Darling, darlings, welcome back to my fabulous time-travel blog! This month, we’re stepping back in time to the glorious year 1932! I’ve always said there’s no time like the past (or future for that matter!) when it comes to fashion, especially if we're talking about dazzling drag. I'm here to share the extraordinary with you, my fabulous friends, and trust me, it's simply divine.
Before we step into our shimmering pink tutu time machine (it's a secret blend of feathers, rhinestones, and pure unadulterated love for all things fabulous), let's talk about how my trips through time are financed. I’m a humble queen from Derbyshire, you see, with a passion for pink, for tutus, and for keeping the history of our beautiful art alive. So, I work my magic on the drag stages of modern-day England, dazzling the crowds and gathering funds for my grand adventures.
This month's journey? It's an absolute dream! Let’s whirl right back to Harlem, New York City, in 1932, to the height of the Harlem Renaissance. Oh my stars! This place was bursting with music, poetry, and the raw, powerful energy of Black artistry. We’re talking about an absolute explosion of creativity in all its glorious forms, from Josephine Baker’s mesmerizing dances to Langston Hughes’ captivating words.
This was a time when drag was a part of the social fabric. Queens were strutting their stuff in nightclubs and underground spaces, pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and, most importantly, expressing their most authentic selves.
Now, to our grand adventure in my beloved pink tutu. I had my little pink purse filled with the necessities - my trusty camera, a vintage compact mirror, and a bag of shimmering glitter for that extra touch of magic, of course! I hopped into my pink tutu time machine, grabbed the feather boas and glitter cannon and poof!
My first stop? The Savoy Ballroom. Let me tell you, darling, this was an absolute must-see, and not just for the dance floor. Oh, the music, the dancers, the atmosphere! This place pulsed with life, and the rhythm of jazz music literally made my sequins shiver. There was something so free, so joyous, about the whole experience. And the drag scene? Absolutely magnificent! The Queens here, with their unique style and infectious energy, were truly captivating. They strutted their stuff in elegant dresses, sharp suits, and every fabulous detail in between. It was like stepping into a living, breathing kaleidoscope of dazzling colour.
Imagine a beautiful Harlem night, the moon high in the sky, and this magnificent space filled with jazz, laughter, and the joyous sway of bodies in elegant dresses. Can you imagine the scene? I simply can't resist channeling the spirit of those drag legends as I write, shimmying in my office, channeling the rhythm of 1932 Harlem.
Next, we were on a tour of Harlem's vibrant artistic scene. Imagine vibrant painting, electrifying music, poetry readings - every corner was buzzing with inspiration. The air vibrated with the powerful messages of Black culture and the sheer audacity of its self-expression. It's no wonder they called it the Renaissance, my darlings. They were literally rewriting history with their vibrant stories and soulful voices. I simply had to record every minute of it, even though it made my camera blush.
Remember, this was before social media - I wanted to share the essence of this era, capture its raw emotion. That’s why I started writing about these experiences. It’s not just about preserving the past, darling, it’s about acknowledging and celebrating the role drag has always played in society. Drag isn’t just about glitter and feathers. It’s about breaking down barriers, challenging expectations, and expressing your truest self in a world full of confusing limitations. The queens of the Harlem Renaissance showed us all the power of courage and expression - and we need to keep telling their stories!
The spirit of 1932 Harlem lingers in the heart of our community. It’s about the relentless pursuit of joy and the power of individuality that we still embody, through the drag ballrooms, the underground bars, the fashion runway, and all the spaces where we, the community of drag queens, express ourselves.
It’s my mission to keep spreading this message of self-expression and celebrating the diverse history of drag through the lens of my blog and my performances. That’s why I travel the world - well, in this case, the world of the past and present, embracing and spreading the joy and glory of our pink, fluffy and utterly fantastic world.
Join me again next month as we take another leap into our glamorous pink tutu time machine to explore the fascinating world of drag history. Until then, darlings, wear your pink tutu with pride, strut your stuff, and be fabulous! You deserve it. And remember, every drag queen, no matter the time, place, or era, is a shimmering reminder of what we all have to celebrate: The unwavering spirit of self-expression, creativity, and love!
XOXO,
Emma in a pink tutu
P.S.: Check out www.pink-tutu.com to browse photos and memories from my fabulous journey! Remember to wear your pink tutus! It’s my ultimate mission! We are making history with each and every step, one fabulous tutu at a time.
