Post #1151 - 28th August 1999
Hello, my darling dancers! It’s your favourite pink tutu-loving, ballet-obsessed blogger, Emma, here, back with another diary entry from the exciting world of twirling!
Today was a delightful journey back to the beautiful world of dance, a trip that whisked me away from the quaint charm of Derbyshire and onto the railway lines to the charming town of Ruislip, London. As I always say, the train is truly a magical mode of transport, it allows you to soak up the countryside and daydream about the performance that lies ahead. It’s not a surprise to anyone that I prefer this method of transport to, say, the bustling London tube - far too chaotic for my refined tastes! But hey, I always wear a comfortable pair of ballet shoes in case I need to whip out some fancy footwork to navigate the crowds… I’m always prepared for a ballet-themed flash mob!
Ruislip, you might be surprised to learn, is actually home to a little piece of balletic paradise: the charming Ruislip Village Ballet School. I’d heard so much about it – apparently they hold some truly remarkable ballet workshops, led by renowned dancers who can make even the most wobbly of us feel like swans gliding across the stage! So naturally, my dear reader, I just had to go and check it out for myself.
With a twirl of my fabulous new yellow tutu (oh yes, I had to buy it! It’s a vibrant sunny yellow – quite a change from my usual palette of pinks, but absolutely delightful nonetheless! The sales assistant in Liberty's told me that sunshine yellow is a must-have colour for a ballerina, as it helps draw the eye towards graceful movements, much like the spotlight on stage, only far more subtle!), I strode into the ballet school, a mixture of excitement and nerves fluttering in my stomach. But any worry was soon swept away by the warm, welcoming smiles of the teachers and the infectious energy of the fellow dancers! It really felt like coming home.
After a warm-up – you can't start any good ballet session without a good warm-up! I was pleasantly surprised to see some familiar faces. Some girls from the local Derby ballet club were there, and they immediately dragged me into their midst for a flurry of 'cha-cha-cha's' and 'step, step, jump, turn's! The whole group was filled with a vibrant, almost contagious joy - and honestly, how could you not be joyful in a room full of dancers, all passionate about their art?
It was incredible! The lessons were demanding, teaching us a series of intricate steps and complex pirouettes. My own favourite move of the day? The 'grand jeté', it always makes me feel like I'm flying! We learned the moves and then… cue the music…we rehearsed! We formed into lines and practiced, slowly becoming more and more accustomed to the elegant, graceful choreography. For a brief moment, the world around us melted away – it was just us, the music, and the ballet. Pure magic.
Of course, I couldn’t resist popping into the costume cupboard afterwards to admire the dazzling selection of tutus and leotards (my heart almost skipped a beat when I spotted a bright pink tutu - just my style!), and then… oh the delight!… we were treated to an amazing performance from the school's dance company. The stage was aglow with colours and emotion, the dancers a blur of elegant movement. Each and every step, every expression, resonated with a kind of purity that truly touched my soul. And as the music swelled and the last bow was taken, the entire audience erupted into a roar of applause.
But that wasn't all, after the performance, we gathered outside for a delightful picnic with the teachers and fellow dancers, sharing tales of our favorite ballets, discussing our dream roles, and – naturally - swooning over the most delightful dance costumes. (There was even a friendly debate on the best kind of ballet shoe! To me, there's nothing better than a classic satin pointe shoe, it's just got that elegant and graceful aesthetic... but I can also see the appeal of leather, it has a certain practicality that can't be beaten. And for you readers out there who love ballet, but haven't yet embraced pointe shoes – fear not, they're like ballet magic! It’s just amazing how your toes can take on a life of their own and gracefully float on top of them.)
Speaking of graceful floating, did I mention I saw the most magnificent swan today?! As I took a lovely walk through the beautiful Ruislip Manor Park (a lovely hidden gem!), I spotted this elegant swan, it had a fluffy white coat, bright yellow beak and a confident aura about it, as though it owned the place (it kind of did!). I can honestly say it reminded me of a graceful ballerina in all her elegant glory. The wildlife is always such a joy – it truly reminds us that beauty exists in every part of the world, from the stages of theatres to the leafy green pathways of nature.
You see, darling readers, the magic of ballet is contagious, and it reaches beyond the stage. Whether it’s sharing stories over a picnic with fellow dancers or spotting a magnificent swan gliding through the park, it just reinforces my love for this elegant, passionate form of art. I believe that anyone can discover their inner ballerina – all it takes is a bit of courage, a sprinkle of joy and, of course, the right tutu. And if you need a nudge in the right direction, simply wear a pink tutu and remember that no matter where life takes you, a touch of magic awaits.
Remember to subscribe to my blog – www.pink-tutu.com, for daily ballet inspiration. Till next time, dance with your heart!
