Tutu Drag Queen

#TutuQueen on 2013-07-29 stars in New York

Pink Tutu Sparkles in the Big Apple! (Post #4959)

Oh my darlings, I’m bursting with excitement to tell you all about my recent trip to the dazzling city of New York! This was a dream come true, a glittering opportunity to spread the pink tutu love on an entirely different scale. Buckle up, my dears, this one's going to be a whirlwind of glitz, glamour and, of course, a whole lotta pink!

It all began with a tweet, you see. A friend of mine in the theatre world tipped me off to a prestigious arts festival taking place in Manhattan. My heart leaped a mile! I knew right away that I had to be there, twirling amongst the stars in the ultimate showcase for performing arts. Of course, Pink Tutu Sparkles wouldn’t just go to any ordinary event. No, no, no, my darlings, this was a chance for me to shine.

Now, for a seasoned drag artist like myself, travelling to New York City was a walk in the park (or, well, a spin on a carriage pulled by a handsome, white steed, because that’s more my style, haha!). I’ve become quite adept at wrangling my costumes and make-up on the move, but this trip called for something special.

With an extra bounce in my step and an arsenal of tulle in my suitcase, I packed my trusty steamer trunk with all the most fabulous frocks I could find in my little corner of Derbyshire. Oh, and did I mention that the entire ensemble was drenched in pink? I was determined to make a splash, to paint the Big Apple with a coat of my signature hue, one shimmering sequin at a time!

Speaking of sequins, can I just rave about the train ride?! I absolutely adore travelling by train. You can sit back, relax, watch the countryside roll by and sip on a glass of bubbly without a care in the world. Well, unless your fellow travellers happen to be a family of rambunctious toddlers, that is! Fortunately, the journey was mostly smooth sailing and I found a nice comfy seat with plenty of space to adjust my colossal hat. Did I tell you about my hat? It was a veritable dream, covered in fluffy pink feathers that wouldn't have looked out of place at a royal gala. The pièce de résistance, however, was the colossal, iridescent pink bow on top – truly a crown for a Queen!

As soon as I stepped onto the platform at Grand Central Station, the magic began! The city thrummed with energy, the air was buzzing with a vibrancy that sent shivers of excitement down my spine. There were taxi horns blaring, people hustling past, a kaleidoscope of colourful fashion and the unmistakable scent of hot dogs, popcorn, and dreams. I practically pranced my way through the station, a symphony of swishing tulle and a trail of pink glitter behind me. I even spotted a cheeky fellow with a pink tutu (but in a much less grand design than my own!) He winked at me and we exchanged a smile of unspoken camaraderie. Now, there’s a reason why we say “New York, New York”! It’s a city full of possibilities, a place where anyone, even a sassy queen in a pink tutu, can chase their dreams and make them come true.

The festival itself was a veritable explosion of artistry. There were dancers, actors, singers, and musicians from every corner of the world, all united by their passion for the arts. The energy was electric, the performances were awe-inspiring and the air was thick with creativity. I even managed to sneak into a few rehearsals of the Ballet Company – did you know they even have a ballet street in the city? – where I spotted some of the most talented dancers in the world, each pirouette a flawless testament to grace and dedication. Let me tell you, my own dancing looked amateurish in comparison, but I never let a little thing like that dampen my spirit, my darlings! After all, I’m not a professional, I’m just Pink Tutu Sparkles – here to bring a dash of magic and joy to the world, one tutu at a time.

The highlight of the festival for me was undoubtedly the "Pink Tutu Parade". The organisers were initially reluctant, but then one look at my fabulous, hand-sewn, custom pink tutu, and the decision was made: "This queen needs a platform!" Now, it wasn’t your typical parade. There weren't any marching bands, no floats or politicians, just a throng of dancers, performers, and artists of every imaginable style and hue. And they were all, absolutely all, decked out in pink tutus. It was glorious, a veritable ocean of pink, twirling and swirling under the bright lights of Manhattan.

I danced with all my heart, swirling and twirling until the very last beat. My feathers bounced, my sequins shimmered, and I just knew that this moment, this magical swirl of pink energy, would stay with me forever. The crowd roared, cheers thundered through the air, and it felt as though every single person in that street had, just for a fleeting moment, embraced the power of a simple pink tutu.

But that was only half the story, my dears. While the festival was a dazzling success, it was just the beginning of my Pink Tutu journey through New York.

