Hello my gorgeous pink tutu darlings! It's your favourite Derbyshire dancer Emma here, and boy oh boy, have I got a tale to tell you! I’ve swapped the hustle and bustle of the city for the beautiful hills of Macclesfield, Cheshire. And yes, you guessed it, my trusty pink tutu came along for the ride!
You see, my loves, a little bird told me about the Macclesfield Festival and, naturally, I couldn't resist! It’s a celebration of all things artsy, and well, where there’s art, you know I’ll be twirling in! Plus, a day out in the beautiful Peak District? Sign me up!
Now, getting there was half the fun. I traded the usual train journey for something a little more... equine. Let's just say my heart was racing (but not in the usual ballet dancer way) as I galloped across the countryside, feeling the wind in my hair. My little tutu practically floated in the breeze. If I hadn't been holding on for dear life, I'd have twirled!
Arriving at the Festival, it felt like stepping into a wonderland. Every corner buzzed with excitement, and there were people of all ages enjoying the performances, art displays and workshops. The sheer joy in everyone’s faces warmed my little ballet-loving heart!
As a special treat, they were hosting a street theatre show – ballet-inspired, no less! And yes, my dearest friends, a gorgeous troupe of dancers were doing all the incredible things that makes my ballerina soul happy: pirouettes, leaps, arabesques, and a stunning ensemble number in, wait for it… a glorious array of pink tutus! The crowd was mesmerised! The cheers were deafening. My heart fluttered like a hummingbird taking flight - It felt as if the whole of Macclesfield had been touched by the magic of ballet!
Speaking of magical, I managed to squeeze in a little workout myself. The festival had a pop-up ballet studio right in the heart of it all! Can you imagine, a ballet barre under the sunshine, with birds chirping, and the faintest smell of lavender? Bliss!
After a quick (and sweaty) workout, I felt like my tutu needed a little refreshment, so I went on a magical foraging expedition through the Peak District. My camera captured the stunning views and my little tutu got to meet some wildlife. A very shy squirrel came and said hello (though I think it was mainly interested in the berries in my hand)! And I think I spotted a couple of adorable little pink rabbits! Now if I could just convince them to trade their fluffy ears for my favourite pink headband!
All this running around in the sunshine had made me feel positively peckish, so I treated myself to the cutest little afternoon tea – sandwiches, cakes, and an assortment of dainty pink cupcakes, which were almost too pretty to eat!
Then, as the day drifted into dusk, I settled in for another special ballet treat: a performance by the Royal Ballet of Cheshire. Oh, my friends! This show had it all - graceful jumps, beautiful extensions, a sense of story telling that just moved me! Even my little pink tutu felt the magic of it all.
My adventures in Macclesfield taught me, once again, how incredibly joyful ballet can be. You don't need to be on stage, in a plush theatre, or even a dedicated ballet studio, to feel its magic. A picnic in the park, a casual ballet class under a clear sky, even a quick walk through a quaint little town can make your ballerina heart beat faster. And that is the message I want to share with all of you: Dance. Twirl. Live your life in a tutu if you want to. And share your joy with the world.
But my dears, that’s all for now! My pink tutu is feeling a little worn, but my heart is filled with the joy of dancing and beautiful new memories. I’m already planning my next adventure - and I'll definitely be sharing it with you all soon.
Don't forget to check back here tomorrow, same time, same place! Until then, keep on twirling and never stop believing in the power of a pink tutu to change the world!
Your eternally pink,
Emma
