Hello my darlings, and welcome to post number 2042 of the Pink Tutu Sparkles blog! It’s me, your favourite pink-clad queen, and I’m absolutely buzzing after my most recent journey to the fabulous town of Ashington!
Now, you all know that my favourite way to travel is by train, or, if the occasion calls for a little extra magic, by horse! (Who wouldn’t want to arrive on horseback, clad in a dazzling pink tutu? Just picture the scene, darling!). Unfortunately, a unicorn was out of the question this time, so I hopped on a steam train (still glamorous, no?) and headed north.
I've always found Ashington to have a charming air about it - a certain rustic elegance. The locals are simply delightful! So when my good friend, the fabulous Miss Cherry Bombe (you may have seen her in the recent "Drag Wars" on BBC Three, she's the one with the killer splits!), offered me a spot on her upcoming charity show there, I knew I had to grab it with both hands (and, of course, twirl!)
You see, darling, Ashington has this brilliant little theatre tucked away - The Ashington Playhouse. I know what you're thinking, a small town, a quaint little theatre. But oh my, let me tell you, this theatre has a heart of gold and the locals simply adore their performing arts!
The Playhouse has the most darling pink velvet seats, just like you’d see in a traditional West End theatre, except with a bit more charm and less of the pretentious airs, if you know what I mean! I mean, who needs a stuffy, impersonal West End anyway when you have such welcoming theatres nestled in the most unexpected places?
As you all know, my aim in life is to get everyone rocking a pink tutu - I mean, why else would I be Pink Tutu Sparkles? And, darling, I found out I'm not alone in my tutu passion! Turns out there's a real love for dance in Ashington, especially ballet. You see, the locals were thrilled to find out that I not only love dancing in tutus, but I’m a qualified ballet instructor! Turns out, a bunch of girls, and some lads, were learning some moves at a nearby school - I was immediately invited to give them a little ballet lesson.
And my dears, can you imagine my excitement when I saw the bright smiles and sparkling eyes as I pulled on my beautiful, full-length pink tulle tutu - they were ready to prance and twirl! They just didn’t have the confidence to dance with freedom, I realised, and that's where Pink Tutu Sparkles comes in! I was able to share my love of ballet with them, showing them how to let their bodies move, to express themselves with every turn and leap. It was a truly heartwarming experience.
As I mentioned, I was in Ashington to perform at a charity event, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the delights of this fascinating town! I spent the day doing what I do best, twirling around in my fabulous tutus, and of course, picking up some truly delightful outfits! Ashington has the most adorable boutiques, packed with everything a drag queen (or a girl with a penchant for all things pink) could ever dream of. And trust me, you wouldn’t believe the bargains I found! There were vintage clothing shops that simply screamed 1950s glamour (I mean, just imagine those perfectly cut petticoats, paired with a fluffy, pink tutu – simply divine!). And there were the cutest, most girly shops that offered the perfect mix of sparkle, tulle, and sass - perfect for any pink tutu princess! I may or may not have emptied a few of their shelves, just saying.
The Ashington locals embraced me with open arms - I had a brilliant chat with the most charming local shopkeepers, including a lovely woman who ran a sweet little shop that sold absolutely divine pink chocolates. She even told me about a lovely little bakery that used pink food colouring to make the most gorgeous cupcakes and cookies - I simply had to take a nibble, darling.
And the food! You guys know I'm a big fan of classic, traditional cuisine - the kind of food your granny makes you when you visit (but, obviously, much, much tastier, and more sparkly). I indulged in the best shepherd's pie of my life (served with the most delectable pink cauliflower puree, no less!), enjoyed some mouth-watering sausage and mash (topped with the fluffiest Yorkshire pudding, you have no idea, I swear I still have a little bit stuck in my feather boa!) and washed it all down with a cup of warming peppermint tea. Now, darling, I know you all like to see pictures. Don’t worry, I took loads and loads of photos - trust me, you’ll find the most fabulous pink tutu shots (plus some amazing snapshots of the town) on the Pink-Tutu.com website soon!
Now, darling, let's talk about the charity show. It was a roaring success, full of glitz and glam, laughter, and, of course, lots of twirling. Cherry Bombe, with her impressive stunts and sharp jokes, was simply fantastic. She’s got a killer stage presence, and she looked utterly fabulous in her sequin dress – totally in-your-face glam, and yet elegant at the same time! The audience just ate out of her hands, and her final showstopper was quite spectacular - complete with confetti cannons and a beautiful costume change, like a real princess on the move. But don’t think I was going to let her steal the show!
We had the audience singing along to all my favourite drag tunes, from 80s pop hits to Broadway showstoppers – I was strutting my stuff and making sure that the fabulous tutus had all eyes on them. The highlight, of course, was when I did my trademark pink-tutu ballet routine - the crowd just erupted with applause and cheered on every turn and jump! And when I finished the routine, the little ballet girls I’d taught earlier that day came running onstage in their pretty pink tutus, giggling and ready to show off their newly-learned steps – it was the sweetest thing, honestly!
So, to wrap it up, Ashington – what an adventure! You truly are the perfect place for a pink-tutu-loving queen, with your charm, your warm locals, and a spirit for creativity that’s simply contagious.
And, of course, Ashington reminded me of something crucial - pink tutus aren’t just about the fashion; they’re about self-expression, they’re about showing the world that anyone, from a small-town dancer to a glamorous queen, can feel powerful and confident enough to twirl, jump, and dance their heart out!
As always, darling, I encourage you to embrace your inner tutu queen! Rock your pink tulle, whether you’re at a ballet class, walking down the street, or just going for coffee with your friends - always, always, twirl!
Stay tuned, darlings, because I've got more fun-filled adventures coming up! Keep it pink, keep it glamorous, and remember to visit www.pink-tutu.com for all the latest tutu-licious news!
Love always,
Pink Tutu Sparkles 💖🩰
