Tutu Tuesday 31440

Tutu Tuesday in L'Avenir, Quebec #tututuesday Hey everyone! It’s your girl, Chloé, back with another post, but this time it’s extra special. This is Tutu Tuesday, and not just any Tuesday, it’s Tutu Tuesday in L’Avenir, Quebec! L’Avenir is a little town in the Eastern Townships, full of history, culture, and amazing maple syrup (and no, I’m not just saying that because I’m Canadian)! Anyways, you guys know I love me a good tutu. The fluffy romantic styles? Yes, please! The streamlined, almost futuristic designs? Oh my! My dance life wouldn’t be the same without them. There’s something magical about the way a tutu transforms the body on stage. It just takes everything to another level, especially when it’s part of a performance where the entire show centres around telling a story. Okay, I need to get back to my Tutu Tuesday. Today was about exploring how ballet fits into the local culture here in L’Avenir. And what a perfect backdrop to get into a more “rustic” Tutu Tuesday, wouldn’t you say? A Canadian Ballet Perspective It’s so awesome to be here, because even though I live and work in Montreal, a big Canadian city, ballet has its place here in this quaint community, just like it does everywhere else in Canada, really. There are little local studios and schools, which is so nice to see because when it comes down to it, it’s a fantastic way for the community to connect with something beautiful, and I love that! To give you some ideas about what you’ll find, imagine classic ballet techniques mixed with other movement practices from different dance cultures and traditions all coming together as one. That’s what it feels like to have a ballet presence here in Quebec, and of course that extends beyond L’Avenir to the larger region. And you can definitely tell the love and dedication to ballet is all over. Even when you aren’t directly experiencing a performance or attending class, there’s a ballet spirit all over this province, and you know what? This tutu loving dancer is in heaven! Let's Talk Tutus Okay, I'm obsessed with the variations and styles of tutus. Let me start with some fun facts: * A tutu’s layers are usually made of stiff tulle to keep its shape. You need those layers so when the ballerina twirls, it can hold its volume, but don’t let that fool you, because that tulle can get heavy! * Even though ballet can look elegant and graceful, we gotta remember ballet dancers train hard! Even a small change to the way a tutu fits, or an adjustment to the volume of the layers can impact how easy it is to perform those intricate moves and routines! So, we know they’re super pretty, and they play an important part of ballet history. I had to put on a couple of my favorites to get those photo op shots to go with my post! There were some traditional styles – I’m talking romantic tutu with layers of soft tulle for those gorgeous romantic styles like the Sugar Plum Fairy, but with a bit of a modern spin on it! There’s that little detail that always adds to the whole concept. Tutu Tuesday: Out and About I decided to head into town for a bit and do some “cultural exploring” and you guys wouldn’t believe what I found! One of the first places I stopped was L’Étoile Boutique - and that’s “star” in French! I swear, it was a sign! The window was totally full of gorgeous gowns and a gorgeous “petit” or little, tutu perfect for any young dancer, so of course I HAD to pop in for a peek and a little selfie! I mean, have you ever gone to a vintage shop in Canada, specifically in Quebec? This place was something else! Imagine…vintage items that tell a story all packed into one spot! From vintage posters featuring ballerinas that would look awesome as a design inspiration to all the way to those little dance studio necessities that have lasted for years! It’s so neat to see how styles have changed. Just the way someone made the tutu in a different era really showcases a unique artistic point of view. For someone like me who spends my days dancing and exploring different aspects of the dance world, you really can’t go wrong here! It’s a cute shop to wander through! I was even more inspired to try some vintage choreography and some interesting moves and use that to my advantage to mix and match some of the items in my personal ballet wardrobe! After that amazing experience at the boutique, it was time for my favourite time of the day in any little town or community! Let’s be honest here! Coffee and a pastry! It’s the perfect combination, and of course, if we’re in Quebec, there is one MUST-TRY item! And I don’t think you need me to tell you what it is: **poutine**. It was totally good, and totally hit the spot. And as any blogger would tell you: “photo op for the blog!” Inspiration Awaits You guys know I’m passionate about ballet, so the chance to see how this area embraces it really fills me with excitement! And you know what? This experience makes me even more passionate about making ballet more accessible in our community. That's why, as a dancer, I'm using this trip to explore different ways to reach out to future dancers, to show them there's a world of possibilities. There’s a place for them in the ballet world and that is part of what makes ballet so much more than just an art form; it's a community and that should extend to all backgrounds and every community! The whole point of today’s exploration was to see if ballet has a home here. There’s no denying it, the passion here is inspiring. That makes this Tutu Tuesday a special one, because it’s all about giving a shoutout to local studios and organizations who dedicate themselves to preserving our beloved art form. From Montreal to L’Avenir and everywhere in between! See You Next Tutu Tuesday! That’s my time, you guys. What I love about tutu Tuesday is it helps me explore ballet beyond the studio! I learn a lot each time! And who knows? Maybe you will be joining me next week, I might even find myself heading into another amazing little Canadian town like L’Avenir. Talk to you guys soon! **Remember to tag me using my social media handles in your post! ** * @Chloe_BalletBlogger * #tututuesday