Hello my darlings, and welcome to another episode of Pink Tutu Time Travel! It's Emma here, your favourite Derbyshire drag queen with a penchant for pink, a passion for performance, and a seriously sparkly pink tutu that takes me on the most amazing adventures through time!
This month, I've set my time travel sights on May 5th, 1953. I know what you're thinking: why that date, Em? Well, let's just say it was the perfect excuse to whip up a Coronation themed drag ensemble!
Imagine this, dolls: I arrive in London, bustling with excitement, in my dazzling pink tutu. Now, you know me, darling, I love to see how fashion unfolds through history, and this day, my dears, was a fashion explosion! London was ablaze with colour and extravagance! It was as if everyone had poured all their love and excitement into their clothes to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. And what does a queenly ensemble need? You guessed it, a pink tutu!
After I made a grand entrance in Trafalgar Square (can you imagine, darling? Everyone just stopped and stared!), I took a tour of London to check out all the fabulous fashions. You wouldn't believe how much pink I saw, it was glorious! I even spotted a group of women - I believe they were called "flapper girls" back then, darling! - who were doing this most impressive "shuffle and swing" dance! They were dressed head-to-toe in sequins, bright colours and oh, darling, their shoes! It's clear the "fabulous" and "extra" vibes of our present drag scene can be traced back to the amazing fashion trends of the 50s! I simply HAD to get a photo with them, all for the gram of course. I think my sparkly pink tutu blended right in!
But you know what's even more fabulous? As I strolled along, I stumbled upon a clandestine performance in a little bar tucked away down a cobbled street. This was NO ordinary bar, honey, it was buzzing with an air of excitement that could only mean one thing - drag!
I was absolutely enchanted by what I witnessed! These drag performers, working their magic under the guise of being "character acts" in the backrooms of local pubs and clubs, were a total vision of glamorous, flamboyant, fabulous, campy and just plain joyous. It really showed the power of drag to break boundaries, defy expectations and express yourself authentically. It was a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of those who chose to perform in those less-than-obvious, even at times somewhat dangerous, locations. Their courage and resilience are truly inspiring.
I spent the whole evening enjoying these amazing performances and chatting with the performers, picking their brains about what drag meant to them, how they managed to get by with their act, and how they dreamed of a day where they could strut their stuff in a dazzling show for all the world to see! Oh honey, it broke my heart to think of how those lovely people were forced to work in the shadows, afraid of judgement, yet shining with so much heart, passion and brilliance! And I simply MUST say how important it was that these drag queens kept their art going, regardless of the circumstances.
Speaking of showing the world our magnificent selves, let's move away from London for a moment. I know, I know! That gorgeous London scenery is making us all want to pack a pink tutu and hop on the first plane to Blighty, darling. But wait, this story takes a different turn in, of all places, Los Angeles. Now, darling, everyone loves a bit of Hollywood glamour and back in '53, Hollywood was buzzing, full of glitz and glam! And you know me, darling, I was living for the bright lights and the fancy cocktails (don't tell my sponsors about the cocktails - just between you and me!). I discovered the greatest thing on my travels! A drag show taking place under a bright neon sign in the backstreets of Los Angeles, called The Red Door Saloon!
Oh darling, that Red Door Saloon was so fab, even back in '53, it wouldn't feel out of place today! A dark little cabaret spot, a tiny stage with the glitterball twinkling and all the lovely ladies (and I was SO excited to find other queens back in '53!) doing their very best, throwing shade, giving fierce and just simply having fun! This is what drag is about, honey! Just showing up, being yourself, finding your power in performance!
I'm gonna admit, there were more whispers than screaming applause back then. The crowd, though very glamorous in their own right (so much inspiration for a '50s themed drag performance, I tell you), was a bit more on the conservative side! I could just feel the yearning from those watching, a yearning to really let go, to embrace all the glitz and glam that our fabulous drag queens brought to the stage!
However, as I learned, there's always a reason for hope! It wasn't long after that very first Red Door Saloon trip when the drag queens started seeing more smiles than stares in those watching them!
So, in short, darling, my time-traveling jaunt to May 5th, 1953 showed me something amazing - that drag is truly a universal language. Whether in London's bright bustle, the Hollywood scene or just in a little bar hidden away on a back street, the spirit of drag, the art of performance, and the power to bring people together through joy and laughter is a force that cannot be stopped! And that's something that makes me want to put on my pink tutu and dance my heart out every day!
Now, what does our darling blog readers think? Any suggestions for where I should journey to next in my sparkly pink tutu? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! Until next time, my dears, remember to keep those pink tutus handy and live your fabulous lives to the fullest! Love,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
