Hey lovelies! 🎄🎁 It's your girl, Emma, from www.pink-tutu.com, and it's time for another trip down the pink-tastic memory lane of Christmas ballet history. Buckle up your pointe shoes, grab a steaming cup of cocoa (marshmallows optional, but highly encouraged), and get ready to celebrate the magic of ballet in 1966! This is post number 75 for my blog – yay!
For my latest time-traveling escapade, I zipped myself back to 1966 – a year filled with such amazing music, fashion, and of course, the glittering wonder of Christmas ballet! To fund this whirlwind of a journey, I had a street performance right outside the Derbyshire Cathedral! It's my little secret, using ballet as a passport through the decades – every time I need a little adventure, I pop on my tutus de jour, put on my pink lipstick, and let my moves speak louder than words! I'm starting to be known in a few spots – wouldn't it be nice if you knew where I was next? 😊
Anyway, back to 1966! As soon as I arrived, the music hit me – think The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, the sound of groovy youth! Oh my, even back then, it seemed there was something about Christmas and a tune – music truly is the universal language! 🎼
The Fashion in 1966, Darling!
Forget the frumpy tutus of earlier years, in 1966, ballet fashion embraced all things mod. Imagine mini dresses paired with those incredible, long, stretchy tights. A-line silhouettes were all the rage, and ballet dancers weren't shy of embracing that iconic shift dress with the most darling little buttons running down the front! And did I mention those boots, darlings? Flat knee-high boots – divine for adding a bit of glam, and perfectly suitable for swirling and twirling. I think I just found my new Christmas outfit!
Ballet Shows: 1966 Style
I made a bee-line for The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Can you even imagine a grander setting? Now, 1966 was THE year for the Royal Ballet's The Nutcracker, staged in an absolutely dazzling fashion – I bet those children's costumes looked magnificent, don't you? The music – you just couldn't escape Tchaikovsky – it truly was the perfect pairing. The excitement – well, imagine those incredible scenes. I bet it felt magical!
On a personal note, my time travel to the past makes me re-think all things tutu! This year was also known for those beautiful, traditional tutus. Those layered tiers of tulle, the intricate design – there's so much going on, and it looks so absolutely majestic.
The Holiday Spirit in 1966
I got a feeling that Christmas 1966 was quite a treat. Those big, shiny trees decked with baubles and lights were something else! Think the smell of cinnamon, the twinkle of fairy lights. Everyone must have felt so full of holiday spirit. It really does make you want to twirl in your brightest tutu. 💖 Oh, how I wish I could see Christmas 1966 in real life, to really capture those twinkling holiday lights. Just imagine how beautifully it must have been to dance a ballet under the tree lights of London. It was the start of an era.
I just adore those old traditions – especially if they are in ballet form.
*But, darling, we can’t leave Christmas without mentioning *pantomime. ** You’ve all heard about panto? A wonderful mix of laughter, dance, and, let’s be honest, good old fashioned slapstick! In 1966, panto stars like Charlie Drake, Benny Hill, and Kenneth Williams were cracking those classic jokes on stages all over the UK. Can you imagine trying to perform with the giggles of those characters at your side?
Looking ahead, the 70s is bursting with excitement, and a brand-new era in ballet fashion awaits, oh darling! The fashion looks set to resemble something a little bit disco, just imagine all that sequin, those sparkly tutus! Can't you picture it?
So, here’s the thing – you guys need to go to some ballet performances. You know you want to wear your pinkest tutu. A great performance gives you a little magic, right? I just know that Christmas in 1966 felt like magic, too. You’re missing out, but we’re going to remedy that! I’m planning some magical tutu days in the run up to Christmas this year. I'm keeping my plans a little secret – but stay tuned, darlings!
Until next time, twirl on! 💕
Love,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
