Hello darlings, and welcome to Pink-Tutu! It's your favourite time-traveling ballerina drag queen Emma here, and this month I'm taking you back to November 11th, 1933, a date that's sure to get your sequins shimmering.
Now, as a proper Derbyshire girl, I know that November 11th is Remembrance Day - a time to remember and honour those who fought for our freedoms. And what better way to celebrate their sacrifice than with a bit of glamour, right? So, I've swished my pink tulle tutu through time, ready to bring you some sparkle and fabulousness from the 1930s!
Now, while drag queens might have been less readily seen on stage back in the 1930s, they certainly weren't absent. Remember, we drag queens are a tenacious bunch, like weeds that just refuse to be kept down. They've been around for centuries, constantly reinventing themselves, adapting to the times and staying fierce!
Back in the '30s, the world was embracing a new kind of energy. Jazz was king, Hollywood was full of glamorous goddesses, and people were really getting into that “Great Gatsby” spirit of wealth and excess. But don't let those sparkly Art Deco designs fool you, honey – things were changing in a way that was both exciting and uncertain.
The Depression was still casting a long shadow across the world, with many struggling to make ends meet. Yet, against the backdrop of all that hardship, some things just wouldn’t be denied. Life still craved a good party! People were eager for distraction and entertainment, and that meant an insatiable appetite for shows and celebrations. And, well, darling, where there are shows, you can bet your bottom dollar that there will be some amazing drag queens!
A Look At The Shows!
Now, 1933 saw the opening of the famous Ritz Theatre in New York, where stars like George Raft, Shirley Temple, and the iconic Fanny Brice were performing to huge crowds.
Fanny Brice was a real icon, darling, a Jewish-American singer and comedienne known for her outrageous and witty characters. In her own way, she was one of the earliest drag performers, using comedy, character work and her brilliant musical skills to subvert and poke fun at expectations and gender norms. She was a big fan of wearing male attire, often using satire and a tongue-in-cheek humour to highlight societal expectations, creating some real fun for audiences back then!
But Fanny wasn't the only queen in town. All across America, drag was bubbling up in speakeasies, nightclubs and even the famous Harlem Renaissance. In places like Chicago, drag performances were gaining popularity as well. And can you even imagine those amazing costumes, my dears?! Imagine the feather boas, the glamorous headwear, the silk gowns, and the amazing pumps, darling! That era was all about pushing the boundaries of fashion, and drag was certainly part of that amazing journey!
Drag On The Streets: The Culture of Drag
It wasn't all about stage performances, honey. Remember, drag was also a major part of the underground scene. Back then, in 1933, drag performers were making their presence felt in many places, particularly in urban areas, where the more open culture meant that people were eager to enjoy some alternative entertainment.
In New York City, there was a famous scene, which some scholars call “drag balls.” This is where things got truly spectacular! They were a melting pot of cultures, with dancers, entertainers and people who just loved to express themselves. You could expect everything from a bit of jazz to swing dancing, lots of fantastic costumes, and fabulous performances, and sometimes a touch of sass to really spice things up!
They might have faced some challenges back in the '30s. Remember, some folks were very narrow-minded back then, with homophobic laws making life harder for those who were brave enough to live authentically. But, even against such challenges, the spirit of drag kept burning brightly, honey. It was a form of resistance, a way to embrace creativity and express individuality - and even, dare I say, it was a form of political protest!
It was these events that formed the foundation for today's magnificent ballroom scene, filled with balls, workshops, and social activities for members of the LGBTQ+ community to embrace their unique styles and challenge norms. Think of how much things have changed - it is amazing to see how the original "drag balls" in 1933 were so much more than just a social gathering; they were a movement that demanded expression, defiance, and acceptance!
My Tutu Travels
Now, I can't tell you how excited I was to get to wear my pink tutu to a 1930s drag ball in New York! Even if the world of the 1930s might seem like a completely different universe, darling, one thing was clear: the joy of celebrating oneself and challenging the status quo is something that remains deeply rooted in human nature. Even in those times, being daring, embracing individuality and expressing your creative side was at the forefront, and drag queens played a pivotal role!
My 1930s pink tulle tutu did cause a bit of a stir! Remember, it was a simpler time with far less bright, fabulous colours. But honestly, dear reader, the smiles and admiration I received made me realise that sparkling with pink tutus isn't something that has a date stamp!
That trip took me to the famous Ritz Theatre as well, and oh my goodness, you guys would not believe it! I watched Fanny Brice perform with a troupe of singers, dancers, and comedic geniuses, and you know, what's really interesting is how much of that era still influences drag today, darling. I spotted the same kind of slapstick humour, the use of exaggeration, and a daring edge that makes drag queens, like the incredible Fanny Brice, such powerhouses.
The thing about drag, darling, is that it transcends eras. It reflects society’s ideals and struggles and allows for self-expression, creativity, and challenges the rigid gender boundaries.
That's my story from November 11th, 1933! I hope you all have a fabulously fun month and get a chance to go to some great drag shows and spread the pink tutu magic around you, darling. And don't forget to tell everyone about our incredible community – the community of drag performers who always had the courage to make the world a more flamboyant, sparkly and joyously extravagant place!
Until next time, darlings, and always remember,
The world needs more pink tutus!
