Hello my darling darlings! It’s Pink Tutu Sparkles here, ready to sprinkle some glitter and joy on your day with a brand-new blog post! Oh my gosh, I am so excited to share this magical adventure with you! Today's journey is a true pink tutu pilgrimage, a trip filled with so much sparkly magic that even the greyest clouds wouldn't dare to rain on our parade!
The reason? Tottenham! Now, Tottenham might not be the first place that pops into your head when thinking of pink tutus, but trust me, my lovely readers, it's about to become your new go-to for all things twirly and divine. And the best part? We're about to explore the wonders of this North London gem in the most glamorous way possible – by train, naturally!
Let's just rewind a bit to my lovely Derbyshire roots. Remember how I told you about that fateful moment I slipped into a pink tutu for the first time, all those years ago at university? I was volunteering for a charity, you see, and they asked for us to try on these gorgeous, old ballet costumes. As I sashayed into the fitting room and pulled that delicate tulle over my head... BAM! It was like an epiphany. A sudden burst of joy and freedom! From that day onwards, Pink Tutu Sparkles was born.
Fast forward to now, my career is taking off. I mean, how many drag artists can claim to be a fabric scientist by day and a shimmering, pink-tutu-wearing sensation by night? Don’t even try to answer! The truth is, my scientific side allows me to study all those fantastic fabrics, so I know precisely how to pick the most glamorous ones for my fabulous costumes. You’ll never find me in a polyester number!
Now, back to Tottenham! My pink-tutu-clad heart was overflowing with excitement when I set off from my Derbyshire flat this morning. I packed all the essentials, of course: a mountain of shimmering pink tulle, several layers of iridescent sequins, my signature crown of feathers (yes, feathers!), my best pink-and-white striped heels (oh yes, those were a bargain at a vintage shop last month), and, of course, a pink velvet suitcase filled with enough makeup and glitter to sparkle the whole of Tottenham.
My train journey was pure joy! Every carriage seemed to buzz with an unspoken understanding: Pink Tutu Sparkles was in town, and joy was in the air. My favourite thing? Spotting another soul daring to express their inner fashionista, be it a daring lady in leopard print, a group of teenage girls in clashing colours and platforms, or a gentleman rocking a velvet suit and an exquisite pocket square. There's such a unique kind of energy on a train, you know? Everyone is together on this temporary, magical journey. And guess what? It's totally ok to let your inner flamingo loose!
But alas, we must continue this journey of sparkly joy. As we arrived at the grand Tottenham Hale station, my eyes lit up. I love those grand, historical stations with their sprawling architecture and impressive, echoing halls. A shiver of excitement coursed through me! I was about to embark on a quest!
What was that quest, you ask? Well, the quest to explore Tottenham's incredible ballet scene, naturally! Yes, dear readers, you read correctly. Tottenham has an incredibly vibrant ballet world. And wouldn't you know it? A chance to try out a new dance school. And let's face it, even a fabulous drag queen can use some practice every now and then. This new place is called The Dance Studio and, from all reports, it's fabulous, it’s lively, and, more importantly, they don't frown upon tutus! (What a bonus, right?)
And to be honest, let's be real, there is just something incredible about learning a few pirouettes or landing a beautiful grand jeté after performing on stage! There's something so liberating about moving my body in these classes, not to mention, the exercise never hurts! My core feels much stronger already! Oh, I think a new pink tutu is going to be in order.
As you've read before, I love me a good shopping spree! Especially when it comes to ballet shoes. Oh, what’s more fantastic than slipping on a brand new pair of gorgeous satin slippers? It’s all about the feel, my darling darlings. And with ballet being a big part of the plan in Tottenham, I knew just the place for that - Tottenham's most fabulous dancewear store: The Ballet Emporium!
It's the ultimate treasure trove for a ballet fanatic and it boasts an incredible selection, and I must confess, the shelves are positively overflowing with those gorgeous pink tutus! Oh my goodness, you simply MUST come and visit this store with its endless rows of delicate tulle, silky satins, and glittering sequins! And yes, you’ve guessed it, it was where my new sparkly pink tutu was born! And trust me, this one was so pink, so shimmery and full of tulle, that it actually lit up the whole store. You’ll have to take my word for it.
