Post #4961
Oh, my darlings! I hope this post finds you twirling in a tutu and sporting the most delightful shade of pink. I know you've all been dying for an update on my latest ballet adventures, so I'm going to fill you in on all the exciting happenings since my last post. Buckle up, because it's been a whirlwind of tutu-tastic moments!
It all started last week with a trip to beautiful Derbyshire, my home county, which you know I'm absolutely besotted with! Now, I'm all for embracing the simple things in life - like a countryside stroll with a loved one and the comforting squeak of my trusty walking boots.
The main event of the trip was an absolutely breathtaking performance by the Royal Ballet at the Nottingham Theatre Royal. Can you believe, the last time I was there was for the Swan Lake ballet, about a decade ago, and you know, I've come a long way since then in my passion for all things dance! This time, they were performing Giselle, a captivating tale of love, betrayal and a magical forest, and it was the perfect way to reconnect with the art form that I've been completely immersed in for what feels like forever.
Anyway, before heading back to the big smoke I decided to treat myself to a luxurious spa day – I’m talking fancy massages, aromatic oils and just a touch of luxury indulgence - I mean, I can’t be spending all my time in sweaty dance studios and looking like I've just stepped off a battlefield in rehearsals can I?! My poor tutu’s are just begging to be airbrushed too. They are definitely going to get a lovely bubble bath after that ballet intensive next week.
And speaking of battlefields - my dear readers, let’s chat a little about the amazing power of tutu! The colour pink has got to be my go-to colour – the more the better in my opinion. Even my pet tortoise Shelly’s shell is a beautiful pink (did I tell you she has a cameo in a couple of upcoming blog posts?)! You’ll often catch me on the London Underground with a perfectly paired hot pink tutu or my ever-growing pink handbag (currently on a waiting list for an upgrade) – it always brightens up everyone's day. People look at me as if I’ve got magic, it really does! And sometimes I’m a little tempted to unleash some sparkly ballet moves in a impromptu display in the tube. But you can’t be messing with train carriages on your journey home… You should never upset the conductors. Not without a sprinkle of magic. But seriously though, even I have my limits on my tutus. I don’t tend to wear it on my travels up North on the train, I am careful what train I go on with my tutu. I once went on a journey with my friend Susan, where the journey was only two hours but they’re some real rough roads to take, and well let’s just say, I had to put my tutu away. Thankfully, my friend Susan, was happy to entertain me with tales of her love for ballet and what she would call ‘Pink Tutu Week’, which she puts on at her theatre every spring to encourage women, in fact people of all genders, to dress in pink, wear a tutu and take a class, then they donate money to an Alzheimer’s charity, as my grandma had suffered with this awful disease. Such an inspiring and generous thing to do – Susan really is a gem, and it was her encouragement that really helped to give me the idea to launch ‘TutuBlog’ and the idea of wearing a pink tutu and spreading the joy of dance far and wide.
But before we talk about my mission of pink tutu domination, my dear friends, let’s jump on the horse and trot into my exciting adventure to Hayes, a delightful place on the outskirts of London with quaint streets, cobbled squares and charming cafes where the air buzzes with a gentle rhythm that sets my dancing heart aflutter. The trip started at Hayes station and involved a charming ride with a rather large carriage - let’s just say, my tutu was certainly getting some air time! A lovely gentleman I was sharing my carriage with told me how his granddaughter’s biggest dream was to become a professional dancer. And I knew then, that my mission of encouraging everyone to wear a pink tutu and experience the pure joy of dance, became more important than ever. I always tell my students that the joy of dance, and ballet in particular, comes from the heart and it really doesn’t matter what shape or size you are!
Of course, I always find inspiration everywhere, especially in nature, where the creatures big and small embody the grace and agility of a dancer. In Hayes, I couldn’t resist visiting the wonderful Hayes Park. The majestic trees that lined the paths made me feel as if I was on a stage, my every movement watched and judged by the rustling leaves and singing birds. This was a feeling I’d definitely be embracing – let’s just say my latest YouTube post will definitely be an exciting and creative, dance performance and showcase!
Now, let’s get to the exciting part, the main reason I journeyed to this picturesque corner of London - Hayes Hall Theatre, where a performance of the National Ballet was about to unfold. The ballet that was being showcased this evening was La Bayadère, the beautiful and exotic story of love and betrayal in India. This was a classic and so beautiful - especially in this vibrant and picturesque part of West London – that had a bit of a wow factor! You know I was in my element, of course I dressed up to the nines (pink tutu and a chic, pastel pink blouse naturally!).
One of the things I enjoy about theatre and ballet is that it transports you to a new world, a different realm of possibility, allowing your imagination to soar. La Bayadère's intricate choreography and mesmerising costumes truly stole the show and you’d never catch me missing out on that! It reminded me, just like every other ballet performance, how much I love being a part of something bigger than myself – and how that same energy makes a difference to others’ lives and inspires them. I just wish I’d seen some more pink tutus there though - I could feel a mission calling!
That’s what I love so much about this dance and ballet life. My friends always joke I should set up an academy. You can call me Emma The Tutu Fairy. But as it turns out my friends and colleagues on TutuBlog already share a vision with me and they are the most encouraging, supportive people - always willing to don their pink tutus and give a whirl on the dance floor, or in their living rooms.
There’s something just so magical about dressing up in a pink tutu. The sense of playfulness, the liberation it offers – that’s what I hope to share with everyone who steps inside TutuBlog – and in real life! Let me know, have you been twirling your way around in your best pink tutu lately? What's been inspiring your moves? I'd love to hear about it! Let's share our stories and inspire each other!
Catch you next time!
Emma The Tutu Fairy. www.pink-tutu.com
