Tutu Tuesday in Muswellbrook, NSW: A Tutu-tiful Time in the Country #tututuesday
Hey girlies! It's your girl, Chloe here, back with another blog post. This week, I'm taking you with me on a *totally* unexpected tutu adventure: Muswellbrook, NSW! Yep, you heard me right. I know what you're thinking - ballet and Muswellbrook? Don't they sound as compatible as a shrimp on the barbie and a full moon? But let me tell you, you'd be wrong! It turns out, a little dose of tutu-tude is just what this quaint little country town needs.
Now, I know what you're thinking: "Muswellbrook, really? I can already imagine it – dusty streets, dry outback air and, *oh god*, the mozzies!” You’d be surprised – Muswellbrook was a right surprise!
The reason I landed up in Muswellbrook this week was to catch a little regional dance festival they had going on. Turns out these regional events are popping up everywhere. We’ve all seen how popular the festival scene is in Melbourne and Sydney but they’re catching on right across Australia! And when I heard that this one was all about embracing ballet in the outback – and including *tutus*! - I knew I had to check it out.
What started as just a whim quickly became an absolute blast. Let's just say that these regional girls were not holding back when it came to tutus. Think: vibrant pink and neon green tutus, shimmering sequins and lace, even a few custom-made creations fit for a *royal* Australian ballet performance. And let me tell you, these ladies *rocked* it – right from those who'd barely even taken a ballet class to veterans who’d probably spent years on stage, these ladies absolutely *owned* it.
Okay, so maybe there were a few tumbleweeds rolling through the parking lot when I arrived in town (you know how those Aussie outback wind gusts get) and *some* mozzies at dusk (definitely wouldn’t be my usual look!), but it quickly felt like the best ‘community’ vibe I’d been part of since visiting a friend's grandma at her nursing home (she is actually a sweetheart though and made us the best lemon slice, seriously, it was divine).
For the dancers it felt more like a family get-together rather than just another ballet festival. We talked everything from their favourite tutus (turns out those lace and feather ones are a definite crowd pleaser!), to finding good dance teachers in regional areas. There was an atmosphere of genuine camaraderie that you rarely get when you're on a bigger stage, under those harsh, unfeeling spotlights.
And, get this – this festival was *totally* about everyone having a go. No matter what your skill level, no matter if you're a seasoned pro or taking your very first ballet steps. The festival was *all* about that feeling of freedom and fun – just twirling, dancing, and having a good time! Which, really, is what *tutu Tuesday* is all about, right? We even saw a group of grandmothers doing their rendition of Swan Lake in their own fabulous and decidedly quirky version of swan costumes – just a gaggle of old ladies whizzing around on pointe.
And guess what? Those grandmothers *killed* it! Their tutus were absolutely epic and I was secretly jealous of how well their swan tutus matched their *very* Australian brand of humor (it is 'shrimp on the barbie’ meets ‘The Royal Ballet’, no?”
You see, tutu-Tuesday isn’t just about showing off your fanciest tutus (although, who doesn't love a bit of that!), it’s really about that freedom of movement, that playful sense of expression – it's that feeling of twirling in the sunshine (it was hot in Muswellbrook!). In Muswellbrook, they embraced it *totally* and it felt just right. It felt ...well... Aussie.
Let’s face it: not all tutus are made for every occasion, just like a silk satin princess tutu would be a *nightmare* to wear for an Outback festival (talk about catching your dress on a rogue kangaroo!). There are *plenty* of tutus that work perfectly for a dance on the verandah, for an outback dance floor – think layers, lighter material, a touch of vintage fabric – these girls totally get it!
As much as I love those classic ballet tutus, it's always inspiring to see creative people (dancers, artists – it really doesn’t matter what form) take those classic designs and push them to the edge, or create something new. They’re really breaking the tutu rules!
So, there you have it - a little dose of *Tutu Tuesday* in the Aussie outback! Turns out, a bit of ballet in the outback, especially with a whole lot of creativity and that *Australian* kind of fun is just *everything*.
Tutu Tips From Chloe:
- Embrace your inner ballerina – whether you've been dancing your whole life, or just started exploring, grab a tutu and spin! It’s seriously magic.
- You can never have too many tutus (really!). Be adventurous – the tutus that go beyond just your average dance tutu, those ones will make your tutu Tuesdays totally memorable!
- And *most* importantly? – Find a community that supports and encourages you. A little kindness goes a long way!
I'll catch you next time, girlies. Don't forget to share your *Tutu Tuesdays* with the world, and tag me in those pics – I'd love to see how you all rock it!
#tututuesday #muswellbrook #nsw #ballet #australiaballerinas #outbackstyle