Hiya darlings! It's your girl Emma, back with another instalment of my fabulously pink and fabulous-ly fabulous time travel adventures!
This month, my magical tutu has whisked me back to 2nd February, 1934. Oh my God, you wouldn't BELIEVE the style! It was all about those chic bobs and glittering dresses. Honestly, it was enough to make even the most fabulous of queens feel like they were a million miles behind the times. But fear not, I had my pink tutu on - that, darling, is a look that never goes out of style!
This trip was extra special, you see, because I landed smack-bang in the middle of a glittering extravaganza! In New York City, the legendary Palace Theatre was showcasing "The Show Is On," a fabulous revue packed with top-notch musical numbers, acrobatic displays and even some captivating comedic sketches. Now, I wouldn't normally go for a show that involved "sketch" elements, darling. I'm more about the drama and the divas, but for this one, I was happy to make an exception. After all, I'd heard that the talented comedian, the fabulous Bert Lahr, was involved! You know, he was the iconic lion in "The Wizard of Oz", so obviously, I HAD to see it for myself.
Unfortunately, it was sold out. But fear not, my little kittens! A quick wink to the manager, a little flutter of my eyelashes and I was in. See, it doesn't take a magic tutu to convince a fella that pink can work wonders!
Let me tell you, darling, the entire night was like something out of a dream! Stunning choreography, beautiful music, and those gorgeous feather boas… the only thing that was missing was a touch of my fabulous pink!
This is why I need you all to grab a tutu, darlings! Even a simple, pink-hued garment can instantly make you feel like a star! Honestly, if you're reading this and you haven't popped down to your nearest haberdashery to grab a fabulous pink tutu for yourself, you are simply missing out on the best, most empowering, fabulous time in your life!
While the US was dazzling, things were hopping in London, too! My girl, Gracie Fields, was entertaining crowds with her musical performance in the hilarious "Sing As We Go." Now, Gracie Fields - she was an icon, darling! This show, it was all about the love of music and how it could unite even the most mismatched of individuals. It really was a breath of fresh air for Londoners back in the day!
You know, darling, the show business of 1934 reminded me just how much power a performance can hold. I mean, even though this was all pre-Stonewall and the concept of Drag Queen as we know it was still a whisper in the wind, you could feel that energy of liberation, of joyous expression, pulsating through every theatre, club, and street corner. The performers were pushing boundaries, daring to dream and to dance - they were, essentially, creating their own worlds through their talents.
The streets were a whirlwind of fashion too! The girls were strutting their stuff, adorned in gorgeous satin dresses with daring silhouettes, bold lipstick and oh-so-fabulous headwear! My darling, I just love that vintage elegance. They knew how to make an entrance, these girls did, and they definitely had my attention!
Now, you're probably thinking, how does Emma manage to afford all these time-traveling adventures? Well, darlings, let's just say I'm a little more entrepreneurial than your average tutu-wearing ballerina. 😉 I fund my travels with performances at the best drag shows around the world. Whether it's a sassy street performance or a dramatic theatrical production, you can find me throwing shade, twirling in my pink tutu and putting on a dazzling show that leaves the crowds gagging for more!
And speaking of performances, here's a quick rundown of some of the drag spectacles happening on February 2nd, 1934. Now, this might be surprising, but darling, drag was all around the world even back then! It may not have been the organised circuit we have today, but it was alive and kicking!
**On that date, in New York, there was a performance at the renowned Club 18 - a hotbed of drag history - that was rumoured to be a dazzling cabaret full of outlandish costumes and energetic performances. You know, darling, I wish I'd been there to witness it! It would have been a perfect match for my own time-traveling style.
Across the Atlantic, London was teeming with performances too! The "Royal Vauxhall Gardens" - one of the earliest drag scenes in London, was filled with amazing performers in the grand traditions of crossdressing. These queens weren't just there for the performance, darlings! It was also an opportunity to build a community, to celebrate their identities, and to have a little bit of fun in a world that often didn't welcome them with open arms.
And don't even get me started on the fabulous cabaret scene in Berlin, darling! Germany's creative spirit was absolutely thriving, and the drag queens there were truly making history, shattering boundaries and rocking the world of performance art with their fearless, cutting edge routines! It's so fascinating to look back and see that drag, despite being shrouded in secrecy and often facing prejudice, was able to bloom and take root in all these different places, each with its own unique style and spirit.
If you want to hear more, my darlings, hop over to www.pink-tutu.com where I’m constantly posting about these incredible journeys through history. But please, remember, a little bit of pink magic can go a long way, darling! It’s all about finding that inner sass, embracing your individuality, and twirling through life like there's no tomorrow! Until next month, stay fabulous, my little loves!
