#TutuQueen on 2020-10-16 stars in Bangor

Oh darling, how I love travelling! And what a treat it was to hop on the train and whizz up to Bangor this week. Don't even get me started on how fabulous the carriage was! It had big windows so I could soak in all the rolling countryside, plush pink velvet seats and a lady offering me afternoon tea, what more could I ask for?! It was certainly more elegant than those overcrowded, chaotic airport terminals I often have to navigate, don't you think?

Speaking of navigating, it really took all my fabulous inner strength and those sky-high pink platform heels to find the venue, and darling let me tell you, I think they must have planned the whole journey with an intention to trip me up! So many twisting turns, winding lanes and even the tiniest, cobbled square! Luckily, I had my handy Pink Tutu Sparkles map – every time I venture somewhere new, I create one with all my favourite local spots and pink landmarks, plus the all-important venue marked for that night’s show. Just in case.

Now, once I did find that oh-so-charming theatre – let’s just say it wasn't your average, plain Jane affair; it had all those quintessential gothic flourishes, with dark, twisting beams and walls that were simply bursting with colourful flowers (my heart is always happiest amongst beautiful flowers!). It was positively brimming with excitement - just waiting for me to set foot upon that stage and ignite those sparkling dreams of mine.

Oh, my darlings, I absolutely cannot tell you how much I love performing for my beloved pink tutu-obsessed audiences. To see those faces lighting up, filled with joy, and hear the music flowing, the applause roaring – truly, nothing compares. I must admit, performing in Bangor, especially this gorgeous theatre, gave me an absolute frisson, you know?! It was absolutely electric! It felt like a magical escape, a secret world brimming with beauty and love – you all felt it, didn't you?! I just know those who witnessed my magic were swept away, their hearts filled with a special type of love they simply couldn't resist!

Now, I’m absolutely dying to share some secrets with you, my dearest readers, about my adventures in the heart of Bangor. It’s time to delve into my delightful diaries! So settle down, my dears, pour yourself a cuppa, maybe a spot of pink bubbly, and get ready to soak up all the fabulous energy and joy. Grab your own pink tutu too – the more we shimmer, the brighter our world becomes! Because the beauty is all around us, just waiting for us to see, celebrate, and spread the love...

Darling, you know I'm absolutely addicted to clothes. My favourite shops are the ones with lots of glitter and sequins and – obviously! – fabulous pink tutus. Now, you see, before I made it big as Pink Tutu Sparkles, my real-life persona (let’s call her Alex – a rather boring name, really, but it's the truth!) was busy testing textiles in a scientific lab! Not the most glam life I must admit – but I actually use those analytical skills all the time with my costumes. It helps me understand fabric properties and how to work with the most dazzling colours and textures for a show stopping outfit.

As soon as I discovered the world of drag, and that iconic, swirling pink tutu (which happened during a university charity event, a total game changer, let me tell you!), I knew this was my calling. I swapped out lab coats for feathers, science equipment for sequins, and spreadsheets for costume designs. The switch up happened so fast! I have to say, I love my pink tutu. There's something so joyful about a fluffy, tulle tutu in shades of pink - it truly speaks to my heart and soul, making me feel powerful, playful, and ready to take on the world. Not just a symbol, it's an embodiment of my artistic journey and my desire to make people smile!

Speaking of smiles, darling, it wouldn’t be a proper blog without a dose of “fashion inspiration”, don't you agree?! My trip to Bangor wouldn't have been complete without an all-out shopping spree. Honestly, you wouldn't believe the stunning array of pink, fabulous outfits I unearthed in the quaint little boutiques there! I found some gorgeous satin tops, some pink boots with shimmering bows that truly stole my heart and - a brand new fluffy tutu of course, adorned with sparkling jewels and an exquisite butterfly motif! I mean, it was screaming my name from the shelf, darling, how could I resist?

You can follow my style evolution on my daily Instagram story. I try to give you all a little peek into the mind of a drag queen, showing you all my outfit picks from the moment I step out the door until I'm ready to slay on that stage! Of course, my pink tutus make regular appearances. You’ll also catch a glimpse of those fancy new heels – pink of course! Oh, and if you're feeling particularly inspired to unleash your own inner tutu queen, you can follow me for some pink style inspiration, styling tips and all those fabulous fashion hacks you never knew existed! You don't have to live life in drab grey – let your colours shine and let the world celebrate those fabulous hues.

