Hello, darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-wearing diva, Pink Tutu Sparkles, here! Get ready for a fabulous journey as I take you with me on another one of my adventures, this time to the charming town of Dudley! This is post number 3946 for your fabulous Pink Tutu Sparkles! You can check out my latest posts and get your pink tutu fix at www.pink-tutu.com.
The train journey from my Derbyshire home was as delightful as ever, all plush seats and friendly faces. I popped on my headphones and belted out some Broadway show tunes, much to the amusement of a nearby family who seemed rather entertained by my sparkly pink nails and dazzling pink mascara. A tutu and I are pretty much inseparable these days, especially when I’m travelling, even if I am going from the lab to a gig and back again, because pink tutus and lab coats are not the ideal combination!
Dudley, a vibrant little town with history seeping from its every cobbled street, seemed to be waiting for a dose of my pink tutu magic! It's been a long time since I visited this charming spot, and honestly, it has truly upped its style game. Every shop window had a splash of something dazzling and colourful, and the streets were brimming with friendly locals and excited tourists. Perfect for my kind of day out!
I was in town for the annual "Dudley Does Drama" festival - a weekend dedicated to the theatrical arts. Imagine my delight when I found out there was an entire ballet competition! My tutu-wearing heart practically skipped a beat, and let's just say that my performance, a medley of classic ballet movements and some of my own dazzling dance moves, received a standing ovation! Who would have thought that a scientist who researches the wear and tear of textiles for a living would turn into a fully-fledged drag artist?!
Speaking of my day job, yes, by day I'm a scientist in a lab - quite a contrast to my dazzling life as Pink Tutu Sparkles! I love both my worlds. Honestly, though, my lab colleagues can get pretty jealous that I get to spend a few days a week travelling to fun new places, while all they get to travel to is their local supermarket at the end of a long, hard day in the lab! You can probably guess why my love for science started with an interest in chemistry and textile chemistry and then led to my fashion sense and my Pink Tutu persona… although you can never quite explain something like pink tutus and pink glitter, you know. The first time I put on a pink tutu, well, my whole life changed.
Anyway, Dudley has been such a delightful destination. A real blend of old-world charm and modern-day vibrancy. It's the perfect backdrop for my sparkling pink tutu, and my sparkly persona. The people of Dudley were so welcoming, so genuinely delighted to see my performance, I even got stopped by a family asking me to take a photo. What's more, I spotted some fantastically colourful tutus in one of the shops on Dudley High Street. I am never without at least one spare tutu for all eventualities - in fact, they practically pack themselves into my bags.
For those of you planning a trip to Dudley, my tutu-licious tips:
- Catch a show at Dudley's Hippodrome: It's a historic theatre with stunning architecture. A true gem that’s brimming with stage history. I had the pleasure of watching an absolutely delightful performance of ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream’, the costumes were simply dazzling. I have my eyes set on returning to see the Panto this winter - they have always had amazing costumes in the panto!
- Visit the Dudley Zoo & Castle: Explore the magnificent castle, its rich history, and the colourful inhabitants of the zoo. There’s a little bit of history to suit every taste, some fabulous photo opportunities, and you will find yourself getting back to nature!
- Get lost in the town’s Museum & Art Gallery: I’m a big fan of history, so naturally, the Dudley Museum & Art Gallery stole my heart with its collection of local artefacts, paintings, and historical treasures. It was truly captivating, offering a glimpse into the history of Dudley, with its diverse collections from Victorian furniture and crafts, to stunning medieval art and history - perfect for the curious tourist or the discerning artist, who is also, of course, interested in what I’m doing with the future of textiles…
- Embark on a charming boat trip down the canal: Take a leisurely stroll along the canal banks or board a narrow boat and enjoy the peaceful scenic journey - truly enchanting and so relaxing. What is more, there is a plethora of pubs and tea rooms located near the canal basin - who doesn’t love an old-fashioned British pub or a posh tea room… for some of us that’s almost as glamorous as dressing up in pink!
For me, the highlight of my visit was the delightful afternoon spent with local artist Mrs. Ethel Mapplethorpe. Her charming cottage, bursting with floral decor, felt like stepping into a vintage magazine. She’s quite the eccentric local, and has been a big supporter of the Dudley Does Drama festival, so much so, that she started a drama group called Ethel's Encore Ensemble which even put on an impromptu performance of The Wizard of Oz in her backyard garden for local charity! She’s such a fan of my performance art! Mrs. Mapplethorpe also gave me a wonderful vintage tutu, so I think it's safe to say I’m a little obsessed.
To conclude my wonderful day out, I ended my day enjoying a hearty pie and mash from one of Dudley’s many little local pubs, followed by an evening show, an incredible ballet performance by the Dudley Ballet Academy, so graceful and breathtaking. It’s always great to experience the passion and joy that local groups bring to their performing art. I must admit that I had to try a few ballet moves at the back of the hall as I waited for the show to end. I guess I was still feeling a bit starstruck, because let's be honest, I just can't get enough of performing for live audiences!
Oh! And I almost forgot. Did I mention that I had a pink tutu photoshoot amidst the blooms in Dudley's beautiful Cannon Hill Park? We’ve had to book a few hours of studio time next week, because I took more photos than my phone could hold… well, you do have to see those blooms to understand - they are such an enchanting setting. They certainly helped create some captivating content for my Pink Tutu website!
My adventures in Dudley have definitely filled my pink-tutu-loving heart with joy. Every day is an adventure in pink when you’re Pink Tutu Sparkles - and I can't wait to share the next one with you, my lovely tutu-loving friends. Join me on www.pink-tutu.com for your daily dose of all things sparkly!
