Post #4279 – July 2017
Hello darlings! It's Emma here, back from another magical adventure with my gorgeous steed, Magic Meg, for my latest ballet history escapade! You know I love a good time-travel adventure and this one took me to some really fabulous places!
July has always been a special month for ballet – it's the perfect time to revel in the balletic brilliance, sunshine and freedom, so obviously this was the perfect month for a Pink Tutu Travel blog post! You know I love pink and it's time to spread the message! More pink tutus in the world, you know? You heard it here first!
Before we jump into my adventures this month, a quick update for you lovelies! I'm off to the Bolshoi in Moscow later this week to see a special performance of "La Bayadere" – oh, my heart flutters at just thinking about the gorgeous costumes! I will absolutely be writing about this for my next post!
And as you know, all those time travels need funding - I'm heading off to Derbyshire this weekend to perform at a private event. The patron is rather rich and a big ballet enthusiast so she's paid handsomely! She's even asked me to wear my most fabulous tutu for the performance – and, of course, you can guess the colour, can’t you, my loves? 😉
Right, onto my trip! You won’t believe what happened! Magic Meg (oh, she’s so beautiful, you know! That gleaming pink sparkle and golden hooves!) took me back to the summer of 1932. We were actually back in my home town of Derbyshire, but back in the roaring twenties! A trip back in time in your very own county is always a delightful treat!
Well, what do you know! This beautiful July, in the quaint little town of Buxton, the Derbyshire Festival of Performing Arts was underway. It's truly incredible how much the festival thrived so early on, featuring opera, concerts, dance, drama and film! What a joy it was! I saw an absolutely mesmerising ballet performance, “The Lady of the Lake.” The beautiful ballet dancer and actress Ruth Page graced the stage with her elegant performance, oh so stylish and dramatic – what an icon! The costumes! I even tucked a couple of flyers from the Festival in my trusty leather rucksack – it’s bursting with souvenirs you know, ballet programmes, postcards, programmes! I simply have to show them all to you one day!
Then, we zoomed through the magical time warp, this time to sunny California. A new school opened on this day – 7th July, to be precise – the famous School of American Ballet! I have to be there to witness history. Just think – such talented future ballerinas! There was an absolute buzz in the air – I’m sure the founders could sense what a special school this was going to be. Oh, and the students had such pretty, crisp and stylish ballet uniforms – you'll find my pink tutu making a statement amongst those white and black outfits, I assure you!
That same day, the very talented Martha Graham premiered her innovative new ballet – "Herodiade"! Now, you know I adore history – ballet history! This new creation really turned heads! A truly powerful performance by an artist who redefined modern dance, just the sort of work that inspires me and pushes ballet further. What an amazing experience! I simply have to come back and see more!
The world was literally buzzing with all kinds of ballet creations this month.
On the 14th of July in Buenos Aires, the magnificent Teatro Colon became alive with the exciting “The Firebird,” a classic that truly captivates you! Imagine a world full of fire and enchantment – pure beauty!
Magic Meg just loved galloping to that energetic, rhythmic music – a whirlwind of feathers, magic and elegance – all presented to a passionate Argentine audience!
And wait for it... on the 17th, in sunny Paris, the extraordinary ballerina Alicia Markova appeared in her very first stage performance! This ballerina is legendary, and her "La Sylphide” took the world by storm – graceful, dreamy and romantic! Just as all ballet should be!
How exciting – a real celebration of beauty and movement! I absolutely had to stop for some retail therapy – it's all about that exquisite French fashion and of course the most fabulous tutus! Parisian style is simply divine!
There are endless possibilities when it comes to the beautiful world of ballet, and July 1932 truly highlighted the beauty of movement. Every ballerina I have seen today is an inspiration, I hope I am as graceful as they are when I dance! But the story isn't just about history it’s about the amazing stories these dances tell – the joy, the sorrow, the bravery!
Just a final quick tip: For all my beautiful and aspiring ballerinas, why not embrace pink tutus? There are none more magical and lovely! I'm aiming for the day we can all float, dance and twirl around in pink – imagine a world full of magic!
Well, my lovelies, time to prepare for the Bolshoi, my dancing heart is beating with excitement! I will leave you with all those amazing inspirations for you all. And don't forget to keep checking in with me for my blog!
Lots of love, Emma! xx
