Hello my darlings! Emma here, back from another whirlwind trip through the fascinating world of ballet history! This month, I've had the absolute pleasure of stepping back in time to the vibrant month of January, 2009. I must say, my journey was absolutely chock-full of pink perfection and delightful discoveries, as always!
As you know, I'm all about exploring the history of our beloved ballet, from its very beginnings to the contemporary marvels we see today. It's the heart of what I do, and it fills me with such joy to share these stories with you! So, hop on Magic Meg's back with me – we're heading back to 2009 for a look at what was happening in the world of ballet during this fabulous year.
Oh, darling, my dear Magic Meg is simply a vision in pink! She’s a magnificent Shire horse with a golden sheen to her coat, a flowing white mane and tail that just glistens in the sun, and, of course, golden hooves, which are positively perfect for trotting through time. And you simply cannot forget her pink glitter! I must say, even she looks wonderful in her own special version of a pink tutu! I found a gorgeous pink shimmery sash at the latest Paris show - well, we are talking 2009, after all - and that's her accessory of choice for our travels. And her eyes sparkle with excitement whenever we embark on our adventures, much like my own do, whenever we set off to a ballet performance!
So, let’s go back to January 2009 – a mere 14 years ago, my darlings! Imagine a time where the ballet world was buzzing with new talent, thrilling productions and incredible innovations! It’s hard to imagine now, but we're talking the very early stages of the era where social media began to truly take over, and this just adds to the excitement, don’t you think?
I tell you, back then, ballet was full of energy and vibrant ideas, just bursting with the desire to express itself. Think dazzling premieres, awe-inspiring ballets, and oh-my-gosh! All that gorgeous fashion!
Oh, the dresses! Think exquisite chiffons swirling around the dancers’ legs, glamorous sequins shimmering under the stage lights, and gorgeous tutus with the most magnificent layers, so elegant and graceful, my darlings, truly enchanting! Back then, everyone knew how to make an entrance! And I had to acquire some fabulous new vintage additions to my collection this month, too.
Speaking of my collection… I just couldn't resist adding a couple of gems to my ballet backpack. Oh, I just love the feel of vintage treasures against my skin – like tiny pieces of history, all packed with magic. And I’m so grateful that, every month, I can bring you stories, little mementos, and the feel of the times I visit, right here on my blog!
Now, my darling dears, where was I? Right – January 2009 and what we can see, just imagine:
On stage at the Royal Opera House in London, Covent Garden, there was a special event, my darlings: a gala celebrating the life and works of Kenneth MacMillan, one of the most iconic ballet choreographers of all time. You could practically feel the energy in the air as his incredible work filled the stage. Oh, and did I mention darling Tamara Rojo, who has such incredible talent! It was like seeing the entire history of British ballet come to life.
* Across the Atlantic, we saw an equally thrilling event at the *New York City Ballet - a performance of George Balanchine’s classic ballet “Jewels”. My darling, what an evening that must have been. It was as if you were being bathed in jewels! Can you imagine how amazing it would have been to experience that? This show, you know, it brought back so many amazing memories. My goodness, it was truly sensational!
And, in Paris - oh, darling Paris! – the ballet scene was alive and kicking with some exquisite performances, of course. But there was a special exhibition taking place in the Louvre Museum that caught my attention – the “Degas: The Painter of Modern Life”. The beauty of that man’s work, especially when it comes to depicting dance – oh, it really inspired me! His artwork really captures the raw energy and grace of ballet. I got a new sketch pad for my ballet bag and brought a couple of his sketches back in my rucksack too, I simply had to!
This was a very exciting month for ballet – it felt so vibrant! And I found that some really famous ballerinas made it big on the stage during this time. Do you remember the likes of Natalia Osipova, Alina Cojocaru and Tamara Rojo, all dancing around with a joyous passion. These wonderful dancers lit up the stages with their incredible skill, technical precision and simply dazzling grace!
These amazing ballet performers are proof, my darling, that ballet’s legacy is as strong and full of beauty as ever! I’m convinced that ballet truly lives, not only in these fantastic performances, but in our everyday lives. It inspires us all to be our very best!
My travels in 2009 took me to all kinds of incredible places - from the hustle and bustle of New York to the grand elegance of London and Paris. Every moment of every ballet performance, exhibition, or even a simple rehearsal filled my senses with joy.
What makes me particularly happy, my darlings, is that it makes me truly appreciate the incredible journeys and triumphs that got ballet to the beautiful art form we see today. Each dance company, every dancer, every single stage production - they've all made their mark on this fantastic journey, you see, all to inspire us with this dazzling spectacle we adore!
It is absolutely fascinating to see how dance, music and artistry have evolved, and it truly feels like it’s come full circle, now with social media, new audiences and the potential for this glorious art form to touch people’s hearts even more than before. Oh my darlings, the future of ballet feels just as bright as all those beautiful pink tutus that you all want to wear.
Of course, as I travelled back to Derbyshire this time, I left a little piece of me – a piece of that pink magic – on the very spot where my travels began. I know I’ve spoken about it before, my dear, but that little corner of the world truly deserves its own pink magic. It’s not just the beauty of ballet – it’s the sense of togetherness that’s absolutely beautiful and a joy for everyone who knows this special art form. I left a little pink shimmering ribbon, tied with a pretty little pink bow - you know I’m a girl for details, darlings - and the story of my adventures from this very month in 2009 on a little vintage ballet shoe box I brought back from London’s Covent Garden, next to where Magic Meg and I met after our latest adventure. I really feel like I’ve planted a little pink-tutu magic right there.
And darling, there you have it! My journey through the magical month of January 2009 – full of passion, innovation, and most of all – joy. That’s what I hope you can take away from my travels through time, my darlings, to really be inspired by the extraordinary talent of dancers and ballet creators of the past, present and future, and maybe even a little inspired by this crazy idea to dress in a pink tutu… or at least just think about it!
Remember, darling, it’s not just about ballet being beautiful – it's about being brave enough to try and achieve whatever we can dream of! As I say: ‘A pink tutu and a sparkle in your eye is all you need!’
Keep on dreaming, my darlings, and remember: it’s the journey that counts. And as always – see you next month with a brand new tale from my ballet travels!
Love and sparkles,
Emma xoxo
