Hiya darlings! Welcome to my fabulous little corner of the internet, Pink Tutu Time Travel, your go-to spot for all things glittery and historically fabulous! This is your girl, Emma, your resident time-travelling tutu-clad ballerina queen, and, honestly, this month's trip has been a real corker!
So buckle up your sashes, darlings, 'cause we're heading back to the roaring twenties, to a day that changed drag forever: January 1st, 1920!
Time Travel Tips
First things first, gotta get this time travelling tutu tip top, yeah? So, before jetting off to the 1920s, it's gotta be sparkling, darling! Nothing says 'I'm a queen' quite like a bit of shimmer, and what better way to blend into the flapper scene than with a tutu made of shimmering sequins? Let's just say, I'm not going to be blending in. I'm going to be the life of the party - a total bombshell!
Oh, and before we embark on this fabulously-fashioned escapade, I always do my research. This time, it's all about understanding what the drag scene was like in 1920. Thankfully, my favourite historical drag guru, Auntie Violet, shared her wisdom with me. (Love you, Auntie V!)
1920: The Rise of the "Fancy Dress" Queen
Apparently, the word "drag" was still pretty new on the scene. You see, at this time, drag was more like fancy dress – think more cabaret performers and fewer full-time drag icons. However, let me tell ya, the women's rights movement had certainly kick-started the trend of challenging gender roles! So, 1920s drag queens weren't just about fancy dresses and frills; they were about using these artistic outlets to celebrate womanhood and femininity. Now, who's ready for some history, hunnies?!
New York City - The City that Never Sleeps (Except for Prohibition)
New York, honey, is a drag queen's playground, any century! And in the roaring twenties, it was absolutely buzzing. Imagine the glam, darling! We're talking smoky cabarets, secret speakeasies, and oh, the fashion! The Charleston, darling, was the dance of the century! I have a feeling a little pink tutu wouldn't go amiss at any of these parties.
Imagine, darling, the energy in those speakeasies: * Cigarette smoke swirling through the air like a stage curtain * Men in suits, looking dapper, chatting it up with elegant ladies (some who might be drag queens) * * *Musicians jazzing up the atmosphere – the beat is simply hypnotic!
Oh, and honey, did I mention Prohibition? That was the biggest drag queen's secret in town! Well, not really a secret, just a very well-known fact. So, how did drag queens fit into that picture, you ask? Well, it gave rise to secret parties, a kind of "you gotta know somebody" thing! They had their hidden spots where drag queens performed under the moonlight and, darling, there wasn't a spotlight to be found! So, a little pink tutu shining under the moon might be the perfect way to turn heads.
Across the Pond: Drag Takes on London
We're jetting off across the Atlantic! Let's take a peek at London. Remember, darling, drag performances weren't always just at theatrical venues; street performance was huge! Imagine these glamorous performers, in fabulous outfits and a whole lot of glitz and glamour, strutting their stuff down the cobbled streets of London, performing for the crowds – the ultimate showstopper! Oh, and just picture those incredible hats and headpieces - we’re talking total head-turning, showstopping fashion, darling. Now imagine if there was a bit of pink tutu sprinkled amongst all the sequins and glamour!
Remember that iconic moment, London's biggest street performer, *The Amazing Vera, with that daring sparkly bob and that oh-so-sultry, full-blown red lip! (Let’s be honest, dear, it was hard not to fall in love with those daring moves).
Now, dear readers, I gotta tell you a secret, drag queens, or as they called themselves back then, female impersonators, were finding a place on the big screen! '* A Doll's House *(1919)' is an amazing example. Darling, just picture these glamorous drag queens gracing the big screen, entertaining audiences with their performances.
And Let's Talk Paris, The City of Lights
Hold onto your hats, darlings! Paris, a drag queen’s haven, with its* Parisian* glamour, has its share of surprises too! Just picture the flamboyant Parisian cabarets and the grande dame performers taking center stage - all decked out in exquisite feathers, sequins and, of course, some of the most magnificent dresses ever conceived! It's a drag queen’s paradise.
I can see those drag queens (who had a taste for daring looks, honey) in all their finery and sparkle – you’re thinking, 'How could a tutu possibly blend into such a vibrant scene?’ Let me tell you, it’s like magic. They always knew how to capture the attention of a crowd, darling. The tutu, in that Parisian theatre scene – Imagine those long feathers swishing and shimmering in that soft, warm pink light.
Paris in 1920s: A Hub for the Avant-Garde
This era, darling, is full of surprises, It’s so much more than meets the eye! It wasn't just about the dancing and the drinking, darlings; there was a lot going on! Paris in 1920 was really pushing boundaries when it came to arts, and I reckon those brave souls pushing the limits in the drag world were playing their part in changing the landscape, darling! Now that's a story worth telling.
Making It Rain - My Fundraising
And don't think my time travel isn't coming at a price, honey! To keep this tutu time travelling, I've got to keep the coin rolling and make sure that glittery sparkle is always shining bright! What's a girl to do? Well, darlings, it's show time! I've been putting my all into my performances, and luckily the crowds have been loving the pink tutu style, darlings. They're queuing up at my local theatre! So, between performances and online tips (yes, darling, there’s a "tip jar" on my Pink Tutu site - cough, cough - wink, wink!), it’s time to keep that pink tutu shimmer.
Join the Pink Tutu Revolution, Darlings
So, what's my mission, darling? To spread the pink tutu love around the world! Imagine a world where everybody's got a pink tutu, from London to New York to Paris. That’s a real dream! I’ve got my tutu time travel plans set for the future!
For now, I gotta get back to my 21st century, honey. Gotta keep those shows going. So, join me, won’t you, darling?
Leave a comment, join the Pink Tutu Club on my site (www.pink-tutu.com), or send me a message. It’s a big ol’ sparkly world out there – let’s paint it pink together!
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That's all, darling. Stay fab!
Emma x
