Hello, my darling dancers! It's Wednesday, the day we all eagerly await, the day the celestial dust settles and we can finally tutu about all the fun happenings in our cosmic corner of the universe! This week, it's the 14th of June, and it’s time for me, your favourite pink tutu-wearing space traveller, to dish the dirt on all the fab discoveries I've made while twirling amongst the stars.
Firstly, I have to confess, this whole spacefaring thing is definitely giving me an inferiority complex, you see! This week, we’ve been visiting this heavenly body called “Earth” and boy oh boy, is it glamorous! We landed at the coolest airport EVER in a place called "London."
Now, you know me, always seeking the perfect blend of tutus and history. As luck would have it, it’s the bicentenary of the opening of the London Bridge and guess who just had to check it out? Yep, this gal in her pinkest tutu, of course! As I twirled across the Bridge (stopping briefly to admire the iconic double-decker buses!), I had a total déjà vu moment! The majestic bridge and the roaring traffic made me feel like I was stepping straight out of a Victorian fairytale - just without the cobbled streets!
After taking in the grand architecture, I dashed over to "The Barbican," another gem of a London theatre! Oh my stars, you guys! You've GOT to see this place! Not only is it stunning in its design and full of cool nooks for my inner ballerina to twirl in, it's also a theatre that's a total force in the contemporary ballet scene. They even have the “London Symphony Orchestra!” They're known for their exquisite ballet performance collaborations and this month, they have a special “Shostakovich” program. To quote their promo "They combine dance, music, and visual art in exciting and innovative ways to challenge audiences." Now, that's the type of challenging that gets me reaching for my pointe shoes, am I right?!
Let’s face it, shopping for shoes is an important part of any dancer’s routine. Now, I don't usually travel without a slew of my very own ballet slippers, but here on Earth, well, their ballet footwear just has a different magic about it! I’ve always been a huge fan of "Barrie Kerr Ballet Shoes" which, fun fact, was started right here in Derbyshire. You can imagine the utter glee that filled my tiny ballet heart when I was able to pay a visit to their incredible shop on Planet Earth. It’s one of those shops that you spend an eternity in!
Speaking of shopping, oh my gosh, do you remember when I told you that “Harrods” was one of the biggest department stores ever on the planet? Yeah, it's like a galaxy of glamorous stores all wrapped up in one beautiful, historical building! It has an unbelievable history dating back to the 19th century and guess what - they've got a fantastic ballet section! My mission for this visit is clear - to get all the pink tutus and the glitziest pointe shoes they have!
To keep those space miles rolling and that tutu spinning, I’ve been performing for all my dear Earthers. In between tutuing around those incredible landmarks, I’ve managed to squeeze in some very special gigs! Last week, I had an enchanting evening at The Globe theatre, you know the one, the Shakespeare one, but this one's been faithfully recreated. I even had the pleasure of seeing their phenomenal performance of “The Winter's Tale.” It’s got a bit of everything: a king, a queen, some hilarious characters (oh the sheep-shearing!), and a dash of heartbreak. Trust me, my lovelies, it’s worth travelling to Earth just for this theatre experience. I even gave the cast a sneak peek of some new moves! I hear they’re planning to work it into next season's “Taming of the Shrew” performance! How amazing is that?!
After that, I took to the streets, well, the “ballet street”, as it's fondly called here, in Covent Garden! Oh, I've been waiting a lifetime to see this historic location! As the sun dipped, it's transformed into a truly enchanting, festive street brimming with live musicians, street performers, and, yes, dancers, just as I'd always pictured! They actually have street performers called "Buskers." Can you believe it, just popping up and performing amazing songs. I think we should adopt them! We have something similar but no one sings! Oh, to see the whole Universe doing these magical street performances in a big tutus, the sheer, joyous brilliance would truly be amazing!
Now, one thing that truly surprised me was how obsessed everyone is with ballet history! Did you know Earth’s had a national ballet organization since 1898? Their history, much like mine, spans centuries! It's truly inspirational to know the global love for dance has spanned all of those years. I even popped over to the "National Ballet School," in London to catch a glimpse of their inspiring practice sessions, to see future generations of dancers getting ready for the ballet stage. I must admit, they all need some of my trademark pink tutus! Oh, I bet it would look fabulous on their dancers! I can’t wait for their annual performance later this month in "Sadler's Wells Theatre"!
But what really got me excited about my time on Earth? The incredible ballet school they have here! This amazing "Royal Ballet School," the very first, very original, and still going strong! The school's dedication to ballet is astounding! I even got a glimpse of a rehearsal of the Royal Ballet's upcoming "Romeo and Juliet" production, an experience which made me swoon! There was passion, elegance, and a fierce, genuine love for ballet everywhere I turned! The fact that they teach and train their students from a young age makes me giddy with hope for the future of dance across the galaxy! It's truly an inspiration!
Oh my heavens, do I have an amazing story for you! You will NOT believe this… on Friday, I attended a gala in London and I met this famous “Lady," who's incredibly popular on Planet Earth, and to top it all off, she wore a PINK TŪTŪ! Let’s just say I’ve left an indelible mark on her fashion wardrobe. That’s the thing about tutus, darling - it doesn’t matter your age, where you’re from, your profession or your social status, everyone, absolutely everyone can feel beautiful and graceful in a tutu. That's what makes tutus magical, wouldn't you agree?
And as the final twinkle of the night descends on Planet Earth, I must bid you farewell, my loves! With the most wonderful and unforgettable memories, and a new appreciation for Earth and its culture, I’m returning to the spaceship. Who knows where the twinkling starlight will lead me next. But one thing’s for certain – wherever my cosmic tutu travels next, I'll always keep you, my darling space travellers, in the loop!
Until next Wednesday, may your tutu dreams be full of glitter, and your steps be light and bright!
Lots of cosmic love and happy pirouettes,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