But, it wasn't all tutus and dancing, I also spent hours in Tottenham's colourful markets. From the vibrant food stalls (oh, the aroma of those freshly baked samosas and fragrant curry!), to the antique stores filled with vintage treasures, I truly felt that the heart and soul of the community were pulsating through the stalls. The stallholders are so charming and welcoming and a genuine, heartfelt 'hello' with a friendly smile from a local makes any trip so much better.
And then there were the shops, those charming and eclectic independent boutiques offering up a kaleidoscope of creativity and artistic flair. I spotted an exquisite vintage clothing store bursting with velvet jackets, beaded necklaces, and even a pair of magnificent ostrich feather boas. I felt like a giddy little kid, just waiting to plunder the place for an evening's theatrical show. You'd think they'd all just be for me! I can just imagine myself swishing that ostrich feather boa across a stage… oh, I must purchase it before someone else snaps it up! I’m off to add that to my ever-growing shopping list, my dears. You can never have too many boas, really.
It's a little hard to explain the feeling of getting swept away by this energy in a city you're discovering. It's an explosion of senses – from the kaleidoscope of sights to the rhythmic hum of conversation and the tantalising smells wafting through the air. It felt like the city was whispering a secret to me, something about community, vibrancy, and celebrating life in all its diverse forms.
Now, I know what you're thinking. “Pink Tutu, dear! It’s all very nice and charming but…how does all this sparkle translate to your famous, flamboyant, glamorous drag shows?” Well, darling darlings, my love for travel is directly linked to my drag shows, you see. My trips to different cities and countries are an explosion of inspiration, and each new experience influences the themes, styles, and stories I weave in my performances. The characters I create, the colours I use, the dances I learn, are all shaped by these incredible journeys, be it in London, Derby, Edinburgh or Manchester, you name it, darling, I’ll find a way to get there in my pink tutu!
And yes, Tottenham did deliver. The next day, my pink tutu heart was pounding with the promise of my biggest, boldest drag show ever!
I knew exactly where I had to perform, the most glorious spot in Tottenham that echoed with energy and laughter: The Tottenham Hotspur stadium. Well, not actually in the stadium itself, but just across the road in the brilliant pub, The Boot and Flogger. The staff at The Boot and Flogger have always been so incredibly supportive and friendly. I have an ongoing gig there, you see!
I could already see myself sparkling like a magnificent unicorn under the spotlights in the intimate yet welcoming pub. This is where my art would shine. Oh, what joy!
The day of the performance finally arrived. The night itself was filled with electrifying energy and vibrant joy. From the second I emerged in all my shimmering, pink-tutu-clad glory, the entire pub was a whirlwind of music, laughter, and dancing. My voice was loud and proud. Each note I belted out filled the space, captivating my audience as my tutu twirled like a magnificent pink tornado.
Let me tell you, Tottenham has this fantastic sense of community spirit and they were totally into it! My drag act felt electric, raw and full of heart. It felt like I was a conductor leading a fantastic orchestra of personalities, each bringing their unique sound and flavour to the night. It felt exhilarating! It truly reminded me why I love drag so much – the magic of transformation, the power of expressing ourselves without limitations, the shared experience of connecting with an audience through a whirlwind of art and laughter. This city, this incredible Tottenham!
So my darlings, it’s official. I have declared that Tottenham is the next city in line to become a hot spot for pink tutus! Oh yes! This is only the beginning, my lovelies.
There’s a new pink tutu revolution about to hit Tottenham! If you ever find yourself in the area, go explore! Come to my shows, visit those gorgeous markets and have a picnic by the beautiful green spaces. Embrace that quirky, diverse, artistic community, they'll open your heart and mind to the magic of life.
Remember, my darlings, life is a dance, and sometimes, a little pink tutu magic is exactly what we need to let go, be ourselves, and sparkle with pure joy!
Until next time!
Lots of pink tutu love,
Pink Tutu Sparkles.
(ps - you can find more about me on www.pink-tutu.com )
