Hello my dearest tutu-twirling treasures! Itās Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink-loving ballerina, back with another fabulous time-travel adventure. This month, Iāve whisked myself off to the shimmering, jazzy Roaring Twenties, and let me tell you, itās a time that truly knows how to party!
As you all know, my passion for ballet isnāt just about the graceful steps and the elegance of the form, itās about its history, its fashion, and the captivating stories woven through each and every performance. And where better to immerse oneself in this than the exciting era of flapper dresses, jazz music, and oh-so-much flaunting?
This time, Magic Meg, my trusty pink shimmering Shire horse with those golden hooves and a flowing white mane and tail, galloped us right into the heart of New York City. The streets buzzed with excitement, full of people dashing to work and play, the air thick with the sweet smell of popcorn and freshly baked pies. The glamour! The energy! It was utterly intoxicating.
Before venturing into the heart of the city, I had to grab my very own flapper dress ā I mean, who can resist a shimmering, fringe-adorned masterpiece? And wouldn't you know it, I even found a tutu shop that was absolutely bursting with glorious pink tutus, just my style! Oh, the joys of time travel!
Let's talk ballet! My first stop was a beautiful theatre ā oh, the sheer elegance! ā to see a performance by the Pavlova Ballet Company, a company that had just formed the previous year! I couldnāt believe it. The choreography, so vibrant and exciting, was a breathtaking spectacle. They had such an infectious energy! It was utterly mesmerizing.
As I watched, my heart swelled with joy. It was then I realized just how important ballet was to the culture and identity of these times. I was fortunate to catch an incredibly talented ballerina named Anna Pavlova ā oh, the poise and control! ā her graceful steps, and expressive movements had me completely captivated. It was as if she was weaving magic with each pirouette and leap! The entire audience erupted in a standing ovation ā everyone was enthralled. It was incredible to see such passionate appreciation for the art form.
The story didnāt end there! Backstage, I was lucky enough to meet the charming Mikhail Fokine, the famous choreographer and a prominent figure in this period. I learned from him that ballet wasnāt merely an expression of the physical, it was a medium of storytelling, a celebration of emotions and the human condition. He was truly inspirational!
You won't believe the backstage treasures I collected for my ballet history collection, I secured a programme from the show, a signed photo of Pavlova, and some hand-drawn ballet sketches from Fokine ā such an absolute treat! And to think they might have just been chucked away if I hadn't stepped into the past with Magic Meg! I felt a little bit like a glamorous ballet archaeologist!
Oh, and I discovered something quite fascinating about the world of dance at the time. I learnt how influential dance halls, known as āballroomsā were in the Roaring Twenties. People were moving their bodies freely, dancing and having fun! There were even ballrooms featuring some amazing tango performances! The energy! The passion! I could dance all night. They definitely gave ballet a bit of a run for its money.
It was such a whirlwind of excitement and adventure, and thereās no place quite like the Roaring Twenties to really unleash your inner āflapperā! Oh, my, I am just beaming with delight at all I discovered on my time-traveling escapade this month!
And wouldnāt you know it, I met a darling couple from Derbyshire, just like myself, who said that in June 1929, there was a rather sensational production called "The Red Shoes" with its vibrant dance scenes, that truly captured the mood of this time period. The dancing shoes were a spectacle, oh, so beautifully crafted! They are a stunning example of just how influential the dance was, even to everyday fashion.
If you happen to visit Derbyshire on your travels, and you spot a shop full of pink tutus and a sassy ballerina, itās probably just me. Do come and say hello! Remember, the best ballet adventures are always shared with others!
Till next time, tutu twirlers!
Love,
Emma
*Donāt forget to check out my website at www.pink-tutu.com where I share even more pinktastic ballet tips and tricks for you and Magic Megās travels through the timeline! *
*And if you are thinking of coming on a trip with Magic Meg, check out my online ballet performance schedule - I can even teach you some of the flapper dance moves. Who wouldnāt want a tutu-licious twirl?! *
Do you want to see me time-travel to a particular era? Iām always up for new adventures. Leave your suggestions below and we can journey back in time together!
