Hello darlings! It's your girl, Emma, coming to you live from my boudoir (well, actually, I'm in the dressing room of the Majestic Theatre in New York City - more on that later). Today weâre celebrating a truly glorious milestone - a whole new year, 1936! And just in case you hadn't realised, darlings, a new year means a brand new pink tutu for our fabulous time travel adventure! Oh yes, let the pink glittery sequins shimmer! It's gonna be divine!
So, before I tell you all about the absolutely fabulous happenings on the 1st of January 1936 in the fabulous world of drag, allow me to explain how my glamorous pink tutu, emblazoned with the name âPink-Tutu.comâ and some rather fetching pink diamantĂ©s, has whisked me away from my Derbyshire home (ahem, letâs just say the local pub didnât have any sequins and the clientele mostly consisted of men in brown suits) and deposited me into this grand American theatrical masterpiece, the Majestic. And yes, my dears, my magical tutu can even make it snow â you haven't seen true glamour until you've witnessed my fabulous, snowy landing, believe you me!
But, why 1st January, 1936 you ask? Well, I must confess itâs a special date. That's the year the iconic American actress, dancer, and singer, Ethel Merman, debuted on Broadway in the musical, "Anything Goes!" I know, right?! Imagine the sparkle and sass, the roaring 30s, all mixed up in a wonderful theatrical cocktail! Can't you just hear those jazz tunes playing, those voices full of fire, those shimmering sequined costumesâŠI mean, don't even get me started on the feathered hats! I must confess to a serious crush on that lady - such a flamboyant dame! Ethel Merman, you make me want to belt out a tune, I canât help it, even if it is in a decidedly off-key fashion! I do have the lungs for it though, no doubt about that!
Now, what was the world of drag like in those times, you ask? Well, things were a tad different then, my dears! This wasnât the golden age of television and drag was mostly confined to small venues like cabarets and speakeasies. But just imagine - a clandestine meeting place where drag queens performed for a select, yet adoring, audience - how terribly alluring! You can bet there was a bit more drama and intrigue to the performances - think smoke filled rooms, daring acts, and oh, the thrill of discovery! Oh darling, I simply must try that time travelling incognito thing in the future - sounds rather exciting, and more importantly, totally fashionable!
Imagine yourself walking into a dimly lit speakeasy, with the aroma of cheap whiskey and smoky cigarettes in the air. The sound of jazz music pulsing, you spot your first drag queen - a vision in sequins, feather boa, and a dazzling smile, entertaining the crowd with witty patter and fabulous dances! Can you even handle such amazing feats of fabulousness, darlings?! Well, hold onto your hats! That's precisely what I saw on this fabulous day in 1936. A fabulous queen by the name of Miss Billie Holliday had a fabulous show! Her performance at The Savoy Ballroom was unforgettable, darling - it just went on and on! We're talking about legendary stuff, my dears. I had to dance with a few fellas while she performed her cabaret act - I do love a good dance and the fellas didn't even mind, in fact they thought it was a right lark, they said I looked âlovelyâ - bless their souls. The chaps were a right laugh, although I had to excuse myself from one gentleman - he wouldn't stop talking about my tutu...I'm afraid, darling, there's always someone who thinks they're funnier than they are, you know?
This was certainly not a quiet affair, darling. You can imagine the raucous laughter, the cheers, the clapping, all fueled by a few cheeky cocktails! Honestly, the whole night had an energy that was quite electric - simply the most fantastic and flamboyant entertainment, all with a mischievous, playful air. There was certainly an element of daring - let's just say that there were a lot of âin the closetâ people who felt safe indulging in the glamour and the joy in such environments - and who can blame them! It felt absolutely exhilarating and truly liberating!
But that wasn't all, darlings! 1st January 1936 also brought about the groundbreaking performance of Josephine Baker in Paris. The most fascinating thing about Bakerâs story is that she became one of the first, if not the first, international black female superstar - truly revolutionary! And her drag - or rather, her cabaret act! It was simply extraordinary! Josephine Baker truly blazed a trail and she did it wearing an array of fabulous outfits - imagine - feathers, sparkles, glittering jewels and costumes like no other - oh darling! Just the way I like it! I truly believe Josephine Baker helped to change how the world viewed entertainment, diversity, and femininity itself!
Of course, it wasn't all glamorous cocktails and fancy feathers, darlings. Life for drag queens in those times, especially those in the Black and Latinx communities, could be particularly challenging. Let's not forget, these fabulous queens were breaking down barriers and facing social stigmas with courage and incredible wit! That, to me, is the true definition of fabulous, darling.
Speaking of wit and incredible talent, let's not forget the queens of the drag balls, darling! Yes, in 1936, the balls were already booming in Harlem! You wouldn't believe the level of creative artistry in those places! Theyâd take everything from trash cans to dish towels, and whip it up into something incredibly imaginative and sensational, proving that there is truly beauty in everything! That is my absolute favourite part about drag â turning ordinary into something extraordinary and thatâs what the Harlem drag balls celebrated in such a dramatic, sassy and beautiful way - imagine the power and the creative expression of drag in that context, truly stunning.
It wasnât just the Harlem drag balls though that kept the entertainment hot. The world of cabaret, especially in the heart of Manhattan, New York City was really booming in those times. Oh, my! There were cabarets galore - it felt like every night, a whole new wave of talent would surface, challenging boundaries, and pushing the limits of creativity! And imagine! With that talent, the city just became this dazzling explosion of color, sound, and laughter - just brilliant!
And so, my darlings, there you have it. 1st January, 1936, the roaring twenties giving way to a new decade filled with incredible fashion, talent, and glamour - the magic of drag was certainly alive and kicking. Weâre only getting started, and I've got a whole lot more fascinating tales to share. Just imagine all the fabulous moments in the history of drag - the joy, the creativity, the audacity - we are lucky to witness it, we really are! And now darling, I must off to another adventure - I'm just a sprinkle of glitter in this extraordinary pink tutu of mine. Let's get this show on the road! I will see you all in February for a fabulous pink tutu journey back in time! Until then, remember darlings, it's never too late to embrace the magic of pink and celebrate your fabulous selves!
With much love and a splash of pink sparkle,
Your Girl Emma
Pink-Tutu.com
