Tutu Tuesday in Southgate, Ontario: A Celebration of Twirling and Tiaras
#tututuesday
Hey everyone, it's your girl, Olivia, back with another post. This week, I'm thrilled to be diving headfirst into the world of Tutu Tuesday in beautiful Southgate, Ontario. Now, I know what you're thinking: Tutu Tuesday? What in the world is that? Well, my friends, let me tell you, it's a whole lotta fun!
Here in Canada, we're not shy about embracing our love of dance, and that's especially true when it comes to ballet. We have some incredible dance schools and companies across the country, from the National Ballet of Canada in Toronto, to the Ballet Jörgen in Vancouver, and so many more. But, it's not just about big city ballets. There's a real passion for dance in communities all across Canada, from the smallest towns to the biggest cities. And that passion is what makes Tutu Tuesday so special.
Now, Tutu Tuesday in Southgate is like a weekly dance party, a celebration of the classic tutu, the ballerinaâs best friend. Think tutus of every shape and size â the voluminous, billowing romantic tutus, those elegant âshortâ tutus with a tight fit around the hips and then flare out a little further down that have made ballerinas famous and some of my own favorites (like those from the Nutcracker!), and even the whimsical modern ones with more of a playful vibe. And let's not forget about those accessories â those shiny ballet slippers and beautiful tiaras are also a part of the fun!
So, here's how it works: Every Tuesday, ladies (and gentlemen! It's 2023, we can embrace equality in dance and tutu-wearing!) all over Southgate gather to rock their favourite tutues. It's not about looking perfect or even dancing if you don't feel like it (although if you want to do a few pirouettes, no one's stopping you!). It's about community, about embracing joy, and letting those inner ballerinas shine! Whether youâre a seasoned professional dancer, someone who loves the artistry of ballet but has never danced before, or simply a fashionista who can't resist a pretty tutu, you're invited. Itâs truly a sight to see; I love watching everyone in their tutus and how excited everyone gets when they spot a really stunning one.
When I was younger, I had an âen pointeâ moment that had me dreaming of being a ballerina and spending hours spinning in front of my bedroom mirror with a pink tutu and my best ballet slippers (which, if I am honest, were never meant to be "on pointe," they were my street shoes, but in my mind I was always twirling and doing jumps on those soft carpet tiles).
Now that I've spent years working with real dancers and learning about dance costumes and the styles they use in different ballet schools and companies ( and all about how expensive they are!) I have an appreciation for the history of tutus. The evolution of tutu designs, their historical importance and relationship to ballet's overall development, is a story as fascinating as any fairy tale.
It all starts with Marie Taglioni. In 1832, this revolutionary ballerina graced the stage wearing the very first âtutu.â Forget the rigid corsets and floor-length skirts, it was an airy, romantic skirt that ended right below her knees. It wasnât just a fashion statement, it was the start of a movement â ballet as art form in its own right, where movement and grace were key.
Now, the "classic" tutu that many of us associate with ballerinas is often known as a âRomantic tutuâ. This style, the ultimate dream-like ballerina dress with many, many layers of soft netting, was introduced by Jules Perrot, a famed choreographer in the mid-1800s. These fluffy tutues are an absolutely iconic element of ballet.
While we celebrate the history of ballet and its evolution through tutu design, itâs amazing to see what modern ballet companies have done with the tutu, especially when considering more modern pieces, where more âeverydayâ outfits are used for dancers and we don't see tutus in every piece. Of course, Iâm sure that this is also in part to the incredible physicality of the modern dance style - Iâve been privileged to see many modern pieces and I'm just blown away by what dancers are capable of in all those moves!
It is also a fact that even some of the classical ballet companies have gone âoff the tutuâ as a lot of the classic dance styles (which are always at the forefront of ballet) can allow for more variation in dance costumes and designs - you don't necessarily need a fluffy white skirt to accompany that graceful movement and poise!
However, it's still very, very exciting to see a tutu gracefully swirl and spin, even with more and more modern dancers using it! Ballet really is all about those movements and with a tutu those movements really shine through! The romantic tutu, the tight skirt style â there's something truly enchanting about each design and I donât think the ballet world is going to let the tutu fade into obscurity any time soon.
So, let me tell you all â if you are ever in Southgate ( or if you are planning on going there to get those famous âSouthgate friesâ) pop in on a Tuesday afternoon and see the spectacle for yourself!
Here's a few ideas for what you can do:
- Grab a bunch of friends, some glitter (yes, glitter â ballet is all about sparkles) and some tutus!
- Find a photo-friendly spot downtown (Southgate's downtown area has some super cute backdrops that would be perfect for Tutu Tuesday Instagram shots.) and get those pictures flowing, or share your pictures on social media with the #Tututuesday and #SouthgateOntario hashtags!
- Go watch a local ballet show (some schools and studios hold free public shows with student groups who work hard to put these events together - I always get chills when I watch younger dancers performing!). I would even dare you to ask if you can get on the stage in your tutu - why not?
- Do you have an amazing collection of tutus and a few ballet accessories to show off? Get in touch! If you'd like to chat about how to organize your collection, what a Tutu Tuesday display might look like (or just to share your ballet passions), my inbox is always open! You can always send me a message via my social media - just send me a direct message.
Remember: Ballet is a form of self-expression and thatâs exactly what Tutu Tuesday is all about: finding your own joy and passion.
I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into the wonderful world of Tutu Tuesday! And, don't forget to rock your best tutu whenever you can - because it's never too late to be a ballerina.
Happy Tutu Tuesday, and happy dancing everyone!
Olivia