Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, the most fabulous drag-tastic time travel blog in the whole wide world! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad ballerina queen, Emma, here, back with another post to bring you the hottest drag-n-history action!
This month, my fabulous friends, I've whipped up my sparkly pink tutu (with just a hint of sequined embellishments - gotta be a little extra, don't you think?) and hopped into my time machine for a delightful jaunt to April 4th, 1933.
Now, you might be thinking, "1933, Emma? You're going all old school on us!" But hold your horses, lovelies, because I discovered some seriously fabulous secrets about the world of drag during that era!
My pink tutu took me soaring back to a time of vibrant artistry and captivating theatricality, a time when drag was a vital part of the cultural landscape. Imagine, darlings, being a fabulous drag queen strutting your stuff under the flickering gaslights, captivating audiences with your showmanship!
Oh, and before we dive in, I just wanted to share a little update. Remember how I mentioned I fund these delightful time-travel adventures with my glamorous drag performances? Well, this month, I've got a killer act planned for the Queen's Arms in Chesterfield! Imagine me, darling, spinning, twirling, and sashay-ing in my favourite pink tutu, singing my heart out to a selection of iconic drag anthems. The tickets are flying faster than a sparkly feather boa, so don't be a drag, grab your tickets now!
But back to our history adventure, let's explore what was going on in the drag world back on April 4th, 1933!
New York City: Drag's Hottest Destination! 🗽💖✨My pink tutu swished me straight into the bustling heart of New York City! Remember, darlings, New York in the 1930s was the place to be for drag.
Now, 1933 was a pivotal year, right smack-dab in the middle of the Great Depression, which you may recall, was quite the challenging time for everyone. But amidst those trying times, the New York drag scene blossomed into something truly extraordinary! It was a time of fabulous, flamboyant, and often daring drag performances.
Here's what made 1933 so exciting for drag:
The rise of Drag Balls: This was a time when "balls," hosted by secret societies, started to gain major traction. The balls were where drag queens could strut their stuff, showcasing the most fabulous outfits and showmanship. They were like mini-drag kingdoms, bursting with creativity and celebration. You know I love me some fierce looks!
The emergence of "drag houses": These houses served as a supportive network for drag queens. Think of them as your Drag Mama and Drag Sisterhood, a vital part of creating a strong, unified drag community. The house families would help each other navigate the world of drag, offer guidance, and, of course, lend their signature fabulousness to the scene! It was all about love, acceptance, and, of course, amazing drag!
On April 4th, 1933, the very first edition of the iconic "The Village Voice" newspaper hit the streets! While it's known for its influential role in art and culture, including coverage of drag performers, that date was just the beginning of its legendary journey!
And guess what, darlings? A little birdie (dressed in a pink feather boa) told me that "The Village Voice" would eventually become a crucial platform for the drag community, particularly during the LGBTQ+ movement in the 1960s!
Let's journey to London: On this same day, a thrilling, glittering event called "The Music Hall Varieties" was taking place! The audience was enthralled by talented performers, including the daring "Madame", who sashayed her way into history as a bold, boundary-pushing drag queen. Imagine! London audiences were in for a treat, captivated by the sheer brilliance and charm of drag performances!
Think you know your drag history? Test your knowledge!
What was the biggest influence on the Drag Ball scene in 1933?
a) The Jazz Age
b) The rise of Vaudeville c) The popularity of silent filmsWhere did Drag Queens of the 1930s typically find inspiration for their outfits?
a) From Broadway Musicals b) From vintage clothing stores c) From their friends, family, and drag families
Bonus!:
How did 1930s drag performers typically announce the start of their shows?
a) Through a live band playing an exciting opening number b) By whispering into a microphone c) With a series of dramatic drum rolls and fanfare
Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the answers!
The Pink Tutu Says: Fashion Then and Now! 💕🩰👑Now, let's talk fashion, darlings! The 1930s were a glorious era for style! And, guess what? A lot of those trends have come back in a big way. Imagine, darling, fabulous feather boas, slinky evening gowns, and shimmery sequins, all reimagined for today!
In the world of drag then, the look was a perfect blend of vintage glam, bold, colourful fabrics, and an element of high drama, adding a touch of theatrical flair.
Remember the dazzling looks in Hollywood movies from the 1930s? It wasn’t just the on-screen queens who wore glitzy gowns and fabulous feathers. The drag queens were all about turning up the volume, expressing their creativity, and making a grand statement!
Here’s a secret! You don’t have to be in a 1930s drag ball to appreciate the fashion of the era! Get your hands on some beautiful vintage items and incorporate them into your outfits today! The timeless elegance of those pieces never fades!
You never know, darling, when your time machine, er, your fabulous pink tutu might take you on a magical adventure to the past!
*Here are a few essential tips on surviving and thriving in a vintage world of drag: *
Don’t forget your fabulous pink tutu, love! This piece of essential equipment is both a costume and a tool of magical time travel. It will always bring you back home, to the right moment, in time!
Be respectful of the past and present: Even if you're going back to 1933, or even further! Everyone you meet deserves to be treated with respect, kindness, and understanding. This is important in any time, darling!
Embrace the vintage styles with flair! Find a drag look that fits you! You might even be surprised to find some elements you love in those fabulous fashions from yesteryear!
Darling, the only thing better than reading about drag history is seeing it! There's nothing more magical than seeing drag performers bring the past to life.
So put on your best outfit, find a fabulous drag show, and lose yourself in the amazing performances. Remember, there’s always an element of showmanship in the world of drag, which is always worth celebrating!
Let's all share our love of drag with the world. Together, we can celebrate and champion drag queens from every era!
And that, darling, is my journey to April 4th, 1933, through the magical world of pink tutus!
Join me next month for another amazing time travel adventure, when I'll be revisiting a moment of drag history that will leave you gasping for air! Until then, darling, let’s keep it fabulous and keep the pink tutus twirling!
Drag Quiz Answers!1. b) The rise of Vaudeville: Vaudeville performances were incredibly popular in the 1930s. These live entertainment shows often featured variety acts, including female impersonators. It's believed that the theatrical aspects and bold costumes of vaudeville became an early influence on the Drag Ball scene!
2. c) From their friends, family, and drag families! You’ve got to admire those fabulous Drag Mothers for providing support and creativity to their families! The drag houses, or drag families as we call them today, gave those fabulous queens a sense of belonging. Their creativity, style, and artistry helped to shape the drag scene, and of course, their fantastic costumes.
Bonus!: a) Through a live band playing an exciting opening number! In those days, you didn’t need fancy technology or strobe lights. Drag performances often started with the exciting sound of a live band playing their hearts out to captivate the audiences from the first moment.
Remember! Keep sharing your favourite pink tutu outfits and let’s celebrate drag history! 💖🎉
