Tutu Tuesday 1000

Tutu Tuesday in Huyton: A Fashionable Take on Ballet So, I'm writing this blog from my little flat in Huyton. And I'm feeling particularly sassy because, as you may have guessed from the title, it's #Tututuesday. Let's face it, who doesn't love a good tutu? It's not just about ballet anymore, it's a whole vibe. It's about expressing yourself. About being fabulous. About a little bit of whimsy. A little bit of magic. I can see the tutus now, lined up in the studio. So many styles - we’ve got the classic romantic tutus, all billowing and delicate, floating like a cloud as you pirouette across the stage. There's the mischievous "party" tutu - you know the ones - they're shorter, poofier and packed with vibrant colours, perfect for jazz and contemporary pieces. They’re about as much about the dancing as they are about showcasing your confidence. And then there's the dramatic "punk" tutu, that short, spiky, sometimes edgy piece. The “don’t mess with me" attitude wrapped up in a skirt, if you will. The ones with netting and lace – that's when you know things are going to get *real* dramatic. And then there’s the simple one-layer tutu that the studio has – perfect for beginners, the ones who want a little taste of tutuedom without committing fully to the poof. But when they feel it… the magic of the tutu… that’s when they really feel like they're part of the gang. You can see that little glimmer of something – you know, that ballet magic. Let me tell you a bit about why this little dance studio is more than just your average class. In Huyton, it's more than a studio - it’s a refuge, a place where you can be your best self and find your inner ballerinas. There's just this indescribable feeling that envelopes you, a sense of freedom, expression, and acceptance. Maybe it’s because I started coming here in my late teens. A bit too old for "proper" ballet they might have thought back then. But not at this studio. This is the kind of place where they welcome you with open arms. This is a place that welcomes anyone and everyone who has a love of dance. So don't think this studio is just about teeny ballerinas in their matching buns and perfect ponytails. We’ve got everyone here: Mums, dads, grandparents even… all rocking those little tutus. That's what’s special about this studio, they don't just teach ballet, they cultivate a culture. A little bit about my story…. As I’m writing this, I think of how this all began. See, I’ve been dancing my whole life, a career I thought I might even be good at one day… before life had a bit of a laugh at me. I thought about starting ballet lessons as a teen. Ballet was all over the place on my YouTube feed, it was pretty and light – not as brutal as hip-hop - the type I'd trained for my whole life - but something was missing, an emotional depth that my previous training hadn’t provided. It was the whole pointe-shoe thing I wasn’t quite ready to tackle – a pretty big jump for someone who's used to feeling pretty damn invincible, I guess you could say. Then a few weeks into a contemporary class, something strange happened. This girl with hair that just refused to stay out of her face came up to me and asked: * “Hey, how do you put your ballet shoes on?” I wasn’t entirely sure I wanted to get drawn into the ballet crowd, especially because I hadn't yet been wearing the proper ballet shoes… but it felt weird saying ‘no’. My friend just sat there. The instructor looked at us, like we were on a mission from God or something, but instead of sending us off to find some obscure scripture we were told to meet him at the studio later, with our shoes in hand. I couldn’t get him to make eye contact as he told us he'd just given away all his best dance books from the 1960s and some spare costumes he hadn’t found the right dancers for… we looked at each other. What could it possibly be, he’d added the *weirdest* little “tut” at the end. We found out then he didn’t want to “force” us onto his path, instead he told us about the best kind of dancers: The kind that "do what makes them happy.” *Weird*. And so I started learning ballet. I wouldn't say that it was all smooth sailing at first, I’ve gotta be honest. Ballet is quite tough, especially when you’re starting out. It takes time to learn the moves and get into that right rhythm, but it felt so freeing. And as a young dancer who had a slight *tendency* to rebel against rules, this studio made a big difference. This studio became my safe haven, and that, my friends, is where #tututuesday really started to feel like home. It's the way that you feel when you pull on your ballet slippers and get ready to feel the energy surge through you, it's the way your hair flows as you plié, the way you can forget the world and just let your body move. And then there’s the *tu-tu* … oh that tututu! * it feels so magical when you’re actually out on the floor - especially when the teacher starts showing off his crazy old costumes…* they’re amazing – really add an extra element to every dance. So, whether it's your first time trying on a tutu, or your hundredth time, know this - you are a true dancer. Just by wanting to wear a tutu, to get your steps in. Just by having a little passion for this amazing art form, you’ve become a part of something big – an endless source of beauty, joy, and freedom. A part of the community that comes together for the shared love of dance. It’s why #tututuesday doesn’t matter, because you should be dancing with your tutus every day, be bold, be strong, and feel empowered. Don’t be afraid to stand out. As they say in Huyton… "You're a stunner." And you’ve got this.