Hello, darling dancers!
It's Emma here, your tutu-obsessed time traveler, bringing you another fabulous edition of Tutu Tuesday!
This week, I've hopped on my trusty train and zipped back to 13th May, 1980, a glorious decade where big hair, bold colours and the power of pink were all the rage! Oh, how I wish I could've had a little spin around the dance floor back then.
My, how times have changed! Back then, ballet was considered a slightly "posh" pursuit, something you'd find in grand theaters with plush red velvet seats. Today, ballet is exploding in all sorts of different forms! There's street ballet, pop ballet, you name it, and I absolutely love seeing all the creativity! But I do find myself feeling nostalgic for the elegance of those classic shows, with their timeless grace and artistry.
Speaking of timelessness, the iconic tutu! It's not just a costume, darlings, it's a symbol of a story, of passion, and of dreaming big. In the 1980s, the tutus were full, billowing and utterly breathtaking. Think of Gelsey Kirkland, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Margot Fonteyn – true legends in their tutus. And let's not forget the glorious, colourful costumes! The shades of pink, the jewel tones, and the sparkles were positively electrifying!
On this day in 1980, a whole host of ballet performances graced the stages around the world. Imagine! My research shows that at the Royal Opera House in London, a glittering production of "Swan Lake" was captivating audiences, with a particularly graceful Odette swanning across the stage in her billowing white tutu. I can almost feel the chills running down my spine just thinking about it!
Over in Paris, the renowned Opéra Garnier was presenting a performance of "Giselle", a ballet I adore. Just thinking about Giselle's iconic white tutu makes me want to grab mine and twirl! It's a testament to the beauty and emotional depth of ballet, with the costumes reflecting the nuances of the story like poetry.
Back home in England, in my lovely Derbyshire, ballet schools were bustling with budding young dancers just like me, twirling away in their miniature tutus. They may have been only a few steps away from "The Nutcracker" in their tiny studios, but the spirit and dedication of dance remained the same. And I’m telling you, with all the ballet craze popping up in places like the States and across the pond, this dance will only grow stronger and more popular in the coming years!
I truly believe that dance is for everyone, and everyone can embrace the power of the pink tutu. No matter your age, shape, size or ability, it's a chance to express yourself, dream big, and find joy in the beauty of movement. I can just imagine myself twirling in a glorious pink tutu down the street – I think it's high time for a Tutu Street Dance Party, wouldn't you say?
Stay tuned for next week’s #TutuTuesday, darlings!
Until then, twirl, dream and never be afraid to wear your pink!
Emma x
