Tutu Tuesday 10076

Tutu Tuesday in West Allis, Wisconsin! #tututuesday Okay, Tutu Tribe, let's talk tulle! It's Tuesday, which means it's time to celebrate the iconic, the ethereal, the *tutu*! And what better place to do that than in my hometown of West Allis, Wisconsin? This little corner of the Midwest may not be known for its glamorous ballet scene like New York City or Los Angeles, but let me tell you, we've got some serious love for dance here. Where did #TutuTuesday even start? For those of you new to the world of #tututuesday, it's basically an excuse to show off your love for tutus – no matter what shape, size, or color it may be! It's like a worldwide celebration of this classic ballet garment, and trust me, there are a *ton* of different styles. We've got your classic romantic tutu, all billowing and flowing – perfect for those graceful pirouettes. We've got your super chic contemporary tutus, sometimes shorter, sometimes layered, definitely fierce. And let's not forget about the playful tutus – think fluffy tulle in all the colors of the rainbow! It's honestly like an explosion of tutu joy! But why just Tuesdays, you ask? Because Tuesday's need a little more pep, a little more prance. It's that midweek day when the motivation can dip. We can be bogged down by emails and meetings. Tuesdays need a touch of magic, and what's more magical than a tulle skirt? Tutus in Wisconsin Speaking of pep in your step, it's not always easy keeping your dancing spirit alive when you live in Wisconsin. I mean, winter, snow, and lots of cozy sweaters... that's our life. I’m lucky I have my dance family! There’s this one particular dance studio that has a truly inspiring group of ballerinas, and even they, *dare I say* are taking a bit of a “dance break” in January to recharge. January? Okay, maybe I *can* understand. But don’t worry – it’s not *completely* a dead season for ballet. There are some seriously inspiring community performances by the “The Milwaukee Ballet”. It's not always the glitziest production you'll see, but it’s always authentic and powerful, which honestly, is exactly what makes a performance stand out. Getting Tutu-Crafty in West Allis This #tututuesday, I decided to embrace the creativity within the Wisconsin spirit – think “MacGyver” with tulle. It started with this gorgeous, dusty rose satin fabric I've had stashed in my sewing room forever (I've always wanted to create my own custom tutu) and well… then a friend got her hands on it and the tutu obsession really began! (She even took me shopping for some supplies!) Let's just say, we didn’t exactly spend hours agonizing over each seam like we'd seen in *Dancing with the Stars*, or a *Dance Moms* episode, but the final product – well, let's just say this girl has never been more confident rocking the stage in a tulle creation – even if it was just my living room stage. Okay, so I may be biased but here's why West Allis (and the greater Wisconsin area) deserve a little bit more credit for dance: * * **Affordable dance instruction**: Let's just say it's way more manageable for budding ballerinas than in those pricey studio locations out east or out west. It makes learning ballet, in particular, much more accessible – because, we all know – dance can be expensive! * * **Real talent**: Let's not overlook the amazing dance teachers that help cultivate our love for dance, the kind that keep the dreams of future prima ballerinas alive. * * **That Midwest passion**: We have a serious drive in Wisconsin, when we decide to commit to something we’re all in! Don’t be fooled by the casual midwestern nature – there is fire within us! Okay, that little rant probably seems like I’ve officially gone tutu-crazy. If you’re wondering why I'm all about sharing this tutu love with you, here's my take: Every dancer out there has an essential piece – one that will stay in our minds and memories – that one-of-a-kind tutu – a perfect mix of colors or perhaps a tulle creation that you thought you'd never even dare to dream up. I'm hoping that every dance studio, every dance community will encourage everyone, even non-dancers, to celebrate their tutu-self – with all the fabulous, and maybe not so fabulous, dance moments in between! And because #tututuesday just makes our hearts a little happier, remember this: We're all on this dance journey together, whether we’re out on stage, or in our living rooms, twirling to our heart's content. So let's make the rest of the week just as amazing! P.S. If you happen to be in West Allis, Wisconsin, or anywhere in the world, rocking your tutu with a contagious smile, be sure to tag me – you might just find your pic featured in my next post! 😉. Let's keep this tutu love alive, Tutu Tribe!