Tutu Tuesday in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada: #tututuesday
Hey everyone! It's your girl, Clara, here, and I'm so excited to talk about Tutu Tuesday in the heart of Canada - St. Catharines, Ontario. Now, if you're new to this corner of the internet, I'm a ballet dancer with a major love affair with tutus. What's a Tutu Tuesday, you ask? Well, it's an unofficial celebration of this iconic piece of dancewear that happens every Tuesday (you guessed it) and it's something I've been living for.
Let's get this party started! Let me tell you about Tutu Tuesday's in St. Catharines.
First up: The history
Tutus are as old as ballet itself! The earliest form of the tutu, the Romantic tutu, originated in the 1830s and looked a lot different than what we're used to now - think more like a flowy, knee-length skirt. This was the perfect style to show off the airy and elegant movements of Romantic ballet.
The modern tutu, however, was introduced in the late 1800s with the rise of Classical ballet. These tutus are characterized by a short, stiff skirt often made with layers of tulle, that help accentuate the sharp movements and strong athleticism of the Classical style. Over time, new styles of tutus like the pancake tutu, the tutu with wings, and the “classical tutu” were all born out of this love of the dramatic style.
Second: Tutu Tuesdays in St. Catharines
While this city is known for its wine and history, you might be surprised to know St. Catharines is a hotspot for ballet! Now, let's talk about how I take Tutu Tuesday from just an online obsession to a celebration on the streets! I'm on a mission to make St. Catharines the Tutu Tuesday Capital of Canada. Every week, I put on my favorite tutu, whether it be a fluffy pink romantic or a bold black and white pancake style and I head to downtown St. Catharines. And let me tell you, the city has been responding with open arms and even bigger tutus! It's not just about showing off these pretty dresses. It's about embracing creativity, embracing our individuality, and celebrating the beauty of ballet and movement in our own unique ways!
Third: Where we tutu in St. Catharines
Let's talk about locations - you can find us tutu-ing all over the city. My go-to is always St. Catharines' market, you can find me tutu-ing in front of the historical City Hall, the local cafes, and even our beautiful Niagara Falls. Everywhere is open to our Tutu Tuesday.
Fourth: Why we Tutu in St. Catharines
- Fun & Uniqueness - Honestly, wearing a tutu just makes you smile! And who wouldn't want to add a little extra sparkle and fun to a regular Tuesday, right? Plus, people really take notice and you get to see the reactions of pure delight on other people's faces!
- The Community: I always find it's so much more fun when you have other people celebrating with you! A few people have joined my mission! It's really about creating a sense of community, embracing creativity, and supporting each other. Whether it's wearing tutus, dressing up, or just celebrating a love for the arts! It really creates an awesome energy and feeling. The feeling is almost like a tutu flash mob on a random Tuesday!
- Inspiration & Encouragement: My intention with #tututuesday in St. Catharines, is to encourage people of all ages to get outside of their comfort zone and just enjoy themselves! What I see when people put on a tutu and dance in the middle of the street? Pure confidence, a boost of energy, and a big dose of happiness! I even saw an older woman at the farmer's market do a pirouette - she just beamed after she landed it! There are also those that watch with interest, sometimes even taking photos, and then you can see that twinkle of fun and wonder in their eyes too. It's an inspiration! It reminds everyone, even people who don't know what a tutu is, that we are all allowed to celebrate life and joy with the little things that we love.
Fifth: Join the movement
It's time to share! So grab your favourite tutu (whether it's a poofy, romantic, a short and sassy, a full, modern or just a simple tulle fabric draped as a tutu)! Join me in the beautiful city of St. Catharines, for some spontaneous fun.
Here’s how you can be a part of #tututuesday
- Put on your tutu and show your dance moves! - you don't even need to be a dancer - a good hop and spin is perfect.
- Find me at one of my locations and lets' get our tutu on together!
- Snap a picture in your tutu and use the #tututuesday hashtag and tag @clara_the_ballerina.
- If you’re in St. Catharines - bring a friend. Invite them to do Tutu Tuesday together, and who knows maybe this might turn into a real Tutu Tuesday Party.
- Show your tutu spirit, embrace creativity, spread smiles and love!
I’m already excited for all the Tutu Tuesdays to come. Be sure to tag #tututuesday so I can see you all! Maybe I'll even catch a glimpse of you in the city!
Lots of love and twirls, Clara