Helloooo lovelies! Emma here, back from a whirlwind trip to Westhoughton, and guess what? I’m completely smitten. It wasn’t just the charming cobblestone streets or the adorable cafes (though, those were certainly a plus!), it was the magical journey, the amazing performance, and the sheer joy of living life in pink (as always!).
Let me rewind a bit for those who are new to the Pink-Tutu universe (welcome!). My name’s Emma, and I’m a ballet dancer from Derbyshire with a deep love for everything pink, tutus, and travel. And you know what they say? It’s not the destination, it’s the journey, so naturally, I decided to embark on a train journey, sipping my raspberry and rose tea and admiring the beautiful English countryside rolling past.
Arriving at the train station, my heart did a little pirouette. I was ready to immerse myself in a ballet performance I’d been looking forward to for weeks!
And what performance it was! This wasn’t just any old ballet show; it was a true cultural immersion in German expressionism with the renowned Dresden Ballet Company. They were performing “Der Feuervogel,” a captivating ballet set to the incredible music of Igor Stravinsky.
Now, I have to confess, I felt like a bit of a peacock at the theatre. Not literally, of course! But, my outfit was just the right touch of dramatic flair, a perfect blend of traditional ballet style and my signature touch of pink. You see, I was wearing my absolutely darling German tutu - you know, the one with the silver embellishments and the stunning layers of delicate pink tulle. It was the perfect embodiment of my love for both traditional elegance and a little bit of playful flair. I always try to choose a tutu that reflects the style of the performance - and for German expressionism, this one was simply perfect! I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing a fluffy, bouncy, pink tutu for a neoclassical ballet – though I do own one. I always say: every tutu has its purpose!
And just when I thought the evening couldn’t get any better, I had a serendipitous encounter with a charming elderly lady in the theatre foyer. We got to chatting about ballet, her granddaughter's dreams of joining the Royal Ballet School, and of course, pink tutus! You see, I just have a way with people and my enthusiasm is contagious! I think everyone should wear pink! She told me how she’d been wearing a pink tutu as a young girl (imagine! I'd be beside myself!). We bonded over shared stories about how the magic of ballet can brighten anyone's life, and it truly warmed my heart to know my enthusiasm was sparking inspiration in someone new!
Now, Westhoughton is just a short distance from Manchester, so I knew I simply had to venture to the city and visit my favourite Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre. I am a firm believer in soaking up culture wherever you go, and theatre is my happy place.
It was at the Exchange that I experienced my next highlight. While enjoying a scrumptious afternoon tea with a beautiful view of the city, I stumbled upon a charming ballet workshop. Imagine my surprise - the teacher was wearing a bright pink tutu. It felt like destiny was conspiring to make my day!
Without a second thought, I decided to join in. You know, I do love the thrill of a good improv class! I mean, life's too short to not try new things, and who could resist a bit of spontaneous ballet?
Even though I'm no beginner, I have to say, that little burst of dancing completely revived me after the Dresden Ballet Company's mesmerising performance! They were using their class as a way to raise awareness for an initiative they are promoting - Ballet in Schools. Their aim is to inspire a love of ballet in kids by bringing the joy and magic of dance into the school environment. It was all very inspirational, and just a bit romantic too!
Afterwards, feeling invigorated by the impromptu dance session, I took a walk around Westhoughton town centre and just soaked in the local charm. It’s amazing what you can find in the smallest of towns. I found a cute antique shop, the most beautiful flowers on a market stall, and even a pair of perfectly pink ballet shoes for my newest pink tutu collection! I never leave a town without a souvenir and these were pretty special, you guys.
Now, if you've been following me on Pink-Tutu.com for a while, you know my motto - Life's a ballet! Just dance! So, I danced all the way back to the train station, picturing myself as a beautiful flamingo gracefully strutting across the platforms. My journey from Derbyshire to Westhoughton had given me a full serving of inspiration. It's safe to say I'm going to go home feeling inspired to try all the pink tutu possibilities I can imagine.
One of the reasons why I started my Pink-Tutu journey is to inspire everyone to find their inner dancer. We all have it. We just need to let it shine!
But I’ll be honest, a bit of pink and a lot of tutus helps too. Why settle for just any tutu when you can wear a pink one? It’s my mission to get everyone dancing and, dare I say it, to go pink! It’s not just about colour, it's about confidence, passion, and just a dash of playful energy.
And so, my dearest readers, I bid you farewell until tomorrow, filled with love, pink, and a little bit of magic from the vibrant world of ballet.
Now, don’t forget, stay beautiful, stay confident, and above all, don't forget to dance.
With much love and pink twirls,
Emma
