Darlings! Itâs your favourite Derbyshire darling Emma, back with another whirlwind trip through the fascinating fabric of time! This month, my trusty pink tutu whisked me off to August 1929 - a time of flapper dresses, Charleston dancing, and a certain economic downturn⌠but more on that later. đ
You see, darlings, it wasnât just the roar of the roaring twenties, but the rumble of discontent that pulled me to this era! It's a period ripe with cultural transformation, artistic rebellion, and of course, the fascinating origins of drag! I mean, could you imagine how much fun it would have been to watch Josephine Baker do her thing? The glitz, the glam, the daring moves! Pure, unadulterated sass and spectacle!
Now, let me tell you about the fabulous fashion! Flapper dresses - theyâre practically begging to be reinvented for drag. I'm thinking sequined, beaded, and topped with an eye-catching feather boa. Just imagine that look paired with a sassy, sparkly tutu! That would make the whole world jealous!
But enough about my own desires - let's delve into the actual happenings in dragland in August of 1929! The scene was a melting pot of vaudeville, nightclubs, and hidden underground gatherings, brimming with all kinds of outrageous performers!
Broadway Babies!
On this very date, 8th August 1929, the legendary George Gershwinâs âAn American in Parisâ opened in Broadwayâs Fox Theater. Itâs an explosion of jazz and whimsy and guess who plays a dancer? The phenomenal Fred Astaire! Imagine, dancing alongside a Broadway icon. I could already feel the electricity of the theatre vibrating my pink tutu. â¨
Charleston Charmers!
Charleston was absolutely taking the world by storm! And with it, a burgeoning scene of theatrical "drag-like" performances where female performers would don costumes and makeup to play the part of male characters. It wasnât just a simple dress-up, darlings. It was a spectacle! And I was ready to see every inch of it!
Now, not everyone was thrilled with the audacity of it all. Some deemed it outrageous, scandalous, a disruption of societal norms. Well, I say, good. Disrupt the norms! Shock and awe! And yes, please, bring out the fabulous tutus, all shimmer and sparkle.
A Bootlegged Ball
Speaking of shock and awe, while I couldnât resist dipping my pink toe into a flapper-tastic nightclub scene, I was also curious to witness a much more secretive side of things. Bootleg performances were rampant - the roaring twenties wasnât just roaring about jazz, darlings, but also the "legal" fun stuff! đ
This clandestine scene was rife with queer performance, and thatâs where my senses tingled. My dear friend Miss Gigi and I got all dolled up - glitter, feather boas, and tutus galore - and we weaseled our way into a back room at a rather questionable looking speakeasy. I promise you, darlings, it was an absolute hoot! I spotted at least one dancer with a flapper dress fashioned from repurposed silk scarves, and a show stopping act featuring a performer wearing a rather convincing suit and top hat! Pure brilliance.
And thatâs not even allâŚ
Just in case you thought that August of 1929 wasn't a roaring month, the Times of August 15th announced the new play of Helen Hayes, a legendary actress of that time! You can always trust those old theatre ladies! And darling, my favourite thing about this period was the daring fashion! Just look at the beautiful Art Deco patterns, the opulent flapper styles!
And remember my dear reader, remember to dress up and find the fun within every era! A pink tutu and a whole lotta sass can carry you through any historical adventure!
So darlings, as we prepare for September, I leave you with a little message. Embrace the sparkle, find the joy, and keep dancing through history, always with a sprinkle of pink tutu magic!
Love, Emma xx
P.S. Want to see more of Emmaâs adventures in the world of time traveling? Keep checking back on www.pink-tutu.com, where weâre publishing Emmaâs fascinating journey each month!
P.P.S. Need a dazzling new tutu to add to your own wardrobe? Head on over to Emma's very own online shop! Find links on the website!
P.P.P.S. Looking to embrace your own inner diva and join the amazing world of drag? Donât be shy - send us a message on our Facebook page!
Remember - everyone's a star waiting to be discovered. Go forth, sparkle, and embrace your own pink tutu destiny!
