pure ballet bliss!
Stepping through the grand entrance of the opera house, the music, the light, the air of anticipation ... ah, it’s always just as magical as the first time! We slipped into the stalls, and I immediately noticed that every lady present had their own, unique style of dress. Velvet, lace, chiffon, with the occasional stunning feathered creation - what a dream!
A Ballet Legacy to Celebrate
And guess what else? 1977 saw a lovely tribute to the brilliant, talented Tamara Karsavina, a true pioneer in ballet history. This was a magnificent retrospective, celebrating her incredible contributions to the art of ballet. You know how I feel about my tutu; well, she was the one who redefined what a tutu should be!
Oh, and let's not forget Mikhail Baryshnikov! This month, he was gracing us with his legendary artistry, his every movement like poetry in motion! This is why I travel, my dear friends, to be inspired by ballet legends like these!
A Look Through the History Book
Back at my charming home in Derbyshire, after settling Magic Meg for a well-deserved carrot and oatcake snack, I dusted off my leather rucksack. My bag’s crammed with interesting tidbits and souvenirs from our monthly journeys. This time, I pulled out an old, beautiful photograph – it shows dancers from the early 1900s performing a charming scene from a “The Sleeping Beauty" performance. This lovely piece was first created in the mid 1890s – talk about timelessness!
* Ballet Everywhere – Even on the Streets!*
A quick dip in the archives of my www.pink-tutu.com blog revealed that September 1977 saw a flurry of ballet performances around the world! A captivating dance production of "The Rite of Spring", showcasing its raw, expressive energy, was touring America and Canada. The company's vibrant costumes – bold colours and flowing silhouettes – brought a fresh interpretation to this classic piece.
I even spotted a lovely "Swan Lake" production at a tiny theatre in Manchester, showcasing some of England’s most talented local dancers! And even in the heart of New York City, amidst the concrete jungle, there were amazing, unexpected performances happening – such as "Peter Pan", with its whimsical flights and adorable fairies!
* Sharing The Love For Ballet*
You see, the world is just bursting with ballet beauty, my friends, and the beautiful thing about ballet is that there’s a style, a story, a movement for everyone! My mission is to inspire every single one of you to slip into a pink tutu – to twirl and leap and be fabulous. Because you know what? Life in a pink tutu is always just a little more magical!
Stay tuned, my lovelies, as I'll be back next month to explore more incredible stories, fascinating history, and breathtaking dance productions from a bygone era.
Until next time,
Love,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
