Tutu Tuesday in Nauwigewauk, New Brunswick: A Tutu-ful Day for a Ballet Blogger
Hey, dance lovers! It’s your girl, Clara, and today is a very special day – **Tutu Tuesday!** You know how much I love tutus. They’re like my favourite piece of clothing (sorry, Mom!) And what better place to celebrate this day than in beautiful Nauwigewauk, New Brunswick? You wouldn’t believe the amazing energy and tutus on display today!
I've been dancing since I was a wee lass. My first tutu was a fluffy pink confection that my Nana crocheted for me. It made me feel like a real ballerina, even if it was just a pretend ballet class in my living room. But I've come a long way since then. As a dancer in a professional company in Canada, I’ve got a collection of tutus that would make any ballerina’s heart skip a beat. From the classic romantic tutus with their tiers of fluffy tulle to the sleek and modern ones made of more fitted fabrics – I've got the whole gambit. I love tutus because they make me feel graceful, confident and, yes, totally fierce.
And there's just something so magical about the tutus worn in the classical ballets. The white, frilly tutu in “Swan Lake”? Pure elegance. The shimmering black tutu in “Sleeping Beauty”? Total dramatic impact. But the one that really sets my soul on fire? The short and whimsical "paquita" tutu – all sassy, with a shorter length that makes every spin so full of joy and excitement! And speaking of joy and excitement, this little town of Nauwigewauk really knows how to party!
So let's get to the fun! The festivities started early with a Tutu parade through the town's Main Street. And it wasn’t just ballerinas in the mix! It was amazing to see everyone joining in – from little kids in adorable mini tutus to grandma's rocking their own chic version! I even saw a dog sporting a tutu-themed bandana - just too cute! It felt like the whole town was united in a joyous celebration of all things twirl and fluff!
The atmosphere was electrifying! We had live music from the Nauwigewauk Symphony Orchestra, playing all the classics – Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, you name it! You could practically feel the music moving people’s feet. A whole crowd started dancing impromptu on the cobblestone street. They weren’t just any dancers either. There were serious ballet moves on display, some more graceful than others (we’ll let that slide – Tutu Tuesday, everyone’s a star!)
The day’s highlight? A Tutu Competition with a fantastic prize – a year’s supply of ballerina-approved snacks from the local bakery! We had tutus in every colour and shape – the more elaborate and flamboyant the better. You had a dancer who wore a tutu made of paperclips and another with a tutu crafted out of fresh, vibrant flowers! And my personal favourite: a gentleman in a perfectly fitted tutu of the classical style with tiny twinkling lights decorating his costume - it was a modern twist on a timeless elegance. The judging was hilarious! We had three very talented and impartial judges. My friend, Jean-Luc, a world-renowned choreographer; The lovely Estelle, an accomplished professional ballet dancer; and local artist and all-round fab person, David. The competition was a complete success and the overall winner was an amazing 8 year old named Evelyn! I just loved seeing how excited she was!
Here are a few of the other things that happened on this wonderful Tutu Tuesday:
- A tutu-themed crafting workshop, where people made their own beautiful tutus. I swear, I’ve got to find space for all of those adorable handmade tutus that the kids created!
- A delicious "Tutu Feast" hosted at the local bakery, where I enjoyed the best vanilla cream puffs and hot chocolate EVER! (With a tutu-shaped cookie, of course!).
- A "Tutu Tips" session where we shared all of the latest trends on how to style tutus and incorporate them into our everyday lives! Think everything from street style inspiration, with a little tutu action, to practical tips for wearing them casually. (I am still dreaming about those pink cowboy boots with a red “paquita" tutu look, totally rocked the boho vibe!)
It was amazing to see how excited everyone was about the event. There were so many people there, sharing laughter and dancing! I even met some great new friends, like a guy named Pierre who's obsessed with all things tutus - and who knows, maybe I'll start writing a whole post dedicated to male ballerinos and tutus soon? Stay tuned! I hope everyone had a wonderful **Tutu Tuesday**!
But, the absolute BEST part of this whole event? It was an incredible opportunity to showcase ballet in a really unique and fun way. The enthusiasm from everyone, especially from the little kids, made me really excited for the future of ballet in Canada! I'm so passionate about bringing ballet to as many people as possible. And there's no better way to do that than with a little fun and creativity – just like Tutu Tuesday!
So, let’s all celebrate ballet, and tutus! #tututuesday #Nauwigewauk #NewBrunswick #balletcanada And who knows, maybe I'll be seeing you at the next Tutu Tuesday celebration in a town near you!