Tutu Tuesday in Iqaluit, Nunavut: A Canadian Ballerina's Arctic Adventures #tututuesday
Hey everyone! It's your girl, Claire, back with another Tutu Tuesday post, but this time with a twist - I'm in the heart of the Canadian Arctic, in Iqaluit, Nunavut!
Now, you might be thinking, "Ballet in the Arctic? What?!" And let me tell you, I was thinking the same thing when I first got the invite to perform here. But you know what they say - "Dance where you are planted!"
The Canadian ballet scene, as you all know, is super vibrant. We have amazing companies like the National Ballet of Canada, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, and countless others. But, it's really inspiring to be performing here in Nunavut, pushing the boundaries of ballet, reaching new audiences and seeing how dance transcends geography.
Now, about the tutus. Yes, I brought my tutu game! And believe me, they were a hot commodity in Iqaluit, especially on a freezing Arctic Tuesday! My favorite one was my classic white, romantic tutu. It just flowed beautifully, like a ballerina-esque snowflake in the wind. Of course, the soft tulle added a bit of whimsy, contrasting the raw beauty of the Arctic landscape. The layered petals and shimmering finish brought the magical fairy vibe, making me feel like I could actually float on air - quite literally with how strong the Arctic winds were!
We performed a couple of pieces - a light and airy selection by Tchaikovsky and then a dynamic contemporary piece by a young, up-and-coming Canadian choreographer. We were performing in an amazing multi-purpose arts space - very cozy and intimate. It was super cool because people could be seated on the floor and some stood. A real "come as you are" vibe.
It wasn’t just about dancing for the Iqaluit folks - we were doing workshops too. It was pretty cool - we even taught some Inuktitut ballet vocabulary - which is surprisingly well suited for traditional ballet. The kids were fantastic. You could just tell how passionate they were about dance. Maybe this little bit of tutu magic sparked a love for ballet for a few more young souls in the Canadian north. That’s what makes this dance journey so rewarding.
Here are a few thoughts that popped into my head about the entire experience:
- Dance can happen anywhere: It’s not just about the glitz and glamour of big city venues, it's about expressing yourself, sharing stories, and connecting with people through movement, no matter where you are.
- Every tutu has a story: You know how much I love a good tutu. There’s just something so magical about a good tutu! I was reminded how powerful the tutu can be for sparking imagination.
- Community is key: Seeing these children light up with excitement and eagerness was truly heart warming and reinforced how strong community is - and how that’s something we all need, whether we’re a ballerina in Nunavut or on a stage in downtown Toronto.
So there you have it - Tutu Tuesday in Iqaluit, Nunavut. We've been rocking the tu-tu-tudes, and maybe, just maybe, planting a seed of ballet magic in this breathtaking place.
Remember, dancing is a universal language and the only thing you need is a bit of confidence, a heart full of joy, and a good tutu to spin. Thanks for joining me for my adventures - and keep dancing!
Stay tuned for more adventures on Tutu Tuesday, and don’t forget to tag #tututuesday!