Tutu Tuesday 30351

Tutu Tuesday in St. Clements, Manitoba: A Whirlwind of Tutu-licious Fun!

Okay, fellow ballet lovers and fashion enthusiasts! It's time to talk about the biggest, most tutu-tastic day of the week, the one that has my heart doing a triple pirouette – it's **Tutu Tuesday**! And today, we're taking this celebration right to the heart of Canada, to the charming town of St. Clements, Manitoba.
For those who don't know me (and I'm a little obsessed with ballet!), I'm **your average Canadian girl, with a passion for dance** that started way back when I was little, taking my first baby steps on a miniature stage in Winnipeg. Let's just say, those first tiny tutus still have a special place in my heart, though these days I'm a bit more *au courant* when it comes to this timeless garment. I spend my days working as a professional dancer with the Manitoba Ballet Company. On the side, I pour my love of dance and fashion into my little blog, *Dance, Dream, and Dress*, where I explore all things dance related, but let's face it, tutues are my absolute jam!

Tutu Tuesday: Beyond the Dance Studio

Now, here in the Manitoba, the love of ballet isn't just about graceful pirouettes and elegant leaps in the studio. **It's about bringing the beauty and energy of this art form out into the wider world.** Think ballet for all, people! Tutu Tuesday was created by a bunch of ballet fans who wanted to get creative with this fabulous garment, embracing its ability to turn a day, or even just an outfit, into something truly special.
Think about it – a tutu instantly adds a dose of elegance and whimsy. It’s like wearing a little piece of the stage. And, best of all, tutus are just plain fun! You know what I’m talking about, right? You get into that skirt, your inner ballerina steps up, and all of a sudden the day is just that little bit brighter. I truly believe there’s a tutu style out there for everyone. No, seriously. It might be a *long tutu* in the style of the romantics, or something short and *pouffy* with an ultra modern twist, even a *simple white tutue* or maybe an *old school classic with ribbons* on the waistband – Whatever style you choose, rocking a tutu lets your creative spirit shine,
Bringing the Fun to St. Clements, Manitoba

This Tuesday, St. Clements was where the Tutu magic truly unfolded. We danced our way through the quaint shops, with a wave of colour and laughter spreading like the graceful arms of a ballerina. Seriously, the whole town was practically buzzing with the *swish, swish* of the tutus. And it was just amazing.

Here's the lowdown on how St. Clements did Tutu Tuesday right: * **The Tutu Shop-a-Thon:** Forget the big box stores; we started the day at *Le Ballet Shop* the only truly amazing tutu shop around town. And believe me, this little shop knows their tutus! This isn't your basic ballerina outfit kind of place either. I saw vintage tutus from the early days of ballet, romantic tulle masterpieces, the modern-style sleek ones… and, if that's not enough, they've got amazing handmade tutus in almost every shade imaginable! **It was literally a tutu lover's dream come true.**
* **A Tutu Parade Through the Streets**: We decided to parade the town with all the glory of an elegant ballet performance. Imagine the scene – a troupe of ballerinas (and ballet enthusiasts), young and old, swirling through the streets – in a kaleidoscope of colourful tutus. A troupe of **tutu-fied dancers** was enough to draw a big crowd and bring a touch of dance to this lovely town. Think it’s an idea to inspire? Don’t be afraid to take your tutu parade out in the street. Let’s start a movement across Canada, with **Tutu Tuesday celebrations in every community!**
* **Tutu-ific Treats:** **Where’s the fun in celebrating without a bit of a culinary treat?** St. Clements’ amazing *Le Bonheur Bakery*, had an amazing tutu-themed cake. Talk about something spectacular to look at and amazing to eat. The cakes had such wonderful artistry – it really captured the magic of a performance, in frosting, edible decorations, and even miniature ballerinas sculpted from spun sugar. Oh! And to keep that energy up, there were a whole bunch of local bakeries serving up *tutu-tastic* cupcakes and even **Tutu-Themed Gingerbread Men!** (This gingerbread man did *a double pirouette* on the way down)
* **A Tutu-Themed Master Class**: What’s **Tutu Tuesday** without some ballet? The whole town turned out for an inspiring ballet class hosted by our own **local ballet teacher, Mme. Dubois**, she’s the biggest inspiration for many dancers here! The masterclass was a total hit! We all tried to keep up with those tricky combinations and there were definitely some laughter involved – but we definitely saw a new set of *prima ballerinas* in the making, or maybe it’s *prima bakerias*. **It was the highlight of the day – seeing people come together to enjoy the beautiful and challenging art of ballet.** * **A Touch of Creativity at the Gallery**: It’s amazing the things people come up with when they are asked to interpret an iconic dance form. St. Clement’s art gallery held an ‘**Interpret the Tutu Exhibition’** to honor all things tutu! We saw everything from elaborate fabric and mixed media tutus on display, to tutu-inspired photography that captured the unique, whimsical, and romantic nature of ballet.

My Favorite Tutu Moment of the Day
I have to admit, being there in St. Clements, seeing all of these amazing things happening on Tutu Tuesday… it really moved me. You know those little moments that just leave you filled with awe and a whole bunch of feel-good emotions? That’s what it’s all about right? To celebrate the spirit of the dance, in all its elegant and creative glory. It's that joy we experience when we feel ourselves move, be it a gentle swaying to a melody or a sweeping *grand jete* that takes our breath away. But you know, here in St. Clement, my favourite tutu moment came during the parade. We stopped by *The Community Center* and out walked a little girl about 7 or 8 years old wearing the **most adorable hand-me-down tutu**. Her grandpa had just taught her how to *plie*, and with a mischievous giggle, she struck the pose. The twinkle in her eyes? That was worth a hundred *Tutu Tuesdays*. You’ve just got to know that one tutu, one little girl with big dreams – that was how the magic truly began.
This is how we #TutuTuesday! And it’s time for a few more tutu thoughts to take away from today. * Tutus can be much more than just for ballet. * The art of dance is all about creativity. * If a girl can dream of a *grand jete* she can achieve it too, even if it’s only in her backyard or with her grandparent. * Canada’s communities and culture is something we all need to embrace.

It’s time to keep Tutu Tuesday alive and celebrate what brings us together – and don’t forget, there is always time for more dancing. **#TutuTuesday #StClementsManitoba**