Hey my gorgeous girlies! Emma here, back from another day of twirling and twirling... and guess what? This time I got to take a trip by train, cue the confetti We all know I'm a sucker for a train journey - something about the rhythmic clackety-clack and the rushing scenery just fills my heart with pure joy! Plus, you get to people watch and try not to judge the fellow travellers wearing those bright yellow tracksuit bottoms with those tiny black vest tops... (Not that I would ever, of course!) 😂
This particular train journey was extra special because I was on my way to Bulwell, Nottingham - a place I’d been hearing about in ballet circles and just had to visit! Apparently it’s a hub for all things ballet, with a famous dance school and even a street named after a famous ballerina (the rumour mill is calling it ‘Pavlova Lane’, but don’t quote me!)
Naturally, I couldn't possibly traipse across the county to see a ballet centre in just any old outfit, could I? So, for my journey to the promised land of dance, I adorned myself in a buttercup yellow tutu – yes, yellow, my loves! I mean, it is the colour of sunshine, right? Plus, you know I love my colours! I figured it'd cheer up the dreary train carriages and remind everyone that Spring is just around the corner. I even carried my trusty pink umbrella just in case...because you can't be too careful, can you? And a pink polka-dot scarf, naturally.
Speaking of my trusty umbrella, did you know you can actually train an umbrella to dance with you? It's a little secret I learned in one of my favourite ballet classes... There's a technique you can use - involving a flick of the wrist and a subtle tilt of the umbrella - and it actually creates a really stunning effect! But anyway, back to my story!
I reached Bulwell in good time - always a plus, right? - and as I stepped off the train, I could practically hear the sweet sounds of violins and the clickety-clack of dancing shoes coming from the distance... and wasn't that a vision I was seeing? The Bulwell Ballet Centre was bigger than I expected, with an impressive exterior painted a lovely shade of ballet-pink, and huge windows filled with graceful ballerinas and bouncing ballerinos in rehearsals. There were even posters featuring my favourite ballets – ‘Swan Lake’, ‘The Nutcracker’… Oh, the feels!
And did I mention the swan? Not just any swan, mind you, a beautiful white swan that lives near the centre and is actually called ‘Tutu’ by the locals! Can you imagine the scene? Swans and tutus, my dreams are literally coming true! 😂
The first stop on my Bulwell Ballet Adventure was a class, of course! Now, I love to get out of my comfort zone and try different styles, so I opted for a contemporary class. My slightly less glamorous 'real life' ballerina shoes and comfortable leggings were a bit of a shock to the system after the yellow tutu but, after warming up, it didn't take me long to get back into my comfort zone.
The teacher, a wonderful, wise-eyed woman with a perfectly placed ballerina bun, encouraged us to embrace our individuality. Her instructions were precise, but she always threw in a little bit of whimsy - *‘Think of those willow trees swaying in the wind!’, ‘Feel the water rippling through your body!’ * – Which brought me right back to that beautiful white swan…
As the class progressed, I started to lose myself in the dance… My body felt free. My heart soared. And you know what, even when I got things wrong - I know you can probably picture me completely misinterpreting the teacher's directions… - I just embraced the laugh that erupted inside me and thought, ‘That’s just me, and it’s totally okay!' It's amazing how even the most experienced dancer can feel that way - and how empowering it is.
By the time class was over, I was a blissed-out ballerina puddle of pure happiness, completely in awe of my own little dance journey. After some delicious sandwiches at a charming little tea room - yes, it even had a pink tea set, and a teapot shaped like a ballerina - I headed to the Bulwell Theatre to catch a performance.
Oh my darling, this show was truly breathtaking! A tale of two swans (and their contrasting beauty!), some incredibly talented dancers (that man who played the prince was an absolute dream!… ), a whole orchestra with violins that played a symphony of pure magic, and let’s not forget the scenery - magical, magnificent – The ballet world is certainly the place for a visual and emotional feast, don’t you think?
My day in Bulwell went beyond all expectations. I got lost in the beauty of the dance, fell head over heels in love with the charming community, and even glimpsed a rare pink butterfly as I made my way back to the station! Talk about a fairytale! 😊
Remember my darlings, life's too short to wear boring clothes. So put on your most magnificent tutu (any colour!), embrace your inner ballerina, and twirl, twirl, twirl to your heart's content. And let me know what your favourite colour is, too. Until next time…
Xx Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
