Tutu Tuesday in Brenda-Waskada, Manitoba: A Ballet Lover's Dream Come True
Hey everyone, it's your girl, Sarah here, your friendly neighbourhood ballet dancer and blogger, back with another edition of #Tutuesday, this time, straight from the heart of rural Manitoba – Brenda-Waskada, to be exact.
Now, you might be thinking, "Sarah, what in the world are you doing in Brenda-Waskada? Aren't you supposed to be in a big city, dancing in a fancy studio?" And you know what, you're right! But listen, my fellow ballet fanatics, sometimes you gotta venture outside your comfort zone to discover new adventures, and believe me, this past Tuesday was an adventure for the books!
So, why Brenda-Waskada? It all started with a random Facebook post. You see, a while back, I saw this hilarious photo of a group of grannies in Brenda-Waskada rocking some seriously stylish tutus during a fundraiser. My heart literally skipped a beat. I've always dreamed of bringing the magic of ballet to everyone, regardless of where they're from or their age, and these amazing women in their tutus just radiated that message! I had to reach out.
After a couple of calls and some emails (thank goodness for the internet!), I found myself on a Greyhound bus heading to the small town, suitcase stuffed with enough tutus to outfit a small army of ballerinas. And trust me, these weren't your basic, classic tutus! There were romantic, flowing tulle tutus with intricate floral designs, sassy, layered tutu skirts, even some funky tutus with sequins and feathers. I figured we could use a little variety!
When I arrived in Brenda-Waskada, the energy was palpable. The entire town seemed to be buzzing about my upcoming Tutu Tuesday workshop. Turns out, word of my "grandma tutu" photo travels fast, and everyone in town, young and old, was eager to dance and spin!
The workshop itself was pure joy. We had a blast exploring different types of tutus and what they can represent. I showed everyone the traditional styles - the "romantic tutu", the "classical tutu" - those beautiful layered tutus with a flat shape - and we explored how the "tutu skirt" – a lighter and shorter version - can be used for more modern, dynamic movements.
Of course, no Tutu Tuesday is complete without a good dose of silliness and laughter! We did plenty of "Tutu twirls" (imagine an explosion of spinning skirts) and had a fun impromptu photo shoot with everyone striking their best ballet poses! My favourite memory of the day was watching a group of five little kids absolutely steal the show, twirling around in their glittery tutus with grins bigger than Texas. They had never danced ballet before but, by the end of the workshop, you would have thought they were seasoned prima ballerinas. Seeing those kids' joy - it reminded me why I love ballet so much. It's not just about elegance and discipline; it's about unleashing your inner spirit and expressing yourself freely, something we could all learn from.
But my time in Brenda-Waskada wasn't just about tutus. It was about forging connections and finding a community that shares a common passion. Everyone welcomed me with open arms, offering home-baked cookies and coffee at every corner, and sharing their personal stories about how dancing (or maybe just twirling in a tutu) brought a little sparkle to their lives. It reminded me that even in small towns, magic can bloom anywhere, as long as there's creativity, open minds, and maybe a touch of tulle.
As the sun began to set over the prairie fields of Brenda-Waskada, it was time for me to catch my bus back to the city. I had a bittersweet feeling; my heart ached to say goodbye, but it was filled with the sweet taste of unforgettable memories. And I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that Brenda-Waskada would forever be etched in my memory as the place where tutus united a community and taught me a valuable lesson about the joy of shared passion.
To my new friends in Brenda-Waskada, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart! I can't wait for next time! And for everyone else, keep those tutus close, unleash your inner ballerina, and don't be afraid to embrace the magic of movement wherever you may be! Until next time, stay tutu-ful, friends!
**#Tutuesday #BrendaWaskada #Manitoba #BalletInCanada #CanadianBallet**