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Tutu Tuesday in Wedgeport, Nova Scotia: A Celebration of Whimsy and Grace #tututuesday It's Tutu Tuesday, my favourite day of the week! And today, I'm taking you all on a journey to Wedgeport, Nova Scotia, a charming little town with big dreams. Wedgeport, you may not know, is a hidden gem for ballet lovers. Yes, you heard me right. We have a flourishing dance scene here in the Maritimes, bursting with talent and passion. Even in this quaint little fishing village, where the salty air meets the smell of fresh-baked bread, we have a dedicated ballet studio that keeps the art of ballet alive. Today, however, we're not just talking about technique and performance. Today, we're celebrating the tutu! The tutu is the most iconic piece of a ballet dancer's wardrobe. But it's much more than just a costume ā€“ itā€™s a symbol of grace, whimsy, and joy. Itā€™s a piece of fabric that lets us fly on stage, capturing the imagination of audiences young and old. Itā€™s a reminder of our dreams and the beauty that ballet can bring into our lives. Wedgeport has always had a special connection with ballet, dating back to a time when local girls would perform in local talent shows wearing makeshift tutus made from bedsheets and scraps of lace. I grew up with stories about those girls. Stories that inspired me to start dancing, inspiring generations to embrace the power of expression and storytelling through ballet. Today, in this new era, where weā€™re seeing tutus worn off the stage and onto the streets, in cafes, at festivals, even during brunch, we see how the ā€œtutuā€ continues to inspire and break down boundaries, becoming a symbol of individual expression and joy, and a testament to how ballet is more accessible and loved than ever. Hereā€™s what Iā€™m wearing for this week's #tututuesday: My Tutu Inspiration * This week, Iā€™m wearing a classic **Romantic Tutu**. Made of several layers of delicate tulle with an ivory satin bodice. I like to pair it with a cozy knitted cardigan or a tailored blazer. A simple, yet elegant touch. It makes for a whimsical statement but still very wearable for everyday activities. **Where to find inspiration in Wedgeport: ** * This Tutu Tuesday will be extra special. My ballet teacher, Miss. Edith (the heart and soul of our studio here in Wedgeport) is celebrating 50 years in dance and we are all so happy for her and excited to see her and her tutus in action, a fitting tribute to her work in keeping ballet alive in our community. * Wedgeport has a couple of antique shops filled with beautiful fabrics, buttons, lace and even vintage costumes. A must-stop to check for vintage tulle, trims and ideas for creating unique custom-made tutus, an opportunity to create and bring your own vision for #tututuesday to life! A few more thoughts on Tutues * Tutues in ballet are like the colours of the rainbow; Each style carries its own meaning and personality. I especially enjoy seeing the **Romantic** style tutu with its layered, soft flow, but the **Classical** tutu is my favourite with its sharp, clean lines, a classic for a reason. A few years ago I experimented with the **Contemporary** tutu, using stretchy, unconventional fabrics that are lighter than the traditional tutus, giving me freedom to interpret contemporary dance with more expressiveness. The joy and experimentation when I was creating this piece of performance, gave me the opportunity to challenge myself creatively. * A lot of you ask about the **history of the tutu**! Theyā€™ve come a long way. From the long, floor-length skirts of early ballet to the short, fluffy versions we see today. There was the **ā€œRomantic Tutuā€** designed in the 1830s. I can see why itā€™s named ā€œRomanticā€ It was this light, soft airy vision that revolutionized ballet, allowing dancers to move freely on stage. And then came the **ā€œClassical Tutuā€** , a tighter silhouette with stiff, multi-layered tulle. A big, beautiful symbol of femininity and technique that still impresses audiences today! The Future of #tututuesday From humble beginnings, our #tututuesday in Wedgeport has become something extraordinary, with more and more of you wearing tutus as an expression of our individual styles. It shows a powerful and playful evolution of dance. I see that weā€™re all searching for creativity and finding ways to make the ordinary extraordinary and our daily life more fun, and this is the essence of #tututuesday. It's about spreading joy, inspiring a love for movement, celebrating life through the beautiful art of ballet. Join the Tutu Tuesday movement! I canā€™t wait to see your creations, wherever you may be. Post your pictures with your tutus, whether itā€™s a homemade creation or a vintage find, tell us your tutu story and tag #tututuesday. Letā€™s celebrate dance, grace, and our shared love for tutus, one Tutu Tuesday at a time. The possibilities are endless and this little town of Wedgeport will be watching! See you on the next #tututuesday!