Welcome back, lovelies, to Pink-Tutu.com! It's your favourite tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, here, ready to whisk you away to another magical ballet adventure! December 2005... oh my, what a month! I almost feel a shiver in the air just thinking about it - I was off on a whirlwind trip back to the 19th century!
As always, I donned my most exquisite pink tutu - this one, a confection of layered tulle and delicate lace, twirled like a dream - and packed my trusty leather rucksack. You never know what treasures of ballet history you might stumble upon, and I’m always keen to find out!
Before I hopped on Magic Meg - my magnificent pink shire horse, glittering with silver hooves and a mane of shimmering white - I checked in on the world of ballet in December 2005. Let me tell you, there was plenty to keep a girl like me on her toes!
A Christmas Ballet Bonanza!
The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House were performing their dazzling production of The Nutcracker. My oh my, you simply cannot beat the magic of Christmas and ballet combined. Can you picture the swirling snowflakes, the Sugar Plum Fairy’s delicate movements, and Clara's sweet journey into the Land of Sweets? Pure enchantment!
The American Ballet Theatre was also wowing audiences with a revival of La Bayadere. A true ballet classic, set in the grandeur of India with opulent costumes and intricate choreography. Talk about a visually spectacular treat!
Over in Paris, the Paris Opera Ballet was presenting the enchanting Swan Lake. Imagine, swans dancing beneath glittering chandeliers - so romantic!
But December 2005 wasn’t just about classical ballet. There was so much happening across the globe! Dance Theatre of Harlem, always a shining example of artistic diversity, presented an enchanting new work that I just had to see.
And in the world of contemporary ballet, the Scottish Ballet was putting on a show called "Carmina Burana". This contemporary masterpiece with its haunting music and stunning visual spectacle had audiences spellbound.
It seems like December 2005 was an absolute wonderland of ballet delights! But it was time for my own adventure. I gave Magic Meg a wink, her white mane catching the early morning sunlight, and off we went!
A Victorian Christmas
The wind howled like a banshee as Magic Meg galloped across the snowy plains of Derbyshire. It was a crisp December morning in 1860, and the air was sharp and clean. I could barely contain my excitement as we reached the bustling heart of London.
The city was aglow with twinkling gaslight, shops bursting with festive cheer. I could smell the delicious scent of roast chestnuts and sugar plums, and my ears were filled with carols sung by happy, bundled-up children.
This was a Christmas like none I’d ever seen before! So very Victorian, with a sense of magic and wonder. Imagine, horse-drawn carriages jostling with shopkeepers, street entertainers in top hats and red coats, and elegantly dressed ladies with elaborate hairdos, swirling past in their silken gowns. It was almost too enchanting to bear!
Victorian Ballet
My journey took me to the grand halls of Covent Garden. The Royal Opera House was filled with glittering chandeliers, plush red velvet seats, and an air of genteel anticipation. It was here that I finally got to witness a performance of one of the oldest ballets, "Giselle".
Can you believe this masterpiece premiered all the way back in 1841? Imagine ballerinas in swirling white tutus and handsome princes in velvet doublet and hose. The whole evening was so elegantly romantic! I learned so much about the costumes, the music, the stories – a veritable treasure trove of history and beauty!
But that wasn't all! After the performance, I met with the ballet master. He shared the secrets of the Victorian ballet scene, from the intricate details of costume construction to the rigours of daily practice. My rucksack is now bursting with beautiful silk swatches and historical sketches, the very essence of Victorian ballet!
And as always, my quest for spreading the pink tutu love took me to a charming haberdashery shop tucked away in a back alley. They had such exquisite silks and satins - it was a vintage shopper's paradise! I managed to find some beautiful pastel pink fabrics and even a handful of antique tulle trims for my very own creation.
A Ballet-filled Journey
From Victorian ballet, I hopped back to the modern era with Magic Meg. Our ride back to my own time felt magical under a starry sky. The memories of a century before still tingled in my mind. I loved how the history of ballet connected to the modern day, each era building on the one before.
Now, you wouldn’t believe what I found in my rucksack after our time travelling adventure! It was an antique dance book from the 1800s. Just imagine, these were the moves that enchanted audiences over 100 years ago!
Of course, I had to try them out! Back in my Derbyshire studio, I donned my pink tutu, flipped open the pages of the vintage dance book and gave it my best shot. My oh my, how wonderful it was! These ballets had so much spirit, so much joy, even if the movements felt a little different from modern dance.
Pink Tutu for Every One!
But my ballet adventure was far from over! To make this December a truly spectacular affair, I’ve planned something super exciting for the www.pink-tutu.com blog. We’re hosting a virtual pink tutu challenge! I’d love for you all to join me! Dress up in your favourite pink tutu (or create one if you have no pink tutus!), and post a picture on social media with the hashtag #pinktutuchallenge.
From classic pink tulle tutus to whimsical pink satin creations - let's celebrate the joy of ballet and spread some pink love across the world! We'll be featuring the most dazzling pink tutu entries right here on the blog.
And who knows what next month will bring? Will I be twirling amongst the French court in the reign of Louis XIV, performing alongside Anna Pavlova, or gliding through the golden age of ballet? With a magical pink shire horse, a love of ballet, and a passion for tutus, it truly feels like the world is my oyster!
See you next month for another pink-tutu-filled journey!
Until then, dance with grace, smile with joy, and may your life always be filled with ballet magic!
Emma
#PinkTutuTimeTravels #PinkTutuChallenge #BalletHistory #TutusForLife #LoveOfBallet
