Tutu Tuesday 31994

Tutu Tuesday in Miramichi, New Brunswick: A Celebration of Dance and Style #tututuesday

Hey everyone! It’s your favourite ballerina and fashionista, Olivia, back with another post from my corner of Canada. This week, I’m taking you on a whirlwind tour of Tutu Tuesday in Miramichi, New Brunswick. This city on the east coast is not only known for its stunning natural beauty but also its vibrant arts scene. So, grab your tea, settle in, and let's dive into a day where tutus took centre stage.

I always thought Miramichi was just about lumber, fishing, and long winters (not that I mind a good snowstorm!) But when I started researching my trip, I stumbled upon this incredible little gem of a dance studio: "Danceworks." Now, Danceworks isn’t just about technique, folks. It's about embracing the art of dance in all its forms and spreading the love, which, of course, is my kinda place! The vibe is infectious – imagine a cozy studio buzzing with the energy of tiny ballerinas twirling in tutus, their tiny shoes tap-tap-tapping across the wooden floors. Then, imagine that same space filled with teenage dancers experimenting with hip-hop, contemporary, and jazz. Now, that's Danceworks.

I was lucky enough to drop in on Tutu Tuesday, a special weekly class where the focus is on “exploring tutus through the eyes of a modern dancer." This class had nothing to do with "classic" tutus—you know, the long, flowing tulle numbers with layers and layers of netting, perfectly puffed up at the hips and making you look like a literal fairy tale princess—which can be kind of ...um… *dramatic* on a Wednesday afternoon.

What I got was something completely unexpected: tutus reimagined. Imagine sleek, minimalist tutus that felt more street-style than ballet-studio, with sharp lines, modern fabrications, and colors you'd normally find on a runway. I even spotted a few with architectural designs— almost like the tulle was sculpted! These tutus weren't for performing on stage, but for moving in a more contemporary way. These were the “streetwear" tutus, and the vibe was super cool, even a little bit subversive.

I’ll admit I was pretty intimidated, having my own professional dancer “persona" and all. But once I got there and started dancing with the other girls (I have to call them “girls” - my dance career isn't really letting me say “women” yet), it all melted away. And the best part was, every single dancer – beginner or pro – felt like a ballerina, empowered and in control. This isn't about perfect lines or perfect execution (because let's be honest, perfection is boring!). This was all about expression and being bold. It was like ballet was having a wild night out!

We danced through a choreographed routine with a real focus on finding a new kind of beauty and grace through a mixture of ballet steps and improvisation—like mixing high kicks with spontaneous poses—that's not your classic tutu routine.

We also played with how our movement was accentuated by the different styles of the tutus themselves: how the "bubble" tutu flowed freely in each twirl vs how the fitted silhouette of a "bodice-tutu" gave structure and strength.

These tutus are really the *star* of Tutu Tuesday – they're an extension of each dancer, enhancing the energy, the passion, and the movement in an exciting new way. There’s something empowering and exhilarating about putting on a tutu. It's more than just clothing - it's a feeling. It's like we’re transforming into the embodiment of our inner strength and grace.

Dance studios across the globe hold Tutu Tuesday events in their own way. There’s the ‘ballet on a budget’ class that lets you wear your mom’s vintage tutu (seriously, we’ve all done it). Then there are the ‘practice-makes-perfect’ events for aspiring dancers, who really nail down every spin and plie while they are decked out in tutus of all kinds.

Miramichi’s “Tutu Tuesday” at Danceworks is more than just a class, it’s a celebration of the power of movement, an embracing of the playful and liberating energy of dance in any form, in any tutu (or maybe without one!) This day is for everyone! Even the beginner who never took ballet but just wants to spin in a tutu for a fun night! (Totally me during high school... the oversized neon green tutu I rocked with my bestie back in the day still brings me back to "dance" heaven!).

I think that’s what Tutu Tuesdays in Miramichi, New Brunswick is all about - embracing ourselves, being our best selves, whether that means rocking a classical ballerina tutu or channeling the cool confidence of a modern fashionista ballerina in her tutu streetwear. I’m excited to see where Tutu Tuesdays across Canada take us all.

So, keep your eyes peeled, follow the hashtags #tututuesday #miramichidance, and get ready to move. This Tutu Tuesday vibe is taking over Canada!