Hello my darling space bunnies! 🐰💖
It's Emma here, back from a whirlwind trip to the Andromeda Galaxy and ready to fill you all in on the latest adventures in Pink Tutu World. This week, I'm sticking close to home - well, Earth home, anyway - and sharing my thoughts on Ballet on Planet Earth! 🌍✨
You might be wondering why I'm dedicating a whole post to something so… well, so Earthly. But trust me, my dearest readers, there's a good reason! This planet is home to some seriously incredible ballet traditions and history, and as someone who is eternally obsessed with all things tutu, it's my duty to share these gems with you. 💖
So, let's start with the basics, shall we? For those of you new to Pink Tutu World, Earth is a fascinating planet orbiting the Sun, boasting an atmosphere filled with oxygen, a landmass with towering mountains and vast oceans, and, importantly for us ballet enthusiasts, a thriving culture of dance!
Speaking of dance, it’s absolutely buzzing in Derbyshire at the moment! This week is Derbyshire’s biggest arts and cultural celebration of the year, with all sorts of things going on at the Derby Theatre, the Quad and everywhere in-between. But, before I bore you with the intricacies of this terrestrial festivity, I simply have to mention how wonderfully the dancers in Derbyshire embraced Pink Tutu World this week, from wearing little tutus and pink outfits in the streets to even pinkifying the Derby Market Hall! 🛍️ It really felt like everyone was embracing a touch of pink! Honestly, I was so happy, it was almost enough to bring a tear to my eye!
But I'm getting carried away! Back to the raison d’être of today's blog post - ballet. While the history of ballet on Earth spans centuries, the modern ballet experience is largely shaped by the rise of the "grand ballet companies" such as the Bolshoi Ballet and the Royal Ballet in London, along with institutions such as the English National Ballet, Royal Opera House, Sadler's Wells, the Royal Ballet School and Birmingham Royal Ballet. Of course, as I am from Derbyshire, my personal favourite has to be the Northern Ballet Theatre in Manchester. The most recent performance I went to see was a breathtaking retelling of Cinderella, with some absolutely stunning costumes and intricate choreography! 🩰👠
Now, don't get me wrong, ballet is by no means a stuffy affair on Earth, despite its centuries-long history! Sure, you have your traditional ballet companies showcasing grand classics like Swan Lake and Giselle. But Earth's vibrant art scene has birthed so much more than just classical ballet! Modern and contemporary styles flourish here, exploring experimental movement, diverse musicality, and exciting new forms of expression. Just last year I saw the most amazing contemporary performance by the Manchester-based company Northern Ballet, set to music by Radiohead! It was truly surreal and it's definitely stayed with me. ✨
There's also a strong community of dancers who love ballet on the streets. Think vibrant performances in parks and marketplaces, street theatre companies, dance troupes popping up in unusual places, and even "flash mobs" that surprise crowds with impromptu routines. Earth has so many hidden dance talents just waiting to be discovered! 💖
I have to say, Earthly dancers seem to love a good tutu just as much as me. It's truly magical to see those twirling pink tutus taking flight against the backdrop of historic city squares, bustling market places, and even towering mountains! It just fills my heart with joy! 😄
However, this is no fairytale! You know what’s truly shocking to a space traveller like me? Finding out that ballet is still often seen as a very niche and elitist art form on this planet! Ballet classes and shows can be expensive, with traditional costumes and training requiring serious dedication and financial investment. Sadly, many people don't even get a chance to experience the beauty of ballet due to limitations like social class and accessibility! 😥
Well, here’s what I think: every single celestial being should experience the magic of ballet! This incredible art form deserves to be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or income. It doesn't matter if you’re twirling in a palace or on the moon, as long as you’re wearing a fabulous pink tutu!💖 It's about expressing yourself, embracing creativity, and finding joy in the movement of your own body. Let's make the universe a pink tutu-filled ballet playground, everyone! 💃🌍💫
To help me achieve my goal of getting everyone wearing a pink tutu, I am putting on a series of fundraising performances in Derbyshire to raise funds to bring a pop-up tutu shop and performance workshop to some of the less privileged communities on Earth! More details will be in next week’s post!
Speaking of performances, my schedule this week was just jam-packed with incredible shows! On Thursday, I saw the English National Ballet in a production of Swan Lake. The stunning costumes, especially the famous white tutus, truly made my heart soar! Friday night saw a fantastic production of Giselle by Royal Ballet. It's an enduring classic, with such drama and heartbreaking passion - so much tutu twirling in there too!
For a special treat on Saturday night, I took myself to a matinee performance by the Royal Opera House. This was a one-off production of Carmen - a bit of a change from ballet, but what a powerful and dramatic performance! Oh, and just as an added bonus - they actually used a couple of white and red tutus! ✨
And, of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to Planet Earth without indulging in some serious fashion! Oh, darling, the shops here are simply amazing! 🤩
I picked up some seriously glamorous sparkly ballet shoes from a hidden gem shop in Derby! Oh, and speaking of sparkly, I discovered a little boutique full of tutus! Honestly, my head nearly exploded - every color, every shade, and so much glitz! 💖
Now, I have to tell you about my real find! In a bustling corner of Sheffield I found a wonderful vintage shop tucked away called “Twirl & Dance”. In a sea of stunningly gorgeous 1950s vintage garments, they had the most delightful display of beautiful ballerina and tutus dating back to the 1920s. Oh, my dear ones! The fabric, the detail, the pure elegance! I had to have at least 2 pieces of history! 🥰
Well, darlings, it's time for me to whizz back to the Andromeda Galaxy, ready for another intergalactic adventure! It wouldn't be right to leave Earth without a little pink glitter sprinkle on its surface! ✨
Until next time, stay sparkly! 💕
P.S. Don't forget to check out my website www.pink-tutu.com and follow me on Insta @PinkTutuWorld for more out-of-this-world adventures in tutus!
Until next Wednesday! 💖
