Dancing Shoes.

It's like this, ya see: my inner child is a full-on ballerina. We've already discussed the tutu she wears (remember this behind-the-seams info on the Royal Ballet's tutus?) but we left out the part that made the dancers at my alma mater, Sharon's Studio of Dance, so darn magical. It's those toe shoes! The pointe slippers that gave the leggy creatures I was in awe of the ability to dance on their tippy toes. Witness them in action:



The practical means of how this happened were of no interest to my wee mind at the time, it was too filled with wonderment while I watched the older dance students do their routines from the wings of the recital stage. To me, dancing en pointe was simply a process of magic. Now, I'm more interested in how they are really made. Thank god for the internet! Here's a very satisfying clip from the always fascinating show How It's Made.



Now, go watch that clip about how they make cheese. You'll be strangely intrigued and slightly grossed out. It will not disappoint!

Tutu Good.

I told you I would find an expose on the tutu! I love peeking behind the scenes at storied institutions that consistently amaze with their productions of lovely, wonderful things. The Royal Opera House Ballet of London offers up a great discussion of the tutu by the dancers who wear them, and the costumers who construct them.



I love the stacks of tutus at about the 1 minute mark. And, who knew tutus could be treacherous, resulting in tutu face burn? I didn't think it was possible for me to have more respect for dancers, but I now do. And for tutus.