Hello lovelies! It's Monday, the 6th of August, 2012, and guess who's back in New York City? This pink tutu-wearing ballerina, of course!
Iāve been in the Big Apple for just a couple of days, and already it feels like I've lived a lifetime! The energy here is electric. You can feel it coursing through the streets, from the vibrant artists in Washington Square Park to the street performers at Times Square, it's all around you.
Last night, after a whirlwind day of exploring Central Park and dodging tourists in Times Square, I ventured out for a fabulous ballet show. "The Nutcracker" is always a treat, even in August, but in New York? It's magical!
But first, some sightseeing! Central Park truly is a paradise. We (by we, I mean me and my fellow ballerina friend, Charlotte, who just so happens to be visiting from London) got a little lost amongst the greenery, and it took us a good hour to find the perfect spot to lay down our picnic blanket and have a leisurely afternoon tea. It felt so British, except for the pigeons being incredibly brazen about demanding food, and a cute little terrier wearing a tiny pink tutu ā very fitting, wouldn't you say?
Then, onto Times Square! Let me tell you, the energy there is something else. Everywhere you look, there's another billboard flashing bright, another busker serenading, another costumed character posing for pictures with tourists. I even saw a guy in a giant inflatable penguin costume who was giving free hugs. That was pretty fun, and it definitely earned me a big, fat smile.
After the park and the chaos of Times Square, we made our way to Lincoln Center for the "Nutcracker." The performance was simply sublime, as always.
You know, sometimes, as a ballerina, you just have to remind yourself why you do this, why you dance. Standing there in that magnificent theater, with the stage aglow, surrounded by such raw, genuine talent, is the most incredible reminder of the magic that dance brings to life. It made me want to get right back into my own pink tutu and twirl the night away.
Speaking of which, I can't believe I haven't even shown you my new dress! My friend and I had the absolute pleasure of visiting a little boutique near Central Park, called "Little Miss Twirl." Now, this wasn't just any ordinary shop, dear reader. It was a wonderland of tutus, sequined fabrics, and the most breathtaking collection of vintage dance shoes I have ever seen.
I fell in love with the most gorgeous pastel pink tulle dress with layers of ruffles and a big, fluffy bow at the waist. You can imagine my delight. I just knew it was destined to make an appearance in one of my next performances. Oh, and they also had the most wonderful pink ballet slippers ā imagine that, they matched the dress perfectly! I might have splurged a bit on that too. š
So, tomorrow I have a big ballet class in the heart of Manhattan. It's supposed to be a really challenging class, designed to really push us ballerinas. Iām so excited, itās been a while since Iāve taken a really difficult class! Of course, Iām a little apprehensive too.
But Iām also excited about all the other experiences awaiting me in this vibrant city.
Iāll let you know all about it in my next blog post, but for now, I'm off to catch some much needed sleep, dreaming of pink tutus and soaring through the air!
And as always, darling readers, rememberā¦ life is best lived in a pink tutu!
P.S. I'm loving using the Metro! It's fast, efficient, and it's given me the chance to observe all the people on their way to and from their day-to-day lives. This is a really exciting way to connect with New York's heart and soul. Plus, they have a system that really prioritises safety and accessibility. Very impressed!
P.P.S Donāt forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com and check out my blog each Monday for new updates on all my New York adventures!
The "Nutcracker" and Ballet:
Speaking of "The Nutcracker," I am still so in love with this ballet. And honestly, I think every single person in the world should see this performance at least once in their lifetime.
There is something about the storytelling, the music, the choreographyā¦ everything comes together to make it absolutely magical. From the sugar plum fairy to the nutcracker himself, every character feels real, like they are standing right before you.
And I have a secret to tell youā¦ my first performance, way back when I was still a little ballerina in Derbyshire, was a rendition of āThe Nutcracker.ā
Do you ever think about those first few moments, when you realise that your childhood dream is coming true? You know, it's like that line from āMary Poppins,ā āPractically perfect in every way.ā I'm not sure I can accurately put into words that feeling of absolute bliss.
But, just because you can only capture one version of āThe Nutcrackerā with any given dance company, doesnāt mean it wonāt evolve over time! Seeing āThe Nutcrackerā performed by the dancers at the New York City Ballet brought tears to my eyes. The sheer strength and beauty of the performances made me appreciate how important art is. It's such an intimate expression of so much!
Ballet, and especially this piece, reminds me of the power of artistic expression. Every performance is an expression of the company's artistic voice at that moment, which can differ slightly, yet also deeply resonate with all of its viewers. I love seeing the artistic visions evolve throughout my dance journey!
Fashionable Reflections:
Of course, every dancer needs their wardrobe staples ā and of course, this includes a selection of pink tutus. My go-to brand is this small British company called "Dizzy Tutus". Their quality is exquisite, and the designs are truly eye-catching, but their colour paletteā¦ oh, I think we are speaking the same language here. Itās not all just about tutus, though, my fashion needs are varied! I even keep my everyday attire in pink, if I can!
Speaking of tutus and shopping... my new favorite thing is discovering vintage tutus in vintage clothing shops! Not every store has them, but when you do stumble across them, itās truly a treasure to behold! Iāve been doing this for the last few months in London and so far, itās brought my life joy! The colours and fabrics ā they tell so many stories. And let me tell you, my apartment looks so good with all my pink tutus proudly displayed on the wardrobe racks!
More than just clothes!
There is nothing like getting lost in the rhythm of New York's streets. Iām pretty sure I have my favourite corner in every neighbourhood, all picked out by my inner ballerinaās instinct, as it were. Every block is a story waiting to be explored. And you just have to go with the flow! And speaking of rhythm, remember how I mentioned seeing the costumed character and the free hugs? I ended up joining in with a few dance moves! I know I looked absolutely bonkers in my tutu and dress, but I didn't care one bit, not for a minute. This is how you dance to the beat of the Big Apple! Itās such an authentic way to be present in New York City.
A Few Words on Derbyshire:
So many of you ask about Derbyshire! You can find all about it on my blog in earlier entries, but let me remind you why it will forever hold a special place in my heart.
For me, the Peak District holds a special significance; itās the home of the inspiration that put me on this path, as a ballerina. When Iām feeling a bit jaded and overwhelmed, the mountains of the Peak District always help me to reconnect with the strength of nature and myself.
Derbyshire reminds me of how to breathe; it helps me feel rooted, it feels like my grounding energy in all the whirlwind moments in life. I owe a lot to this place!
The Peak District, for me, is so different from New York City. The rolling green hills and charming villages offer an escape from the hustle and bustle, a space to rediscover a peaceful side of life. It's beautiful, calming, and really quiet. Of course, as a dancer, it's my ādance zone,ā a spot that really helps me reconnect to my roots.
Now, itās definitely time to catch some more shut eye. Weāve got lots of dancing and exploring planned for this week! Remember to subscribe to my website at www.pink-tutu.com and come back for all my exciting updates from my trip to the city! And until then, my lovely readersā¦ live your best life in a pink tutu!
