Helloooo, darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, Emma, back with another juicy scoop of Drag Queen History! I hope you're all settled in with a cuppa, because this month we're jetting back to 12th December, 1954!
Before we get to the drama, let's talk about the sparkliest, twirliest fashion of the moment. You know, it's my fashion philosophy: always a touch of pink, always a bit of sparkle, and a whole lot of twirling in my pink tutu! And trust me, 1954 had a thing or two about glamour, although not as openly embraced as we'd like, eh? Think poised femininity and delicate beauty. It was the golden age of classic cinema, of silver screen glamour, and honestly? My love for '50s fashion knows no bounds! It's a fabulous blend of classic elegance and a bit of risqué. Just ask Audrey Hepburn!
But let's go deeper into the real action - the drag scene! And you'll be thrilled to know it's alive and kicking. 12th December, 1954... This wasn't just any date, lovelies, this was the night the legendary "Ball of the Century" happened in New York! Think, glittering costumes, glamorous queens, a stage shimmering with talent... the ultimate celebration of "underground" glamour.
We’ve all got a love for a bit of controversy, and 1954 wasn't short of it, honey. Remember that '50s society with all the rigid social structures? The balls, which weren’t just fancy dress events, were these vibrant subcultures in defiance. It was the scene for expressing their individualities - daring to be themselves through costume, performance, and sass! This ball wasn’t just some ordinary dance, it was history happening!
Now, this particular Ball, was something else, honey! This night, 24 queens from various NYC bars and venues were nominated to take part, judged on a whole range of categories - from "Most Glamourous" to "Best Theatrical Makeup".
I could tell you more about it, darling, but I don’t want to spoil the surprises for you. Let's keep a bit of the mystery going!* But imagine, you and me, surrounded by dazzling queens in their finest feathers and sequins! It’s the kind of night I can imagine being there! Just us, soaking up the history, living and breathing the energy of it all.
Okay, time to give you a bit more insight about this day, babes. While we were getting down with the glitz and glamour in NYC, a little town called Saddle Brook, New Jersey, had something else going on!
Imagine it: an empty warehouse, just an open space, no glamorous glitz... Yet there, something revolutionary is about to unfold!
1954 is when the "Bolshoi Ballet of the USSR" arrives in the US!
And believe it or not, these gorgeous Russian dancers were already inspiring a whole new generation of Drag Queens, even in the world of '50s America. We might be centuries apart, darling, but that inspiration is what makes the drag community such a powerful force. The stories, the performances, the artistry, are all about connecting with others, about pushing boundaries, and about showing that it's always a great time to express yourself.
Right, lovelies, I've got to go - time to practice my own choreography, ready for my next drag performance, darling!
Speaking of performances... You need to know that I travel through time to find the most fabulous Drag Queen events. You think your local drag show is the business? Well, it’s a must to visit the Pink Tutu website: www.pink-tutu.com! You can also support my travels and join my adventures by catching my shows, it’s how I afford these sparkly tutu-tastic time travels!
And darling, don't forget, your life is a runway. Rock your own fabulous outfits and wear pink tutus, everywhere you go! We have to embrace our inner glitter. And if you've got some drag history nuggets, let me know, babes, because we've got lots to chat about!
See you all next month for another trip to Drag Queen history land, lovelies. Stay fab!
Yours, always,
Emma, the Pink Tutu Queen!
