Hello lovelies, and welcome to Pink Tutu Time Travels! This is Emma, your Derbyshire-born ballet fanatic, and this is my time travel blog, where we go on adventures in time, explore the magical world of ballet, and of course, celebrate everything pink and fabulous. It's time for blog number 4353, and this month, we're spinning back to September 2023, a month brimming with delightful ballet happenings!
This month I decided to go a bit less "far flung" than last month's Egyptian exploration and, keeping my gorgeous sparkly pink tutu feeling quite dainty, it seemed fitting to travel closer to home, to England and a day that holds a special place in the heart of all Royalists. You know it's coming, I just knew I had to join in the jubilations of Queen Elizabeth's birthday!
Oh my gosh! The excitement was electric, especially considering she was 102 years young! Youâve never seen a celebration like this â people dressed up, bunting galore, cakes⌠even a glimpse of Magic Meg wearing a miniature crown, courtesy of a particularly crafty pigeon! I admit I even dabbled in a little bit of history for this occasion, and you know what I discovered?
Just a hint of the Queenâs deep love for ballet!
From royal events to intimate evenings, ballet was always present in her life. It made me extra proud to wear my pink tutu on this special day, like a small nod to a shared passion.
However, it was not all celebration and royal glamour in September. My heart did a little pirouette at the announcement of a brand-new Royal Ballet production, featuring the dazzling choreography of the wonderful Wayne McGregor, with the lovely Tamara Rojo leading the performance. I just HAD to see it, and I was mesmerised!
A September Filled with Ballet Bliss
I traveled to Covent Garden where the London Ballet School was holding its Annual Gala. Imagine an entire auditorium filled with shimmering tutus! So much talent! The excitement in the air was just palpable, as all the aspiring dancers, who trained tirelessly for this day, finally had their opportunity to shine. It was heart-warming to witness the sheer dedication, the dreams, and the potential in each of their performances. My heart practically exploded with pride. The young ballerinas who took the stage that day all looked absolutely divine â they truly showed what ballet means â it's an expression of pure artistry, of beauty, and most importantly, it's a way for these dancers to tell stories. Their performances that night filled me with a new dose of passion for ballet, reminding me of its incredible power and potential to connect, inspire and entertain.
Sharing The Magic
Septemberâs magic wasnât confined to the stage, it also danced into the galleries, too! Itâs not always ballet on Pink Tutu Time Travels - but it always touches our journey! A special exhibition at the Tate focused on Modern Dance and Fashion, with captivating photographs showcasing iconic ballet costumes that blurred the line between performance and street style. It gave me inspiration for a brand-new look for my ballet street wardrobe - and just wait until you see my new âdeconstructed tutuâ design that Iâm working on. It's going to revolutionize ballet fashion!
Of course, the trip wouldnât be complete without a peek into the wonderful world of vintage ballet. I was so thrilled to find a beautiful 1930âs costume made with feather embellishments in a gorgeous shade of blush pink in a charming little antique store in Hampstead. I snagged that treasure for my ballet collection, of course!
Oh, Magic Megâs Latest Fashion Find
Speaking of my fabulous collection - I love seeing Magic Meg proudly sporting a little ballet ribbon tied in her white mane! I canât tell you how hard it was to hide my treasure hunt. I managed to locate a perfect little boutique with all the fanciest equestrian tack you can imagine - you wouldnât believe the glamorous selection of saddle blankets. Magic Meg and I had so much fun choosing her new matching pastel-pink riding outfit to go with her golden hooves.
Fashion is in the air
And that is, I believe, exactly how this September ended up: a beautiful, sparkling blend of ballet passion, fashion and historical inspiration. And to share a little something from my bag of goodies I brought back from this monthâs adventure â letâs all do our part and keep our pink tutus high in the air â be prepared for our upcoming challenge! We'll try to get at least five people in your area wearing a pink tutu this month! Take some snaps and share your photos with me at pink-tutu.com - and donât forget to let me know what you want to see next!
Until next month,
Your time travelling ballerina,
Emma
P.S Don't forget to check out Emmaâs website: www.pink-tutu.com where you can read past blogs, find links to other fascinating historical ballet events, share your thoughts, and keep up with all the latest on your favourite ballet-loving time traveller!
