Post #9654
Hey my fellow tutu-wearers! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast, back with another day's adventures from the ever-spinning world of ballet and… well, pink, obviously!
This week, I've traded in the rolling hills of Derbyshire for the charming streets of Dewsbury, a town in West Yorkshire that, honestly, wasn’t exactly top of my travel list. But hey, the lure of a new theatre, a dash of historical intrigue, and of course, a little train journey, all played their part in enticing me to this lovely, little town!
As the sun peeked out shyly from behind a slightly grumpy, grey cloud, I grabbed my favourite, oh-so-fluffy, pink tutu (it's the one with the sequined snowflakes!) and my trusty, leather satchel - a vintage find from a little boutique in Bakewell.
The journey was, as always, a joy in itself! I took the train, of course. I adore the rhythm of the journey, watching the countryside rush by – just the perfect setting to lose yourself in a daydream or two about pirouettes and graceful leaps. I spotted a field of sheep as we sped past - and instantly envisioned a flash mob ballet with a chorus of woolly dancers (sheep-in-pink-tutus, can you imagine?). I need to get that on my to-do list for 2023!
Once in Dewsbury, I found myself walking down narrow, cobblestone streets that whispered tales of bustling textile mills and centuries gone by. I love the sense of history in this little town! Dewsbury was once famous for its woolen trade. Apparently, the woolen cloth made here was even worn by Henry VIII, a king who wouldn't have been caught dead wearing pink!
A little later, I was stepping into The Civic Theatre. Oh, how I adore the warmth of a traditional theatre space, with its red velvet seats, worn, yet cherished, carpets, and an air of expectancy in the theatre itself. Tonight’s performance, 'Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland', brought a new perspective to Lewis Carroll's classic story - a touch of modern flair with stunningly athletic dancers in, you guessed it, the most incredible tutus I’ve seen in ages. My inner ballerina swooned! It was a masterclass in elegance and imagination.
After the show, I wandered through Dewsbury’s vibrant town square - a hub of shops and a heart that pulsated with a kind, friendly vibe. I even managed to track down a cute vintage record store, which yielded a first-edition vinyl record of ‘Pink Moon’ by Nick Drake ( I always loved the ethereal sound of his music). And speaking of pink… how could I possibly leave this little town without adding to my pink-tutu collection, right? My eyes settled on the cutest shop window display of pink tutus ever. They had everything – classic, ruffled, feathered, and sparkly. I managed to leave with a gorgeous, new, light-pink tutu. It’s perfect for a sunny afternoon ballet class (the sky was so bright blue on my way out of Dewsbury, I could even imagine it in my new tutu)!
Speaking of sunshine… one of the highlights of the day (aside from that pink tutu!) was my chance encounter with a gorgeous flock of peacocks in the town's beautiful Dewsbury Park. A majestic bunch! They were like dancers performing their own dazzling, flamboyant show - and what could be a better inspiration for my tutu-clad days? Their graceful, iridescent plumage made me feel even more connected to the beautiful colours of life.
Leaving Dewsbury, my heart was filled with a warm glow of contentment. Every place I visit seems to leave me with something beautiful to cherish: a memory, a souvenir, or an inkling of inspiration that sparks a new tutu idea for my next post.
Until tomorrow, lovelies! Keep twirling, keep believing in pink tutus, and don't forget to dance your way through life!
Emma xx
p.s. If you haven't already, join my online ballet community and let's talk tutus and all things twirling at www.pink-tutu.com. You can also find me on Instagram at @pinktutuemma!
