Tutu Tuesday in Ostwald, Grand Est, France: A Ballerina's Parisian Dream
#tututuesday
G'day from the City of Lights! As you know, every Tuesday is Tutu Tuesday in my world. And today, I'm taking you with me on a Parisian adventure - right into the heart of Ostwald, a charming little town in the Grand Est region. You're probably thinking, "Ostwald? What's there?" Well, hold onto your tutus, my lovelies, because it's time for a fashion-forward ballet journey.
First of all, a bit about my Parisian dream. Ever since I was a little shrimp, I dreamt of twirling on Parisian stages. From the classic *Swan Lake* to the ethereal *Giselle*, France is simply synonymous with ballet magic. But while the glitz and glamour of the Grand Opera House is a huge drawcard, I've found something even more special – the raw beauty of ballet in a provincial town like Ostwald. Here, it’s a genuine celebration of the art form, a chance to really see ballet flourish outside the spotlight.
My Ostwald Tutu Tuesday adventure started at the Salle Polyvalente, a community hall buzzing with the energy of excited families. The "Ostwald Ballet Academy" had invited local dancers to take centre stage – and boy did they wow me. Imagine, it was a whole day devoted to tutu-wearing, ballet class-ing, and the joyful sharing of dance. Talk about my cup of tea! It felt so refreshing and genuine - it was a welcome change from the highly curated performances I've experienced in major cities.
And, speaking of tutus, I had a proper dance fashion feast! I'm talking pastel pink, classic white, and a touch of shimmering emerald green. The ballerinas wore every type of tutu you can imagine: * Romantic Tutus: These beauties with their tiers and gossamer fabrics reminded me of *Giselle*. I felt transported to the forests of Germany! * Classical Tutus: Think *Swan Lake*. With their stiff and perfectly sculpted layers, they just radiate the classic ballerina vibe. They were a beautiful reminder of why I adore ballet! * Contemporary Tutus: These were so chic! Think sleek, flowing, modern – you'll often see these in more avant-garde ballets. I fell head over heels with the elegance and artistry they showed off!
From tiny tots who were only just getting a taste of their first plié to teens showing off some seriously advanced footwork, every performance was captivating. They were all completely smitten with ballet - their love for the artform really shone through.
It wasn’t just about watching the performances; I also found time to try my hand at some Parisian ballet moves (with the help of a couple of enthusiastic local dancers who weren't afraid to give me some pointers! While I definitely don’t want to be called out for pretending to be a prima ballerina, I had a go at the grand jeté, a tour (one of my absolute favourites), and some relevés - my poor legs are a little wobbly now! It’s fair to say my arabesque could do with a little work.
It was more than just dancing - there was an incredible atmosphere, a sense of community where everyone felt comfortable and happy to simply embrace the joy of dance. There were mums with tea and cakes for everyone and dads cheering like there was no tomorrow.
After spending the morning amongst the ballerinas, my adventure continued through the town. I was excited to stumble across the quaint Café-Théatre L’Atelier. I had the most delicious café au lait and even caught a glimpse of a theatrical performance in French! I may not have understood everything, but it was a great reminder that dance and theatre intertwine in the most beautiful ways.
I must admit, my heart still yearns to twirl at the Grand Opera House, but Tutu Tuesdays like these have completely switched up my expectations of the ballet world. It showed me how ballet shines brightest when it's connected to the local community - there’s magic in watching kids grow and blossom while surrounded by support and camaraderie.
Ostwald, you stole a part of my heart today. So much for your Parisian dream, she's going provincial. This Tutu Tuesday was a beautiful reminder to appreciate the small, simple things in life, and that sometimes, a provincial adventure is just as fabulous as a Parisian escapade!
See you again next Tutu Tuesday!
Until then, keep dancing, my loves!
#tututuesday #ballet #ostwald #grandest #france