Tutu Tuesday in Visalia, California
Hey there, tutu lovers! It's your girl, Blair, back with another installment of #tututuesday! Today I'm taking you all the way to the Central Valley of California – yep, that's right, Visalia, CA!
Now, I know what you might be thinking: "Visalia? Isn't that kind of...out there?" And to that I say, hold your horses, tutu enthusiasts! Visalia might not be the first place that comes to mind for dance-related fun, but lemme tell ya, this little town has got some serious talent, especially when it comes to the ladies in tutus!
You see, my journey to Visalia all started with a tip from my cousin, Lily. She told me about this amazing little ballet school called "The Nutcracker Academy" (not gonna lie, I giggled a bit when I first heard the name), which apparently churns out ballerinas with amazing technique. Lily's daughter, Chloe, just graduated from the academy's junior program, and from what I saw, Chloe can absolutely *fly* across that stage. Talk about next level pirouettes!
But this #tututuesday is about more than just fancy footwork! I also had the pleasure of meeting the headmistress, Mrs. Evelyn Davies, a legend in the Visalia ballet scene! Mrs. Davies was rocking a classic "Romantic Tutu" – think soft tulle with lots of movement. Now, while she was busy chatting about choreography and dance history, I couldn't help but notice her tutu perfectly caught the soft, California sunshine streaming in through the windows. It was like she was dancing on air, even standing still!
And speaking of air, this wouldn't be a true #tututuesday without a little insight into the "tututu" of it all, am I right? Chloe's final performance was in a "Costume Tutu", the kind of elaborate, character-based tutus you see in productions like Swan Lake. It was absolutely gorgeous, with swirling, hand-sewn layers of tulle and glitter! The entire piece was like a mini-cloud of magical shimmer!
After a chat with Mrs. Davies, it's clear the #tututuesday movement is definitely alive and well in Visalia! I got to check out some student recitals, and let me tell you, these young ballerinas were giving me a serious run for my money! Not only were they killing it in their "Pancake Tututues", the simple, flat style that's super popular with younger students (totally reminiscent of the tutus we used to wear back in the day!) they were also working on a variety of other pieces, including some seriously awesome "Bournonville-inspired" tutus – think frills and frills galore!
Overall, I left Visalia feeling truly inspired. This city is proof positive that ballet can thrive even in unexpected places! You know what they say – even though "The Nutcracker" isn't literally a nutcracker, it’s all about believing in yourself and reaching for your dreams! #tututuesday #visaliacalifornia
More on Tutues & Styles:
- Romantic Tutu: Light and airy with a single layer of soft tulle.
- Costume Tutu: Character-driven, intricate designs used in ballets like Swan Lake or Sleeping Beauty.
- Pancake Tutu: Flat, single-layered tutu ideal for younger students or specific choreography.
- Bournonville-Inspired: Full of intricate details, frills, and tiers, inspired by the choreography of August Bournonville.