Hey everyone, itās Emma here, and welcome back to Pink Tutu World! Itās Wednesday, which means itās time for another exciting adventure in pink tutus.
This week, Iām back on good old planet Earth, because as much as I love exploring the cosmos, there's no place like home (even if it's a bit, erm, chaotic right now!).
This weekās adventure brings us to 30th September 1998, which for me is the anniversary of one of my most memorable trips to London. Why? Because it was the day I first experienced the pure magic of the Royal Opera House.
Remember the spaceship I was telling you about last week? Well, this time, instead of being on my galactic chariot, I was soaring through the skies, London sprawling out below me like a giant, fascinating quilt of streets and houses. Landing was smooth, and in record time, I found myself at the heart of Covent Garden, the majestic Royal Opera House right there in front of me. It looked just like it did in the old photos, majestic and grand, a timeless beacon of cultural elegance.
Before the show, naturally, a trip to Covent Garden market was an absolute must. My dear fellow tutu enthusiasts, this market is a haven for the most exquisite clothes and fashion accessories. It's where my love of hats truly began ā a glorious rainbow of colourful bonnets and feather boas vying for my attention. It's a place to see and be seen. So naturally, I donned my finest, fluffiest pink tutu and made a dramatic entrance. After all, a ballet-loving gal must embrace the theatre, even in a mundane shopping situation. I saw some real treasures too, I'll tell you what! A few vintage tutus were tucked away amongst the clothes stalls, and one in particular ā a silk one, shimmering silver with sequins ā caught my eye like a magical beacon. Now, I love collecting old tutus, so I grabbed that one faster than you could say āpirouette.ā
But enough about my shopping spree! After all, the real highlight of the evening was the ballet. This was no ordinary ballet show, you see, this was Swan Lake. That majestic music! The romanticism! And let's not forget those iconic tutus - white tutus for Odette the swan queen, but trust me, Iām already sketching out a new, and dare I say, even more breathtaking, design. I have so many exciting plans for reimagining classic ballet looks! Perhaps in my version of Swan Lake, the swans will be clad in glorious hues of pinkā¦ Iāve already ordered some shimmering tulle and some amazing sequins! Oh, the possibilities!
By the way, a quick historical tidbit - Swan Lake, first performed in 1877, is actually the reason my favourite pink tutu design exists! Yep, the classic swan costumes for that first performance featured bright pink and blue tulle, rather than the now iconic white. Gasp Honestly, Iām convinced I've always been a Swan Lake enthusiast from another timeline, I always gravitated towards that bolder pink color, even as a little girl. Iām thinking that perhaps, once I have a moment, I will create a historical timeline on PinkTutu.com that looks at how tutus have evolved over time.
Anyway, I couldn't tell you about the Royal Opera House and Swan Lake without also mentioning another favourite tradition, ballet class! Every week, without fail, I sneak away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life (space travel, ballet performancesā¦) for an hour or two in a traditional ballet studio. Oh, I simply adore stretching my muscles and perfecting those pirouettes! Iām going to find a place on Planet Earth soon that gives ballet classesā¦ there must be a good school somewhere on the planet, even though, I know there are fantastic classes all over the galaxy, they can't beat an old fashioned, brick-built school here. You can almost smell the tradition.
One of the greatest things about being a ballet aficionado is the amazing sense of community I find at my local studio. The women are so strong, the friendships are so supportive, the dedication so strong. Oh, and can we just pause for a second and talk about the outfits?! From leotards to ballet shoes, theyāre the absolute perfect dance attire!
My pink tutu has made appearances at several classes - you can bet I'm a rebel that way, a bit of pink never hurts. In fact, it always sparks interesting conversation. The point is, it doesn't matter where you're from, your background, what kind of tutu you prefer, all ballet dancers have this shared language of movement and beauty. It transcends any other type of cultural barrier!
This week's post may seem different to the previous ones; it's a little bit quieter, a little bit more contemplative. Sometimes you have to stop and reflect on why you love what you love, and let me tell you, ballet truly is a source of unending wonder and inspiration for me. But fear not, my adventures in tutus, across the galaxy and back, are only getting started!
Youāll find my posts on Wednesdays right here on the PinkTutu website, where I also share news on upcoming ballet performances, special events, and ā oh, this will get you excited! ā even the secret recipe for the most delicious pink champagne punch that will add that special touch to your next ballet party. I may be a bit of a dreamer, a bit of a fashion fanatic, and a touch obsessed with pink tutus, but I believe that spreading the love of ballet, and spreading that pink magic across the universe, is my calling.
Next week? We'll be taking off toā¦ well, that's a surprise for you! Keep checking back, my tutu-loving friends, for a new adventure each week.
Remember: Be bold. Be daring. Wear your tutus with pride, and spread that pink magic everywhere!
