Hello my darling darlings, it's your Pink Tutu Sparkles here, bringing you all the glitter and glamour from post number 1763 on www.pink-tutu.com!
Darwen, oh Darwen, what a fabulous time I had in your charming town! It was a proper whirlwind of a weekend, with enough pink and sparkles to make even the most stoic soul break into a twirl. And, of course, it wouldn't be a Pink Tutu Sparkles adventure without a trusty steed to get me there!
Now, let's rewind the tape back to Wednesday. I was prepping my show in the lab (yes, even scientists need a little glitter!) and realised I needed a new sparkly pink top for my Darwen performance. I mean, what else would a drag queen wear to a show in the north? I've got to say, it took ages to find the perfect one. A dash to Manchester was required (can't help but think that city is always on the edge of something big - perfect for a pink tutu!). My handbag was filled to bursting with enough pink fabric to make a small ballerina happy for a year. But after a delicious afternoon tea in a secret garden cafe, I managed to find it: the pinkest of pink sequinned tops that positively screamed "Darwen, I'm coming for you!"
Thursday came along, and you know what that meant? Packing, darling! Oh the drama! My whole life fits in a slightly oversized suitcase, adorned with an iridescent pink unicorn sticker for added charm. I squeezed in all my necessities, from pink feathered boas to sparkly tiaras. Of course, a sparkly, fluffy, pink, brand new tutu is essential, wouldn't want to be caught out without my signature style! Then I packed up my "Emergency Sparkle Kit" – a vintage silver sequinned handbag filled with rhinestones, eyelash glue, fake eyelashes, lip gloss and extra sparkly eyeshadow. It’s a good thing, too, because you just never know when you might need a quick touch-up!
Friday was travel day. As usual, my trusty steed was ready to whisk me away. Yes, my darling, I travelled by train to Darwen. Now, the train journeys aren't all glam and glamour – those sweaty armpits when the carriage gets hot! – but the rhythmic clicking of the wheels on the tracks makes my heart sing with anticipation! Every journey feels like the start of a fairy tale, ready for some magical happenings.
Arriving in Darwen felt like entering a fairytale myself! It was an adorable town, filled with charming cobbled streets and houses bursting with colourful flowers. I felt like Alice in Wonderland, but instead of a white rabbit, I was following the twinkle of my sparkly pink shoes!
First things first: food. Oh, darling, this place knew how to make a good fry-up! So much fluffy sausage, crunchy bacon, and delicious fried bread! I think I actually gained five pounds that day – but, oh my, it was worth it.
After my morning indulgence, I popped by the local haberdashery to find some extra pink feathers for my performance that night. They were adorable – a little shop tucked away on a quaint backstreet with rainbow-coloured yarn, buttons in every colour under the sun, and enough lace to make a whole ballet tutu. The shopkeeper was such a dear, a lovely little woman who had stories about the town from every era, I practically stayed for an hour listening to her, sipping a cuppa with her! I left with more than just feathers though, I found myself a fabulously floral pink scarf to tie in my hair. Can you imagine?! Just gorgeous.
The evening arrived, and with it, my show! Darwen had such an amazing venue. It was a cosy little pub with a beautiful old wooden stage, the perfect setting for a night of laughter and sequins. They even had a dance floor in the corner, ready for some ballet street shenanigans!
You wouldn't believe the excitement. As I glided onto the stage, the entire place erupted with cheers. Everyone was singing along, throwing streamers, and taking selfies with their favourite pink-tutu-wearing drag queen! I had them dancing and twirling to the most joyous tunes, the air buzzing with a joyful energy! I always find that when you throw a bit of pink into the mix, the whole world lights up!
Now, the show is always my favourite part of the weekend, but after my finale, I really had a blast just chatting with people after the show. There were so many lovely people, full of enthusiasm, dancing, laughing, and ready to embrace a little bit of sparkle! Even the staff joined in – I love a venue that is up for a good time.
Before I knew it, it was time for bed! My suitcase was still packed full of those extra pink feathers I couldn't resist at the haberdashery, and, of course, it was topped off with a strategically placed, sparkly, pink tutu (you just never know when you might need a little glamour emergency!) But oh darling, the exhaustion was more than made up for by the feeling of having just given a fabulous show to a wonderful audience!
Sunday morning arrived, bright and beautiful! I couldn’t resist having another plate of that incredible fry-up (worth it for a day of touring the town, right?), then I ventured into the heart of Darwen. I have to say, it was such a lovely day – the sun was shining, the people were so friendly, and the buildings were straight out of a painting.
As I strolled around the charming back alleys and cobbled squares, I noticed a curious thing: the residents had a secret – a hidden passion for all things pink! A fluffy pink rug in the shop window, a pink polka dot door, even a little girl in a pink tutu dancing on the street – it was just like I'd stumbled into a pink dreamland!
My afternoon was spent at a charming little ballet studio. The moment I walked through the door, I could practically feel the energy and passion! Little girls and boys in pink tutus, stretching and swirling across the floor, it was magic! And I got to take part in a little dance session myself – oh darling, those kids were absolute angels, all smiles and enthusiasm, making my heart sing with joy!
That night, it was time to head back home, my heart filled with memories of pink tutus, glitter, and the joyful energy of a wonderful town. Oh, how I wish I could bring a touch of Darwen to my little corner of Derbyshire, even if it is just a sprinkle of those pink feathers!
Don't forget to subscribe to my blog for daily updates, darling! Next stop, Liverpool! Be sure to wear your pink tutus! We have to bring some sparkle to every corner of the world, one pink tutu at a time! Until next time, my lovelies, Pink Tutu Sparkles signing off!
