Tutu Tuesday in Ayer’s Cliff, Quebec: A Whirlwind of Tulle and Tradition
Bonjour from the charming village of Ayer's Cliff, Quebec, where the crisp fall air carries a whisper of the upcoming winter and the maple trees are ablaze in their autumnal glory. This little slice of Canadian paradise, nestled amidst the Eastern Townships, is where I, a ballerina by day and blogger by night, decided to spend my Tutu Tuesday.
Tutu Tuesday is a tradition I’ve embraced since my early days in the Canadian ballet scene, a time when tulle tutus were more of a dress-up day and less about being taken seriously as a ballerina. Now, it's a way to honour the artistry and beauty of the tutu – a garment that represents both elegance and athleticism.
Today, I'm in Ayer’s Cliff, where ballet doesn't exactly scream "tradition" as much as it does "community." The village doesn't have a dedicated ballet school. Instead, dance instruction, in whatever form, comes from small studio spaces or even church halls, where the love of movement binds young hearts to the rhythm.
For my Tutu Tuesday adventure, I wanted to celebrate this beautiful spirit of dance, no matter where you are or what you’re dancing. And there's no better place than Ayer's Cliff to do just that.
The Story of Tutus in Ayer's Cliff
Let's face it, tulle doesn't typically come to mind when picturing Ayer's Cliff. The village is renowned for its breathtaking scenery – rolling hills, quaint wooden houses, and, of course, the breathtaking views of Lake Massawippi, where the iconic Ayer's Cliff Bridge spans the waters. But today, tulle was going to be the star of the show.
This morning, I swung by the community centre. There's no ballet studio in this part of the Eastern Townships, but the community centre does a brilliant job of accommodating local dance programs. I spent an hour chatting with teachers and students, learning about the history of dance in the village. It’s been quite the evolution, from barn dances and ballroom lessons to ballet, jazz, and contemporary.
One dance teacher I spoke with, a former dancer named Marianne, shared an enchanting story:
“My grandfather was the village blacksmith. He'd use bits of metal scraps to fashion ballet shoes for the local dancers. He wasn't trained or anything, just an old man with a heart of gold. They called him ‘Grandpa Tutu,’ which makes me giggle every time!”
Her tale reminded me of the powerful connection dance has with community, regardless of the scale or the lack of conventional facilities.
My Tutu and The Magic of Simplicity
With that warm memory in mind, I put on a simple but elegant white tutu. I paired it with a crisp white button-up, my go-to outfit for ballet class because I just love how it mixes the old-school ballerina vibes with the comfy ease of a button-up.
Why this tutu? Honestly, it's a bit of a wildcard. I discovered it at a thrift store in a small town a couple hours outside of Montreal, so, it doesn't hold any grand, sentimental memories. I love it, because I know, as I spin on stage or take a deep, elegant pose, I'm wearing a small piece of another dancer’s past. Every thread whispers of years gone by, filled with joy, hardship, and love of movement. I like to think my Tutu Tuesday outfit today has its own story unfolding.
I found a beautiful bench beside the lake, with stunning views. With my tutu in its airy glory, the fall leaves a perfect backdrop, and a gentle breeze swaying the trees, I got to embrace the sheer beauty and freedom that ballet offers.
I practiced some basic poses. The simplest ballet moves – like a tendu (stretching out your leg in a pointed position), a port de bras (movements of the arms) or an attitude (leg bent back behind and to the side). You can feel how those simple movements, done in my tutu, are just as powerful and transformative. It wasn’t about being perfectly graceful in front of an audience – this was just me and the stillness of nature.
Sharing the #Tututuesday Joy
After an afternoon of dancing, I decided to spread a bit of that Tutu Tuesday joy with the community. I took my ballet steps right to the village’s small corner store, a place bustling with activity. As a local ballerina (for a day), it’s my responsibility to share this passion for ballet in Canada and get a bit silly at the same time. So I had a blast taking photos of local residents as they were running errands. They got a kick out of it – we laughed, I told a few embarrassing tales about dance recitals, and for those fleeting moments, we were dancing together!
I found some eager students from the village’s dance programs to share a little Tutu Tuesday inspiration with the local community centre. As they danced with their hearts on their sleeves, I realised that what matters is the passion.
Whether it’s in the big city ballet studio or the small-town church hall, ballet is about more than a fancy garment or grand productions. It's about finding beauty in movement, telling stories with your body, and building community through dance, and that’s what makes it so special, and worthy of its very own Tuesday.
#tututuesday #Ayer’s Cliff, Quebec #BalletInCanada