Hello darlings! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood time-travelling ballerina extraordinaire. It's been a whole month since I last zipped through the timeline in my fabulous pink tutu - are you ready for another escapade? This month, we're travelling back to 5th May 1923. Let's crank up the flapper tunes and dive into a day filled with glittering glamour and theatrical brilliance!
Post #41
I know, I know, you're thinking "1923, Emma? What's the big deal?". Trust me, pet, the roaring twenties were full of drag deliciousness - and the stage was about to erupt in some real theatrical fabulousness! We're talking bold, playful, and flamboyant - think Charleston dances and daring costumes. Oh, how I love the twenties! It's the era that birthed my absolute fave, the glorious, the grand, the one and only Josephine Baker! Imagine it, darling, a sassy young lady with a dazzling smile and even more dazzling costumes captivating the Parisian audience with her daring dances. It was Josephine who literally shimmied her way into my heart!
Speaking of shimmy, if you're ever feeling lost in a rut, remember the dazzling Josephine and those sassy moves - they can totally change your outlook! Remember, babes, you can be as sassy as you want! Just put on that pink tutu, let the flapper music play and move your body! The world will simply have to marvel at your sass!
*A Day in the World of Drag: *
Now, let's have a look what's happening on the drag scene in 1923. Back then, drag was often part of vaudeville - a sort of theatrical smorgasbord. They had comedians, singers, dancers - you name it, they had it! Think of it like a very early, rather racy, pantomime! Drag was about entertainment, of course, but also a cheeky wink at social norms. It was playful, it was exciting, and oh, so darn cheeky!
This particular day in history was brimming with all sorts of theatrics. You had singers like the infamous 'Dame Nellie Melba' who ruled the opera stage - oh, the drama and the grandeur! And then you had your variety shows, which were absolutely buzzing! I can just imagine the cheeky wink from the audience to the cross-dressing performer, that electric charge of the unexpected, the roar of laughter, and the sheer delight. And all of it happening under the glamorous spotlight!
*It's not all glitter and feather boas, darling! *
However, this was an era when the idea of "drag" itself wasn't widely accepted. Think about it, drag was all about challenging social norms, breaking those stiff rules of "respectability". Remember those daring women in the 20s? We owe it to these daring ladies who challenged social norms and helped change the conversation.
That doesn't mean life was always easy for our drag ancestors. There were limitations, judgments, and a constant need to navigate tricky societal expectations. But like all pioneers of drag, they sashayed their way through it all, creating art, finding their tribe, and bringing joy into the world!
But oh, darling, did those drag performances sparkle!
Just think of those sequins, the feathers, the beautiful boas, those flamboyant hats! Now those were true sartorial delights! I remember when I first visited 1923. You know what was amazing, darlings? The audacity! These ladies weren't afraid to push boundaries with fashion. Those beautiful dresses, the daringly short hemlines! Now, that's a fashion revolution for you! They had me wanting to sashay straight out of that pink tutu!
How does a gal from Derbyshire fund her time travel adventures?
But darling, it takes quite a few shimmering pennies to keep my pink tutu time-travelling adventures in motion! It's no easy feat, hopping through centuries in a flash of fuchsia! Luckily, being a Derbyshire gal with a passion for performance helps! It was a long time ago, but even way back then, Derby was brimming with theatres and variety halls. I mean, it's a long journey from Derby, UK to all these exciting places!
And of course, darling, what do I do to pay the bills? You've got it, darlings! I hit the stage - with a pinch of magic and a whole lot of glitter. The money earned from performances allows me to dance through time in this amazing, sparkly pink tutu. Now you understand why I spend my days hunting down the best glitter and feathers!
Emma's Fab Five - What makes 5th May, 1923 extra special:
Here are my fab five reasons why you should love the magic of 5th May, 1923!
* Josephine Baker:* The world of entertainment wouldn't be the same without this magnificent performer. Her uniqueness, daring costumes, and bold moves literally made a splash - from Parisian stages to Hollywood studios! Her iconic legacy reminds us to never let the glitter dim and embrace the magic of the world.
Flappers!: You know you adore that look! The shorter dresses, the bolder colors, the playful energy - this was a glorious fashion movement that shook up societal norms. It was a time when ladies dared to wear their fun on their sleeves (and everywhere else!), so to speak! I'm always channeling some of the sassy spirit of the flappers in my performances - think pink, darlings!
The rise of Vaudeville! If you haven't checked out vintage vaudeville performances, it's time! Think about it, this was a time when the stage was overflowing with musical variety, funny comedians, acrobats, and even some very cheeky drag queens. All gathered together for an extravaganza of theatrical delight! The glamour! Oh, darling, just think about it!
A whole lot of creativity: It was a time of innovation, and not just on the stage. In a world brimming with change, art, music, and theatre were all bursting with imagination. This reminds us that you can be whoever you want and explore all your talents with boldness and creativity!
*The sheer audacious joy of performance: * Whether it was the singer belting out a soulful tune, the comedian cracking a cheeky joke, or the drag artist stealing the show with a cheeky dance, 1923 was a time to celebrate the joy of performance! Now that's the true heart of what we do in the drag world. So put on your pink tutu and dance with joyful abandon!
*Emma's Top Tip! *
Go ahead and embrace those flapper fashion trends! The next time you need to step out in style, take a tip from the fabulous ladies of the 1920s - go for a bold red lip, some statement jewelry, and don't be afraid to go with a dash of extra sparkle. Oh, and don't forget that feather boa, darlings! That's an essential for any flapper wannabe!
*Next Time in Pink Tutu Travels... *
Stay tuned, darlings! Next month, we'll be time-travelling to another incredible date in drag history! Don't forget to keep those sparkly tutus dusted off.
Until then, darlings, be your best fabulous selves, and remember - let the music play and let's shimmy with a whole lot of pink and a touch of mischief!
💖XOXO, Emma 💖
