Hiya darlings! Itâs your girl Emma here, your ever so fashionable pink-tutu wearing drag queen extraordinaire, back from another exhilarating journey through time!
Now, this month weâre whipping up some history magic, whisking us right back to 3rd March 1957. Can you believe it? Sixty-six years ago! I can hardly fathom, but let me tell you, darlings, the scene in drag was bubbling with something quite special.
A pink tutu, a time machine and a blast from the past!
As always, I set off in my time-traveling, pink tutu. The shimmer, the glitter, the twirl factor - oh darling, this time it practically propelled me through the centuries, faster than a double-click on a "Buy Now" button. Imagine: landing smack-bang in the heart of 1957! A bit of a cultural shock, I must confess, with those petticoats and the prim and proper style of the time. But darling, drag queens have never shied away from a good makeover!
London's Calling!
Firstly, a visit to London! Oh my god, you wouldnât believe the fabulous drag venues buzzing with excitement in the 50s. From the Soho areaâs iconic pubs and clubs - remember "The Two I's?" - to the smoky, glamorous cabaret venues, darling, the scene was alive with theatrical magic.
We had Dame Barbara Cartland hosting events for her fans! You heard right! I bet those gowns would've been divine - picture a cloud of tulle, shimmering rhinestones and maybe a sprinkle of glitter! Now, if she only had the divine power of my pink tutu to see her vision!
I heard tell of Danny La Rue gracing the stage! His signature look was just impeccable, and his impersonations of those big name stars were iconic!
New York, New York, where else should we go?!
Darling, the excitement wasnât just confined to London. Across the Atlantic, the heart of New York was thrumming with fabulous drag queens too!
Think drag balls in Harlem, with glittering costumes, fierce expressions and oh-so-extra dance moves. Iâm imagining a lot of pink (my favourite colour, don't you know!), feathers, sparkles, and an intoxicating blend of rebellion and elegance. Can you picture the scene?
Drag Culture In The 50s: More than meets the eye!
It wasn't just the glitz and glam, honey. Drag culture was a potent symbol of identity, self-expression and pushing boundaries, a kind of a resistance against the norm.
Can you imagine, darlings, in an era when people werenât so open to âdifference,â drag queens embraced their artistry with an unyielding spirit! Iâm thinking bold looks, sassy personalities, and, letâs not forget, those glorious costumes - probably the biggest fashion statements back then.
*How does Emma finance her adventures? *
You might be wondering, "Emma darling, how do you afford all this time travelling? The pink tutu is a looker, donât get me wrong, but is it time-powered?"
Well, the answer, darlings, is a bit simpler, yet no less glamorous: I fund these jaunts to drag history through the power of performance! Youâve got to love the world of drag. It gives me the means to do all of this, to be out there spreading the love of drag and making those dream trips happen! I must say I quite fancy the idea of a pink-tutu fundraiser, with all proceeds going to help my next journey through time.
Catch you next month for more Drag Queen Time Travels!
Darling, weâre gonna delve into some fascinating details in upcoming posts about this period and much more. Be sure to visit the site regularly and remember: itâs about so much more than pink tutus and glitter!
Keep sparkling, keep twirling, and keep supporting drag! Remember, a pink tutu is the best way to make a statement! And I, for one, think it's time the world embrace it.
Until next time,
Emma xoxo
* www.pink-tutu.com*
