Post Number: 469
Darling, it’s Emma here, ready to take you on another fabulous journey through the fabulous world of Drag! Oh darling, I just can't get enough of it all! And where does it all start, where did our queens first wiggle their hips? Why, in the past, of course!
This month, my lovely Pink Tutu took me on a time-traveling trip to 1st January 1959! That's right, darling, I was floating around like a sugar plum fairy in the middle of the 50s! And honestly, you've never seen a decade with such a flair for the theatrical!
I'd just popped my pink tulle-topped head through the time portal (trust me, my dear readers, you can't really travel in time with anything less fabulous than a magical, iridescent pink tutu!) when the sounds of music and laughter just about knocked me off my size 12s! It was simply thrilling, absolutely everything was in full bloom and every single person seemed to have such a zest for life!
Now, before we get into the truly fabulous details of the day, let's take a peek at the big events happening in the world:
What was going on in the World of Drag (and not Drag) on 1st January 1959!
Firstly, 1st January 1959 was a Thursday! Now, every Drag Queen knows the magic that unfolds on a Thursday evening! Let me tell you, this date holds some truly fabulous highlights for the Drag community:
*The drag ball: *Oh my darling, the year is off to a smashing start! At the Ballet Club in London, which was actually a private men-only members club, they were throwing a huge ball. This, my darlings, was just the tip of the iceberg! At this club, on a special Friday evening, there would be an invite-only "ball" where men would "dress as women" with an amazing costume competition! Oh, and can you imagine this: The prize, my dear reader, for the winner of the fancy dress ball at the Ballet Club was the honour of dancing with a girl...in heels! I've been trying to imagine how fabulous the outfits would have been, darling! Perhaps there was even a tiny bit of drag-influenced ballet involved! After all, everyone was wearing the "latest fashion"! Oh, darling, I just long to peek at their "designs"! It makes my soul soar. (Psst! Let's face it, a pink tutu is all the 'latest fashion' we need! Just saying! But you knew that! ;). )
The world is still a little "shocked": Now, before we delve deeper into the fabulousness of 1959, darling, you have to understand the world is still coming to terms with its ‘shock and awe’ reaction to our beautiful sisters like Christine Jorgensen, the "woman who was born a man." Her incredible courage really rocked the boat. We have a lot to thank Christine for; she blazed a trail for the LGBTQIA+ world!
Back in 1959... The Ballet Club!
Okay darling, now that we've caught up with a little of what was going on globally, let's get back to that event that's getting my little heart all flutters! A drag ball, darlings, at the Ballet Club?! Oh darling, the possibilities were endless. Just think: The theatrical energy, the anticipation! All that anticipation would be bursting from the seams like the frills of a flamenco skirt! The whispers would fill the air, just like when you know your favourite Drag Queen is about to reveal her spectacular new gown.
It wasn't even necessary to be the biggest name in the 'show' for them to get a taste of that feeling, you just needed to make a big impression with your show, darlings, like The Gorgeous Showgirl. Let's take a peek!
Showgirls: In 1959, you really didn't have to get out and 'about' much to see drag! If you could find a cabaret or nightclub where "showgirls" were invited (sometimes in disguise) they were able to perform. Remember those burlesque 'comediennes' who entertained men? Oh honey! It seems there were drag artists and comediennes (wearing make up, high-heeled shoes and costumes) just a stone’s throw away. These "female" artists might not even know they were 'dragging' - what a world they inhabited!
And for the theatre * - well! Darling, the drag queens (of whom you would never hear of!) just weren't going to miss out on the chance to show off their talent! They'd be right there, right beside the stars at every performance of The Sound of Music. Well, maybe not right beside them, because that could be just a little too obvious! You see, in the 50s, if you were one of those 'unusual people', your 'unconventional' behavior, including the 'unconventional way you dressed, might attract an undeserved unwanted attention from others.' Now, you've all heard the whisperings about these troupes, well, it’s time to see how these amazing Drag queens found their ways, and why!
From stage door to drag show - finding your space
Let's rewind to 1940 and find ourselves back in London, with all those beautiful 'Drag Queens'! There are only 385 drag queens in this Fabulous Club! Let's see if we can't make our mark - perhaps with a few more drag shows! * In London's Theatreland (oh my darling, what a fantastic spot!) they were taking it *way, way, way back and they had big dreams. It just takes one bold soul. Like my new favorite queen Madame Dita Von Teese. This drag artist took a chance on herself (even though in the 40s, being a female impersonator wasn't as common as it is now), she started on stage in disguise. Madame Von Teese, her heart was bursting to be seen. What she knew was she had to have faith in her creativity!
Now, how are those big dreams taking shape here, darling? These little ‘beauties’ found out how! And guess what? It was from here ( London’s Theatreland in the 40s) that, bit by bit, by the sheer force of their talent and incredible creativity, they had the strength to become the inspiration for that ‘gorgeous drag show! ' Oh honey, these are trailblazers and we owe them everything.
