#TutuBlog Post 10344
Hello my lovely tututistas! 🩰 It's your favourite pink-clad ballerina Emma, bringing you sunshine and tutus from the heart of Croydon, where the streets are paved with… well, pavement, but we can dream, can’t we? 😂
So, picture this: The sun's out, my pink tutu is swirling in the breeze, and I'm practically bouncing with excitement because, yes you guessed it, I’m in Croydon for a ballet-tastic adventure! You see, there’s this amazing new ballet school in town, ‘Ballet Bliss’, which has lured me from the Peak District, Derbyshire where I usually call home, right down to London’s less fashionable, but always energetic, South-East.
As a woman who embraces the power of a good train journey – I swear they're far more civilised and far less hassle than getting into the air - I had a delightful morning journeying into Croydon from Derby. Watching the scenery blur by in my reflections through the train window made for a delightful pre-class meditation session. If the train has enough space and my dress isn’t going to cause too much upset on the packed morning commute I even put on a pair of pointe shoes. Why wouldn't I? Ballet is everywhere! I've actually discovered some really amazing little pockets of calm amongst the chaos of London's commuter scene this way.
But Croydon? This was no ordinary trip. This was ballet immersion. As a true aficionado of all things pirouette and plie, I’ve spent countless hours dancing in various theatres and studios across London but this little ballet haven in Croydon had an irresistible pull. I think it must be something about the energy in that town; the city-meets-suburban vibe just feels right for a tutu. Plus, there was a big, fat chance for me to discover more ballet for everyone, which is my one true mission in life: to convert the whole world to tutus!
Speaking of converting the world, this whole ‘ballet is for everyone’ thing is really something I’m passionate about. Croydon really embraced this ‘ballet-for-everyone’ ethos with open arms (well, arms filled with vibrant pink balloons)! Ballet Bliss welcomed everyone, from tiny tots taking their first steps on the dance floor to adults in their finest, swishy tutus – exactly the type of scene I'd come for.
Before the big class, the owner, who has a magnificent crimson ponytail as striking as my tutu, gave a ‘Welcome to Ballet Bliss’ speech. The gist? That we all should get in touch with our inner ballerina! Well, how could I say no?! I even caught a couple of parents wearing tutus themselves – my little hearts, such budding ballet enthusiasts! They probably took inspiration from yours truly - the tutu queen herself.
You’ll love the little boutique at Ballet Bliss; it’s not the traditional tutus that I wear, they’re modern tutus that will add a real pop of colour and confidence to anyone’s life. But of course, for this class, I donned my favourite shimmering pink number, its frills swaying in sync with the music as we danced and spun through the air. The music at Ballet Bliss was divine! It was a mix of modern music, the classics and some fantastic original compositions written specifically for Ballet Bliss! Just imagine; it's like your own soundtrack, one specifically created for you! And as much as I adore the timeless charm of a traditional ballet performance, it's exciting to see ballet stepping outside the boundaries, making waves in unexpected ways.
Even in a world full of beautiful art, there’s something utterly divine about a new tutu. If you ask me, a new tutu holds within it the promise of joy and grace. It says, “Let's dance our hearts out.”
My dear friends, I am a firm believer that ballet has a powerful magic to transform not just our bodies, but our hearts, and even Croydon, I'm telling you, had this energy - that transformative energy - that draws me back again and again. I saw such joy and inspiration, a deep, heartfelt love for ballet - it warmed my little ballet heart right down to my pink pointe shoes.
The teacher, an amazing woman, let's call her ‘Mrs. Fabulous’ (not her real name) – with hair as red as the London double decker buses - gave me the most welcoming smile as I waltzed in (pun intended!), and with a twinkle in her eye that says ‘Tutus Forever’.
So, if you're searching for some pink tutu-powered fun and a healthy dose of inner ballerina inspiration, be sure to visit Ballet Bliss - and remember, the journey always makes it even more worthwhile! If you can, come on a Wednesday or Saturday - that's when I’ll be there!
As always, remember, don't be shy, embrace your inner dancer and live your best pink-tutu-clad life.
Till next time, darlings, may your days be filled with graceful leaps and joyous twirls.
Lots of Love,
Emma xx
* www.pink-tutu.com*
