Hey darlings!
It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast, and guess what? I'm back from a whirlwind trip to the seaside town of Blackpool! I know, I know, not exactly the first place that comes to mind for a ballet-obsessed girl like me, but let me tell you, Blackpool had me twirling with delight.
As usual, I embraced the journey with open arms and decided to ditch the car for the trusty old train. It’s just such a more charming way to travel. Imagine, watching the rolling countryside whisk by while you sip on a cuppa and dream of pirouettes – pure ballet-inspired bliss!
Once in Blackpool, my eyes were immediately drawn to the vibrant colours of the promenade. It was almost like a stage set for a dazzling ballet, a perfect backdrop for twirling my own little tutu, which I had picked up at a quirky vintage shop just outside Matlock, my home town. It was a masterpiece of floral-patterned silk and sparkly pink feathers – absolutely fabulous, naturally!
Speaking of fabulous, my mission to spread the gospel of tutus didn’t stop at the train station. I must have met at least ten fellow tutu enthusiasts on the Blackpool Promenade itself. A gaggle of grannies, all sporting a different shade of pink tutu (a blush pink here, a salmon there!), were striking a pose for a photo and, well, let's just say it took all my self-control not to join them for a spontaneous flash mob. Imagine the picture! Granny power in tutus, a total delight!
I simply couldn’t resist letting the Blackpool air whisk my pink tutu about and have a little shimmy. I swear, it almost had a life of its own. Maybe it was just the Blackpool illuminations dazzling my eyes, or the smell of freshly cooked fish and chips wafting in the breeze. Who knows! But, a tiny, inner ballerina in me simply couldn't resist, and a little pirouette, a couple of leaps and twirls - the crowd applauded and some even cheered! I must confess, it took some convincing to get them going.
I mean, who can resist a little twirl, right? You can't just visit a place like Blackpool and not have a bit of a shimmy, now can you? I’d even caught a glimpse of a seagull taking a tumble down the beach in a rather ungraceful fashion and even those salty seagulls couldn’t resist joining the party!
Before I ventured further into Blackpool, I made sure to visit the Blackpool Tower. It really is quite a spectacle - the impressive architecture, the views, and even a hidden gem of a museum featuring ballet posters. Oh, how I’d love to go on one of those vintage tour buses with all the beautiful Blackpool ladies and all of us dressed in our pink tutus. Oh the gossip that would flow!
Later, I discovered the hidden gem of the Winter Gardens - a truly magnificent piece of Victorian architecture! Imagine, waltzing to the tunes of the beautiful brass band under its dazzling glass roof – pure Victorian-era elegance! I think I’ve got my next Tutu Dance theme sorted!
Even though it wasn't an evening of ballet at the Blackpool Grand Theatre (although it does have a fab program of ballet shows throughout the year, I’ve been told! ), my visit wasn’t complete without seeing a real ballet-themed event, of sorts. The Pleasure Beach (oh what a lovely name for a place) was a veritable smorgasbord of exciting entertainment and some truly spectacular light shows. A little less Swan Lake and a bit more Cabaret, sure, but still pure Blackpool magic and great fun!
Of course, I can’t go to a seaside town without a little splash about in the ocean! The North Sea was cold and crisp - just how I like it! After my ocean dip, I discovered a little gem - a seaside cafe with a most delicious afternoon tea with a unique twist: scones with clotted cream, finger sandwiches and little bite-sized ballerina cupcakes, just divine! Who’d have thought Blackpool could be so stylish!
By now, my trusty ballet bag (a vintage leather satchel decorated with pink ribbon - of course!), was laden with souvenir tutu-inspired goodies. Tiny, glittery pink ballerina figures, sparkly pink headbands and even a vintage pink tutu, perfect for my collection! Who could resist? And even some special edition Blackpool themed pink and black tutu ribbon for a little flair in the studio, and pink jelly beans for all my fellow Derbyshire dancers - they can’t resist these!
Now, before you ask, you know my daily trips back to the Derbyshire studio will involve showcasing a few new pink tutus with some of the Derbyshire ladies who love their pink tutus almost as much as me. As for my journey back? That’s a whole other adventure waiting to happen. I might just ask for a horse and cart to whisk me back home – it's just so charming and romantic, and completely in tune with the world of ballerinas!
Till next time,
Your Tutu loving Emma www.pink-tutu.com
