Hello my lovely little ballerinas! 👋
It's Emma here, back with you on www.pink-tutu.com for another daily dose of twirling inspiration. I've got a confession to make… my love for tutus has reached a whole new level. Today I'm rocking a bright, shimmering, cyan tutu! 😱 You heard right, folks. Not pink! It's practically shouting out for attention with all its aqua goodness, and you know what? I'm here for it.
So where did this wild, unexpected colour burst into my life, you ask? Well, you might be surprised. It's Barking, darling! Now, before you think I'm getting into trouble, I’m not talking about barking at the moon… 😉 I’m talking about the charmingly chaotic little town in East London. You know, home to all those quirky shops and delicious fish and chips.
Let’s rewind the tape a little, shall we? After a beautiful morning spent at my favourite studio in Derbyshire, where I spent a good two hours learning some glorious new fouettes, I felt inspired to travel a little further afield. I hopped onto the good old fashioned "steam train" (just imagine, folks! – steam) from Chesterfield station and spent the afternoon enjoying the views, feeling a little bit like Alice on her way to Wonderland.
The Best Ballet Performance Since I Went To...
My destination? The legendary Sadler's Wells Theatre in London, of course! And I've got to tell you, my dear friends, this was a show I'll be cherishing for a long, long time. The performance was a blend of classical and modern ballet that simply had me spellbound. I swear I even saw a cheeky little sparrow steal a feather from a dancer's headpiece! (He flew off in a bit of a panic when the audience gasped).
Speaking of gasps, you haven't lived until you've seen a ballet show where a real horse struts across the stage with a leading ballerina perched gracefully on its back. Just seeing those beautiful animals on the grand stage was enough to bring tears to my eyes – but when that horse twirled the ballerina around, the theatre simply erupted with cheers. It was magic, pure and simple.
The Magic of Barking's Open Spaces and the Wildlife Surprise
Back in Barking after the show, I had a lovely walk by the Thames. The air was warm and crisp, with a hint of salty ocean in the breeze. It's incredible to me how just a quick journey can transport you from the quiet peace of a countryside train journey to the bustling city streets. I spotted a curious heron watching some fish with its long, skinny neck perched on the riverbank. It was so graceful and elegant, just like a dancer waiting for her cue!
There was so much green space in Barking that it actually felt quite serene, even with the hustle and bustle of the London crowds going about their day. And when you’re in the heart of the city, finding a little patch of nature, really allows you to appreciate both sides of the coin. That's how I feel about dance too. We need that beautiful ballet tradition, and we also need fresh new movements and contemporary stories on the stage to keep it relevant and alive.
Finding The 'Pink' In Barking...
Of course, my little trip wouldn't be complete without finding some pink. I even managed to stumble across a vintage dress shop tucked away in a little alleyway. And you won't believe it! Inside, I found a vintage pink tutu from the 50s that simply screamed out to be twirled. I bought it on the spot – it's going to be the perfect outfit for a day spent picnicking on a sunny afternoon by the canal.
Oh, the possibilities!
You might be wondering why I went all the way to Barking for a show at Sadler’s Wells. Why didn’t I stay in the centre of London? Well, my lovely little ballerinas, there's something utterly delightful about taking a journey, getting a little lost in a new neighbourhood, finding your way with a bit of improvisation, and then landing at your destination. It adds to the magic, you see.
Twirl & Shine, Like Always
Anyway, darling dears, this journey was a reminder to embrace all things unexpected and delightful. From a cyan tutu to a heron watching the fish by the Thames, and a vintage pink tutu, you never know where the day will take you. So embrace the adventure, and, most importantly, don't forget to wear a pink tutu, or any kind of tutu for that matter. We’ll be looking out for you!
Love and pirouettes, Emma x
