Hello lovelies! 💋 It's your girl Pink Tutu Sparkles, here with you again, ready to unleash some serious sparkly sunshine.
Today's post is a little special - it's number 7126 (I know, you'd never believe I've been blogging for THIS long, but, seriously, there's just SO much to share). And this time, I'm stepping out of my usual glittery London digs to head to the wonderful, beautiful, beautiful town of Merthyr Tydfil, a place I've been dreaming about visiting for ages.
Now, I have to confess, Merthyr Tydfil wasn't exactly on the mainstream glitter-map for a gal like me. You know, think Covent Garden, New York City, even Paris… those are the usual haunts for a pink tutu-sporting queen. But this town has been calling to me. Maybe it's the industrial heritage, the strong community spirit, or maybe, just maybe, it's the sheer unbridled love of all things tutus that draws me in. (Can't a girl dream?)
Oh, you betcha! This trip is a mission of mine to spread the Tutu love. I mean, I always bring a whole lotta pink shimmer to wherever I go, but Merthyr Tydfil feels...different, somehow. There's something electric about the air here!
How did I get here? Well, wouldn't you know it, I decided to do a bit of sustainable, glamorous travel this time! Now, before anyone mentions those 'horses' and 'trains', let's just say my sparkly saddle and carriage are still in the shop getting a bit of a tutu makeover (gotta make those horsehair braids shimmer, you know!), so it was the steam train for this one!
The journey was like a time machine, but in a really fun way. I was treated to the most spectacular scenery and felt the old-fashioned luxury of travelling like they used to! (I even made a couple of tutu-licious friends on the way). It's not like flying - you get to sit back, relax, and really enjoy the views. It even gave me a chance to brainstorm my act for tonight! It's all about finding the right energy for the right crowd, and there's something uniquely magical about reaching a new place by train.
By the time we arrived, the whole town was abuzz, ready to welcome a Queen in pink! And as soon as I stepped out onto the platform, it was clear to me, Merthyr Tydfil is not your average tourist trap, it's overflowing with genuine warmth and enthusiasm. Just walking around was a delight; from the traditional pubs and cosy cafes to the stunning heritage sites (a real Victorian wonderland!)… it's a place that makes you feel at home.
The thing that struck me the most was the way everyone owns the streets! This wasn't some sleepy, quiet town - the people of Merthyr Tydfil are passionate about their home, and their creativity pours out into the streets like sparkling glitter!
One of my absolute favourite places to go was the...drumroll… Ballet and Dance School!! Of course, my love for ballet knows no bounds (it's kinda where it all started!). I literally spent my whole life in a tutu or practicing for shows at school, but this little haven is filled with young people embracing dance and artistic expression - it was truly inspiring.
Naturally, I had to throw a little sparkle their way (what can I say? It’s my thing!) and the way they took it all in, so full of life and excitement, honestly, that’s what makes my pink-tutu heart happy! We even managed to squeeze in a tiny tutu-making workshop. It’s true: sharing is caring, and those girls absolutely rocked the sparkly sewing machine (oh, you have no idea how fun it was!).
Of course, it wasn’t all dancing and sewing! It wouldn't be a proper TutuQueen adventure without exploring a little bit of the local culture. So, off we went to discover the town’s hidden gems. We hit the vintage shops (finding two pink tutus – you can’t believe my luck!) and chatted with some local artisans (those pottery pieces are a little bit too gorgeous!). I adore finding places full of unique character and Merthyr Tydfil certainly doesn't disappoint.
Oh, you’re absolutely going to want to see the stunningly colourful street art! They even have this one mural featuring…a tutu! 🩰 I mean, you know I couldn’t let that one go, so I naturally posed with the art! There’s a real pride in the artistic spirit of this town. I bet these murals inspire artists from all over.
You wouldn't believe the food, though! There were so many options – from traditional Welsh fayre to exciting international fusion kitchens. Of course, I had to sample the deliciousness! From proper Welsh cakes, to creamy, swoonworthy cakes from the bakery on High Street, it was a culinary feast for the senses!
But of course, it wasn’t all about eating (much). This being Merthyr Tydfil, I just knew we had to have a bit of a glam celebration of the tutu life. And how do we celebrate anything that isn't a birthday, a big event or even just Tuesday in our world? You guessed it – a drag show!
Let me tell you – Merthyr Tydfil, I was not disappointed. I got to perform at the most unique, fun, and sparkly little club I’d ever seen – “The Pink Pony” – imagine a gorgeous, vibrant cocktail lounge, but instead of sparkles everywhere they have loads of stuffed horses wearing sequin coats! The energy was amazing. And let me tell you, those Welsh lads love their dancing, and a drag queen, well… let's just say we are always a bit of fun! The stage was fantastic. So much space for spinning and tutu-ing around! You’ve no idea how much space you actually need to work your magic when you’ve got this much tutu! I actually nearly got stuck a few times.
Speaking of my outfit… Well, I have to say this might have been the most daring outfit I have ever worn. Now, for you folks, a tutu might sound pretty standard (trust me, I live in one!) but it was a completely unique shade of hot pink, it actually kind of reminded me of those pink flamingo feathers. Then, imagine the sparkles… you see those dazzling pink and silver sequin ribbons you buy? Those are usually just used for wrapping, but my dear designer and best friend (we've worked together for years, remember Project Runway? ) used them to make me the most divine pink feathered train you've ever seen… oh, and we decided to add some crystallised feathers too - we are after all Merthyr Tydfil, right? That was enough for even this drag queen to get her confidence up and onto that stage!
I want to say, this trip has left me filled with so much gratitude.
You see, this is what TutuQueen is all about! The warmth, the community spirit, and the openness that these fantastic folks showed to me. It's why I adore what I do. It's so much more than just performing on stage; it's about making connections, leaving a little sparkle wherever I go.
So, for all of you out there - especially you amazing folks from Merthyr Tydfil - keep spreading your sunshine and tutu-love to the world! I truly believe in the power of pink and a good spin of the tutu – it can make anyone feel like a Queen. 💖
Love you all! 💋
Tutu out!
www.pink-tutu.com
