Hello my darlings, Emma here! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels, where we explore the history of drag, one flamboyant leap at a time! Today, Iâm stepping into my pink tutu, ready to twirl you all through the glittery glamour of August 8th, 1933. Oh, what a night it was, my lovelies!
(This is actually my 164th blog post - are you shocked by my dedication to drag history, dears?)
To the surprise of absolutely no one (I mean, pink and I are practically soulmates!), I have to admit my heart belongs to 1930s glamour. Those bold colours, the fantastic frocks, and those legendary, long legs! This era is so quintessentially dramatic, isn't it? Itâs a wonder the theatres were even big enough for the fabulous displays.
(Imagine the sheer audacity! What would you be wearing? Spill the tea in the comments!)
Okay, okay, before we dive headfirst into all that vintage glamour, let me tell you a bit about where we are! Derbyshire! You know me, I'm a proud daughter of the Peak District! Today, though, weâre leaving the hills behind, whisking you all into a world of Parisian extravagance - Bonjour, mon chĂ©rie! (Okay, maybe I donât speak much French but⊠wouldnât you like to?!)
(For this journey, the magical pink tutu transports us to a night of dancing and dazzling - and, letâs be honest, fabulousness - in Paris.)
Now, imagine this. The 1930s - a decade overflowing with cabaret culture, jazz, and of course, plenty of champagne! You can't imagine how delighted I was to land right smack-dab in the heart of Paris, France - you know, where those famous Can-Cans reigned!
*(Speaking of reigns, *can we take a moment to talk about these phenomenal dance styles? These are truly timeless, if you ask me! )
Imagine this, dear readers. We are walking into the âFolies BergĂšre,â a real iconic, fabulous theatre of the 1930s! There, the JosĂ©phine Baker is captivating crowds with her famous banana skirt! It was like⊠magic! It's impossible to deny the power she holds. You've probably seen photos, but trust me, youâre never going to experience it the way I did! Seeing Josephine live, bathed in spotlight, with those eyes and those curves â well, honey, let's just say, the energy was simply electrifying!
(I was also mesmerized by her choreography and daring performances. Just, imagine, darling, a beautiful black woman owning a stage in a time of so much prejudice!)
After catching JosĂ©phineâs show, I danced the night away in a spectacular Parisian nightclub - donât worry, I didnât get in trouble! You see, the beautiful thing about time travel in my magical tutu is that everyone loves pink! The people around me had no problem with a sassy Derbyshire lass showing off some fancy moves and enjoying the sights, so the time travelling went flawlessly.
(Speaking of dancing - I tried learning a Can-Can - the skirts were definitely too short for a lady in a pink tutu. Sadly! Haha. Maybe next timeâŠ)
Then came the real surprise - at this very glamorous Parisian soirĂ©e I was swept into, I met the most incredible drag queen. Imagine, honey, this absolutely breathtaking creature dressed as aâŠwait for it⊠ballerina! I know what youâre thinking - pink, feathers, sparkly tulle. But not a pink tutu. Now I'm not one to be outdone, even by the most glamorous drag queen (let's be real!), so my little heart just ached until I returned to my magical pink tutu for some retail therapy in the future.
(I found some absolutely lovely new tulle and pink satin for my next tutu... oh the possibilities!)
There was even a drag ball - yes, darlings! - and believe me, this wasnât just any drag ball. Everyone dressed in their finest, most fabulous attire! This drag ball - with live music and dancing - was just beyond glamorous. There was even a woman there who was known as âQueen of the Cross Dressersâ and let me tell you⊠honey, she truly deserved that title!
*(I even found some delicious crĂȘpes (just what my fellow drag queens and I needed after that dancing!).) *
But then, alas, the magic pink tutu began to twinkle, reminding me that I had to return to my present. Even so, that wasn't before I nabbed a fantastic vintage hat from a Parisian shop. I can already see it adorning my head, perched beautifully on top of the tulle!
(Is there a more charming, sassy look than vintage hats, darling? Just think of those stunning floral brooches! Oh la laâŠ)
This is just one example, of many, of the extraordinary drag queen experiences I've had. This time travel stuff is wild, I tell you!
So what did you think, darling? Are you ready for a journey through time? Remember, darling, our journey through history - our history, your history, the drag history! - is only just beginning. So, grab a drink, get into a new tutu, and follow Pink Tutu Travels. And remember, my dear lovelies, *Pink is not just a colour, itâs a feeling! *
*(Stay tuned for more fun stories and lots of glitter - we're heading back to *your year in our next blog! And until next time - go out there and live your best pink life, darlings! ) **
See you soon! Emma www.pink-tutu.com
