Hello my darlings! Emma here, your resident time travelling, pink tutu wearing, drag historian! It's time to dust off the feather boa, adjust the diamante tiara, and whisk you all away on another fabulous journey through the glittering, glamorous, history of drag! This month, we're jetting off to a chilly 11th November in 1928. Grab your best sequined scarf, because the winds of change are blowing through the world of drag, darling, and we're right in the middle of it!
As always, my travel arrangements are handled by the one and only, my magical, time travelling pink tutu. Just think, it could be yours, with enough dedication to the art of fabulousness! You too, could be whisked off on fabulous journeys through the world of drag, exploring its fascinating and glorious past. But first, let's see what fabulous adventures await in 1928!
Now, 1928 was a big year for our community. Think flapper dresses, jazz music, and roaring 20s vibes, all infused with a touch of scandalous daring. The gender lines were blurring, and drag was playing a part, right at the forefront of cultural change. It was a time of rebellion, where people wanted to express themselves with flamboyance and a sprinkle of mischief.
As I arrived in 1928, I instantly knew I had landed somewhere special! The energy buzzed like a neon sign in a Soho nightclub. I had to wear a pink feather boa for a spot ofcognito - and naturally, it perfectly matched my trusty pink tutu. A cheeky nod to the era, wouldn’t you say, darling? It's so fabulous, you’ll want to be seen wearing it, but in secret – like an underground speakeasy for pink tutu lovers. Now wouldn’t that be a sensation!
I made my way to a small club nestled down a cobbled street in London's West End, buzzing with anticipation for the evening's entertainment. Inside, I was instantly transported to a world of glittering sequins and laughter. Drag queens in vibrant, feather-clad gowns were chatting amongst the patrons, who sipped cocktails and swayed to the live music. The energy crackled in the air like an electric shock, it was absolutely intoxicating!
This is the thing I love most about travelling through time, you see, my lovelies. The opportunity to witness these amazing communities come alive. This particular club felt so full of heart and mischief, you could almost feel the collective breath of this daring community taking shape. Drag wasn't hidden away, it was thriving. There was a genuine sense of camaraderie amongst the drag queens, they supported each other, and they celebrated their artistry and joy in a way that radiated into the audience, it truly felt like a celebration of the self.
It was a world I was absolutely in awe of, and I knew it wouldn’t last. This golden age was fragile, darling, a butterfly fluttering in the whirlwind of social change, ready to transform and adapt, and my intuition told me that. I'm all for a bit of change and evolution in my time travelling, but the sense of freedom and creativity was intoxicating.
Later in the evening, a stunning performer named Stella took to the stage, her face a work of art with theatrical makeup and her eyes filled with charisma. She danced and sang with passion, a captivating blend of feminine grace and a mischievous, boyish charm. You know I was enraptured, my heart was beating in time to the rhythm of the music!
There was another show I discovered later that evening, a real hidden gem, tucked away in a smoky backroom of a theatre. Imagine, darling, imagine an old theatre in a town called Derby, the seat of our beloved Derbyshire where my drag adventures started! The stage was set for something theatrical, a theatrical explosion, dare I say, and my, oh my, the performance did not disappoint. This queen’s act was about a female character who dressed like a man! It was a powerful social commentary with a hefty dose of cheeky fun! It really left me thinking. I remember dancing my way through the cobbled streets on the way home that night, totally lost in the memories and the echoes of the music from those incredible drag shows.
The most magical thing about these performances, however, was not just the talent and the glitter, it was the genuine spirit of community. This sense of belonging, you see, it’s the real secret of drag, my dears. The power to change, to embrace, to celebrate. The message that comes across in those shimmering sequins, the voice that bursts through a fabulous feather boa, is simple yet profound. "I'm proud of who I am, I’m fabulous, and I won’t apologise for being me!"
That night, in my pink tutu and sparkly feathered boa, I realised that the world of drag is constantly changing, yet always remaining the same. It's a vibrant force that reflects and shapes society, with the message of self-expression always at the heart of it.
And you know what, dears? I believe it’s our time to embrace that energy! We can celebrate this past and the present by keeping those fabulous spirits alive, embracing our own individual expressions, and ensuring that the future of drag continues to glitter and dazzle! Let’s wear pink tutus, dance with pride, and take the world by storm! Until next month, remember my dears, stay fabulous, stay brave, and keep on shining.
Don’t forget to head to www.pink-tutu.com to join our community, check out some fabulous new posts and of course, send me your amazing photos, tips, and tales! I simply love seeing your fabulousity! Now go on, let those pink tutus dance! xx
(Please note that information on specific drag performers and events for that period is very limited and often difficult to verify due to the lack of proper documentation. I have taken some creative liberties to fill in some gaps and make the blog more engaging. The essence of drag history remains true.)
