Pinkalicious Darlings!
How are you all today? I'm positively bouncing with excitement after a fantastic weekend in Billingham! Yep, this little Derbyshire girl went all the way up North to a little town in the North East for a whole weekend of ballet fun, and let me tell you, it was completely worth it!
This was a quick trip, just a Friday-Sunday blast, so I packed my bag full of pink goodness, of course, with my trusty yellow tutu (it's a bit of a classic at this point!), a fluffy pink cardigan and a selection of cute dresses - perfect for catching up with a lovely friend I met at a dance workshop a few years back. We actually both trained with the same ballet teacher at one point! Small world, huh?
A Journey of Discovery
My journey began with a scenic train ride up to Billingham. I love travelling by train, don't you? Something about the rhythm of the tracks and the changing landscape makes me feel incredibly creative. I've been scribbling down a few ballet routine ideas in my notebook. This little train journey was a great chance to let the inspiration flow. Plus, I got a nice chat in with a gentleman who had just seen a show with his wife. He mentioned that they loved going to all sorts of dance events, but "she's never seen anything quite as captivating as a dancer in a tutu!" I can't blame him, though. We do put on quite a show, don't we? 😉
A Glimpse into History
Arriving in Billingham, the first thing I noticed was the absolutely beautiful Billingham Forum. I was there to catch a production by the Billingham Forum Youth Theatre and wow, talk about talent! The whole thing was so wonderfully captivating, and what I really appreciated is how they celebrated so many different forms of dance - it wasn't just classical ballet, but also contemporary, tap and even some street dance elements thrown in. It made the whole experience incredibly fresh and exciting. I was genuinely in awe of these young performers, the stagecraft was magnificent. And I can't tell you how much it warmed my heart to see that the entire audience was cheering them on - the kind of cheers that leave you a little hoarse!
Afterwards, I went for a walk to explore the area a bit. I couldn't resist picking up a charming little ceramic ballerina for my shelf. I mean, a trip to Billingham wouldn't be complete without a cute souvenir! The town itself was so charming, full of these independent boutiques and cozy little cafes. It felt incredibly welcoming, and that definitely made me want to come back again.
Meeting a Fellow Tutu-Lover
Of course, my trip to Billingham wouldn't be complete without spending some quality time with my friend, Sarah! We decided to go to the Billingham WildLife Park for some lighthearted fun, and it definitely didn't disappoint! Sarah, bless her heart, dressed for the occasion with a gorgeous hot pink cardigan to match my tutu. You know we had to get a couple of cute selfies by the animal enclosures! We were particularly fascinated by the owls - those big, intelligent eyes!
Our adventures took us to a fantastic vintage clothing shop, which made me so happy - finding those unique gems is the absolute best! I even picked up a little turquoise fascinator which just had to come home with me! (I'm picturing myself twirling through a field of pink flowers in a fluffy turquoise fascinator - yes, darling, the image is very real!)
Food, Friends, and Laughter
For dinner, we had a delightful time at the The Wheatsheaf - their fish and chips are to die for! We were chatting all night long, reminiscing about our training and dreaming up new routines to share with each other next time we're in the studio. It was truly a night of friendship, laughter, and of course, a bit of dance talk, because we can't help but talk about ballet!
The Ballet Whisper
Speaking of sharing the ballet love, you know that my biggest dream is for everyone to try ballet at least once. It’s so much more than just fancy steps and pretty costumes (though we can’t deny they are super-duper amazing, of course!), It’s about finding a kind of magic, feeling powerful and graceful, and it's about pushing your limits and reaching beyond your comfort zone. That’s something everyone needs to experience. So, this week’s little whisper in your ear is: Go find a ballet class! It doesn’t have to be serious. It doesn’t have to be every week. Just go, feel the magic, and you might find yourself falling in love with this beautiful art form!
See you back here tomorrow!
XOXO,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. Don't forget to share your ballet experiences in the comments below! I love reading all about your ballet journeys!
P.P.S. And remember, pink tutus and ballet are always good ideas. 😘
