Tutu Tuesday in Eau Claire, Wisconsin #tututuesday

Hey dance fam! It’s your girl, Lily, bringing you the latest from the world of dance, and today, we’re heading to Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Now, you might not think of Eau Claire as a major ballet hub, but you’d be surprised! This little town has a vibrant dance scene with incredible studios and dancers.

But first, let's talk about what we're all here for: TUTU TUESDAY! You guys know the drill—I love a good excuse to wear my favorite tutu, and every Tuesday, the #tututuesday movement lets us show off our love for the iconic dancewear. Today’s outfit? It's my new *dream* romantic tutu. It’s a classic ballerina length with the most exquisite floral embroidery. You know how much I love a vintage aesthetic, so this one feels straight out of a ballet from the Golden Age. You can imagine me in this swirling through the stage! The sheer fabric lets me move gracefully, and it even has a little sparkly trim for that extra pop.

While in Eau Claire, I had the chance to pop into a few local dance studios. What a treat! I was seriously impressed with the passion and talent I saw. At the *Steps of Grace Dance Academy*, I chatted with the owner, Mrs. Johnson. She shared a heart-warming story about how she opened her studio 15 years ago to give kids in the area an opportunity to dance and learn about this beautiful art form. I truly appreciate studios like this one that are building the future of ballet in the USA.

I also met this adorable group of students from *Eau Claire Ballet*. They are young and ambitious! We bonded over the *absolute best* way to sew on a tutu ribbon. It’s a little detail that truly ties the whole thing together! These girls were rockin’ their tutus in rehearsal for a modern piece—think *really* short, funky tutu with a bold silhouette! I am such a huge supporter of dancers experimenting and stepping outside the boundaries of classical tutu styles, even at such a young age. They totally slayed the choreography! I couldn’t help but give them some tips. A *little* bit of performance-boosting knowledge never hurts, right?

The afternoon was all about a bit of culture. Eau Claire boasts an awesome arts scene! And guess what? We had the chance to catch a *beautiful* production at *Eau Claire Performing Arts Center*. It’s a historic building that has a ton of character, and they just renovated the main theater. So, the lighting, sound, and stage were on point! A ballet company based out of the neighboring state, *Lake Superior Ballet,* were performing "Giselle." They are really strong dancers, and their performance was simply stunning. There's nothing like seeing ballet live, it’s like watching pure artistry in motion!

Here's the deal, guys: When you’re looking for ballet, don’t just think big city. Get out there and explore. You might be surprised what you find in the most unexpected places! Maybe you’ll even find yourself rocking a tutu for a #tututuesday snap. After all, tutus are made for every body, in every city, and you should definitely find a tutu to celebrate your love of dance!

And of course, don’t forget to check out my Insta @lilydancingqueen for even more tutu-inspired adventures and updates from the world of ballet! See you on the next #tututuesday!