Hello my lovelies! It's Emma here, your pink-tutu-clad time traveller extraordinaire, and this month we’re going right back to the glorious era of disco fever and platform shoes! Yes, I’m talking about 7th July 1979, and it's a date bursting with balletic brilliance. As always, Magic Meg and I have been on an absolute whirlwind tour, but fear not – I've got my rucksack bursting with stories and exciting finds just waiting to be shared with you all!
Our adventures started with a delicious afternoon tea at Harrods in London. Imagine the excitement of the pink floral patterned china, the dainty finger sandwiches, and of course, the absolutely fabulous selection of cakes and pastries. After, a little shopping spree was just the ticket! I discovered a delightful boutique crammed with pink satin shoes and feather boas, which is precisely what my inner ballet diva ordered.
Speaking of inner ballet divas, 7th July, 1979 was a real treat for ballet lovers! Across the world, we had some captivating events happening, all beautifully tied to this amazing art form:
- In New York City at the New York State Theatre (currently home to the New York City Ballet), "The Nutcracker" was on the bill. I love a good “Nutcracker,” and the vibrant and playful spirit of New York's staging certainly had me enchanted. It was all very "1970s glitz," just what I like!
- In Paris at the Opéra Garnier, audiences were captivated by the legendary ballet "Giselle" starring Sylvie Guillem, the darling of the ballet world back then. To see the incredible grace of Sylvie and to feel the passion of this enduring tale on the Parisian stage… truly magical!
- Back in London, at the Royal Opera House, the world renowned Royal Ballet was presenting “Swan Lake." Imagine my excitement as I perched in a grand box and absorbed every exquisite moment! Such an elegant masterpiece, and this particular production truly showed off the beauty and talent of Britain's most iconic ballet dancers. It’s moments like this that remind me why this art form captivates audiences all over the world!
While these major performances held the spotlight, I'm all about the smaller events, the behind-the-scenes gems that make up the vibrant tapestry of ballet! Back in my Derbyshire home town, the local dance school was presenting "Cinderella" – such a classic! It had all the magic of the tale, but in a more intimate setting. A reminder that every single stage, big or small, can create that same captivating sense of wonder and beauty. And, who knows? Perhaps one of those dancers, just starting their journey in this wonderful world, will one day become a legend on one of those grand Parisian stages!
Speaking of captivating stories, while on my time-traveling escapade, I popped in on the famous “Royal Ballet School" – a real hotbed of talent! Imagine my joy as I stumbled across Darcey Bussell, one of the most breathtaking ballerinas of our time, practising for an upcoming performance! Such precision, such artistry! She was already captivating audiences back then, and little did we all know that her career was just beginning to soar! It's incredible to imagine what awaits this young lady as she steps onto the grand stage, radiating pure joy in every twirl.
I also found the most fascinating articles in old magazines about ballet. Did you know that back then, tutus had this fantastic new style - shorter and with these lovely delicate frills, they were so romantic! And I adore the ballet fashion of the late 70s - think shiny stretch fabrics and these wonderful colourful leotards - and who can resist the iconic bun and the side ponytail? Pure perfection! And you know what? These trends are making a comeback, with contemporary ballet pushing boundaries and bringing new life to classic styles. The circle of fashion really does complete itself!
This trip also left me with a feeling that ballet has always been, and will always be, an art form that speaks to the heart, connects people across time and place, and inspires us to embrace all things pink and beautiful. The joy, the talent, the dedication... it’s a powerful cocktail that has fuelled the spirit of this art form for centuries, and it still holds that same power today.
Now, how about we continue this beautiful journey? You can hop back on Magic Meg any time! If you're new to this pink-tutu-tastic blog, I do invite you to join us in the grand adventure of celebrating everything beautiful and graceful in the world of ballet.
Until next month, keep those pink tutus twirling!
Love, Emma
P.S Don’t forget to head over to www.pink-tutu.com and see what new posts I have there, with more fabulous finds from my travels!
