Hello darling divas,
Itâs Emma here from your favourite Derbyshire drag queen blogger with the pinkest, most fabulous blog this side of the Thames! As weâre all shimmying and twirling our way into the brand-new year, I thought Iâd take a twirl through time for my blog post this month. Grab yourselves a cuppa, settle in and get ready for a fabulous blast from the past, darling!
This time, Iâve spun my magical time-traveling pink tutu all the way back to January 1st, 1939, just as the world was about to get its knickers in a twist, but letâs not get into all that, darling. Weâre here for fashion, fabulousness and all things pink!
It was New Yearâs Day and the world, particularly the fabulous world of drag, was getting ready to kick off another fabulous year. This was long before Rupaulâs Drag Race (gasp!) and back before even some of my fabulous grandmothers were even born (hush hush!) but even then, you wouldnât believe the drag scene back then!
First, we need to chat about that fashion, honey! This was the height of the glamorous Art Deco period, and Iâm telling you, darling, the fashion scene was just positively roaring! Feathers, sequins, glamourous gowns, dramatic hats - think Audrey Hepburn meets Josephine Baker - and Iâm completely in love with the sheer fabulousness of it all. Now, my darlings, just imagine, me, Emma, in a fabulous, sequined, floor-length gown with an even bigger feathered hat â think Joan Crawford channeling the elegance of ballet and you've got the look!
However, while my heart was all about the beautiful fashions and glamorous ballrooms, the year 1939 was sadly a turning point for drag in some places. Laws restricting the rights of the LGBTQ+ community started to tighten in the US, leading to a time of underground drag performances and hidden gatherings, a complete shame. However, the rest of the world was booming with Drag entertainment, from glamorous balls in London, to the underground clubs in Paris, and even vibrant underground drag performances across Europe!
While the times were changing, darling, the passion for drag continued to blaze across the globe, and even if some doors were closing, the spirit of the drag world refused to be dimmed! Drag queens back then were bold, courageous, and determined to keep the party going, even if they had to do it behind closed doors. Think, underground speakeasies in New York, covert drag performances in Parisian cafes and even small clandestine groups in Germany all coming together to express themselves through their art.
I can just imagine the hushed whispers, the furtive glances, and the electrifying energy in those secret spaces, where the magic of drag could flourish unobserved, a dazzling kaleidoscope of expression defying the harsh world outside.
But, darling, amidst the uncertainty, one thing was abundantly clear: drag remained a powerful force, a beacon of resistance, an explosion of beauty and a voice that couldnât be silenced. Even when times were tough, the magic of drag persevered, proving, even then, that even the greatest obstacles couldn't dampen the power of the fierce spirit of the drag family.
But enough with all this history chat darling! Letâs get to the really fun stuff! Can you believe what happened this month? There was a new drag show in Londonâs West End at the Hippodrome called âThe Nine OâClock Revue" featuring the legendary Cicely Courtneidge. Just imagine that gorgeousness on the stage, darling. They had dazzling costumes and the most dazzling of choreography. I think we need to make sure we can watch some of her films at some point, my dears!
I popped along to the Palais de Danse in London to watch an equally glamorous performance by Josephine Baker. Darling, the Parisian cabaret is where drag was BORN and Josephine Baker was a pioneer of its era. It's a shame I couldnât wear my pink tutu though. It wouldn't be as daring in Paris!
Imagine darling! That same month, across the globe, in the vibrant and ever-so-dramatic city of New York, a glamorous group of drag queens called "The Village Swingersâ put on a fantastic cabaret in Greenwich Village. Oh my God, can you imagine getting invited to that? So fabulous! I even found out that the drag scene there is just absolutely booming! They were so brave to push back against those ridiculous laws! It just goes to show you, the power of Drag, my darlings! Even with rules, they can't shut us up! We must all keep shining, always!
But you know me, darling. No drag blog is complete without some of my fab advice! Now, with the rise of more and more incredible drag performances across the globe, I think it's time to step up our drag game! What do you say, my fabulous darlings? It's time we embraced that spirit of 1939 and show everyone the strength of a true drag queen. Just like those early performers, we are so brave! Weâve all got to have a little bit of bravery to show off our individuality and creativity. Even just embracing a little more pink in our daily lives could make a massive difference. I say, lets ALL wear pink tutus all year round and celebrate each other with flamboyant shows that embrace our own artistic voices! It's time to shake things up! Itâs time for a new era, darling! A pink tutu era!
If youâre with me, darling, then get those sequins sparkling, feathers flowing, and pink tutus ready to twirl, because the drag world is ready to burst with more joy than ever before!
Remember darling, stay sassy, stay fabulous, and never be afraid to wear a little more pink. Because you know what? Even the worldâs most daring drag queens had a love of pink!
XOXO
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
