Hello, darlings! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu wearing, time-traveling drag queen extraordinaire. This month, my fabulous fuchsia-fabric flight takes me back to a time when the Roaring Twenties were truly roaring! Buckle your feather boas, sugarplums, because we’re travelling to 7th July 1929 – the day history gets glittery, hun!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many fringe-trimmed flapper dresses in my life! Stepping out of my time-traveling tutu, I find myself in a bustling New York City street scene. The energy is electric, the air thick with jazz, and every woman seems to have a penchant for dancing and glitz. Even the sidewalks are lined with brightly colored, geometric patterns! Oh, the fun!
Now, you all know my love for a good drag show, and luckily, my time-traveling tutu landed me right outside the “Palace Theatre” in Times Square. Can you imagine? A Palace for Drag?! It wasn’t a true drag venue – in the late 1920s, those kinds of spaces were mostly in the underground, kept under wraps, or masquerading as burlesque – but it was absolutely PACKED!
Now, the shows back then weren’t quite as we know them today. No lip-synching, no choreographed routines, but a LOT of charisma! Picture this: sassy female impersonators doing stand-up comedy, belting out Vaudeville classics in high-pitched voices, and generally captivating the crowd with their wit and sass. You betcha your feather boa, I squeezed right into a seat and was swept away by the vibrant, larger-than-life energy of it all.
Imagine, darlings, an age where drag queens could use their voice and presence to truly make people laugh! Even in an era where LGBTQ+ folks faced more discrimination than they do now, there was an element of daring defiance in every performance. These queens were living out loud and showcasing their talent – even if they were performing for audiences that might be uncomfortable with them.
While we were reveling in the flamboyant entertainment at the Palace Theatre, there was a whole other world of drag brewing right across the city. If you'd found yourself in Harlem that night, you’d have stumbled upon "The Cotton Club." This hot spot attracted African American audiences and performers, many of whom dabbled in the art of drag. Remember, dear readers, drag is not limited by time or location! Even in the 1920s, black and brown drag performers were carving out a space for themselves, and inspiring those around them with their artistic talent.
Back in England, while my heart was dancing at the “Palace Theatre”, there was an incredible drag performer stealing the limelight. Meet Miss Lily, the original “Dame" of the stage! The darling, known for her larger-than-life persona, captivating routines, and ability to command an audience, would perform her legendary shows at The Hippodrome, London, in its "Musical Follies” production.
Of course, as you all know, I simply couldn't travel without some shopping. A peek into vintage shops in 1929’s NYC revealed dazzling hats and dresses adorned with tassels, fringes, and feathers! Now, I won't deny that there's something fabulous about modern-day drag, but there was a certain timeless chic in the way these women dressed, in the way they used fabric to embrace the freedom of movement and flaunt their style. Oh, to have lived in an era of such captivating couture! I practically screamed with joy as I discovered some beautiful 1920’s evening gowns with feathers. That fabulous fringe is just the thing I needed to complete my new tutu!
My time-traveling tutu is calling me back, but oh my darlings, the experience was everything and more! It reminds me that drag isn't just about makeup and hair – it’s about an unshakeable spirit of self-expression, pushing boundaries, and defying expectations. It’s about having a bit of fun and taking up space in the world! And maybe, just maybe, even the 1920s world would be more dazzling with everyone wearing pink tutus!
Catch you next time, darlings. Remember, it’s never too late to sparkle and shine in your very own fabulous outfit. After all, when in doubt, just say, "Toodle-oo!”
