Monday, 19th September 2022
Good morning darlings! Welcome back to the Pink Tutu Blog. The sun is shining bright here in New York City, just like my pink tutu!
This week I'm bursting with excitement because my latest adventures have been all about the most magical city in the world! The Big Apple, as they call it, has been dazzling my senses and tickling my tutu feathers. And trust me, you'll be seeing a whole lot of photos from my trip, because, as you all know, I absolutely adore documenting my travels!
The Journey Begins
As you all know, my heart is truly at home on the stage, dancing my heart out to the rhythmic whispers of the music. That's what keeps the lights on, metaphorically speaking of course, so that I can keep bringing you all the gorgeous delights of fashion, ballet and fabulousness, right here in my blog! This time around, I took on a beautiful and exciting new commission for a new performance in a prestigious theatre. This meant hopping on a plane and flying from my beloved Derbyshire, the green and peaceful heart of England, right to the pulsating heart of New York!
I love traveling by plane - the soaring high above the clouds always makes me feel as though I can achieve anything I set my mind to. It’s the feeling of infinite possibilities, you see. And New York, well, it feels like the universe is waiting to be conquered with my trusty pink tutu by my side.
I do have to confess though, that getting all my gear through the airport security can be a tad tricky at times, especially the pointy shoes and my lucky pink tutu. You see, airport security seems to have this thing about "sharp objects," which is always a bit of a giggle, given the nature of my profession!
Once I had arrived, safe and sound at the grand hotel I booked (I found a spectacular deal for my fabulous trip to the Big Apple - always keep an eye out for those offers!) my first order of business was to whirl, twirl and frolic through the heart of New York City, because what better way is there to kick off an adventure than to take a deep dive into the soul of this amazing city?
First Stop: Times Square!
Of course, no trip to New York is complete without a pilgrimage to Times Square, the dazzling, glowing heart of the city. It's where you really feel the vibrant energy, the excitement of possibility and, oh, that iconic "wow" factor that everyone talks about! The moment I stepped out of the yellow taxi, the kaleidoscope of lights, neon signs and dazzling billboards literally blew me away!
You'd think I'd be used to it after all the stage shows, right? But let me tell you, nothing compares to the sheer energy and glitz of Times Square. Imagine if every ballet production you'd ever been to, with all their colourful, captivating costumes, set design, and vibrant characters, was crammed into a single block, with all the hustle and bustle of a city centre… That's the kind of effect Times Square has! The energy is exhilarating! Of course, I snapped pictures, countless selfies and videos, with my sparkly pink tutu in the centre of it all, as my camera danced alongside me. You wouldn’t be surprised to know I was the centre of attention, twirling through the busy crowd with an aura of joyful abandon!
I can tell you one thing - those billboards sure love to be seen, so much so, they are basically constantly competing to be the brightest and biggest! Some were showing the newest films and movie stars, others showcased advertising, and of course, some were featuring incredible ballet productions, which is what drew my attention! My heart was aflutter when I spotted a huge billboard promoting "Swan Lake" playing in Broadway, so that immediately had to be added to my must-see list, before my performance started. I always love watching others take to the stage, inspiring me to create a performance of my own!
The Metro - A Dancing City Underground
Okay, now let's talk about my absolute favourite thing about New York City - its underground. Okay, I might sound a little bit crazy saying this, but honestly, I think it’s a secret paradise, just for me!
First off, those incredible metal grates that criss-cross over every inch of the city floor? They remind me of the floor of my dance studio at home in Derbyshire, and even the clatter of the train, and the clinkety-clonk of the wheels, seems to have its own sort of music! In fact, there are even subway performers playing beautiful melodies, and even the shouts of street vendors add to the symphony of sounds that is so captivating! The metro is a unique heartbeat in itself. You can just feel that buzz! The subway in New York feels as alive as the city itself. There are just so many things going on and I absolutely adore watching everyone in the city whizzing by in this bustling underground ballet!
Honestly, as soon as I stepped down those famous yellow stairs into the heart of the metro, the place just felt like it was made for me. Everywhere I looked there were people rushing, stopping, and all this fantastic visual dance of motion - it was such an overwhelming sensory feast. People, all decked out in bright colours, fashion, style, and outfits, all jostling together, but in some ways moving in perfect synchronicity as they make their way from one destination to the next, it felt like a grand performance!
Now, there's just something absolutely magical about wearing my pink tutu in such a setting. As you all know, I always wear my pink tutu whenever I'm out and about and honestly, New York just made me want to twirl more than ever. Maybe it’s the vibe, the rhythm of the city. Maybe it’s because it feels like I’ve walked into a scene from my favourite film - Singin' In the Rain meets the The Nutcracker, but without all the creepy mice! It’s truly something else, believe me!
I’ll tell you, there’s a kind of confidence that comes with waltzing down a packed metro station, twirling like the prima ballerina of the whole city. It’s empowering and I think everyone deserves to have that kind of confidence - in fact, I'm on a mission to get everyone wearing their own version of the Pink Tutu, wherever they are in the world! Why just be ordinary when you can feel the power of a little extra tulle in your life?
Of course, it doesn't always go as planned. Remember that one time I nearly tripped over my tutu in front of everyone, especially on the escalator - thankfully it was just a little wobble. However, let me tell you, the looks I received were worth it. Even if you’re just walking, the flow and rhythm of the pink tulle somehow just seems to create an air of graceful ease, which is something I like to embrace in every part of my life, from my professional ballet performances, right through to the daily chaos of New York City life.
It’s my own little bit of magic, I suppose!
