Christmas Ballet in 1990

Hey gorgeous dancers! Emma here, your favourite tutu-clad blogger, ready to transport you back to the magic of Christmas 1990. Buckle up, babes, 'cause we're about to shimmy through the sparkly snowflakes and glittery snowmen, straight to a world of dazzling tutus and toe-tapping holiday performances!

As the chilly Derbyshire wind whispered Christmas carols, I was already dreaming of swirling tutus and shimmering stage lights. It was 1990, and the ballet world was bursting with festive flair! Remember the days when Mariah Carey’s "All I Want For Christmas Is You" wasn't the ultimate festive jam? Well, we had plenty of other ballets to bring the Christmas spirit.

Now, let's face it, “The Nutcracker” is like a beloved old Christmas jumper – comfy, classic, and guaranteed to bring warmth to your festive soul! The Royal Ballet at Covent Garden had its usual stunning production, the one where all the children go, dressed up to the nines in their Sunday best, eyes glued to the magical unfolding story on stage. And you can bet your bottom dollar, all those Tchaikovsky melodies sent shivers down the spine - that ‘Waltz of the Flowers’, a real dream. The sheer magic of the staging and costumes, it transported everyone to a world of wonder - pure Christmas magic!

And speaking of magical, how about a little fairytale glamour? This year saw the ever-so-lovely “Cinderella” flitting around the country with tours by the English National Ballet, the Birmingham Royal Ballet, and others. Every performance made the most of that traditional ballet magic: fluffy tutus, glittering carriages, Prince Charmings with dashing, sweeping leg work – I mean, who could resist a dose of romance with their Christmas treats?

Now, this wouldn't be a Pink-tutu.com post without a bit of the edgy! The “New Adventures” Company – they weren’t stuck in a classic Christmas rut. This crew embraced modern dance interpretations, which gave us some really fabulous new Christmas perspectives!

I'm all for a bit of experimental choreography and modern twists! A fusion of ballet, tap, jazz – even some theatre flair - this group didn’t shy away from a little sassy twinkle for their audiences. The more out-there approach meant audiences experienced Christmas traditions in a fresh and exciting way.

Who needs fashion inspiration for their festive outfits? The dancers gave us a real treat – in the year 1990! It wasn’t just all tutus on stage; think sparkly bodices with sparkly tights and sequins galore, plus a little dash of vibrant colour, a bit of drama, a little “something” that set hearts ablaze with a little Christmas sparkle.

The street-style around the theaters was equally hot. Those Christmas ball dresses, shimmering tulle, feather boas – people really knew how to celebrate the festive occasion, from the elegant black tie events to those festive office parties!

I loved watching the ladies with their festive makeup, smoky eye and those red lips for that “va va voom” Christmas effect.

But of course, for me, a tutu was never far from mind!

Want to really get into the Christmas spirit? Follow me this holiday season! I'm challenging everyone to embrace their inner dancer and rock a pink tutu at your Christmas gatherings!

Whether you wear it under a festive sweater or jazz up your holiday party, it’s the perfect way to spread a little festive joy. Don’t worry if you aren't a ballerina! A simple pink tutu adds a touch of elegance to your wardrobe, especially when styled with sequins or a fabulous Christmas dress.

For me, 1990 marked the year I realised ballet was my passion. Every Christmas show made the magical connection I needed. And it also made me realize the sheer fun and joy that ballet could bring!

To sum it up: it wasn’t all snowflakes and candy canes back in 1990 – ballet and Christmas brought together a vibrant blend of classic and modern, a festive frenzy for the senses! And who wouldn’t want to dress up and celebrate a little bit, especially when there are fabulous tutus to wear!

Keep it sparkly, Emma

www.pink-tutu.com

Here are some Christmas treats for your reading pleasure - and your festive fun!

• The Nutcracker and The Mouse King: One of Tchaikovsky's most famous compositions - an orchestral suite which includes ‘Waltz of the Flowers’, the iconic 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’, and the beautiful 'Arabian Dance'. If you're feeling inspired to learn something new, it might be a fun one to try!

• The Sleeping Beauty is one of ballet's classics – another Tchaikovsky ballet - with the ‘Bluebird Pas de Deux’ or the beautiful ‘Rose Adagio’ both guaranteed to sweep you away to fairyland!

• For something a little different: check out “Alice in Wonderland” - it's an ingenious blend of contemporary dance and fairytale.

• The Royal Ballet at Covent Garden and the English National Ballet have their Christmas schedule of performances up on their websites if you'd like to see something really spectacular live!

And remember, darling readers, stay connected! Join me on my street ballet performance adventures and see how I spread the Pink Tutu love around Derbyshire and beyond! I'm always open to sharing more Christmas ballet secrets – so get in touch!

Get your Christmas sequins ready – and maybe grab a pink tutu for a special occasion – let's all sparkle and dance our way into the New Year!