Tutu Drag Queen

#TutuQueen on 2013-01-05 stars in Twickenham

Twickenham Twirls: A Pink Tutu Sparkles Adventure!

Post #4754

Hello darlings! It’s your favourite pink-tutu-loving queen, Pink Tutu Sparkles, back with another scintillating blog post straight from the heart of
 Twickenham! Yes, I know, it’s not exactly Paris or Rome, but you know me, I find magic in every place, even if it involves crossing the river Thames to a London suburb. But hold your horses, or perhaps I should say, your carriage horses – we’ll get to the glitzy details in a bit!

First things first, how are you, darlings? Feeling sparkly? Feeling like you need to channel your inner princess? If the answer is yes, then this is the blog post for you. Today’s adventures involve pink, of course (because when is it not pink?), but more importantly, it involves
 dancing! I know, I know, you're probably saying “Alex, why don’t you ever blog about a day where you don't go see some sort of performance?”. Well, darling, let me tell you, it’s not easy to find a show I haven’t seen yet. The thing is, you just can't get enough of that twinkle of the stage lights, the hush before the music swells, and the pure joy of the dancers taking flight!

This time around, however, my darling little readers, I didn't just watch a ballet, I got to go to ballet class! Oh my god, let me tell you, being back in a dance studio, all dressed up in my pink tutu, felt like slipping into a vintage velvet dressing gown, a glass of bubbly in hand, a smile wide on my face. You know that feeling of complete and utter comfort? I’m telling you, it was that. I didn't have a stage fright moment, no "oh god, what am I doing here" feelings. No! Just pure delight. The studio itself had beautiful wood flooring, a large mirror stretching along one wall, and a soft, pink glow emanating from the lighting. My fellow students? An eclectic mix, from elegant older women with graceful movements to shy youngsters just discovering their pirouettes, all eager to learn. It truly felt like we were all stepping into our own fairy tales!

Before the class began, there were a few familiar faces, all clad in their most gorgeous dancewear, and I was just bursting with excitement. Oh, and darling, don't even get me started on their tutus! From classic, timeless, pure white ones, to whimsical, modern-day ones in pastel pink, blue, and purple, these dancers looked simply breathtaking! They were already like family.

Speaking of family, my darling reader, the studio has a family vibe, so comfortable, warm, inviting. You don't need to have danced your whole life, like myself, you don’t need to be graceful, or even have taken a single step on point in your life – everyone is welcome to the ballet family. But if I must admit, darling, there is a bit of competitiveness within the studio’s ranks. But it is done with charm and an “Oh you cheeky thing!” wink at one another, and a little more teasing than actual maliciousness, honestly. There’s this one woman in particular who just does not stop smiling at every opportunity, as if to remind herself she’s in a ballet studio, not her dreary everyday office life, or for that matter, to remind everyone else!

It was definitely a highlight of my trip to Twickenham! Even when we're not dancing the night away in a glittering costume, my love for ballet never fades, darling. Every trip involves something graceful and elegant, which makes all my crazy journeys worthwhile.

But wait! You’re probably wondering, how on earth did this Derbyshire girl even find herself in a ballet class all the way in Twickenham? It’s a fair question!

My darling reader, you must know I always have an adventure up my sleeve! To give you a little insight into this amazing journey, we must go back in time
 a week ago to be precise!

This journey started with an exciting call! I was contacted by a theatre company, a new, upcoming, fun, fresh troupe. They were having a ‘Fair’ of some sort on the weekend. As you know, darling, a chance to put on a pink tutu is a chance to grab with both hands! It seemed to be a fundraiser for a local animal shelter. I, naturally, took to it like a moth to a flame, all with that good-natured Derbyshire generosity.

Then came the day, or as I call it the "glam-ification"! Oh, the preparation was like a theatrical warpaint process, and of course I looked every bit the goddess of elegance I was aiming for.

The day, itself, was nothing less than divine! With the crowds at the fair around me, my drag queen makeup – oh my god it was a riot of vibrant colours, sparkles and jewels – could not fail to shine. With every flick of my eyelashes, a wave of admiration came over the attendees. Oh, darlings, a pink tutu at a fair! Pure gold! What better opportunity could one ask for, darling? And I know what you are thinking; "a Pink Tutu Queen at a Fair?". My dear readers, you know you want that in your lives!

I was up on a stage in a twinkling, performing my most vibrant and enthusiastic setlist, from pop classics to theatrical ballads! Oh darling, if you have ever seen a Pink Tutu Queen at a fair, you’ll know what I mean. You wouldn’t be surprised that even with all the hustle and bustle of a fair, every time I began a new song, there would be that beautiful sense of awe, silence, followed by applause and even cheers. You bet, it all seemed so wonderful to everyone!

With that done, and that part of my journey finished, my sweet journey led me straight to that dance studio. This trip, it's been filled with that beautiful dance world. But now, back to Twickenham and back to our exciting blog post...

