Tutu Tuesday in Marathon, Ontario, Canada: A Whirlwind of Tulle & Tradition
#tututuesday
Okay, everyone, settle in, grab a Tim Hortons, and letās chat about Tutu Tuesday! Itās my favourite day of the week ā a chance to celebrate all things dance, especially those iconic tutus! Todayās edition takes us to the charming town of Marathon, Ontario, a place thatās more than just the āGateway to the North.ā Iām here to discover why Marathon is a surprising hotbed of ballet culture and the surprising passion for tutus ā a little dose of elegance amidst the rugged Canadian landscape.
It was a chilly Tuesday morning in Marathon, and my feet were already tingling from the anticipation. My trusty, soft-pink, romantic tutu ā with layers and layers of delicate tulle ā swirled in the gentle wind, creating a tutti-fruity cloud around me. It was almost magical. And Iām not talking about the temperature here. I was excited because Marathon is actually a community with a surprising amount of ballet dancers and teachers. From the local dance studios to even a tiny performance space nestled amongst the evergreens, Marathon has something quite extraordinary brewing when it comes to ballet.
I got chatting with one of the owners of a ballet studio. We found ourselves having a deep dive into the art of pointe shoes. And it was fantastic ā hearing about their favorite brands and finding the perfect fit for their dancers, because finding the right shoes are as much a dance as learning to twirl and leap, she laughed!
My conversation with a local ballet teacher helped me understand a little bit about what makes the town so unique. The teacher had stories that were charming and inspiring. A lot of the families in Marathon actually have long, deeply connected history of being involved with ballet - from grandparents attending local shows back in the 50s to kids currently practicing in the dance studios. And, of course, letās talk tutus!
From the fluffy, layered Romantic tutu of my own outfit to the simple and classic practice tutu to the dramatic, larger-than-life tutus of a Swan Lake performance ā there was a delightful variety to experience here. But hereās the most special part, every dancer here wore their tutu with the same confidence, grace, and pride. No matter the style!
Later in the day, I found myself walking around Marathonās vibrant Main Street with the gentle jingle of chimes from a vintage, whimsical-looking shop that Iād walked past. And the storeowner, dressed in an equally vibrant purple and silver tutu, was handing out small packets of hot chocolate and delicious maple squares to passersby! The place was buzzing, overflowing with people whoād gathered for a mini ātutu parade,ā a lighthearted celebration with the simple joy of ballet at its heart. It was pure magic - I donāt think I could have experienced anything like this in my hometown in downtown Toronto, even at a performance of the National Ballet of Canada.
Marathon, Ontario - I didnāt expect to be so touched by your ballet spirit. Thank you for the warm welcome, delicious treats, and the most unforgettable Tutu Tuesday!
But we are only halfway through the day, there is so much more of this wonderful community to see ā from the historical museum where old performance programmes were stored, to a cozy tea shop where we had a fantastically insightful conversation about the history of the Canadian ballet. But I really couldnāt put away my tutu and shoes.
What I really appreciate about Marathonās love for tutus ā the romantic ones, the classic ones, even the practice tutus ā they arenāt about following trends or being āon pointā for an Instagram pic. Instead, the tutu became a symbol of unity, of the simple joy of ballet, of community, and most importantly, a reminder that itās alright to let your personality shine. No matter where youāre from or what style of tutu you wear.
Marathon, youāve truly made Tutu Tuesday a memorable one, Iām heading home with more than just some fantastic stories - I'm taking a little bit of that spirit of Canadian charm with me too.
If you ever find yourself in Ontario, be sure to stop by Marathon ā and maybe you could even try to catch a ballet show, a "Tutu Tuesday" street fair, or just watch the local dance students whirl in their own personal stories written in tulle!
#tututuesday