*Time for Tea! (But Make It Fancy) *
So after a whirlwind morning of subway travels, exploring Times Square and capturing it all for the blog, it was time to indulge in the greatest British tradition of them all – afternoon tea! In New York City, naturally it had to be super special and I found the perfect place - a charming little cafe on 5th avenue. It was called, 'The Afternoon Delight Cafe'. I know! Isn’t that just darling? I can’t tell you how delighted I was.
I treated myself to a beautiful assortment of miniature cakes, scones piled high with clotted cream and jam, plus a delicious pot of tea, of course. Honestly, every single detail of my tea time was just heavenly. You can almost picture it, right? Me, wearing my pink tutu, sat amongst the bustle of a cafe, a haven of delicious tea and delicious pastries, with an aura of whimsical femininity!
This particular tea room, just for a brief moment, felt as though I had somehow magically escaped New York City and been transported right into one of my favourite childhood storybooks! The wallpaper was a delicate floral print, the seats were soft velvety fabrics, and it was oh so pink! Pink floral cushions dotted the seating, pink ribbons and flowers decorated every nook and cranny of the cafe, and to top it all off, they even served my favourite drink, - the perfect pink tea! And just to give you an idea of how magical this tea time was, there was even a tiny teapot in the centre of each table. I mean, what more could you possibly ask for, when it comes to having afternoon tea in New York City?!
But let me tell you, it wasn't all sugar and scones. This tea room had the perfect blend of deliciousness, femininity, and some fantastic local New Yorkers who seemed just as enchanted by my tutu as I was by theirs! They even shared their fascinating tales of life in the Big Apple. There was one couple who owned a bakery, another family who loved coming here every weekend, and a group of friends planning their annual reunion! So that, really is what makes the experience of a place like New York City so unique, don’t you think? The fact you get a glimpse into people’s lives - all these captivating individuals, weaving their stories, dreams, and hopes within the fabric of this great, grand, beautiful city! It's such a joy to share and exchange stories and experiences, in such a colourful and magical environment!
Dancing in the Spotlight: The Ballet Performance
As if the afternoon wasn’t special enough, after my fantastic afternoon tea, I made my way down to the grand theatre, my favourite place to be. For those of you who have never been, there is nothing more magnificent and breathtaking than seeing the golden stage, glowing with anticipation for the night ahead! It's almost like a fairy tale world coming to life right before your eyes!
I was taking the stage that evening in "The Nutcracker". It was my favourite role in the ballet world! I’m quite known for bringing the Sugar Plum Fairy to life with a new flourish and that signature sparkle of femininity which I know my fans adore!
After hours of rehearsal and meticulous prep work, the curtains finally rose and there I was, shimmering, swirling, and floating across the stage. As always, the stage lights turned into little stars sparkling above my head and every note of music was like magic. My performance was amazing - every leap and pirouette had such an electric energy, especially since I was feeling all the buzz of the big city. The audience were laughing, cheering, and applauding so enthusiastically. It's like I’ve finally brought all my creativity and dedication to a beautiful fruition on the grand stage in New York. The night was perfection.
And trust me when I tell you, all that dancing has a way of working up a delicious appetite! After the final curtain call, I stepped off stage, buzzing with exhilaration and exhausted! But what did I do, after that adrenaline-filled performance? You guessed it – straight to the food stand! I wasn't even hungry for a while, it was just that my tutu, shoes, and I had all earned it after such a fantastic show. The stage had provided its own sort of deliciousness, you see. I bought myself an amazing giant cookie, topped with pink candy, sprinkles and cherries! Of course, this meant sharing it with my fabulous pink tutu – that way, we both had the sweetest reward for another wonderful night under the bright lights.
The Best Part: A Magical Performance in Times Square
There is just something special about ballet in New York, I don't know, maybe it's the city's vibes. Or maybe, because in New York, every street feels like it’s got the chance to turn into its own, vibrant, incredible performance. It’s like the city's rhythms inspire me to give more of myself on stage!
That's what happened the very next day, in fact.
My fellow dancers and I decided to bring our show into Times Square - in a way, a celebration of this city, this feeling of unstoppable optimism. So, in front of the iconic bright lights, we performed. We danced on the pavement, and let me tell you, it felt magical, and the passersby were absolutely captivated. They applauded so wildly and even some started dancing with us! It was wonderful and the highlight of our time in New York. And let me tell you, my pink tutu was dancing with a little extra spring in its step - there was just so much joy in the air.
But then I looked around, and, guess what? People in the crowd started twirling around. Then the other passersby followed suit. And as the rhythm of our dance swept the crowd along, everyone started adding their own steps! A little jazz hand here, a ballet move there. It was pure spontaneous brilliance! That's what I love so much about this city. New York, and the people here, have a sense of energy and style that just draws everyone in, and then everybody has their own, fabulous contribution!
So, even as I write this, I feel my tutu vibrating with the echoes of the excitement that was flowing through Times Square! I still feel the joy and thrill of those moments and it makes my heart so happy. My little pink tutu was literally dancing with all the people of the Big Apple - that’s what I call magical. I can only hope I gave back to this incredible city what it gives to me, with every beat, and every single breath. And maybe I even gave them the nudge they needed to put on a tutu and embrace that inner magic, a little bit too!
Stay Tuned...
You see, this is just the first half of my incredible journey through New York City. There are still so many other amazing experiences and sights to discover, and, of course, many more tutu moments to come! But you'll have to wait for those until next week’s post! So, until then, keep dancing!
If you haven't already, follow me on all the platforms, or just go check out my YouTube channel! And remember, the only limit to where your pink tutu can take you is your own imagination! See you all next week, darling!
Love, Emma, from The Pink Tutu Blog.
*Follow Emma's adventures by visiting the Pink Tutu Blog every Monday. www.pink-tutu.com *
