Tutu Tuesday in Stevenage: A Dance Revolution on the High Street? #tututuesday
Okay, so maybe it wasn't a full-blown ballet revolution, but last Tuesday, Stevenage certainly saw a flash of tulle and a whole lot of pirouettes, courtesy of yours truly and a couple of enthusiastic dancers who dared to embrace #tututuesday. Let's be honest, ballet and Stevenage might not be the first words that spring to mind when thinking of sartorial style. However, with a bit of imagination and a whole lot of tulle, we turned heads, sparked conversation, and possibly even inspired a few impromptu pliés.
As a ballet dancer turned blogger, my passion for all things dance-related is a given. #tututuesday is a personal campaign, you could call it, a playful effort to break down those pesky barriers between art forms and everyday life. It’s about making ballet accessible and, dare I say, fashionable. And what better way to celebrate than to waltz, or shall I say, *strut* into the heart of Stevenage on a Tuesday?
Let's talk tutus! Now, we didn’t exactly go all out "Swan Lake" on the high street, but we certainly brought a touch of romance and whimsy to the shops and cafes. We experimented with different tutu styles - we had the classic Romantic, the sassy "paquita," and a couple of cheeky "character" tutus thrown into the mix. The aim wasn’t to dress like prima ballerinas (though who knows, maybe next time…!), but to explore the sheer (pun intended!) versatility of the tutu. The result was a unique combination of Parisian chic and sassy urban flair.
We started our tutu journey at The Forum shopping centre, a modern maze of shops, where we caused a ripple of laughter and a couple of “ooh”s and “aah”s as we made our way past the latest phone models, towards the coffee shop. The smiles and giggles we received were worth all the raised eyebrows, the gentle teasing from passersby, and the occasional puzzled look from a group of teens deep in conversation about, well, we’ll never know…
The most heartwarming encounter came from a young boy of about 5, whose eyes lit up with such wide-eyed wonder that even the most cynical among us couldn't help but feel a little spark of joy. “Do you do real dancing?”, he asked. I can’t even remember my response. In that moment, the joy of shared enthusiasm for dance resonated louder than any explanation of contemporary styles or ballet technique.
Next, it was on to the High Street. Here we encountered more "grown-up" skepticism - we can’t blame them; after all, Stevenage has seen some pretty adventurous outfits over the years (looking at you, skinny jeans with flip flops - let's just forget about that trend, okay?)…But our tutus seemed to have disarmed even the most hard-nosed shopper. And just as I was contemplating my favourite, classic, Romantic-style tutu and trying to determine how to incorporate it into my "street style" look, we spotted the "Dancing Grannies." Yes, you read that right! A small group of senior citizens were engaged in a spirited, yet oh-so-graceful dance session outside their local dance club. We joined in for a brief but inspiring whirl around the fountain, sharing our joy of movement with these truly remarkable women.
Our Tutu Tuesday adventure ended on a high note at a local coffee shop. Sipping our lattes and admiring our own reflections, we felt that sense of accomplishment that only comes when we break out of our comfort zones and embrace a little bit of the unexpected. It didn’t matter that we weren’t professional ballet dancers or even “professional” tutud-wearers, what mattered was the sense of fun and connection we shared, not just with each other but with the people around us.
Tutus in Stevenage - it might seem unconventional, it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for a few moments it reminded me that there's always room for a little bit of sparkle and grace in our daily lives. So, who knows, maybe you'll see us dancing down your street next Tuesday !
The #tututuesday manifesto:
- To banish boring workdays
- To ignite conversation
- To inspire others to embrace their individuality, in whatever form that takes
- To make ballet more accessible, less intimidating
- To have a little bit of fun!
So, join the revolution! Find your tutu, or create your own (check out your local thrift shop for amazing treasures!) and dance with confidence!