A Drag Queen’s world and where it’s heading (in the next 50 years!)
Well darling, it really makes my fabulous heart sing when I can remember that ‘the most important thing for us' - I'm saying it, darling! And the reason all those talented drag queens could ‘shine' in 1959 (in whatever way they found they could!), was the art itself. The fact that you loved to dance and you loved to perform, that's how we found a home. Now, in 1959, that sparkle, was found all over, from London's West End to the fabulous nightclubs in NYC, as the show 'Drag' was really 'beginning' to glow. And by 1985 we have those famous stars such as Divine, the divine one, RuPaul! These beauties of the 50s, they're making history! That, darling, is one of the most incredible facts about all these decades - each one helps shape the future. How amazing is *that? They have all taught me something - I want to know everything about each of them.
And honey, you want to know something else about all this magic?: the beauty of 'the times'. Now, that's one reason why I had to come on this amazing adventure.
A Day in The Life
Remember this: In the early days, for a Drag Queen, to find a venue (for instance - the Ballet Club!), it all hinged on 'connections.' It's like the whole world of show business: you go out with friends, and those friends know people! Maybe those people are part of another world. You go out one night, darling, you dress beautifully in your style and you hope it works. A big part of what you'll do when you get there is to get noticed, you might get seen, but if not, oh well! That's the 50s for you. This all took incredible confidence!
So let's imagine ourselves there! We've just arrived, looking every bit a fabulous 50s dream queen, but let's say you don't 'fit in' quite that easily, honey! What will you do?! Oh, this is a fantastic challenge! There were those people out there - you just had to find them. In 1959 it could feel like an even bigger mountain to climb - and here's why you'll have an amazing time doing it:
A Little Bit of Trouble in 1959. In the early days you have to be extra careful (maybe it's a good time to go a bit under the radar?). Because you can't always wear all the most 'fabulous' fashion out in the world - a pink tutu isn’t for everyone!
*Meeting *The Ones Like Me * In 1959 you go to those ‘underground clubs' for those incredible performers! There, darlings, you can wear your most gorgeous tutu, strut your stuff, and meet ‘those ones like me’ ! This means dancing all night, and *that means showing off your best ballet steps. Remember darlings: it’s not just about fashion; you’re also there to create magic with your ‘drag act’. It’s your chance to show off.
Pink-Tutu: Our Love of the Arts and Culture - Ballet!
Now darlings, one of the most fabulous things that this pink tutu wearer ever learned is that there are things you do better than others. As you can imagine, this is how a queen perfects her trade, so darling, you have to ‘stand out!’
So how do you ‘stand out’? That's a secret all of you queens can share. One of the most obvious ways to stand out (and I just have to mention it) is to ‘tap’ into those inner ballerinas!
Yes, darlings, this fabulous pink tutu wearer LOVES her ballet! There's something so absolutely spectacular and magical about it, especially all those 'pretty ballerinas'. You see, in drag, and in ballet, those beautiful souls are performing a part which is often bigger than life itself! I want to tell you how this connection made me so very, very happy!
The joy in ballet is so easy to feel: The 'pointe shoes,' the incredible jumps and beautiful 'tutus'. They've *always had a place in our world. We've got to make it work.
My lovely tutu took me to one particular, magical 'ballet' place, a ballerina shop. As you'd expect darling, this gorgeous place was filled with all things ballet related and those amazing outfits that our queens (as we know) use for their incredible ballet inspired routines. Darling, I just wanted to be everywhere at once to take it all in! I have to thank all these amazing drag queens that taught me that!
A Drag Queen’s Passion and how you make that happen:
The fact that you are a queen is all about showing off your talent to the world but remember it's really all about showing off ‘your heart’ - so if that heart is singing ‘ballet' – you have a fabulous path right there for you. The amazing fact about this journey is you get to find all those incredible connections, especially when it comes to talent and expression in ballet.
Let me tell you a few ways that drag and ballet go so well together. We can all learn how to:
Work on Your Physique: A gorgeous body can only happen when you are in great physical condition and your body will love you for it. I know some of the ballet queens put their hearts and souls into years of preparation! All this is also fabulous training for a drag queen!
Work on Your Flexibility: For the most dramatic ballet leaps, your body needs to be really, really flexible. So let's get back to all the best drag queens – your poses, your steps and your overall body movement - all the better if it's fluid! Ballet training really does help you with this! It's about working that core of your body, honey!
- Expressing Your Soul in Motion: We can always say one thing for a drag queen: you live your truth! All ballet dancers do it too. They show the most amazing expressions and grace, that truly come from the soul. These gorgeous people love it!
This month, let's celebrate drag, fashion and *our fabulous world ! I'll catch you next month darlings. Love Emma x
