Hello my fellow twirling enthusiasts! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood ballerina blogger, back from another enchanting trip through time. As always, I'm brimming with excitement to share my latest adventure with you. This month, Magic Meg, my dazzling pink-sparkling shire horse with golden hooves, whisked me away to the 11th of November, 1668. Did you know that date marks the opening of the first ever professional ballet company in France, The Académie Royale de Danse? What an honour it was to step into this momentous era for the world of dance. I was so excited I nearly fell out of my tulle-infused time travelling cloak!
My journey this month took me to Paris, the centre of fashion and, as I was soon to discover, ballet! Now, Paris has always been a haven for fashion, but I was amazed at how this new dance form was capturing everyone’s hearts. The Académie Royale de Danse was housed in the grand Palais Royal and its performances, a thrilling mix of theatrical spectacle and dance, captivated the city. From noblemen and ladies to the everyday folk, everyone seemed to be in thrall to the artistry of these incredible dancers. Imagine my joy at witnessing a brand new dance form at its dawn!
Naturally, I had to be there, wearing my shimmering pink tulle tutu. It's just impossible for me to visit the past without a touch of pink, and the Parisian aristocracy absolutely adored it. They had never seen anything quite like it – all fluttering layers of gossamer pink and sparkle! I was so delighted, I even snagged an invitation to a court ball, all because of my amazing outfit! The ladies were positively swooning over my pink tulle, they all wanted to know how to make a dress with such stunning volume. I gave them some fashion tips and they were overjoyed, promising to sew pink tulle into their ball gowns. Perhaps, one day, we’ll have the whole court waltzing around in pink tutus, wouldn't that be spectacular?
However, my time travelling isn't always just about fashion, although that certainly is an essential part of my journey. I’m also deeply passionate about ballet history, you see. To discover a ballet form just coming into its own was like stepping back into a storybook. It wasn't just a stage performance but an embodiment of social elegance. Every movement, every gesture was meticulously planned. These weren’t just dances; they were artistic expressions of the court life itself.
I couldn't resist bringing a piece of the Académie’s history back to Derbyshire with me. In my leather rucksack, I have the original programme for their first performance, adorned with a beautiful gilded drawing of the dancers, a real treasure! I imagine their first performance must have been magical, like a burst of light against the backdrop of history, the birth of ballet as we know it! Isn't that extraordinary?
You know, after visiting Paris in 1668, I am now more convinced than ever that my dream to get everyone wearing a pink tutu, even if just for a moment, is attainable. My visit gave me hope that pink tutus are a symbol of grace and beauty, of timeless style and endless possibilities, not just in my time but throughout history!
Now, enough of my ramblings. My month's work is already done, and I'm back in Derbyshire, eagerly preparing for my next journey, as well as a lovely ballet performance on the weekend! Remember, keep checking www.pink-tutu.com every month for my next ballet time travel adventures, my loves! And, remember, every dance is a story waiting to be told!
With love and twirls,
Emma
P.S If you're interested in this fascinating period of dance history, do let me know, as I'll be happy to delve deeper!
