Hey gorgeous gals! It's your girl Emma, back with another fashionably-fabulous review, this time about something absolutely magical: winter ballet in New York City! I mean, what could be better than layering up in your fluffiest winter coat, feeling the crisp air on your cheeks, and then stepping into a magical world of dance and glitter?
Let’s get one thing straight: *Winter is my absolute favourite time for ballet. * There’s just something about the holiday spirit, the twinkly lights, and the excitement of new performances that really gets my tutus in a tizzy! And this year, New York has been absolutely overflowing with fabulous performances – so let me take you on a whirlwind tour!
First stop? The magical world of the New York City Ballet. I saw the legendary George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker,” and OMG! I’ve always loved the iconic story of Clara and the magical Nutcracker Prince, but watching this production in person took it to a whole new level! The set design is a total masterpiece, the costumes are incredibly beautiful, and the dancing was so breathtaking it made me cry! The sugar plum fairy, oh, she was a dream – so graceful, so elegant, it’s no wonder Tchaikovsky gave her a sweet little melody! And then there were the snowflakes! All those ballerinas, whirling in white, it felt like a beautiful winter dream come true!
But the NYC Ballet doesn’t stop at just “The Nutcracker.” They also showcased the incredible “Swan Lake,” another classic I’ve been dying to see! This was the first time I’d seen the story of Odette and her cursed swan form danced by a full company, and the grandeur was something else. It’s a masterpiece that really gets your emotions pumping, with all those dramatic twists and turns – the beautiful choreography, the intense storytelling, the elegant costumes. I’m not afraid to say it brought a little tear to my eye.
Speaking of “Swan Lake,” American Ballet Theatre (ABT) put on a dazzling rendition of it as well, featuring a guest artist I’d heard so much about – Herman Cornejo. He has the most phenomenal technical skills, and it really makes your heart melt when he performs all those grand jetés!
But hold on, this isn’t just all about the classic ballerinas! This winter has seen some incredibly fun and innovative performances too! I was really excited to see BalletX, which took classic techniques and choreography and totally spun them on their heads with some crazy, modern movements! Their program had this phenomenal piece with these huge, dramatic projections in the background – almost like an Instagram feed turned into a real ballet performance. And they have some pretty incredible male dancers, so dreamy!
Of course, what’s winter ballet without some glamorous tutus?! My fave was definitely The Ballet of the Boston Conservatory, who were here for a few nights with the absolutely stunning “Giselle.” I mean, how much more princess-y can a ballet get?! And “Giselle” did not disappoint, oh no! She was elegant and ethereal, and the second act – when she goes mad – well, I got goosebumps! All those powerful leaps, it was really exciting. The dancing from both Giselle and her love Albrecht made me truly fall in love with this romantic classic!
Let's talk fashion! Because seriously, when you're at the ballet, you get to really strut your stuff! I went for the ultimate princess look with a blush pink velvet dress and a sparkly tiara. My trusty pink coat with a huge fluffy scarf added to the Winter Wonderland vibe, and the fluffy, fluffy tutus on stage? That just makes everything even better, right? Honestly, there’s something magical about ballet and those big, poofy tutus – it makes you feel like a princess in your own little fairytale world! Don’t forget those chic ballerina pumps, which will add the finishing touches to your outfit. It’s all about finding that sweet spot between girly and elevated chic.
And don't even get me started on the amazing music! You know how much I love a good dance party, and the orchestras for these performances? Absolutely fantastic. Seriously, who doesn't love a bit of Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky! And what better place to appreciate the art of music than at a ballet performance?!
I truly can’t believe how amazing the winter ballet season has been. It has given me the ultimate #tutuwinter experience – and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way! Every single performance was magical, the music was brilliant, the dancers were phenomenal, and those fluffy, elegant tutus! Chef’s kiss I cannot wait for next year’s performances – it seems I’ll need a brand new tutu or two for the season ahead! 💖
So what are you waiting for, lovelies?! Go see some ballet – it will definitely leave you wanting more, believe me!
**XOXO,
Emma**
#tutuwinter #tutuseason #winterballet #newyorkballet #balletfashion #balletlover #balletlife #dancelife #fairytale
