Tutu Tuesday in Lacombe, Alberta: A Celebration of Dance and Fashion
Hey dance fam! It's your girl, Chloe, back with another edition of my blog. Today, I'm thrilled to be taking you on a journey to the heart of Lacombe, Alberta, a hidden gem in the Canadian dance scene, for a very special day: Tutu Tuesday!
For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of experiencing Tutu Tuesday, let me break it down. It's basically a day where everyone and anyone can celebrate the magic of ballet through the iconic tutu. Think tutus on the street, tutus at the park, even tutus at the grocery store – anything goes!
Now, Lacombe may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of ballet, but trust me, this small town is overflowing with dance passion. You see, Lacombe has this amazing community ballet school, and let me tell you, the students are incredible. The dedication and talent there are truly inspiring.
The brainchild of the school’s owner, a passionate teacher named Mrs. Devereux, Tutu Tuesday began a couple of years ago as a fun way to get the community involved in dance. It's also a way for dancers, young and old, to embrace their inner ballerina, express themselves creatively, and, of course, wear their most fabulous tutus.
It was an absolute joy to visit Lacombe and witness this incredible event firsthand. I got to see a bunch of awesome dancers, from the littlest tots just starting out in their fluffy tulle tutus to seasoned professionals rocking graceful, classic pointe tutus, with their perfectly crafted buns. The smiles on everyone's faces, from the students to their parents, truly lit up the town.
But the fun doesn’t stop with the dancing. The whole community gets involved! There was a pop-up market brimming with dancewear shops showcasing gorgeous tutus in every style you can imagine: the traditional romantic tutu with its layers upon layers of tulle, the sassy contemporary tutu with its more streamlined, modern look, the sleek and elegant ‘peasant’ tutu favoured for Giselle and the fiery ‘flaming’ tutu associated with Paquita - they were all there! It was like a tulle lover's paradise. 🩰
I also picked up some of the cutest tutu-themed goodies. I snagged a custom tote bag emblazoned with a ‘Tutu Tuesday’ logo and, because, let's face it, you can never have too much pink, I picked up a couple of fluffy, tulle-covered, ‘pink lemonade’ flavoured candy sticks that I plan to savour all week. 💕
As the day drew to a close, we gathered in the town square for a massive Tutu Tuesday dance flash mob. Everyone from seasoned professionals to curious first-timers gathered and, amidst giggles and whispers, got their steps ready to follow the choreographer's lead. You’d think the whole town had been practising the choreography together. There were families, couples, individuals - even a group of elderly women who were showing some serious moves, proving that you are never too old for ballet.
I've been all over Canada and witnessed plenty of dance communities, but there's something special about Lacombe's Tutu Tuesday. It’s a reminder that dance is more than just a hobby - it’s a way of life. And it's beautiful to see a small town embracing the spirit of ballet and encouraging everyone to get involved. This event wasn't just about the dancing; it was about celebrating the power of community, embracing the beauty of ballet, and most importantly, just having fun. It was truly a joy to witness the enthusiasm and joy, proving that even a seemingly ‘ordinary’ town like Lacombe can be brimming with passion.
To all the ballerinas and ballerinos out there - no matter where you are, go out, twirl, and enjoy the beauty of Tutu Tuesday! And make sure to share your amazing experiences with us all by using the hashtag #Tututuesday, #TutuTuesdayLacombe, #LacombeAlberta and tag me @chloedancer on all your social media posts!
Keep on dancing, beautiful people! Until next time! Xx