Twickenham, darling, for a Pink Tutu Queen, is a bit like Alice stepping through the looking-glass! A magical place, that is just begging to be explored in style, right? I know you’re saying to yourself “What on Earth is there to see or do in Twickenham?”. But let me tell you, this isn't about seeing big-name museums or trendy galleries. No, no, this is about discovering the charm and hidden gems of the suburbs, all the while sparkling like a dazzling Pink Tutu Queen, naturally!

Twickenham has the charm of a historic village nestled into the heart of a bustling city! It's full of history, with ancient churches, quaint little lanes and pretty houses lined with flower-filled boxes. And oh, don't even get me started on the delightful coffee shops and boutiques – just begging to be explored. Don't forget the gorgeous Tudor mansion on the grounds of a university - a truly delightful experience!

You see, darling, I don't just perform drag and talk about it! No no! This is the lifeblood of who I am! The adventure, being on stage, all the fabulous dress up! That's why I chose to leave the wilds of Derbyshire to live and perform in London. And what better way to embrace this big city than to explore the surrounding area like a real Pink Tutu Queen? That’s what brings the extra ‘sparkle’ to my drag life. Oh, it just shows, even a day in Twickenham can be a thrilling adventure with a good pair of heels and a fab tutu, darling.

And you know what else, darlings? Twickenham has a lot of really lovely shops selling clothes for those in the know. Honestly, you might need to set aside a whole weekend for a spot of dress shopping. I was so thrilled! It’s always the ultimate girly getaway! From charming vintage shops to independent boutiques bursting with stylish outfits. A Pink Tutu Queen must keep her wardrobe in check. And yes, I admit it! There are even tutus for sale here too! My absolute heart is overwhelmed by all these stores, darling! I bought a gorgeous new pair of bright pink heels to wear to the show in Twickenham, as well as a pair of sparkly knee-highs to go with the stunning sequin jumpsuit. My readers, you just know it was all pink and glittery, right? My favourite thing about shopping in this area, apart from the amazing prices, are the absolutely wonderful shop owners, and their charming stories about the history of these delightful shops.

Let me give you a tip: If you're a serious lover of fashion, you simply cannot miss a visit to the fashion village. It’s a haven for the style-conscious soul! I must confess, dear readers, my time there involved quite a bit of shopping – I admit it was absolutely a retail therapy wonderland for this Pink Tutu Queen. The little independent shops just call to me. And oh my god! There is so much fun to be had shopping for accessories and handbags - just heavenly, I tell you! And to think, a new pair of sparkly high-heeled ballet flats are still lingering in my bag and have yet to be worn – maybe on my next blog post?

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all about shopping, darlings! There is just so much to explore: quaint cafĂ©s, cozy pubs, even charming parks where I could indulge in a little bit of ballet in the great outdoors. It truly feels like a little haven, where everyone is invited to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city. If I didn’t tell you, darling, the park with its peaceful benches and perfectly pruned hedges, is perfect for a break between exploring the delights of Twickenham. It really is, a great escape, a perfect pink tutu picnic spot. I must say it was all truly a delightful change from my Derbyshire roots.

Now, I wouldn't be true to my Pink Tutu Queen identity if I didn't talk about the fantastic food! Let’s talk treats! If you haven't explored the incredible bakery selection, you are truly missing out on a vital experience. This bakery, a truly enchanting confectionery emporium! Honestly, I could’ve stayed there all day, I’m a sweet tooth at heart you know! Their cakes? They're almost as dazzling as my tutus, darling, every morsel as delicious as the last! It all helped my inspiration flow. The only thing that can compete is the perfect pink macarons from the Parisian styled cafĂ© in Twickenham, of course!

To give you the low down, I am not kidding, this is one fabulous spot for every Pink Tutu Queen, whether you’re in love with all things pink, or you’ve just been watching “Strictly Come Dancing” on a weekend night. The shops here have such charm and a truly luxurious vibe. You must know by now, my dearest readers, there is a sparkle behind every corner. It’s enough to convince even the most devoted fan of Derbyshire, like myself, to truly embrace all things Twickenham, including all the fabulous fun and pink of course.

And so, my journey to Twickenham comes to an end for now, darling, but I know this isn’t goodbye, more of a "See you soon!". Twickenham is truly a hidden gem! And darling, even in the suburbs of London, the life of a Pink Tutu Queen is filled with magic and glamour. I’m already planning my next trip back - after all, every queen needs her fair share of sparkle, fashion, food and fabulous fun! But remember, darlings, never forget: Always add a little bit of pink tutu magic to your life, wherever you are, even in the suburbs!

See you soon! And remember: Pink is not a colour; it is a feeling.

Love,

Your Pink Tutu Queen x

#TutuQueen on 2013-01-05 stars in Twickenham