Tutu Tuesday 10688

Tutu Tuesday in Bismarck, North Dakota! Okay, tutu lovers, let's talk about **#TutuTuesday**! This week, we're taking it to the heartland, to a city that's a little bit unexpected, but that doesn't mean we can't rock our tutus there! It's Bismarck, North Dakota, a place where the winds blow hard, the prairies stretch forever, and where, believe it or not, ballet is alive and thriving!
I have to say, when I got the assignment to head to Bismarck, I was a little surprised. Like, isn't it mostly known for, you know, *farmland* and *cattle*? But, let me tell you, this city is full of hidden gems, especially when it comes to the dance scene. And trust me, they're totally ready to embrace #TutuTuesday in all its glory!
This is what makes this week's #TutuTuesday adventure so special: It's about bringing the glamour and the grace of ballet to places you might not expect, but it's also about proving that dance can be everywhere. Like a good pair of pointe shoes, ballet is ready to travel the world, from the biggest cities to the most remote towns.
Let's face it, you can’t *always* be in New York or Paris (and let’s be honest, even there, a girl can get tired of all the noise sometimes) . So here we are, in Bismarck, where there’s lots of wide open space and big skies for tutus. Speaking of space… **Tutu Options:** * **Romantic tutu:** These are our classic, beautiful tutus with a voluminous, fluffy skirt. They are perfect for those graceful leaps and pirouettes. It's what you'd imagine for those dreamy ballerina photos from the big companies! I can already see the tutus flowing on the wide prairies! * **Modern tutu:** Maybe it’s an asymmetrical style that plays with interesting shapes, a darker palette for a bit of an edge. These have become increasingly popular, especially since modern dance is making waves in American Ballet Companies (we see you Misty Copeland!), and Bismarck could embrace this trendy tutu, and their *own* interpretation. * **Tutu mix-and-match:** No need to be all traditional, just embrace the whole “less is more” concept. Why not make a custom, hand-painted tulle skirt with something special on the side for the local ballet dancers here? And they’re not limited to white!
## #TutuTuesday at Bismarck Ballet And you guys, there is ballet company right here in the heart of Bismarck called “Bismarck Ballet” – *it's got a bit of everything, a community company dedicated to building an audience for all the arts and they even have *student scholarships*. I love that.* The Bismarck Ballet team is amazing. I’m so inspired. They told me they would be so up for #TutuTuesday at their studio. You know, their studio, a *renovated historic fire station!** Isn't that amazing? I mean, that is like, literally *made* for tutus and the magic of ballet! I was *super* surprised by all the options they gave me. *They had it all*, from a mix of tutus, to even costume design services, to their “*Little Bits Ballet Academy*” where little ballerinas get a chance to embrace ballet too! And then they invited me to their studio. (And you know how much *I* love getting to *learn* what dance students are all about, in person. I love the community. I just knew they were in *for* #TutuTuesday!) I’ve been touring so much, sometimes I get to the place and I forget… we are *all* about celebrating each other’s love of the arts, no matter where you come from or what your background is.
I met this incredible student named Lily who is like, my age, but her dedication is already *huge* . This is one girl with serious star power and she is a role model. She *totally* inspires me and I know Bismarck is so lucky to have her! But that’s what *I* *love* about dance…it connects us, it empowers us to *give it all* on stage or at practice. So the #TutuTuesday in Bismarck event has me so excited and inspired.
Okay, so where does **#TutuTuesday in Bismarck** take us from here? For one, let’s look at the hashtag, and all of the great work happening *beyond* the big cities – dance is happening *everywhere*! What are the opportunities for people to *build community* in different cities? The truth is… every #TutuTuesday could become a real-life *inspiration* for how we dance together, across the United States.
And let’s be real, as much as we talk about fashion, what *really* moves me (beyond just twirling on a Tuesday), is the *possibility* that ballet can mean to *anyone*, and that maybe, #TutuTuesday in Bismarck could just mean so much to so many… in a *good way*.