Hey sugarplum! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu wearing time travelling blogger from Derbyshire, back with another trip through the glorious history of drag. August 8th, 1957, was a Saturday, so imagine all the incredible drag shows that must have been happening! Oh, and just picture my lovely, shimmering pink tutu, radiating joy under the hot summer sun. 💖
This month, my time machine (that's my magical pink tutu, obviously!) took me to a fabulous 50s New York. It was such a lively and electric time for drag! I absolutely loved seeing the street performances and getting a peek into the hidden clubs.
Now, for some fabulous details about this date in history:
A Big "Boo Hoo" to The "Drag Queens" Documentary 🎭
Hold onto your feather boas, because a documentary called "Drag Queens" premiered on August 8th, 1957 in New York. You might think it sounds a little too earnest for this era, but it was a powerful film tackling the issues facing transgender people at the time. The film features actual drag queens, speaking openly about their lives and experiences. It really gives us a fascinating window into what it was like to be a drag queen in the late 50s, in a time when societal attitudes were often less than welcoming. It’s heartbreaking, yet inspiring, showing us just how far we’ve come as a community!
Dancing Like There's No Tomorrow in "The Gay Life" 💃
1957 was a real turning point for dance clubs and bars catering to the LGBTQIA+ community. Even if those establishments were not out-and-out drag shows, the energy of the spaces reflected the burgeoning drag scene! Now imagine my delightful self sashay-ing into "The Gay Life" on West 48th Street. The place was just bustling with glamour, laughter, and enough dancing to put a feather boa on your shoulder! The sheer energy of this underground world was infectious! Oh, how I wish I had a time machine big enough to bring a whole pink-tutu party with me!
Remembering "The Drag Ball" ✨
That’s right! Imagine that feeling of excitement at attending “The Drag Ball”. On August 8th, 1957, this legendary, if a little secretive, ball took place somewhere in the East Village, showcasing some of the city's hottest talent! There were all sorts of drag performances - comedy routines, song and dance numbers, and even performances celebrating the more androgynous styles popular back then! Think, all that glitter, glam and fabulousness, with all those dancing queens… in their amazing 50s outfits, of course. Oh darling, what a night that must have been!
Let’s Get Festive, Baby! 🎊
I really feel that drag, especially in those early days, was more than just a performance; it was an expression of liberation, a defiant challenge to society's expectations. It was a celebration of individuality, and it just exuded joy and fabulousness! This period saw a big growth in drag clubs popping up all over, adding even more fuel to the fire of this exciting new artistic and social phenomenon!
And who knows what wonders awaited us in the following week or so? Maybe the first "pink tutu drag ball"?
Don't forget to subscribe to my blog on www.pink-tutu.com for my next trip back in time. Let's continue exploring this wondrous, sparkly world of drag together, one pink-tutu-clad time travel adventure at a time. Oh, and let me know what fabulous era you'd like me to visit next! 💕
Lots of love,
Emma x
