Tutu Tuesday in Cambridge: A whirl of tutus and a celebration of dance
Oh, Cambridge, you never cease to amaze me. Today, it was a tutu explosion! And by "explosion", I don't mean a chaotic, disastrous, tulle-filled mess. No, it was a delightful, whimsical, and frankly, pretty darn impressive celebration of all things dance.
As you might know, I'm a big fan of #tututuesday. It's a social media phenomenon where people, from ballerinas to regular folk, rock their tutus and spread the joy of dance. This week, Cambridge took it to a whole new level.
The day started at the historic Cambridge Market Square, a buzzing hub of life. There, amidst the stalls of fresh produce and artisanal goods, I spotted my first tutu warrior - a little girl, probably about five, twirling her pink tutu like a seasoned pro. The way her little face beamed, I knew this was going to be a great day.
Later, I joined the Tutu Tuesday procession. Think: a joyful, vibrant parade of all kinds of tutus. From the classic, knee-length, and perfectly puffed styles beloved by ballerinas, to the funky, asymmetrical, and oh-so-modern tutus favoured by contemporary dancers, to even some cheeky, quirky, and utterly unique tutu interpretations (a fluffy yellow tutu? Yes, please!).
But the best part? It wasn't just about the tutus. It was about community. The smiles, the laughter, the genuine excitement. We had dancers of all ages and abilities joining the parade, creating this incredible atmosphere of shared passion for dance.
Here are a few highlights that caught my eye:
- The tutu fashion show at the Senate House, the university’s iconic building, was a dream come true! We saw tutus of all colours, patterns, and fabrics - tulle, chiffon, lace, satin - all shimmering under the glorious Cambridge sunshine. The judges were mesmerised by the creativity and originality on display.
- The tutu-themed workshops at the Arts Theatre were a riot of fun! I tried my hand at ballet barre work (with a tutu, of course!) and learned some hip-hop moves that made my inner child very, very happy. My favourite was the Tutu-Creation Workshop, where we all got to unleash our inner designers. We went wild with ribbons, sequins, and feathers, creating our very own unique tutu creations. The results? Let's just say it was a Pinterest-worthy explosion of colours and textures.
- The tutu-inspired market at the Cambridge Arts Centre was a haven for all things tutus. From handmade tutu jewellery to personalised tutus with our own names stitched on them (that was mine! 😍), it was a total delight. You could practically smell the creativity and love in the air.
The day was a delightful blend of the traditional and the unexpected. And what really cemented its place in my heart? The sheer joy on everyone’s faces, whether it was the seasoned ballet dancers performing their grace and elegance, the young ones getting their first taste of the magic of tutus, or the enthusiastic crowd cheering them all on. It was pure joy in motion!
This is why I love Cambridge, a town that embraces art, dance, and everything in between. The Tutu Tuesday festivities here were a resounding success. More importantly, it showed me that the power of dance transcends age, experience, and style. A tutu can bring people together, foster a sense of community, and inspire everyone to tap into their inner dancer.
If you’re in Cambridge next year, make sure to pencil in Tutu Tuesday in your calendar. This experience is pure, unadulterated fun. It's a chance to celebrate your love for dance, and I promise you'll be hooked on tutus, just like I am! #tututuesday