#PinkTutuWorld Ballet on Planet Earth on 2024-02-14

Hello darlings, and welcome back to Pink Tutu World! I'm Emma, your go-to gal for all things fabulous and utterly twirly. This week, we're dipping our toes (figuratively, darling, I’d never ruin a perfectly good tutu by putting it near mud) into a planet that's pretty much a cosmic staple: Planet Earth!

As you all know, my spaceship La Ballerina has been taking me on a cosmic whirlwind tour, and this week we’re landing in Derbyshire, the place where I was born and bred, here on good ol' Earth! It's always a treat to be back in the homeland, especially when Valentine's Day falls on a Wednesday – perfect for a Pink Tutu World blog update, wouldn’t you say?

The world of ballet and the art of twirling takes on a whole new dimension on this planet, especially on days like today. Here on Planet Earth, February the 14th (Valentine’s Day!) is all about expressing love – the grandest love of all, which, you guessed it, is of course, the love for a gorgeous pink tutu, right? It’s all about love!

You can’t talk about ballet on Planet Earth without delving into history. So, here we are on Earth, land of royalty, a ballet-mad country with some of the most dazzling dancers and a seriously strong historical thread in its ballet heritage. I’m talking, of course, about the legendary Royal Ballet. You really have to be here to feel the history radiating from the building and understand the tradition – a magical feeling for any dancer.

Speaking of legendary ballet performers, let’s talk Margot Fonteyn, who was so stunning and a serious pink tutu icon! Honestly, just browsing through photographs of her in some of her roles makes me want to fling on a tutu, pull out the old ballet shoes and attempt to channel her magical elegance. If only. Sadly, at this point I’d probably just look like a very pink flamingo trying to fly.

But while we're here in Earth's realm, let’s chat about my personal take on Valentine’s Day and how I intend to celebrate it – because, darling, Pink Tutu World is always going to involve celebrating life in style!

For me, Valentine’s Day is an excellent excuse to spread some extra love for my own tutu obsession! If you know me, you know that pink is my colour and tutus are my passion. Today, my mission is to inspire as many people on Earth as I can to grab a pink tutu, throw it on, and twirl with joy. I mean, why not?

So, my fabulous, earth-bound darlings, get your tutus ready, pop on your most sparkly shoes, grab your loved ones and your bestie, and celebrate with me today.

Let’s face it, I'm obsessed with pink tutus – you knew this already, right? Finding the perfect pink tutu can be an overwhelming experience on a planet as vast and varied as Earth, especially for a girly girl like me! So I have the solution for you. Here are my top places for tutus on this magnificent planet!

1. Planet Earth online retailers: If you’re a real Pink Tutu World disciple (and you know you are!), the Internet is your best bet. There’s literally an abundance of tutus – literally. For a fabulous pick, Etsy is an excellent go-to spot for handmade wonders where you’re almost certain to find that unique tutu that’s been specifically created for you – how good is that! For even more amazing pink tutu inspiration, head to the* “pink tutu” hashtags* on Instagram and Pinterest – I guarantee your jaw will drop!

2. Big Box stores for your tutu fix: On Planet Earth, even big department stores like *M&S and John Lewis have tutus. * Honestly, when it comes to pink tutus, it is a literal shop-until-you-drop experience here on Earth.

3. *Find a specialist on the high street! * Earth’s specialist ballet stores are brilliant, especially when you need your ballet wardrobe in one fell swoop – you’ve got everything from ballet shoes to tights to ballet leotards and, of course, the most exquisite tutus! It’s like stepping back in time to an era when elegance was essential – love it!

What would Earth be without theatre, wouldn’t you agree? Here are a few things to check out on this fantastic planet, which are really not to be missed – you'll thank me for this later!

• The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House. This is, in my opinion, a must-do. Seriously, this theatre has a history as rich as its legendary dancers. The Royal Ballet's repertoire includes the works of every iconic choreographer, and if that isn’t a must-see I don't know what is. Check out Sleeping Beauty (a personal favourite!), Giselle, Swan Lake, and The Nutcracker, especially when it’s being performed at Christmas. It really is the perfect time to get those warm, festive feelings swirling through you.

