Hello, darling dears! It's Monday morning, the sun is shining, and your favourite pink tutu-wearing blogger is back with another fabulous adventure from the heart of New York City! This week has been an absolute whirlwind of sequins, sparkle, and shoes that I absolutely had to buy - it's New York, what else could you expect?
Remember those incredible shoes from the American Ballet Theatre production of "The Sleeping Beauty" that I posted about last week? Well, guess who took the plunge and finally purchased a pair?! It's been a little secret ambition of mine since the first time I stepped into a real dance studio as a wee little thing back in Derbyshire - those stunning point shoes, oh, they have always been the holy grail of ballerina footwear! And here I am, strutting around NYC in them like a real pro. A few more blisters than usual (those darned leather straps!), but it's all worth it!
Of course, no trip to the big apple is complete without some fabulous fashion finds! This week I managed to score a new pink-and-gold sequined dress that's perfect for a trip to the ballet, as well as a brand new, ultra-stylish, sparkly tutu that just might become my signature piece for future performances. The colour is a stunning turquoise blue with silver sequins - utterly fabulous!
The absolute best part? This turquoise tutu doesn't even wrinkle in my suitcase! I've never been so excited about a piece of clothing, honestly! You can be sure that I'll be taking you all backstage and giving you a sneak peek into what it's like to be a tutu-loving ballerina in New York City. Let me tell you, it's every bit as glamorous and exciting as you can imagine.
So, onto this week's fabulous adventures!
Tuesday was all about ballet class! I braved the notoriously unpredictable New York subway - oh, the joy of getting squashed like a tin of sardines at 8 am! But, I survived, and my little ballet class at the famous Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater was incredible.
There's something special about practicing alongside some of the most talented dancers in the world! Even though it took me a week to remember how to execute a perfect pirouette, (the memory really is the first thing to go after a late night in a new city!), I felt on top of the world!
Wednesday morning found me sipping a cappuccino in the sunshine while enjoying a New York Times with my fellow pink-tutu enthusiast, Lily (who I met through my ballet class). Lily is an absolute darling with a style thatās a blend of elegance and punk - a fabulous mix, wouldn't you say? We made plans to see the new off-Broadway production of āAntigoneā, and trust me, this production is more about interpretive dance and modern movement than ballet! Even though I missed the ballet this night, Lily promised me an equally spectacular dance experience. It turned out, she was right! Iāve never seen so many graceful twirls and expressive jumps! Fabulous doesnāt even come close!
Thursday was a day for shopping! Now, if you're ever in New York, do make time to visit the amazing stores on Fifth Avenue. From high-end boutiques to more budget-friendly spots like Macy's, I was able to pick up some fabulous little outfits for my daily dance routines - I am a professional ballerina, don't forget! I managed to score a brilliant discount on a new, very pink tutu dress. This one has the prettiest tulle and some sequins for just that extra sparkle! I knew it would be perfect for my next performance!
Speaking of which, Friday night brought me the opportunity to perform at the West Side Theatre. A bit nervous at first - it's always slightly daunting performing for a new audience! - but my inner ballerina quickly took charge, I was twirling with absolute glee in my pink tutu by the end! The audience absolutely loved the piece (it was a choreographed rendition of the āSugarplum Fairy" from āThe Nutcracker"). My favorite moment? When a little girl with huge, excited eyes gave me a huge thumbs up and pointed to my shoes. That feeling, darling dears? That is what itās all about!
Saturday morning found me exploring Greenwich Village - a true kaleidoscope of shops and galleries, charming cafes, and the kind of cobblestone streets you'd imagine finding in a film. We also stopped for lunch at Momofuku Noodle Bar, a favourite of many New Yorkers, I discovered (Lily and I had the ramen soup, absolutely divine!), the whole village felt vintage in a way, and I can honestly say, Iāve rarely experienced an area so alive with creativity. It made me realise what an inspired city this is for any artist, whether you are a painter, a dancer or, of course, a tutu-obsessed ballerina blogger like myself!
Later that evening, after a quick detour to check out a jazz performance at the Blue Note, a very famous live music venue in NYC - just as the musicians got their first applause, Lily was suddenly whisked off to the side, she dropped my hand for a second and disappeared for a minute. When she came back she was wearing a red flower tucked behind her ear. Now, I know she doesnāt just go about sticking red flowers in her hair on the regular, and then she proceeded to tell me how a group of talented singers spotted her outside the club and invited her to perform with them. It's been a year since sheās had a proper onstage performance, so she wasn't quite sure, but seeing my eyes light up at the thought of her onstage was enough. They were performing a bluesy-jazzy cover of āDiamonds are a Girlās Best Friend" and after a lot of coaxing, she agreed to sing a verse, so after just one song, Lily was whisked off to celebrate her return to the stage with the other performers! What an amazing night! Honestly, there was so much talent in the room it was almost dizzying.
By Sunday night, I'd managed to squeeze in a couple more ballet classes at the Alvin Ailey studios (a few more pirouettes - I really am getting the hang of these, I think!) and spent some time catching up on my favourite fashion magazines! (Who can resist those lovely clothes and inspiring photography? I love seeing all the amazing colours and new styles. ). I also finished editing this blog post, which is a bit of a feat, as you can see, itās a big one. I had so many fun and exciting things to tell you about.
But, speaking of excitement...it wouldnāt be a trip to NYC if we werenāt attending at least one real Broadway show! Well, today, Monday, the 15th, is the day. Weāre going to watch āWickedā!!
I am so excited about this! Youāll have to check out next week's blog for a full update and my thoughts on all the amazing musical theatre we witnessed.
Until then, my dear, pink-tutu-wearing dears, stay fabulous! Remember, tutus are for everyone!
Donāt forget, dear ones, check back in next week for more adventures in New York City! You can find me at www.pink-tutu.com - pink always!
Your fabulous friend,
Emma
P.S. Do let me know which outfits you like the most - the turquoise blue sequined tutu or the pink tutu dress? *All comments welcomed! *
