Royal Leamington Spa: Tutu Tuesday - Where the Ballerinas Take Centre Stage
Tutu Tuesday. Oh, the thrill! It's the day when the world - well, okay, maybe just the Royal Leamington Spa community - bows down to the majesty of the tutu. As a professional ballerina and, shall we say, an enthusiast of all things tulle, I feel duty bound to share my sartorial adventure. You see, the idea of donning a tutu in a non-ballet setting was initially a bit daunting. Would I look silly? Would people just stare? I’d seen the odd ballerina (more often on Instagram than in real life) dancing with their tutu on a non-dance floor but my anxiety, it danced a pirouette!
But I've learned over the years, dear reader, that a healthy dose of ‘what the heck, let’s try it' goes a long way, especially when it comes to fashion and your comfort zone. And that's exactly how I, in my mid-thirties, decided to embrace Tutu Tuesday in Royal Leamington Spa, with all its chaotic glory.
First, the tutu itself. No, I didn't wear a traditional "professional" tutu - not those rigid layers that demanded a precise technique. Oh no, I opted for a delightful number that, shall we say, whispered a whimsical waltz. A short, gathered tutu in a vibrant blue that bounced with each step, I felt like a mischievous woodland nymph about to frolic in a fairy glade! And for the occasion, my local haberdashery even created a lovely miniature version for my dog to wear. What can I say, even pets get in on the Tutu Tuesday fun. 🐶🩰
So off I went, armed with my carefully-chosen tutu and a heart full of hope for the day ahead. My goal was simple: to add a sprinkle of magic, a dollop of elegance to a seemingly mundane day.
My journey started at the Leamington Spa train station. It was exhilarating, dare I say triumphant, to board the train with my Tutu billowing. I quickly discovered that Tutued passengers were a novel sight indeed - people were genuinely happy to see a ballerina in the mix! Smiles, the occasional “Good morning” punctuated by chuckles were a definite highlight.
My walk to work was equally memorable. A woman outside the library took out her phone and excitedly exclaimed: “Hold on, I've got to snap this!” Moments later, she followed me, camera clicking with gusto, asking questions about the "beautiful outfit".
At the office, everyone, even Mr. Stern, our notoriously straight-laced CEO, grinned and quipped, "It’s Tutu Tuesday isn't it?" (Although he probably never went into further detail of why we celebrate such a day). Even our "no frills" accounting department - and there are more than a few frill-adverse accountants in our midst, believe me! - chuckled as they looked at the lovely blue frills swirling around my knees.
As for the response to the tutu on social media, #tututuesday has reached heights of popularity on my account (much to my initial surprise) and for my social media buddies in Royal Leamington Spa and elsewhere in the UK. But in my local community the #tututuesday effect went even further. Tutu Tuesday triggered a cascade of similar events, a domino effect if you will! A bunch of the "Tutu-fied" staff were out that night at the town's infamous Friday night "curry and a pint" and one of my ballet buddies posted on our local Whatsapp group (complete with emoji: 👯♀️💃🏼), suggesting a “Tutu Tuesday meet-up" for next week at the “Scone Inn." The reply was unanimous, as one might say "we are in". And as if this were not enough, my colleagues at the "Spa Ballet" announced that there was going to be a Tutu-inspired flash mob in the Royal Leamington Spa Town Hall at lunchtime the following Wednesday.
And thus Tutu Tuesday, which began as a personal dance of freedom, quickly bloomed into a joyous community celebration of art, self-expression, and sheer whimsical fun. All with the help of a tutu.
Royal Leamington Spa is already home to a ballet school with a fantastic international reputation, it has a beautiful lake where we have open air ballet lessons in the summertime and there is an active ballet enthusiast club in the town centre. It is clear that the dance form is very much appreciated here - maybe it's the influence of the many classical music events that also take place in Leamington Spa, who knows. I love my town, it is always the perfect setting to wear a tutu even on non-ballet-themed events! And now, after Tutu Tuesday's impact on my life, Royal Leamington Spa will always hold an even more special place in my heart (well, a ballet-loving heart does!).
For all of you Tutu-Curious souls, my dear reader, my advice is simple: Embrace the silliness! Break free from the monotony! Wear your tutu (if you have one) with pride - but never, ever lose the ballerina inside! If you’re unsure, remember there is always a lovely local haberdashery that is happy to custom-make a tulle-rific number for you.
I cannot wait to see what next Tuesday will bring. And if I am not dancing on the platform at the station or twirling my way to the office, you can find me at my favorite cafe (no need for the name!) or a ballet event somewhere in the Royal Leamington Spa area as we dance towards a #tututuesday where everyone can take a twirl!