Tutu Tuesday in Gateshead: A Celebration of Dance, Diversity and Sparkle!
Hey there, fellow twirlers and fashionistas! Itās your girl, Millie, here, bringing you a report straight from the heart of Gatesheadās Tutu Tuesday celebrations. If you know me, you know I live for this day. Letās be real, every day is practically Tutu Tuesday in my world, but thereās just something extra special about this day. It's a day when everyone is encouraged to wear a tutu, to embrace their inner ballerina, and to celebrate diversity and sparkle!
The atmosphere was electric today. From the moment I stepped out of my flat in my sequined pink tutu, I could feel the magic in the air. Gateshead was awash with pink, purple, blue, greenā¦all the colors of the rainbow swirling through the town center. I saw **a little girl in a candy floss pink tutu twirling** beside her granny sporting a bold purple creation with feathers. It was just *so* adorable. This day really proves thereās a tutu for everyone! You can find them in **classic white, floaty chiffon, short and sassy**, and **dramatic full length styles** ... the options are endless!
A Fusion of Fashion & Fun: Tutu Tuesday Highlights
Here are some highlights of the day that really had my heart soaring, (and my hairspray exploding from all the joyful twirling!)
- The Tutu Parade. We kicked things off with the grandest of grand parades, featuring an explosion of tutus in all styles imaginable. Everyone was dancing in the streets - I saw people of all ages, from kids to grandparents, bopping along in their tutus, some with glitter face paint, others flaunting elaborate headbands. It felt like everyone in the whole town was involved. And letās not forget the music, of course! The air was pulsating with disco beats, 80s synth pops, and even a bit of Queen thrown in for good measure! Talk about a fantastic fusion of fashion and fun!
- Tutu Making Workshop. Before the parade, there was an interactive Tutu Making Workshop hosted at the Gateshead Arts Centre. I must admit, I snuck into this one and picked up a few tips and tricks. It was actually super inspiring to see the level of creativity flowing from those working on their tutus. Everyone left feeling pretty proud of their creation ā even if they made the occasional stitching blunder! (Me, always! I can't seem to get past basic embroidery stitches. But hey, there's always room for creativity, right?
- The āTutu Talentsā Showcase: After the parade, we headed over to the Tyne Theatre for a showstopping talent showcase, featuring dancers of all abilities and backgrounds. We saw some incredibly talented ballerinas, tap dancers, hip hop performers, and even a group of belly dancers in some fab tutus that just wowed everyone. This showcased that dancing really is a way to celebrate self-expression no matter what style your passion may be. And guess what, the music? Totally rocking.
- Tutu for a Cause. The main aim of the day was to raise money for local LGBTQ+ charities. So while we were twirling in our fabulous creations, we were also showing our support to an incredibly important cause!
- The "Best Tutu" Awards. And then the big reveal... It wouldnāt be a true Tutu Tuesday celebration without a "Best Tutu" awards ceremony. I was absolutely floored by the originality on display. There was a stunning vintage-style tutu in rich maroon velvet, a whimsical tutu crafted from recycled materials ( seriously! amazing), and another with intricate beadwork ā it was breathtaking.
- #TutuTuesday Vibes It was just great to see so many smiles on people's faces today. The atmosphere in Gateshead felt electric ā people were twirling, laughing, and giving high fives and hugs ā and of course, everyone was taking pictures! The hashtags #tututuesday #tutupride #Gateshead were buzzing all day on social media. And itās safe to say that everyone had a ball.
Celebrating Inclusivity and Empowerment The essence of Tutu Tuesday is rooted in inclusivity and empowerment, and I couldn't be more thrilled that the town has embraced these principles with open arms. Seeing the diversity of the crowd made me so proud to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community. This day really highlights how we can stand together and celebrate our individual differences in a spirit of unity and joy. Iād even go so far as to say it reminds us that we're all part of a larger story about freedom and the right to express ourselves without fear of judgment. And when people are dancing in tutus in a vibrant mix of colours, there is no room for hate and fear, right?
A Word From The Tutu Creator After the celebration, I sat down with local costume designer, Chloe Smith, whose incredible creations made the parade even more magical. She said that she started the Tutu Tuesday project because she wanted to use her creative skills to celebrate something positive in the world and show people that wearing tutus isn't about age, size or background. It's just about having fun! Chloe, you nailed it!
More Tutu Tuesday to Come Well, my dear readers, that's all from me today. As the sun set on a truly fantastic day, it got me thinking that Tutu Tuesday wasnāt just a single day of joy. It was a celebration that echoed into the rest of the year, inspiring more moments of self-expression and empowerment in Gateshead. There was something powerful about being a part of this event - it wasnāt just about putting on a tutu. It was about embracing who we are, where we are from, and standing together for a brighter future where everyone can feel comfortable being themselves, without a shadow of fear. I'm leaving you with a huge wave of #tututuesday energy and some of my fave pictures of the day. And, keep your eyes peeled for future #tututuesday news - because you just never know where the magic of tutus might lead you next. Until then, stay sparkly, beautiful people!