#223 â Hello darlings! Emma here, back for another month of dazzling, delightful drag queen history adventures! This month weâre twirling our way back to July 7th, 1938 â the day my fabulously fluffy pink tutu took me to a whole new level of drag history⌠â¨
(As always, I fund these incredible trips through the magic of drag performance, darlings! You know how much I love sharing the joy of drag, and you all know how fabulous a drag show can be! đđ )
This time, weâre visiting America. Not just any olâ part of America, but the glamorous New York City! The city that never sleeps, they say, and trust me â it certainly wasn't in 1938! I mean, who needs sleep when you can shimmy, sashay and dance to the rhythm of a whole city, eh?
I popped on my magical pink tutu, you know the one - the one that sparkles like a million rainbows in a ballroom after midnight â and off we went. The tutu is the real key to my time travelling powers, darlings. I still don't really know why it's a tutu that takes me back in time â it was actually a birthday present from my fab Aunt Edna. She got it from a little shop in Derbyshire, and letâs just say, the rest, as they say, is history!
Now, the first thing you notice about New York City in 1938 was that drag, as we know it, was basically non-existent. Sure, you had the âLadies of the Nightâ, who were certainly known for a touch of performance and plenty of sass, but the sort of shows that dazzle our world today, those were practically unheard of! However, that's not to say there wasnât glamour, and Iâm all about a bit of glamour!
I headed straight to the glamorous hotspots of the time. Imagine, Broadway had some absolutely incredible musical shows, and of course, there were plenty of fancy cabarets, all bustling with life and a hint of forbidden excitement. Think elegant women, all flapper dresses and shimmering sequins, enjoying the magic of theatre! The place that really caught my eye was this place called âThe Stork Clubâ, now, this was more than just a club; this was THE place for high society and Hollywood stardust. And trust me, this was an absolute MUST-SEE.
Think elegant women, sipping champagne and watching the most incredible shows featuring fabulous, daring, and absolutely divine entertainers. Now, although I wasnât technically drag as we know it, the performances were certainly infused with a flair that even today makes me stop in my glittery tracks. Remember that all things were a bit more subtle back then. Think feather boas, stylish dresses, beautiful makeup. Think everything just a tiny bit⌠well⌠more understated⌠for the sake of discretion!
But don't you worry darlings, discretion didn't mean boring. Trust me, I've seen my share of jaw-dropping displays in my time travels! For example, one evening I ended up at a performance that could only be described as "a whirlwind of showstopping glamour and an unexpected burst of rebellionâ. It was incredible! We were talking an all-singing, all-dancing performance of glitz, feathers, and a few questionable lyrics, all expertly executed with the highest degree of camp. You could just feel the electricity, darlings! I don't know what I did to be allowed to attend something so underground but hey, I'm a queen and all is forgiven, right?
I even got a chance to have a chat with some of the most talented artists of the time. There was this one singer who performed in a stylish sequin dress with her name emblazoned on it, think Marlene Dietrich in a feather boa, darlings! She told me the story of her career â a little cheeky here, a bit of a rebel there â it sounded so much like something I could write about myself. It was truly inspiring!
And just so you know, my dear drag divas, I wouldnât dream of going anywhere without making a note of what people wore! Fashion, itâs just as important as a fantastically designed drag outfit. And in 1938, it was all about glam!
Think bold prints, feathers galore, daring, low-cut dresses with sparkling adornments â it's truly something weâd see on the runways today. If you donât believe me darlings, then why not check out my fashion notes in my "Emmaâs Diaryâ series. My favourite find, a delightful sequined top that I just couldnât leave behind! Imagine â sequins before rhinestones? Absolutely darling! You know I'm a little obsessed with all things sparkly, but honestly, it's like they already knew about all our glamorous drag fantasies. So, in case you were wondering, a pink tutu is very much "in" this century, and probably was back then too!
You know darlings, 1938 really helped to show me just how much our amazing community of drag queens has changed the world. Iâm talking about that unique spark, the audacity, the joy â that rebellious heart, and those unforgettable looks, it's all about embracing ourselves, daring to dream, and pushing boundaries in the name of self-expression!
The incredible talent, the breathtaking showmanship that was hidden back in those underground cabarets was a clear glimpse into how this world evolved and, you know, we certainly make sure we keep that tradition going, right? And, let's be honest, my darlings, the way drag has embraced diversity, and that glorious spectrum of expression and self-acceptance is truly inspirational! It's an ongoing celebration of our own unique forms of self-expression â which I love, we are all a little bit fabulous arenât we! And how about all the drag that's available across the globe, drag for everyone, everyone welcome â you canât get any more fabulous than that!
And hereâs another thing, I canât tell you how proud I am to see the huge role drag plays in bringing communities together â building bridges, breaking down walls â well you can already guess I absolutely adore it! My own journey into the drag history world wouldnât be possible without all of you - yes, you reading this right now, my incredible pink tutu followers. Keep spreading the drag magic â one fabulous performance at a time!
Until next month, Iâm going to be busy making new glitter dreams! See you on Pink-Tutu.com next month darlings! Remember you can follow me at my online pink-tutu website and on all your favourite social channels, using hashtag #PinkTutuTimeTravel.
Yours in fabulous, pink tulle and endless sequins,
Emma x
