Tutu Tuesday in North Bay, Ontario: A Whirlwind of Tulle and #tututuesday
Hey everyone! It’s your friendly neighbourhood ballerina, Chloe, here, ready to talk about something I absolutely adore: TUTUS! You guessed it, folks - it’s Tutu Tuesday! This weekly tradition (a.k.a. my personal obsession) is about celebrating all things tulle and celebrating ballet in our own backyard – the great white north – that is, Canada! Now, as a professional ballerina, I’ve waltzed in countless tutus throughout my years. From the romantic, ethereal ones in Swan Lake, to the playful, sassy tutus from a ballet like La Sylphide, I’ve worn it all. So, join me for a chat about these incredible works of wearable art.
Let’s get down to business. What makes a tutu a tutu? Well, aside from being the absolute epitome of elegance and grace, tutus have a distinctive, magical element that sets them apart: their fluffy, voluminous skirt. Crafted from layers of fine mesh called tulle, this skirt creates a dreamy silhouette, a sense of weightlessness. It’s almost as if it’s whispering: "I’m a dancer! I twirl with the wind!". And let’s face it, who doesn’t love a twirl? The beauty of a tutu is how it elevates the dancer and transforms them into a vision of ethereal beauty. But that's just the beginning of the tutu story!
First off, we have the classic **Romantic Tutu**. This bad boy – oh, how I love the Romantic Tutu – has the perfect balance of grace and grandeur. Its shorter length, often just grazing the knee, lets you catch a glimpse of those long ballerina legs. (Don’t worry, my lovely leg warmers keep them snug! *wink wink*). Think Swan Lake, Giselle, and Coppelia – just to name a few of the iconic ballet classics where the Romantic Tutu gets all the glory. It’s a simple, streamlined design but packs an absolute punch, adding that elegant touch that’s sure to stop the show. But not to be confused with its younger, quirkier cousin - the **Tutu-en-Pointu**.
Then, we have the **Tutu-en-Pointu**, with its whimsical silhouette. I remember wearing one in "La Sylphide," and boy, did it make a statement. You'll recognise the Tutu-en-Pointu instantly by its slightly shorter skirt and pointy, V-shaped construction. This baby is all about highlighting those graceful lines and movements that ballet is known for – it’s almost a showstopper on its own, giving the ballerina an added sense of lightness and magic, particularly during the aerial leaps and grand jeté jumps, which are like a ballet dream come true, especially in a ballet like “La Sylphide!”
Let’s not forget the **Classic Tutu**, a staple of ballet throughout the ages, with its signature layers of tulle gathered into a graceful, cone-shaped silhouette that's long, extending almost to the dancer's toes! Think Swan Lake again! It’s this classic tutu, and its wide, expansive skirt creates this sense of majesty, the "look at me" moment of ballet where it evokes that grand, timeless elegance. And then we’ve got the **Russian Tutu**, one of the more modern tutu styles. Think *La Bayadère,* It features a fitted bodice (that flatters our bodies so well) with a super-fluffy, extended tutu skirt. It is essentially like the Classic Tutu, but with more volume! Its flowing silhouette adds an ethereal layer, almost as if the dancer’s floating in air as she glides and spins, oh, those beautiful spins, my loves, are divine, especially on a big stage.
Speaking of elegance, have you seen some of the beautiful tutus adorned with intricate embellishments? Sparkles, sequins, even feathers (that’s my absolute fave!), sometimes. (Oh, imagine what you’ll do, * *you, the audience * *, when I start pirouetting in those sparkly and feathery tutus!). But let's face it – a tutu is not just a beautiful skirt, folks! Tutus also have an interesting history that ties into the history of ballet itself! Did you know?
* It’s fascinating, isn’t it? But that history is a story for another Tutu Tuesday!
You see, folks, there’s something utterly captivating about a tutu – its grace, its magic, its timeless beauty. And as I'm standing in my studio, watching dancers twirl in the sunshine of North Bay, it makes me proud of our beautiful and artistic traditions that connect all of us dancers here, in North Bay, Ontario, all over Canada, and across the world! Remember, when you’re looking for your perfect ballerina dress, think TUTU, not dress, ok? So, what do you guys think of tutus? And, have you got any favorite tutu-related moments or memories from your own dance classes or dance performances, dear readers? I want to hear your tutu-rific thoughts, my dance loves! Stay classy, stay tuned, and stay dancing, my lovely little ballerinas! Until next time, and happy Tutu Tuesday, everyone! #tututuesday.