Walsall, the heart of the Black Country, has never been known for its tutu-clad dancers. But let me tell you, Tuesday saw a delightful and unexpected turn of events that transformed our little town into a vibrant sea of tulle. And no, I'm not talking about a freakishly sudden gust of wind that turned the contents of a local lingerie shop inside out. This, my darlings, was #tututuesday - a beautiful day that promised to be everything tutus represent: playful, artistic, and, of course, incredibly glamorous.
The brainchild of my good friend Amelia, who runs a local ballet studio, #tututuesday was an idea born out of a pure and simple desire to see the world adorned in tutu. We wanted to encourage people to embrace their inner child, break free from the mundane, and inject a bit of sparkle into their week. Amelia’s initial goal was just to see a handful of brave souls grace the streets of Walsall with a touch of tulle. And grace they did.
Amelia set up an online shop selling a variety of different styles of tutus; short tutus, long tutus, romantic tutus, tutus for every occasion, every age and every size, from traditional white tutus reminiscent of the greats like Pavlova and Fonteyn to tutus in vibrant hues, colours you couldn’t even dream up if you tried - they were all there. She called them "Everyday Tutu". And she sold over 200!
As the day arrived, anticipation was high. The atmosphere felt electric. I could feel a change in the air, a palpable sense of something magical about to happen. And then it did. There they were, walking the streets of Walsall - ordinary people, transforming themselves into tutu-wearing wonder women, turning heads and radiating confidence, owning their look.
From the charmingly chaotic crowds outside the town market to the quiet serenity of Walsall Arboretum, #tututuesday was everywhere, in every crevice of the town.
- A young girl, barely ten years old, proudly strutting in a pink tutu that flowed gracefully around her.
- A group of teenage boys in matching navy tutus, laughing and playfully pretending to be ballet dancers.
- An elderly lady with a bright, contagious smile, her traditional white tutu shimmering in the sunlight.
What made it all the more special, and perhaps the most powerful, was the undeniable camaraderie that filled the air. From shopkeepers and customers to street cleaners and tourists, everyone seemed to be swept up in the joyous spirit of the day, exchanging smiles and compliments, united by a shared sense of awe. It was, for a brief but beautiful moment, a reminder that a simple gesture of kindness and playful absurdity can make all the difference.
It is important to note that even with the sheer volume of tulle dancing down Walsall’s High Street, it wasn’t only about the fashion. No, #tututuesday became about much more than a delightful and fleeting glimpse of the beauty of ballet. It was about creating a space, however small, where people could forget about the weight of their worries and the everyday mundane. A space to express themselves and to discover a spark of joy they didn’t know they possessed.
The day ended with a dazzling tutu flash mob in the heart of the town, coordinated and led by Amelia herself. The sudden eruption of twirls, leaps, and graceful gestures mesmerized onlookers, turning the hustle and bustle of daily life into an ephemeral, tutu-laden ballet performance.
Now, some may call this a bit extravagant, a little dramatic, or, heaven forbid, a bit silly. But let me tell you, those of us who danced under the Walsall sun that day, tutus fluttering with every pirouette and every plié, we felt a spark of something unique and wonderful.
What began as a small idea to shake things up in Walsall turned into a beautiful celebration of self-expression, camaraderie, and a touch of magic. And so, I ask you, who needs a ballroom when you have the streets of Walsall, an Everyday Tutu and #tututuesday?