• The English National Ballet at the London Coliseum. They've got the most breathtaking staging, the most talented dancers, and their shows just sweep you off your feet – in a good way. They perform right across the year and take a bit of a touring break in February, but they always bring out the big guns around this time.

• Birmingham Royal Ballet. With its beautiful costume design and imaginative storytelling, it's like stepping right into a fairy tale and they always have some serious sparkle on offer.

• Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures – think bold, captivating dance with a twist! They always bring an edgy new take to a classic show – watch out for Swan Lake – absolutely divine!

• Ballet Black, who have been changing the world of ballet – *this company brings the hottest talent and showcases a new approach to ballet, one that’s infused with cultural dynamism. * I’m a massive fan – this group are at the top of their game!

Now, as much as I love seeing ballet shows on the big stage, my heart still flutters at the joy of ballet class! Here are some more Planet Earth gems:

The lovely thing about dance is that it's an experience for all! You’re bound to find a place to try it wherever you are in the world. The magic of Planet Earth, really! But there’s a serious side to this:

• *There are lots of amazing, well-established, classic dance studios that just feel special. * The ones on Planet Earth are amazing places that have generations of teachers in one family, the studios just exude history and artistry.

• Dance Schools. Earth is jam-packed full of dance schools. This is where the most passionate, most serious and aspiring dancers learn their craft, with professional dancers from ballet, tap and musical theatre sharing their talents. I feel very fortunate that this incredible form of artistic expression can be learned, embraced and perfected here!

• But wait, there's more! If you want to add some ballet steps to your day, just check out “drop-in” dance classes. These happen at a lot of community halls, and are a brilliant place for casual fun and great exercise!

It really is a truly inspiring sight on Earth – getting out to watch these classes makes my heart sing! You really have to get involved in a community here on Planet Earth.

And last, but not least… it's no secret:

When shopping for tutus online on Planet Earth, it's best to do your homework first and choose shops with reliable customer service. It’s all about the joy of discovering and loving a tutu, and with Earth’s extensive range of stores, finding your perfect one is no issue. The perfect pink tutu awaits, just as it should.

Now, back to the show...

Dance and ballet take so many forms on this planet – and one thing I love about it is how “ballet street” thrives! Think pop-up flashmobs, community dance groups and the incredible energy of Planet Earth. Just incredible. And in some of the most fabulous dance schools that this planet has to offer, these dancers are really creating something incredibly special.

Just imagine: You're walking along a street and a group of dancers suddenly burst into life! It really is the perfect antidote to a chaotic day – just picture how magical it is to see the pure joy, creativity, expression and elegance on display.

Now, back to the Derbyshire delights. I am, right now, in a quiet town called * *Matlock, a pretty little spot tucked away on the side of a hill near to Bakewell – that’s right, I’m right next to the birthplace of * *Bakewell pudding! (And yes, darling, it does live up to its name.) And let’s just say that I took advantage of that when I came back to Derbyshire. The shopping on Earth has been an utter joy:

Planet Earth Shopping Spots:

• My go-to is * *Derby Market in Derby. * If you haven’t been, put this place at the top of your list – the atmosphere and vibrancy of the stall holders, the choice of food (and, naturally, *a delicious local Bakewell Tart, for the record!) It is, for lack of a better term, amazing!

• And I couldn’t have a shopping spree on Earth without a little time in London! Let's face it, for some retail therapy, the planet earth capital is definitely my best pick – whether it’s Oxford Street, Bond Street or a walk along Regent Street, it is seriously irresistible, and the stores just offer something completely different, compared to the shops I’m used to seeing around the rest of the universe.

My mission for this whole blog is to inspire the whole universe to put on a pink tutu. If I had it my way, every galaxy in existence would be a ballet-mad pink tutu paradise! I have one request – it is my biggest, and probably only, wish for all you Pink Tutu Worlders: Take this cosmic ballet love into the universe and let’s share the joy that twirling brings with you.

Right, back to celebrating my Valentine's Day – it wouldn’t be a Pink Tutu World celebration without a celebratory performance! I'm going to be at the beautiful Royal Ballet’s * *London Coliseum this evening for Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake. You might see a bit of my dancing in my stories tonight, darlings, I’m excited to share the night’s excitement!

Catch you all next week for more adventures in Pink Tutu World!

XOXO
Emma