Tutu Drag Queen

#TutuQueen on 2011-04-15 stars in Upminster

Upminster: Tutu Adventures in a Whirlwind of Pink!

Helloooo my darlings! Pink Tutu Sparkles here, reporting live from Upminster, Essex, for post number 4123 on www.pink-tutu.com! It's a gloriously sunny day here, the birds are singing, and the air is filled with the joyous chirps of children giggling in the playground... all just the perfect atmosphere for Pink Tutu to unleash her sparkle and grace!

Today, my loves, we're diving into the heart of a truly special adventure. This week, I had the pleasure of spending time in Upminster, a charming little town with a big heart and even bigger history (and yes, there were horses!). I mean, you can't talk about Upminster without mentioning the grand Upminster Hall, now a thriving community space, which played host to me and my flamboyant pink tutus for a whirlwind performance.

It's been a while since I’ve had a proper performance on stage. Upminster Hall provided the most amazing backdrop – the stage, the lighting, the atmosphere! It really got me going! And the audience, oh, they were wonderful. The cheers were so loud, I swear they could’ve shaken the foundations of the Hall! It’s the best feeling when people embrace you and your artistry, and my performance was a celebration of all things pink, glamorous, and, of course, sparkly! It was everything I wanted it to be and more!

I do believe my latest show – ‘A Symphony of Tutus’ – went down a storm with my adoring audience. We twirled, we shimmied, we sparkled – all while being a magnificent spectacle of pink.

As you all know, Pink Tutu Sparkles doesn't just twirl and dazzle for the sake of it – it's all about spreading that pink-tastic positivity! Upminster has really embraced this spirit, and you could feel the joyful energy of the town all weekend. The atmosphere was simply electric. You could just feel the warmth in the air and the friendliness of the people!

To give you a glimpse of my day in Upminster, let me paint you a picture...

The Morning Begins with Ballet!

Every adventure needs a touch of elegance, right? So, after waking up to the sound of chirping birds, I found myself ready for my first ballet class. The Upminster Ballet Academy is nestled in a quaint little studio just a hop, skip, and a jump from the town square. You just know you’re somewhere magical as soon as you set foot inside – it has the most wonderful feel of old-world charm. You can almost hear the strains of a beautiful waltz swirling through the air as you enter!

Now, I am no stranger to ballet; it’s my true passion after all, a dance form that truly speaks to my soul. But learning with new teachers and a new group always sparks something special! Today was no different. We did all the classic ballet routines: releve, sissone, arabesque… the lot. And then we moved onto something brand new - the chassé in this amazing, complex, breathtaking sequence – it left me feeling like I could dance on air!

The entire time I’m in ballet class I have my pink tutu on underneath a stylish, bright pink oversized jumper! Pink-tastic right?

Of course, after every great ballet class, you need a fabulous lunch, a delightful mix of deliciousness, I think you’ll agree. The 'Tea Rooms by the Hall' served the most beautiful and decadent lunch! A pot of warm, strong Earl Grey tea with two of their perfectly crafted dainty sandwiches, all washed down with their wonderful homemade cakes and freshly baked scones! This cafe is a perfect pit stop for every traveller looking for the quintessentially English afternoon tea. Oh, I must confess, I also had their beautiful homemade apple and blackberry pie. My absolute favourite!

A Quick Stop for Fashionable Fun!

And what’s a visit to Upminster without a stop for a spot of shopping, you ask? Don't even try to imagine me going anywhere without a quick browse around the fabulous stores! And what is a pink-tutu queen to do when she comes across a boutique called ‘The Pink Dress’? Yes! I'll have to make a confession – it took every ounce of willpower I could muster to not simply buy EVERYTHING! But trust me, I only left with four fabulous outfits… including a bright pink chiffon top and an equally pink lace dress, both so absolutely gorgeous and perfect for the stage. They'll be making their first appearances on the Pink-tutu stage very soon, darling, just you wait and see!

The Twilight Show - It’s Showtime!

And, then came the grand event of the day - my Upminster show! As soon as the clock struck six, my excitement started to bubble over. But then came the jitters. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE performing. But as the lights went down and the curtain went up…it always takes a second for the initial fear to pass! It takes a second to remind myself why I do what I do, to remind myself of my goal - to share the Pink Tutu Sparkles joy with every single person I meet. And it’s in that moment, when the stage lights illuminate my pink-tutu and glitter-laden self… well, all is forgotten!

My ‘A Symphony of Tutus’ show went down a treat! The audience was so enthusiastic, the atmosphere in the Hall felt so powerful - a kind of energy I cannot explain in words, I truly hope everyone in Upminster is still feeling that joyous buzz. It was fantastic to connect with such an engaging crowd and they really made me feel special!

It was, honestly, one of my favourite shows of late, a truly spectacular celebration of all things sparkly and, of course, PINK!

But even better than the incredible performance were the connections I made. Every single person who came to the show radiated a warm, kind heart. One young boy who came to my show wore the cutest pink bow tie! Such a fashion icon in the making. This reminded me just why my mission is so important; every child, young or old, should be encouraged to embrace their individuality and creativity. Let the tutus and sparkle flow!

You know, this trip to Upminster was like a whirlwind. But it’s a whirlwind that I'd gladly embrace again and again. The place is beautiful, the people are warm, and the community feels welcoming. Oh, and the ballet is truly divine!

It's moments like this that remind me of the beauty in traveling, in connecting with different communities, and sharing my pink-tastic spirit. Every trip to a new location fuels my passion to spread my message. So, dear readers, wear those pink tutus proudly, dance with your hearts, and let your sparkle shine!

Catch you soon with a new post from my next pink adventure! Until then, keep those tutus twirling and the glitter shining,

Your Tutu Queen,

Pink Tutu Sparkles xxxxx

#TutuQueen on 2011-04-15 stars in Upminster