Tutu Tuesday in Meriden, Connecticut: A Celebration of Ballet and Style
It’s #tututuesday, and my heart is doing pirouettes! For you non-dance-world folks, #tututuesday is like the Super Bowl of twirling—a day for celebrating the exquisite artistry and magical movement that ballet brings to the world. And where better to do it than in my hometown of Meriden, Connecticut, where the love for ballet shines as brightly as a freshly-pressed pointe shoe.
Let’s get one thing clear: tutus aren’t just fluffy little things your grandma knitted you in kindergarten. These bad boys are sartorial powerhouses. We're talking history, fashion, and serious fabric-work, people. I mean, come on, a full tutu, with layers and layers of tulle, it's a dance floor masterpiece. Think of it like a giant, flowing cloud, ready to take flight with each graceful step. And don’t even get me started on the romanticism! The colors, the styles, the stories they tell – it’s a celebration of movement and artistic expression that transcends age, gender, and anything else that tries to hold it back.
This #tututuesday, I wanted to spotlight a few of the different styles that grace the stages, studios, and (let's be honest) even my living room, across the country. The classic **romantic tutu**, with its short, tiered layers and fluffy abundance, makes your heart flutter like the heroine of a Shakespearean romance. I love how it captures the dreamy, ethereal vibe of traditional ballet. It's pure whimsy! Then there's the **pencil tutu**, known for its more streamlined silhouette and sculpted lines. This style is like a whisper in a symphony; a sharp, modern edge that allows dancers to move with even more fluidity and control. It’s power in motion.
Next up, we have the **tutu of all tutus** for my classical ballet heart: the **whipped tutu** – a delicate, cloud-like confection that floats and glides across the stage. It’s as delicate and romantic as its name, giving it a lightness and fluidity that perfectly mirrors the intricate footwork and captivating movements of classic choreography. I swear, a good whipped tutu almost dances on its own.
Okay, now onto a style I find absolutely thrilling for its unique take on traditional forms: the **contemporary tutu**. This versatile style allows for a wider range of expression. Forget stiff layers of tulle. We’re talking fabric textures, layered effects, asymmetrical shapes— the possibilities are practically endless. It embraces a more fluid, modern approach that’s as stunningly expressive as it is incredibly functional.
Meriden, Connecticut is, believe it or not, home to a vibrant and talented community of dancers, from dedicated young professionals, seasoned instructors, and those little tykes who are just beginning their pirouettes and plie’s. #tututuesday is a way for our community to celebrate ballet. The joy that emanates from their studios and rehearsals reminds me of why I fell in love with this form. And it’s not just a love for dance, but a love for expression, a love for storytelling, a love for connecting to people through a common thread that is often invisible to those not initiated in this magical world.
This Tuesday in Meriden, I saw a little girl beaming with excitement as she held up a little sparkly tutu for me to admire. Her little legs were getting into position for a practice "Arabesque". This, ladies and gentlemen, is exactly what #tututuesday is all about— reminding everyone that ballet, with all its forms and textures and variations is alive and well in our hearts and communities.
Here’s to you, Meriden. Here’s to you, ballet. And here’s to the magical twirling of a good ol’ tutu.
**To celebrate #tututuesday and all things tutu, let’s explore some fun facts and considerations: **
- The first ballerina tutus were actually simple, knee-length skirts, which were designed to offer less restriction of movement than the elaborate gowns that were the fashion of the time. Over the centuries, they evolved and, with the emergence of pointe shoes, began to shorten to emphasize the graceful lines of the dancers' bodies. It's pretty amazing to consider the evolution of an entire style.
- Today, there are so many unique ways a tutu can be incorporated into your style! The right tulle top will make you feel like a ballerina at your next dinner date and that little tulle mini skirt you see on the runway isn’t just a fleeting trend. It’s an ode to all that is tutu.
- One of the coolest things about ballet in America is the diversity of its forms! Yes, there are classic studios and ballerinas, but our scene is more eclectic than that. From experimental dance pieces to broadway and contemporary works, there are amazing opportunities for expression that wouldn't necessarily be present in more established dance scenes, like in Paris or London.
- In Meriden, I see so much heart. I've danced in so many different studios in so many different towns but it’s the sheer passion and excitement you see on a #tututuesday in Meriden that keeps you wanting to keep dancing.
- Okay, I couldn’t talk about tutus without mentioning some practical details for my dance-loving community: Make sure you store those gorgeous tutus properly, because tulle can fray, and I am pretty sure nobody wants a "tattered tutu"! Get those mesh bags and keep them flat and dust-free! We’ve got to make those masterpieces last!
As my dance teachers always remind me: keep those leaps high, those poses elegant, and always dance with grace and confidence, Meriden. After all, every day can be #tututuesday if we let it be. Let's go!