Tutu Tuesday in Magnetawan, Ontario: A Whirlwind of #tututuesday Fun!
Hey there, fellow dance lovers! It’s your girl, Chloe, back with another blog post from the heart of Canada. This time, I’m taking you all to the charming little town of Magnetawan, Ontario. Now, you might be thinking, "Chloe, what on earth could Magnetawan possibly have to offer a ballet-obsessed gal like you?" Well, let me tell you, folks, this town holds a special place in my heart – and not just for its picturesque lakeside charm (though, it certainly has that in spades). This week, Magnetawan was hosting a rather extraordinary event: Tutu Tuesday. Yup, you read that right. An entire day dedicated to tutus! This wasn't just any old tutu gathering, mind you. It was a whimsical whirlwind of pink, tulle, and pure, unadulterated fun, filled with enough frills and twirls to rival even the grandest of ballet performances. And trust me, I've seen some grand performances in my day!
Let's rewind a bit. #Tututuesday, in case you're not already in the know, is a social media trend celebrating the iconic garment of ballet: the tutu. It started small, a bunch of dance lovers sharing photos of themselves rocking their favourite tutus on Tuesdays. But somehow, it blossomed into this amazing phenomenon. Every Tuesday, women (and yes, even some brave men) all across the globe show off their love for all things tutu, whether it's the classic romantic tutu, a modest practice tutu, a flamboyant character tutu, or even just a fun, homemade creation. Every week, thousands of images are shared online – a dazzling array of tulle in all its glory.
Now, back to Magnetawan. It turns out the folks there are big supporters of the #Tututuesday trend, and this year, they decided to take things a step further. They organised a whole day devoted to everything tutu! Imagine a town filled with people wearing everything from fluffy, full-length Romantic tutus to sassy little demi-tutus, all sporting smiles wider than the Ottawa River. The day started with a special performance by the Magnetawan Ballet Academy, a local school dedicated to teaching the joy of dance to children and adults alike. The young dancers were all decked out in their most vibrant tutus, performing a colourful suite of pieces that highlighted a variety of styles: classic ballet, lyrical, and even a touch of jazz, complete with some impressive turns and jumps! The entire audience – children and adults alike - were totally captivated by the young talent.
But the fun didn’t stop there. Throughout the day, there were all kinds of #tututuesday-related activities happening around town. There was a Tutu Design Challenge at the community centre, where people competed to design the most creative, beautiful, and outlandish tutus. A group of teenagers even got a head-start on their costumes for next year's Magnetawan Summer Theatre festival with a fun workshop where they learned the basics of tutu making. A team of artists turned local craft supply shop into an art haven with a series of tutu-inspired crafts. Kids were gleefully decorating their own mini tutus, while parents took photos and laughed along with them.
And to add to the sweet atmosphere, local bakers whipped up a delicious selection of treats themed around the event – we're talking Tutu Topped Cupcakes, Frilly Frosted Donuts, and even Tutu-shaped Cookies! All perfectly delightful, as well as delicious. The little ones especially loved those tutus and they made me, the seasoned tutu-wearer, look forward to next year's event already.
The highlight of the day, though, was undoubtedly the Tutu Parade. The whole town turned out, wearing their best tutus, to strut their stuff. The colourful procession of twirling, prancing, and just plain joyful people wound its way through the downtown area. From adorable tiny tots dressed in their little ballerina tutus to stylish grannies with elegant chiffon skirts, everyone looked wonderful and completely unafraid to make a statement about their love of dance.
As a professional dancer, I am always amazed by how tutus evoke such powerful emotions. For some, it's pure joy. For others, it's nostalgia. For some, it's about expressing their creativity. In Magnetawan, though, the event really felt like it was all of these things rolled into one, with a hearty dose of community spirit added in for good measure.
The day ended with a heartfelt thank-you from the organizers and a reminder that #Tututuesday wasn't just about fun and games, but also about supporting local dance schools and keeping ballet alive in communities across Canada. As a Canadian dancer, this resonated deeply with me.
I'd say Tutu Tuesday in Magnetawan was a true success. And let’s face it, it's hard to top a day filled with dancing, community, and love of tutus, right? I’m leaving Magnetawan feeling inspired. I can't wait to see what next year's Tutu Tuesday holds. And who knows, maybe my little blog post will inspire other towns across Canada to celebrate the power of the tutu and all the beauty it brings.
Keep twirling, everyone! #Tututuesday