Hey darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu! It's September 2033 and I'm so excited to share with you all the amazing adventures I've had this month with my faithful steed, Magic Meg, in the world of time travel and ballet.
September, as you know, is the perfect time to revel in the magic of ballet, a month brimming with the start of new seasons, new productions, and new opportunities to twirl and twirl! As you all know, I adore everything ballet - and September has definitely been a whirlwind of colour, music, and elegance!
(Insert image of Emma with Magic Meg in the background)
My first stop this month was 1913 in London, a year that marked a revolution in ballet! I love this time period so much – all the amazing costumes and the joy in every performance. The world of ballet was on the cusp of something extraordinary then, and I couldn't resist taking a closer look.
Imagine my delight to find the iconic ballet, "The Rite of Spring" , in full swing! The staging, the choreography – even in its raw unconventional form it was brilliantly avant-garde, not a single feather boa in sight!
This year saw the creation of Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, an artistic revolution. I was captivated! I felt a wave of excitement and a sense of belonging, seeing all those bold designs. The energy was intoxicating, just like wearing a freshly-starched pink tutu! My rucksack, which I always carry on our time-travelling adventures, was stuffed with memories. I captured photographs of the stunningly designed costumes of Léon Bakst and Nathalie Gontcharova – those glorious colours and lines, you just can't replicate the vibrancy with our technology today.
(Insert image of Emma posing in front of a "The Rite of Spring" set)
(Image of Emma with her rucksack overflowing with sketches, ribbons, and swatches.)
But this month didn't end in the roaring twenties, no no! We took a jaunt to 1732 – that year, the ballet world was abuzz with the charming premiere of "Pygmalion," * written by *John Gay. I just love the way that story celebrates imagination and transformation - a very pink tutu kind of story! A lovely couple in Derby, near my home town, started a ballet school inspired by this performance - so that's the link between where I live now and my time-travels that I love to bring to the ballet world.
(Image of Emma dressed in a brightly-colored 1732-style dress, holding a hand-drawn sketch of "Pygmalion." )
Next up, 1881 - we journeyed to Russia to see the grand debut of *"La Bayadère." * Oh, the opulence ! It was almost overwhelming. The splendid costumes with feathers and gemstones … the scale and sheer grandeur were utterly breathtaking! My rucksack got an extra splash of pink glitter from the dances. This experience helped me see how the ballet world was building its style and beauty. I learnt that sometimes, even the most extravagant outfits tell the most simple stories. The story of love, devotion and sacrifice in "La Bayadère" was a tale that reminded me to be grateful for everything we have and to share that beauty with the world.
(Image of Emma sitting with her rucksack open, filled with tiny sequins, and holding a single feathery boa. )
Speaking of the world, we've travelled to every corner of it! We’ve seen ballerinas on the coastline of Brazil performing "Carnival," we've felt the spirit of Africa dancing to the beats of "Sheherazade," and we've stood on the moonlit hillsides of China while "The Red Detachment of Women" brought fire and glory to the stage.
(**Image of a world map covered in pin pricks and sparkling pink glitter)
Now September's winding down. But I'm excited for the next month, October! October is for the classics - "The Nutcracker", "Swan Lake", and of course, *"Sleeping Beauty!" * I can’t wait to step back in time, to witness the very first performances. To understand how those classics captured hearts and became global treasures is an essential part of our journey!
The pink tutu is more than just an outfit; it’s a symbol of magic, joy, and empowerment! It reminds us to look beyond the boundaries of time, to dream big and never give up.
And, I can't wait to see all your pink tutus this month! Share your photos with us on Pink-Tutu! Use the hashtag #PinkTutuRevolution! You might even win a special ballet prize!
With a pink tutu and a dancing heart,
Emma