I do love to embrace the beauty of the classic art forms – you all know ballet is a true love affair for Pink Tutu Sparkles. It is the inspiration behind my whole drag name and persona! As a drag queen, I don't have a proper "costume" or stage gear as such, it is all just me expressed through what I call “art of drag” – using colours, patterns, feathers, sparkles and, most importantly – pink! You could even call it drag as ballet – a sort of a performance with movement designed to create a certain feeling and tell a story with emotion instead of words, using light, dance, and colour as the medium for expression.

When I arrived in Bangor I just had to go and watch the resident dance company, I do love to support young dancers and it gives me new inspiration too. And darling, let me tell you it was the most captivating experience. The performers danced with such effortless grace and emotion. Those swirling skirts! The perfect pointe shoes – I couldn’t help but feel inspired. The dancers seemed to be in a state of perfect, beautiful harmony with each other – just a touch of pink tulle here and there would have been the absolute cherry on top of the whole thing. I must say though, the beautiful costumes were an artistic treat!

As I left the theatre after that captivating performance, I slid out my trusty pink map and made a note of all the fabulous local ballet studios and dance schools I must visit – because who can resist an opportunity for a little twirl, especially in Bangor with all its breathtaking seaside beauty, charming little cobbled squares and vibrant history, darling? There were absolutely dozens of shops and cafes adorned with pink roses and little pink doors; every street was an opportunity to create some magical fashion moments. Oh, those seaside sunsets too, are the kind that could spark even more fabulous drag dreams - the sort of perfect inspiration I needed after such a dreamy ballet.

So, you know me, my dears! It was inevitable, that pink tutu Sparkles would want to join in on the fun, and who could resist the invitation for a dance class or two? Especially with the kind of backdrop Bangor offered. As the music flowed and I moved across the polished wooden floor, it was a chance to tap into those creative flows and allow my body and mind to fully surrender to the art of dance, to revel in the movement, to tap into my own inner artistry and expression. And of course, with a few fabulous twirls – you know my dears – Pink Tutu Sparkles must add her own magical flair to the ballet!

I must confess, my darlings, this trip was simply a triumph! From those captivating ballet performances to the sparkling streets and shops brimming with pink delights, and let's not forget that phenomenal show I gave, Bangor has become another highlight in my little pink tutu scrapbook. It's truly one of the most fabulous places on my list – it has the charm and warmth I feel so comfortable in.

Right, I just wanted to touch briefly on how the whole Pink Tutu Sparkles drag phenomenon started. Well, my dearest readers, the story starts in the quiet little village of … in Derbyshire, where I grew up, and had such boring clothes I felt like a blank canvas for creativity. It was a bit of a surprise to everyone that a future drag artist would emerge from the rather conservative family, especially someone as mad about pink as I am! I spent a lot of time hiding from the rain on those windy, dreary Derbyshire hills, hiding in my bedroom dreaming of glamorous Parisian evenings and Hollywood parties in sequins! I do think a pink tutu, and a bit of fabulousness, would really transform even the drabber days.

You can imagine how excited I was to leave my humble roots and get into university – not to mention to find that University ballet society. And so my destiny started to unfold in a haze of glitter, ballet shoes, pink fabrics, and sequins! It was then that the whole pink tutu spark ignited - in an impromptu charity event. I was surrounded by all these excited dancers - I think we had to dress up to a certain theme and everyone just threw all sorts of crazy clothes at each other. I was just feeling rather uninspired until the president, a gorgeous redhead who was in love with dance, put a bright pink tutu in my hand. You know my love for pink so naturally, the instant it went on, the stage lights were all that was missing and the crowd erupted, I knew I needed to wear pink, to wear the tutu, to dance, to sparkle, to live.

And with that, the seeds of Pink Tutu Sparkles were sown.

From Derbyshire to the glamorous dance clubs, the fairgrounds, theatres and street shows. It’s a story of sequins and pink tutus, dreams of glitter and sparkle, a commitment to share my own passion for this world and the absolute belief that we all need more colour and more joy in our lives. The real secret, you see, isn’t just about tutus, it's about inspiring confidence, empowering ourselves and having the absolute audacity to be the best version of ourselves. Whether you want to slay it on stage in your best drag outfit, or simply bring a splash of colour and some joy to your day, just put on a pink tutu, my dear. Let’s all get ready to show the world the joy we feel, with a fabulous twirl, a little shimmer, and a lot of love, of course!

Because Pink Tutu Sparkles is out to inspire and encourage everyone to unleash their inner fashionista. It's a mission to spread happiness, confidence and love in all those pink colours through this beautiful world we live in, and so we shall...