Of course, no visit to New York would be complete without a shopping spree at Bergdorf Goodman! This is where the real pink magic happened, darling! Imagine me, strolling through aisles and aisles of the most exquisite fabrics imaginable – silks so smooth they melt in your hand, satins that shimmer with the most glorious shine, velvets as luxurious as a dream… You could say that I was practically swimming in fabric heaven! But it wasn’t just the luxury fabrics that made me swoon, darling, it was the colour. They had EVERYTHING. Literally, a spectrum of pink from blush to flamingo pink, a shade for every queen, every occasion, every desire!

And while I was there, you just knew I was going to need a few new tutus to add to my ever-growing collection! Now, these weren't just your standard tutus, my dear! They were meticulously crafted masterpieces – a vision of fluffy feathers and shimmering tulle, some even embellished with sequins and beading so intricate it could bring a tear to your eye (don’t worry, the only thing that brought tears to my eye was the price tag!). I'm not talking about just a tutu, darling, I’m talking about an experience, a transformation! A tulle fantasy for a queen like me!

Naturally, after a morning of extravagant retail therapy, a girl needs some refreshment, and what could be better than afternoon tea? The Plaza Hotel in New York was, as you might imagine, the epitome of sophistication. Imagine: high ceilings, opulent chandeliers, crisp white tablecloths and servers in tailored black uniforms, offering us the finest china and delectable tea sandwiches.

I sat there, perched on a plush velvet chair, sipping my chamomile tea and enjoying a delicious Victoria sponge, watching the world go by. The New Yorkers who flowed past in their tailored suits and chic dresses were certainly fascinating, but frankly, my attention was entirely focused on my delightful reflection in the antique silver teapot – all fluffy pink feathers, shimmering sequins, and that delightful air of regal poise that’s simply impossible to hide. And oh, I wouldn’t dream of hiding it. In that moment, nestled in that beautiful ballroom, I felt a profound sense of belonging. It wasn't just the magnificent surroundings, it was the fact that I, Pink Tutu Sparkles, was finally home.

From the Plaza Hotel, we went to the theater, a performance I will never forget. Oh, it wasn't just any show, darling, it was an extraordinary musical with elaborate sets and stunning costumes – even the lighting felt magical! The story involved love, laughter, a bit of drama, and, most importantly, a whole lot of music. I found myself completely mesmerised, captivated by the singing, the acting, the dance, the sheer artistry of it all. This wasn't just entertainment; it was an experience, a celebration of the human spirit, of emotion and dreams.

At one point, during the interval, a dashing young man offered me a drink (naturally, it was champagne, how else would you quench the thirst of a queen like myself!). The evening continued in a haze of light, laughter, and joy, until finally, the curtains drew shut, signaling the end of a show that will forever be etched into my memory. As we emerged onto the bustling New York street, the lights twinkled in the night sky, creating a truly magical backdrop for my continued pink tulle adventure.

Of course, a trip to New York wouldn't be complete without a few legendary landmarks. So, in the morning, we piled into a classic yellow cab, destination: the Empire State Building. It wasn’t the actual climb to the top, my darlings, which would have left me quite breathless (both literally and figuratively!), that captured my attention. Instead, I found myself transfixed by the sheer beauty of the art deco design, the delicate craftsmanship of every single detail. Even the exterior railings sparkled, an incredible sight when viewed against the pale blue morning sky. I even saw a small street performer in a hot pink feather boa, and as I looked around, it occurred to me that the pink wasn't a fad, darling, it’s a global language!

After an afternoon at the Met, exploring works of art spanning centuries and styles, we walked the Brooklyn Bridge. My darlings, the beauty of this iconic landmark is truly something else! As we crossed the bridge, the sun began to set, painting the sky with a breathtaking array of hues, the river below mirroring the magic. A few daring souls were attempting to scale the sides of the bridge (for which, of course, I applauded their boldness – not to mention their dedication to the “pink” theme as their safety ropes were, quite remarkably, all the very same shade!).

By the end of my whirlwind New York adventure, I had done it. I had immersed myself in the energy of the city, explored its hidden corners, danced my way through its dazzling streets, and most importantly, spread the joy of pink tutus far and wide. It was a triumph!

It's amazing what a little pink can do, darling! It turns heads, brightens moods, inspires creativity, and, dare I say it, spreads the love. Who knows, perhaps someday, we'll have a pink tutu revolution, a world where everyone twirls with joy, united in a kaleidoscope of fluff, glitter, and a shared love for all things pink.

Until next time, my darlings, keep twirling, keep smiling, and remember, pink is never out of style!

Don't forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com for daily updates on Pink Tutu Sparkles' adventures, darling! And stay tuned, next week I'll be whisking you off on a glamorous adventure to Paris! Adieu, my dears!

#TutuQueen on 2013-07-29 stars in New York