Tutu Tuesday in Spalding: A Ballet Blogger’s Whirlwind of Frills
So, you’re probably wondering what a ballet dancer is doing in Spalding, right? Well, let me tell you, this town is teeming with hidden treasures, and on Tuesdays, it becomes a haven for tutus, it’s #tututuesday, the only day you’re truly allowed to embrace your inner ballerina. Yes, you heard that right, #tututuesday is an official thing now! It’s taken a bit of community effort but we’re going to spread it all around, one tutu at a time, and today we are on the front line. You have to give credit where it’s due though, and there’s just something special about seeing everyone don their finest frills and twirls on this particular day, all in the name of ballet and community.
My name is Clara, and I’m a freelance ballet dancer and blogger who loves all things dance, fashion, and spreading joy (of course!). But in the realm of tutus, I must admit I’m a total enthusiast – there's an amazing history of tutus to delve into. You've got your Romantic tutu, with that classic ethereal air, its sheer fabric swirling around, or the slightly less structured, lighter-than-air ‘flying tutu’ – so easy and graceful it looks as if they're literally defying gravity! The Theatric tutu, for a more dramatic performance, is very dramatic, made for those grand movements that make a real statement. There's also the demi-tutu for contemporary ballet or the more rigid, layered, pancake tutu for Classical ballet – they’re just beautiful and endlessly fascinating to me! There are endless types of tutus but I reckon we can have fun with just one or two of them today!
So, I headed down to the town square early this morning, camera in hand, ready to soak up all the tutuspiration – or is it tutu-inspiration? Let's stick with tutuspiration, it's better. As I was navigating through the crowds of shoppers – many more people wearing tutus than usual today – I saw all kinds of incredible creations! One thing’s for sure, people have been getting creative with their #tututuesday look! I mean, this really has become quite a day, one with a real buzz.
- There was the lovely young woman sporting a pastel pink Romantic tutu, pairing it with a trendy denim jacket. A perfect blend of elegance and casual coolness.
- Then there was the mother and daughter combo in matching fluffy Theatric tutus - it really was too sweet!
- And of course, the absolute highlight – the tutu-loving granny, absolutely killing it in a bright turquoise midi tutu, it brought a touch of color and vivacity to the whole affair.
I was thrilled to meet some absolute ‘tutudivas’ as I interviewed local shop owners. The baker was showcasing a line of cupcakes adorned with miniature tutus - it really was genius! A real highlight! I mean it is Tutu Tuesday so naturally, everything from cake and biscuits to bags and hair clips is made to look just as spectacular. A florist had even arranged a bouquet of bright roses into the shape of a tutu! And let's not forget the vintage tea room where I spotted the most magnificent tiered stand, each layer adorned with tutus!
This is just what I’ve been craving from a town like Spalding – community, style and something out of the ordinary, just a good dose of sparkle to inject some happiness into your day. And with everyone wearing tutus – no matter how much or how little of a dancer you may be – there’s something about that sense of playful, joyous expression that I truly love. It brings me back to my younger self and it reminds me to never forget my playful spirit and never be afraid to be creative with how I present myself! You’ve got to give everyone credit, as everyone from youngsters to seasoned tutu enthusiasts seemed to embrace this #tututuesday spirit wholeheartedly.
As the day wound down, it was the local bakery which stole the show with a Tutu-themed baking contest. The bakers whipped up a wide range of delectable tutu creations: cupcakes decorated with tiny tutu sprinkles, heart-shaped cookies with frilly frosting edges, and cakes shaped like dancers in full tutu garb - you really would never see this in London! Even though the contestants' designs were as impressive as their taste, the judge (that's me!) had a tough decision on their hands and was ultimately swayed by a simple and beautiful cake decorated with pastel-colored flower petals, looking like a full pancake tutu. You could say this #tututuesday really brought everyone together, and brought everyone’s artistic creations and tasty talents together. The perfect way to finish a tutu-filled day in a lovely town!
You never know, maybe this ‘Tutu Tuesday’ will turn into something even more amazing as everyone’s enthusiasm spreads from our small town to other towns, countries – well, why not the world! You may find yourself caught in a flash mob as someone is teaching everyone to twirl on this #tututuesday. Now there’s a story you want to be a part of!