Welcome, my darlings! Emma here, your resident time-travelling pink tutu enthusiast! As usual, it's time for another juicy instalment of Pink Tutu Time Travel, a monthly adventure where I swap my modern-day sequins for history's most fabulous costumes.
This month, we're taking a twirl through the mists of time and landing smack-bang in September 1922! My trusty, time-travelling pink tutu shimmered with excitement as I landed on a street corner, the air thick with the scent of freshly baked bread and horse-drawn carriages. A veritable vintage spectacle, and let me tell you, this girl was ready to feast!
Oh! Did I mention it's blog post number 33, dears? We're officially in the double digits! And what better way to celebrate than to delve into the bustling world of drag 100 years ago. I must say, even with all the time-travel shenanigans, it’s not often I encounter a drag history date with such juicy content!
The Drag Scene Back in '22
Now, the term "drag" wasn’t really in the vernacular back then. But did the queer community embrace theatrical artistry, dressing up and fabulous performances? Oh, my darlings, you better believe it!
1. Vaudeville & Burlesque - Where the Real Queens Shined
Vaudeville and Burlesque shows were THE hot tickets of the era, a sizzling cauldron of comedy, music, dance, and – dare I say it – drag! The audiences were wild for the camp performances, often featuring daring, glamorous acts with fabulous costumes, daring makeup, and high-kicking routines that made even me feel a bit faint.
Imagine! Think of those incredible leggy dancers, clad in shimmering beaded gowns and towering feathered headdresses, each movement a testament to artistic expression and confidence. These are the true Drag pioneers! They weren't afraid to embrace their fabulousness, challenge societal norms, and make a splash with their performances!
2. The Dawn of the Drag Ball
Although balls weren't the spectacle they are today, a more hush hush kind of thing in this era, there were gatherings held in private that pre-dated the Harlem Renaissance ball scene. The Masked Balls as they were known, offered the LGBTQ+ community a space to dress up and express themselves. Think lavish costumes, playful disguises and perhaps a bit of mischief thrown in for good measure.
3. Behind the Curtain: A World of Hidden Identities
While drag was not as mainstream, it wasn't unheard of for entertainers to make a fabulous living by assuming female personas on stage. A little whisper in the wings of vaudeville and burlesque venues suggested a more "masculine" gentleman might be behind the glitter, the lipstick, and the sequined gown. The world of entertainment wasn't necessarily open and accepting but these performers were trailblazers in their own right!
Pink Tutu Time Travel in Action
I couldn’t resist sneaking a peek into a back stage dressing room at a local Burlesque show! Let's just say it wasn’t nearly as glamorous as it was onstage. My modern-day make-up and perfume stood out in contrast to the somewhat less theatrical style, a blend of greasepaint, powder and heavy eyeliner – which honestly reminded me of a pantomime from my youth! But my pink tutu got some real head-turns, trust me!
After the show, I managed to catch a few of the dancers, or, as they'd have called them, "female impersonators". It was so enlightening to chat to them, listen to their stories about performing for "The Great British Public", and hear about the life on the road.
They confided that the costumes and the drag style reflected a more understated take on women's fashion from back in the day. But even in 1922, there was a strong focus on style and beauty, a trend that carries through today, right into our fabulous, modern drag community!
Looking Back, Looking Ahead
While the world of drag has come a long way from those 1922 Vaudeville stages, it's thrilling to witness these historical roots. The passion for artistry, the thrill of the stage, and the courage to be authentic haven't changed a bit! Those brave souls paving the way inspired the generations to follow, a legacy that still influences the drag queens we see today.
This month's time travel brought a newfound appreciation for the glitz and glam of history, a powerful reminder of the transformative power of drag, a constant throughout time. I think it’s time we make 1922 drag a bit more mainstream! I mean, imagine the incredible feather boas and the glamourous showstopper numbers - just perfect for a modern stage show, right?!
The World of Drag: Today & Tomorrow
Even a time-travelling pink tutu blogger has to catch up with what's hot today, my darlings. The world of drag has really evolved since those historical whispers!
The global stage now pulsates with the power and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s about authenticity, pushing boundaries, and creating spaces of joy and acceptance through amazing talents and dazzling performance.
From iconic shows like RuPaul's Drag Race to thriving underground drag communities, the landscape is incredibly exciting. Every single day, I'm captivated by the new trends, fashion, artistry and creativity of this community! And don’t even get me started on the phenomenal lip sync battles and those legendary makeup transformations!
But I Can’t Forget About Pink TutUs…
While the stage is ever-evolving, I still hold onto my dreams of making the world pink tutu obsessed! You’ve got to embrace the iconic and whimsical! What could be more spectacular than seeing every drag queen on the planet strutting their stuff in pink tutus? Imagine a worldwide drag performance with millions of pink tutus twirling, sparkling, and leaving a trail of sheer joy in their wake!
And with my time travel capabilities, I can dream even bigger. Picture it - I imagine an annual time-traveling pink tutu party where everyone, drag queens, historians, and everyday fashion enthusiasts from every era can come together, dance and celebrate the extraordinary, joyous history of the pink tutu!
My dear friends, thank you for joining me on this time-traveling pink tutu journey! Keep an eye on www.pink-tutu.com for my next time travel adventures, as I continue to unravel the glorious history of drag! Don't forget to get your twirls on, and never hesitate to embrace your own fabulous inner sparkle.
Stay fabulous,
Emma
XOXO
(Emma will fund her time-traveling adventures via her own exciting, fabulous, and entirely original drag shows in Derbyshire! Tickets will be available through her website, with special discounted offers for those who embrace the Pink Tutu.)
