Tutu Tuesday in Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, Quebec: A Celebration of Whimsy and Dance
As a ballerina, there’s nothing quite like slipping into a tutu. It's like transforming into a fairy tale princess, a vision of elegance and grace, ready to take to the stage. And this past Tuesday, the streets of Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines were awash in tutus as the community embraced Tutu Tuesday, a delightful celebration of dance, fashion, and sheer, whimsical joy.
I've been blogging about my experiences as a dancer in Canada for a few years now. My online diary, "Whimsical Pointe Shoes", has become a hub for everything related to ballet in Canada, from the latest dance studios and shows to fashion trends, even how to pick the perfect pair of pointe shoes. It’s all here – even some backstage gossip! – but nothing’s quite as delightful as a Tutu Tuesday. You see, a good tutu can say so much. They are like tiny fashion stories in silk, tulle and lace. And on a Tuesday, well, it just seemed like a day begging for some fairy-dust-dusted fun!
Now, you might think: “A tutu? On a Tuesday? Why not Saturday?”. But here in Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, every day is an adventure, a reason to express oneself in a uniquely Canadian way! And the people of this beautiful town have embraced Tutu Tuesday with open arms (and outstretched tutus!).
The morning began with a flurry of activity, with dancers, parents, and friends bustling into our favorite café, "The Ballerina's Cup", which, just to make you giggle, serves incredible lattes adorned with ballerina figurines and "dance on point" cupcakes. As the coffee kicked in, our imaginations really took flight! There was even a contest for the most creative, sparkly and elaborate tutu. The designs were simply jaw-dropping!
From the classic, full-bodied tutus beloved for the classical ballets we’re so known for in Canada, to whimsical and modern ones, a symphony of color and texture flowed through the streets.
- There were Romantic tutus with soft layers of gauzy tulle and flowing ribbons, bringing a breath of classic romanticism to the occasion.
- For those who crave a little edge, contemporary tutus, short and structured with bold geometric cuts, were a stunning contrast.
- There were even some custom designs that truly turned heads! A mother-and-daughter duo both had twirling twirls around town in stunning tutus featuring local landmarks made out of sparkly beading!
- And a whole squad of young aspiring dancers wore colorful character tutus - it was like having your own miniature ballet performance right on the sidewalk!
As the sun shone down on Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, our spirits were as light as the tulle billowing around us. We danced, we chatted, we shared laughter, and we enjoyed the pure joy of movement and expression. The #tututuesday hashtag turned Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines into a hub for photos and videos - a global spectacle for all to see. Even #balletcanada chimed in!
But most of all, Tutu Tuesday was about celebrating the beautiful fusion of artistry and everyday life, the joy of movement, and the spirit of community that runs so strong here in our part of Canada. As we twirled around town, a thought occurred to me: This might be the start of a new fashion movement! Can you imagine all of Canada wearing tutus, especially on a Tuesday?
Who knows? Maybe we’ll have “Tutu Tuesdays” popping up everywhere. In fact, I'm already planning to launch my own "Tutu Tuesday" collection – a line of eco-friendly and responsibly sourced tutus, just as whimsical as we all are! Stay tuned for the launch! Until next time, everyone, keep twirling and spread that ballet magic!”