Tutu Tuesday in Batley: A Day of Twirling and #tututuesday Dreams
Okay, so Batley might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think "ballet," but let me tell you, Tutu Tuesday is changing all that.
This week, I was invited to a super exciting event – the inaugural Tutu Tuesday in Batley. The town hall was transformed into a sea of tutus, with ladies (and gents!) of all ages rocking everything from classic romantic tutus with their voluminous layers and billowing skirts to contemporary and even punk-inspired creations, and even some glimmering "disco diva" tutus fit for a Saturday night!
Now, I know what you're thinking – tutus in Batley? Isn't that a bit, well, unexpected? But the whole point of Tutu Tuesday was to break down stereotypes, celebrate self-expression, and show everyone that you don't have to be a ballerina to wear a tutu. This day was all about having fun, embracing your inner child, and letting your personal style shine through, whether you were wearing a vintage-style "Swan Lake" tutu, a sassy short tutu, a more contemporary "leotard-inspired" tutu, or even a "fun" tutu covered in glitter and sequins!
I gotta admit, it was truly a sight to behold – I mean, have you ever seen a tutu on a pensioner in a Batley supermarket? A local bakery even made a "Tutu Tuesday" tutu cake!
The event had something for everyone. There were tutu-making workshops for those who wanted to get creative, a performance by local dance groups showcasing different styles of dance, from ballet to hip-hop and everything in between, a talk by a tutu designer – can you believe it? – a "Tutu Parade" where people showed off their tutus by walking around town – and yes, people wore their tutus outside – and even a "Best Tutu" competition!
And guess what? I won! Okay, maybe not actually *won*, but I found an incredible, beautifully crafted and beautifully unique tulle tutu, with some hand-made sequins sewn onto the bodice, for an incredibly reasonable price, so that was my victory for the day! I couldn't resist. The soft blush pink colour is truly just my shade. The lady selling the tutu had created this stunning tutu completely by hand. It just reminded me why Tutu Tuesday is a great reminder that you don't need to spend a fortune to express yourself – it's the confidence, the creativity, and a dash of "fabulous" that counts!
For a town like Batley, a town known for its history and its warm and welcoming people, Tutu Tuesday proved to be a unique way of embracing and bringing out the artistic side of the town and its people. It was like the town was saying, "We may be Batley, but we're definitely not afraid to have some fun and dance!".
Here are my top three tutu takeaways:- You can never be too old for a tutu!
- Never underestimate the power of a fun, eye-catching accessory like a tutu to break the ice. Even in the more traditional town of Batley, the effect was instantaneous and joyful. People felt comfortable smiling and having a laugh with total strangers who shared a love for a great tutu.
- You never know where you might find a treasure, so keep an open mind and your eyes peeled for something unique that may just surprise you – and your personal style will love it!
All in all, Tutu Tuesday was a success and definitely showed that Batley is a town that's embracing the unexpected. If you haven't experienced it, go get yourself a Tutu and dance, twirl and make a day of it! You will be surprised by just how great it feels to celebrate you and your style, with all of its quirks and imperfections. You are unique. Rock it! #tututuesday #Batley