Hello my lovely pink-tutu-loving readers! Welcome back to my daily dose of tutus, trains and twirling – it’s Emma here, and I'm just brimming with excitement for this week's adventure. This is Post number 7030, and today, we’re taking a magical trip to Stevenage, the home of the "Fairy in the Frock," – me of course!
It all started in Derbyshire this morning. The sun was already peaking through the curtains, but it was the sight of my shimmering, pale-pink, fairy-themed tutu, that really set my day ablaze. It’s a beautiful creation - swirling, with glittery embellishments, it makes me feel like I've stepped right into a fairytale!
Instead of rushing off to the bus, (too common!), today I chose a different kind of transportation – I rode my trusty steed – my beautiful chestnut mare, "Lily". She loves a good gallop as much as I do a good grand jeté, so it was a perfect start to the day. As I rode, I couldn't help but dream of all the fantastic things awaiting me in Stevenage, and with Lily by my side, I felt utterly carefree and exhilarated.
Arriving at Stevenage Station, I felt the whimsical energy of this town buzzing around me. The people seemed happy, relaxed and ready to have a bit of fun, which always puts me in a great mood. There's a beautiful old church here with a belltower that would be perfect for a spot of ballet in the sunshine – imagine it: graceful movements, a gentle breeze rustling through the leaves, all against the backdrop of this timeless beauty.
Of course, the heart of the adventure today was the magical "Tutu Workshop" organised by the lovely ladies at "Stevensage Dance Studio". I was delighted to be asked to be their "fairy godmother" for the day – sharing my passion for ballet and, more importantly, encouraging everyone to dance and believe in the power of tutus.
And what a whirlwind of a day it was! The children were buzzing with energy, all smiles, eagerly trying on tutus, taking it in turns to spin around in delight. Their eyes sparkled with excitement, a pure and unbridled joy which was simply infectious.
You can imagine how excited I was to show them some ballet moves! We practised the basic steps: "pliés," "releves," and "rond de jambes." They all twirled, leaped and pirouetted with such joy and abandon! There's a real magic to these steps, and it’s even more profound when you can see it reflected in the bright, sparkling eyes of young children.
But it wasn’t just about dancing; it was about expressing ourselves! I told the kids, "When you twirl, feel like you're a fairy flitting about in the garden. When you jump, feel the power of a majestic swan soaring high above the world! And when you reach your arms high, believe that you're touching the clouds.” Seeing their creativity blossom right before my eyes, I knew we were doing something really special.
As we danced, we laughed and made memories. The sun streamed through the studio windows, creating a warm glow on our dancing faces. We shared stories about our favourite ballet performances, and even swapped our most beautiful ballet dreams.
But what made the workshop really unforgettable was our little ‘Tutu Parade’ around Stevenage town centre. I found myself leading the little ‘ballet butterflies’, as I lovingly call them, as they showed off their twirling and dancing with such pride, and a smattering of shy giggles!
This wasn't a competition, but it felt as though we were on the stage in a theatre – the wide-eyed shop owners looked up in amazement, people paused on the street to clap and cheer, a local street band even played a celebratory waltz as we twirled past! We were a flash of colour, grace, joy and utter confidence in the heart of Stevenage – the fairy in the frock leading the way!
I love the way ballet breaks down boundaries – age, gender, all those barriers simply fade away when everyone is connected by a shared love of dancing and a little whimsy. It was simply enchanting, to witness how a simple act of twirling in a tutu brought a whole town together!
And my love, even though it wasn't all tutus and fairy tales, my day in Stevenage was truly spectacular. I indulged my love of nature – I even had a little visit to a wildlife park nearby, and enjoyed watching the deer play in the sunshine. I think those creatures could have taught me a thing or two about grace, that’s for sure!
Of course, it's now evening, the magical glow of Stevenage lights fills the air, and my heart is brimming with joy, excitement and, yes, just a tiny hint of fatigue, but that's alright because every ballerina knows there is nothing more fulfilling than a long, well-deserved rest.
As I write this blog, I'm sitting by a crackling log fire – it's cozy and peaceful. A thought crossed my mind: why don't you get a tutu of your own and put on a performance? You'd be surprised how much joy it can bring!
I have many more tales to share with you – but this little bit of fairy dust magic will have to last you for now!
Do let me know your thoughts in the comments, my darlings! Don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com – for a daily dose of tutus, twirling, and everything that is lovely!
Till next time,
Your Pink-Tutu-Loving Emma