Love,
Emma xx
The Best Ballet Experiences Around Planet Earth (My Picks!):
So youāve read about my trip to Covent Garden and you want to get out there and experience some amazing ballet? Or perhaps you are just starting out your own ballet adventure, whatever the reason, here are a few of my very special picks of what to see and do across Planet Earth to embrace that graceful spirit of ballet!
1. Royal Ballet at The Royal Opera House (London, England)Where my journey began, this place is pure magic for any ballerina enthusiast. And let's be honest, everyone should be a ballerina enthusiast, am I right? But in all seriousness, I truly do recommend a visit to the Royal Opera House!
Every performance at The Royal Opera House is simply enchanting. Theyāve even got a really great educational programme with ballet classes and workshops, ideal for inspiring future generations of ballet dancers. Honestly, I'm just a little bit sad that the planet earth has so much cultural heritage, with the most beautiful performance spaces, but the galaxy has barely scratched the surface of bringing all those cultural treasures into the universe! One of my main goals on my mission to wear pink tutus around the galaxy is to encourage these amazing arts venues to hold their shows in space!
Some top picks to catch at the Royal Opera House:Swan Lake - Obviously! I may be biased but the drama, the music, the emotion of this one is incredible!
*Romeo and Juliet - Ballet set to Shakespeareās beautiful poetry? That's my idea of an unforgettable evening! Iām getting my tutu all ready!
*The Nutcracker - I adore a ballet based on a beautiful Christmas story. The choreography for this is dazzling.
Right, so if the Royal Opera House is like the queen of all theatres (a real gem, trust me!), the Bolshoi Theatre is the regal and opulent prince, but with a bit more drama! If you fancy experiencing the grand, glamorous, and breathtaking heart of Russian ballet, then this is your ultimate destination! It is truly one of the most iconic ballet venues in the whole universe! They really embrace tradition at The Bolshoi Theatre, the whole atmosphere is really grand, it truly immerses you in this art form.
Some top picks at the Bolshoi Theatre:*Giselle - A tragic, heartbreaking masterpiece! They always cast a dazzling dancer to play the role of Giselle, they never let you down at the Bolshoi.
*Spartacus - Itās exciting, daring, thrilling! Definitely watch out for this show, but wear sensible shoes for the dancing on the tips of your toes and all those grand jeteĢs. Itās so much fun!
*Don Quixote - Another ballet classic, so it definitely deserves a place on the "Must See" list! Itās funny and engaging with truly breathtaking, dramatic costumes. You can definitely count me in, for this show!
This magnificent theatre is an elegant Italian classic. For the first-timers, seeing a performance here will truly be like a step into the pages of a fairy-tale book.
From the luxurious velvet seats to the elaborate crystal chandeliers, every corner of Teatro alla Scala drips with beauty and charm. It's a sensory treat and definitely a āmust-doā for any tutu lover!
Some top picks at The Scala Theatre:*La BayadĆØre - You really do get immersed in that amazing Eastern-inspired magic with this production.
*The Sleeping Beauty - For those of us who truly love a whimsical story, with a ballet that combines gorgeous costumes with impressive dancing. It's such a great ballet, and a true classic!
*La Traviata - A story of love and tragedy set to the most beautiful, and quite sad, music - be sure to grab your hankie!
Oh Sadlerās Wells, a classic, and just a little more modern! Itās my local haunt, for my Wednesday ballet fix! For more contemporary, experimental productions, head straight to Sadlerās Wells! From a truly international dance programme, to smaller intimate events, they always have something really fascinating to see. I like that they really are embracing different cultures in their programming!
I even saw a modern ballet there a while back where some of the dancers had their own take on the āballet-inspired street wearā - think trainers with a ballet skirt, tutus that were layered and oversized, just an altogether playful approach to the whole outfit! But donāt worry - thereās still that magic that we all love at Sadlerās Wells, just in a new light!
5. The American Ballet Theatre (New York, USA)One of the leading ballet companies in the world, with stunning performances, beautiful dancers, and exciting shows, it really does embody the very best of American ballet. I have seen some incredibly breathtaking shows at this venue! It has its own magical aura that just elevates a typical show, it makes it special and captivating!
It has always had this forward-thinking approach, which I think really comes across in the staging of the shows! And oh, the tutus?! Absolutely glorious! Just incredible! You'll love them, even if I donāt get to try them all on (hint hint, hint!). I have even made plans to see the new version of Swan Lake with the gorgeous new tutus by designer name, who designs beautiful and elaborate tutus, the perfect tutus to wear in my reimagined version!
So there you have it, my ballet top picks around Planet Earth, this list just scratches the surface, really! There is a whole galaxy out there to explore! And Iām getting to explore it all! So watch this space and stay tuned for more from your tutu-loving blogger Emma!
Love,
Emma xx
