Post #10679
Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your favourite Derbyshire ballerina with a passion for pink tutus and all things sparkly.
Today's blog is a little bit special because, well, it involves a very special tutu.
Picture this: a magnificent, cascading, full-length tulle masterpiece, the kind that makes you feel like a princess ballerina. It’s hot pink, naturally, with shimmering silver thread running through the fabric. Oh, and it has feathers! Not just any feathers, mind you, but ostrich feathers. The kind that swoosh and swirl when you twirl, making you feel like a magical creature. This beauty was custom-made by the lovely Tilly at ‘Twirling Toes' in London and I just had to wear it for my adventure in Waterlooville.
Now, Waterlooville might not be the first place that pops into your head for a ballet adventure, but it actually has a charming hidden gem – The Waterlooville Arts Centre. They're known for their eclectic mix of performance styles, from opera to jazz, and recently started hosting some lovely ballet workshops. And guess what? I'm teaching a ballet street class there!
But before I jumped into my teaching shoes (and tutu, obviously!), I decided to explore Waterlooville. And wouldn’t you know it, a charming little train station greeted me! I have a weakness for trains; something about them evokes the essence of wanderlust, adventure, and graceful movement (much like ballet itself!).
Of course, the journey was enhanced by my fluffy, pink train-riding outfit. A soft pink cashmere cardigan with sparkly silver buttons, matching pink jeans, and my feather-tutu, of course, was a sight to behold! Even the conductor looked a little mesmerized, with a shy grin as he punched my ticket. I told him, “There’s no time for frowns in a pink tutu world!” He laughed and said, “Right you are, miss!”
Upon arriving in Waterlooville, I decided to make a grand entrance by taking a horse-drawn carriage to the Arts Centre. The driver, a kind, older man named Bert, said, "Never seen such a tutu in my life!" "There's always a first time for everything, Bert!" I declared, flashing my most radiant smile.
Bert led me through the charming town streets. I couldn’t resist waving my tutu, catching the sunlight just so. People were smiling, taking pictures, and children were pointing in delight. My mission was to bring a bit of ballet joy to Waterlooville and it seemed like I was off to a wonderful start!
My ballet street workshop was a resounding success. I had a group of amazing ladies of all ages, shapes, and sizes ready to twirl. Some had never tried ballet before and some were seasoned dancers – a perfect mix! We had fun learning some ballet basics like arabesques, relevés, and grand jetés (though not all with the elegance of my grand tutu!) We even worked on a playful, synchronized choreography to a Taylor Swift song.
Let me tell you, a pink tutu does wonders for confidence! Every time I watched a new dancer twirling in the beautiful hall, it warmed my heart. Ballet truly is about joy, expression, and embracing your unique beauty.
Later that evening, after the workshop, I felt a pang of wildlife craving. Waterlooville happens to have a very special wildlife sanctuary, nestled between rolling green fields, called the “Waterlooville Wild Park”. I couldn’t miss the opportunity to explore it in my gorgeous tutu, you see. Imagine this: pink tulle cascading over me, wildflowers brushing my legs, and the graceful flight of swans against the backdrop of the sunset sky. Magical!
It’s no surprise that Waterlooville captured a bit of my heart. From its quaint charm and delightful people to its embrace of art and the wonder of wildlife, I truly felt a sense of connection to this unassuming little town.
My time there was brief, but filled with those delightful pink tutu memories. I know my message, “Try Ballet!” and "Let's all wear pink tutus!", continues to echo in the hearts of the Waterlooville dancers and their vibrant community. I hope to return soon, to twirl, teach, and spread a little bit of pink tutu joy!
Remember, you can follow my adventures on www.pink-tutu.com! I’m posting every day and can’t wait to share more pink-filled stories with you! 💖🩰
Lots of love and pirouettes,
Emma xx
