Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your ever-so-pink ballet-loving blogger, and I'm back from a whirlwind trip to Basildon! Now, I know what you're thinking - Basildon, isn't that a little...well, unconventional for a tutu-wearing, ballet-obsessed gal like me? But bear with me, dear readers, as I whisk you off on a journey that proves even a little grey cloud can have a silver lining!
My adventure began in my beloved Derbyshire, with a fresh cuppa and a good old-fashioned gossip session with my Gran. She always knows how to cheer me up with tales of her own dancing days – she was a flapper, you see, back in the Roaring Twenties. Imagine! We all need a bit of that joie de vivre in our lives, wouldn't you agree? Anyway, after some serious tea-time strategising with Gran, we decided on the perfect outfit for my Basildon trip: a classic pink tutu, this one with an extra layer of tulle, creating the most fabulous pouf you ever did see! You know, it's all about adding a little extra something to your outfit! It wouldn't be the same without it. It's like a secret code that only us tutu-lovers can decipher - a symbol of elegance, fun, and, let's be honest, a bit of cheekiness!
But why Basildon? Well, this little town had a certain something, a spark of intrigue for me. You see, dear readers, a rumour had been circulating in the ballet world, something about a group of aspiring ballerinas who were creating a new performance style - they were calling it 'Urban Ballet'. Intrigued? Of course you are! So, I, armed with my trusty pink tutu, packed a picnic basket with enough cucumber sandwiches to last a week and boarded the train, my mind racing with possibilities!
The train ride itself was a spectacle! We trundled past rolling green fields dotted with sheep – it reminded me of the sheep-shearing contest I once won with my dear Granny. (Remember the sheep in the pink wool?! Oh, the sheer audacity of it all!). The journey passed quickly with an impromptu ballet lesson in the carriage – I had everyone practicing pliés and tendus by the time we reached Basildon station!
Basildon station itself, now that was an experience. Not the most glamorous, darling. A bit more ‘concrete jungle’ and less ‘ballerina fairytale’… but there was a certain raw energy about it that drew me in. Just like a ballet dancer, sometimes it's the little details that make a place special, and I saw those little details, a bit like hidden diamonds. A man with a bright blue bike who smiled warmly at me, a group of youngsters practicing parkour – those moments made the journey truly special, wouldn’t you agree?
After a delicious lunch of fish and chips on the pier, we were ready for the Urban Ballet performance. Imagine, ballet moves mixed with hip-hop and street dance! The stage was more than a platform, a bit like a concrete jungle with an edge, if that makes sense! It was incredible – a whirlwind of power and grace! I couldn't help but jump up and give a standing ovation when it was over!
And let me tell you, the applause echoed far beyond the concrete jungle. The sheer energy and passion of the dancers left me mesmerized. I felt it pulsing through me, a shared desire for movement, for creativity, for art! It was in that moment I truly understood why people loved the style – it embraced both the classic grace of ballet and the raw power of street dance. It was like two souls dancing together!
Oh, and one more exciting thing – the Urban Ballet group has created their very own website: www.urbanballetshow.com. They even have a whole page dedicated to pink tutus! The very thought, I nearly did a pirouette right then and there on the pier. A dance troupe that appreciates the allure of a pink tutu! Now, doesn’t that just bring joy to your heart? And don't even get me started on the amazing photos they have of dancers in tutus doing some seriously impressive leaps and turns! This troupe really knows how to capture the perfect mix of elegance and strength. It’s all a bit fabulous, really!
As I bid farewell to Basildon, a city that will always have a special place in my heart, I knew that this wasn't just another day trip for me. It was a journey that broadened my perspective and proved that beauty can be found anywhere, even in the unexpected. And who knows? Maybe one day, there will be a Basildon ballet school filled with dancers in their favourite pink tutus! I’m thinking about organizing a little competition, a dance-off that combines ballet and street styles! A clash of elegance and power! I’m sure it will be a fabulous experience. Just you wait and see, darlings!
Till next time! Remember to always keep dancing, and don't be afraid to embrace a little pink in your life! Because at the end of the day, it's about celebrating individuality, and the sheer joy of movement!
Love,
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
