#TutuQueen on 2006-03-29 stars in Prestwich

Hiya darlings! Your girl Pink Tutu Sparkles is back, and this time I’m shimmying and shaking my way through the fabulous streets of Prestwich!

This week’s blog post is all about my recent jaunt to the north of England. You see, my lovelies, it’s not all sequins and sunshine in the world of a touring drag queen. There’s travel involved! Now, some queens prefer the luxury of private jets, but not your Tutu Queen! Give me a comfortable train journey, a window seat, and a big bag of sweets any day. Plus, there’s nothing quite as exciting as pulling up to a venue in a horse-drawn carriage (you should see the looks on the faces of the townsfolk - priceless!).

But before I whisk you off on this glittery adventure, a little bit about the fabulous destination. Prestwich, my dears, is a little slice of Lancashire heaven. Think charming shops, lovely old buildings, and the most amazing bakery I've ever seen. Honestly, you wouldn't believe the number of delicious cakes they had on display – it was enough to make me ditch the protein bars I was meant to pack for the trip!

So, my adventure began in good old Derbyshire (my stomping ground), where I hopped onto the train bright and early, with my big ol’ suitcase packed full of pink tutu finery. I even had a special section for my performance boots – a girl’s got to be prepared for anything, right? I popped in a cheeky pink feather boa and my lucky tiara, and was ready for anything the world could throw at me!

The journey itself was pure magic. As soon as I stepped on the train, the conductor gave me the most polite, yet bewildered, stare, but he swiftly bowed at my request for “an aisle seat facing the direction of the engine.” I mean, a drag queen always needs to make an entrance, even when commuting, don’t you think?

But let's be real, folks. It was the other passengers' faces that truly lit up this train ride! As soon as I took my seat, I knew I was gonna brighten their day! They couldn't resist a peek at my sequined bag and my sassy feather boa – the looks of amusement were simply delicious. I swear I even saw one man's head bobbing to the music playing on my pink headphones. (It was, of course, the ballet version of 'Grease', I'm a true culture vulture.)

By the time we reached the northern town, my heart was filled with anticipation. The aroma of freshly baked bread mingled with the sound of laughter wafting through the streets – a clear sign that I was in the right place. And then it happened! As I was sauntering down the pavement, I spotted it. A shop called "The Tutu Emporium". It was like a pink cloud descended from the heavens – tutus of all colours and sizes. You could see my inner ballerina practically combusting with delight.

Now, I've got a bit of a confession: as glamorous as being a drag queen is, I am also a big old nerd (don't tell my fans, shh!). When I’m not glittering and strutting, I spend my days in a lab testing fabrics (weird combination, I know). I used to study Science, and let’s be honest, lab coats aren’t the most stylish outfits. One day, I was volunteering with a local ballet group (where I’d also started doing ballet classes for fun!), when they asked me to try on a pink tutu for a fundraising event. The minute I wore it, I was completely hooked.

That moment sparked a fire within me - a fire to spread the joy and beauty of tutus to the world! From then on, every performance was accompanied by a pink tutu (sometimes even two! The more sparkle the better, right?) and a pink outfit that could rival any pop star!

The journey in itself is part of my magic. Seeing the smiles on people’s faces as they watch my performance or when they pass me by in a glamorous pink get-up - that’s what makes all of it worth it. It’s about spreading that little bit of extra sunshine, a bit of glamour and reminding everyone to never lose that sparkle within. And believe me, with a pink tutu, the sparkle shines brighter!

But back to the incredible town of Prestwich. The moment I saw "The Tutu Emporium", I just had to step inside and indulge. Let’s just say, my suitcase got a bit heavier! It seems the folks here love tutus as much as I do, and this shop had something for every ballerina at heart - fluffy, frilly, feathered tutus galore. I almost lost myself in the sheer delight, surrounded by tulle and satin. And guess what, my lovely readers? My sparkly spirit got inspired by all the gorgeous pink pieces, and my latest performance attire, shall we say, got a massive upgrade.

And what about the rest of my trip? Well, let’s just say that Prestwich treated me to some amazing moments. I was welcomed with open arms (and applause!) at the "Silver Swan" cabaret. This little jewel box of a venue was tucked away down a narrow lane – very much my style, all hidden gems and glittering surprises. My performance had the crowd absolutely buzzing! The lights, the laughter, the applause – a queen could ask for nothing more! You can even check out my setlist and some hilarious photos on my Insta - #PinkTutuSparkles (follow me, please!)

I even got to indulge in a bit of culture and see a fantastic ballet performance at the local theatre! My inner ballerina was positively glowing - all that elegance, artistry, and skill on the stage... just mesmerizing!

Now, here’s a little sneak peek into the performance that almost brought the house down - yes, literally! It’s the "Dancing Through the Decades" number. This one’s a real crowd-pleaser - I start with a classic ballet sequence (naturally!), then whip out my sequin-encrusted mic, and belt out a pop song. This year, I was rocking my brand new tutu from "The Tutu Emporium". Let's just say the audience were speechless.

There’s a real warmth to the people here in Prestwich - it’s something special, almost like they’ve bottled up the magic of a summer’s day. And the scenery – picturesque! Imagine cobbled streets with quaint tea rooms nestled around every corner and old pubs brimming with laughter. The beauty was enough to make any queen’s heart skip a beat, and if I'm honest, the amazing bakery with their rainbow cupcakes definitely got my attention!

Speaking of treats, I have to mention "The Chocolate Emporium", a real haven for any chocoholic (that's me! Guilty as charged!). Oh, and their "Pink Rose" hot chocolate? It was literally a dream in a cup!

My dears, my trip to Prestwich is one I'll never forget. Not only did I get to spread the joy of pink tutus (and my signature sparkle, of course!), but I found a new little gem in this world.

And who knows, perhaps my journey won't end here. Maybe, my lovely readers, you’ll see a flash of pink strutting through the streets of your town! You never know, one day you might even find Pink Tutu Sparkles in your local cafe, or at your nearest dance performance!

Until next time, darlings, keep shining, keep sparkling, and most importantly, keep dreaming of pink tutus!