Tutu Tuesday in Osler, Saskatchewan: A Whirlwind of Tulle and Canadian Ballet
Hey everyone! It's your girl, Sasha here, bringing you all the latest and greatest from the world of ballet, fashion, and #TutuTuesday. This week, I'm taking you to the heart of Saskatchewan – the charming little town of Osler! I'm on a mission to explore the world of ballet across Canada and you know I love a good tutu – and honestly, what better day than #TutuTuesday?
I love exploring all of Canada. The energy of a Canadian city is electric. From Montreal to Calgary, there are amazing ballet scenes all across our great country. And Saskatchewan is no exception! This prairie province may be known for its wide-open spaces, but don't be fooled. It also has a vibrant ballet community that's passionate, dedicated, and ready to spread their tutus wide!
Osler's Ballet Buzz
You wouldn't believe how excited I was to step into the Osler Community Hall – which serves as the dance studio for the local ballet school. As soon as I walked in, the air crackled with the energy of dancers!
I was particularly captivated by the "Petite Poise" class for our littlest ballerinas. Every one of these sweet little dancers was rocking their custom tutus! Pink with sparkling trim, classic white, and some were even adorned with colorful floral appliques! Their adorable tutus made it so clear that these girls were destined for great things – just you wait!
My Osler Inspiration
I gotta say, my favorite part about being in Osler was seeing the pure love and joy these young dancers had for their craft. Their excitement to share their passion was contagious. It reminded me why I love being a dancer. You know what I'm talking about! That feeling of being totally immersed in your artistry!
And it didn't end with the "Petite Poise" class! There was a bunch of talent throughout the classes. And I got to chat with some of the amazing instructors – seriously talented people – passionate about their students and the art of ballet.
They were super open to sharing their experiences and it’s so awesome seeing how they’re building the next generation of Canadian ballet stars right here in Saskatchewan. These folks deserve a huge shout-out for their dedication – what they’re doing here is important for Osler, for the province, and for ballet in Canada!
Tutu Trend Spotting
Now, let's talk tutu trends. In Osler, I saw a perfect blend of the classic and the contemporary.
- First up, there were a bunch of stunning, traditional-style tutus, those are perfect for classic ballet performances. These tutus had all the signature features we all know and love: multiple layers of tulle, soft netting, and some were adorned with graceful, flowing ribbons, you know the ones – we’ve all seen them at the ballet. The ballet company was rocking some great tutus – I have to say.
- And speaking of "rocking", I also saw a trend toward more modern tutus! The tutus weren't the same we’d find on stage. But in terms of style, there was a lot of versatility. I’d be hard-pressed to describe them any other way – there was such a diverse range of fabric textures. It’s almost like ballet tutus inspired contemporary streetwear. These weren't the traditional tutus used in classic ballet performances – they’re for modern dance and a great departure from what you see in professional productions.
The Osler ballerinas looked absolutely radiant in both classic and contemporary tutus. One of my favourite looks featured a light pink, shorter tutu that just skimmed the dancer’s legs. And it was complemented with sparkling sequined accents! You can imagine the dazzling impact under the stage lights!
What is a tutu?
Here's the thing about tutus – and this may be common knowledge to some of you out there! It can be very hard to categorize them, I mean how can we pin a category on something that just flows and radiates like a ballerina in motion! It’s best to describe them in terms of length, texture, and material. For example, there is the pancake tutu, which is made up of one or more layers of fabric – which makes it resemble a classic, flat circle – but just so you know – it does more than resemble a classic. They can have ruffles and sequins that really jazz it up – but just so you know that is not all. The pancake tutu does a good job of covering the whole dancer's bottom, and it really is an icon when it comes to the tutus. Then there’s the longer version called the “bell tutu.” The bell tutu extends further below the waist. It also allows a much more dramatic effect in performances – think full-body extension and twirls!
For any new viewers, this is your ultimate #TutuTuesday guide to understanding how and where this gorgeous staple of ballet emerged!
Tutus and Style
You may be surprised to know that the tutu evolved through many forms – this wasn’t always a standard look for ballerinas. This wasn’t always the classic look that ballet fans everywhere adore. And you might be wondering how it got there – the look as it exists in a wide range of forms is not one solid, single style that happened overnight. That's because it had a unique role in ballet.
In its early days, the tutu wasn’t a staple but a revolutionary look, Think about this: before the late 19th Century, ballerinas wore flowing skirts, but then there was a shift toward these more form-fitting costumes! Now we see a tutu in every major dance piece in productions throughout the world. And as dance became more technically demanding – especially with the arrival of new, athletic ballet styles – the shorter, less cumbersome design of the tutu gained traction. Then came all the modifications. And over time, the iconic style, which you see on ballet dancers all around the world evolved – It’s incredible! I really had the pleasure of experiencing this firsthand – there’s so much history woven into these pieces.
Saskatchewan's Ballet Beauty
And Osler is helping keep ballet alive! Seeing those talented dancers move, expressing themselves with their tutus, is such a magical experience. Saskatchewan is absolutely overflowing with hidden ballet gems, and this just adds to my excitement to explore it! And you can count on me to be on the lookout for more stunning tutu moments, wherever they may lead.
I’m already plotting my next #TutuTuesday adventure – so stay tuned – until next time!