Post #471: A Whirl Through 1959 - March 3rd - From Derby to the World!
Hiya darlings! It's your favourite tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back with another blast from the past! This month, my magical pink tutu is whisking me back to March 3rd, 1959, and let me tell you, this trip was full of surprises!
Now, I'm from Derbyshire, so naturally, the first thing I did was pop over to the Derby Gaumont Theatre to see what was happening on the big screen. It was a real treat! A wonderful old film starring none other than Frank Sinatra, "The Tunnel of Love". Can you imagine? My own Nana probably went to see that back in the day! Talk about history!
Now, 1959 is a big year in music! I could almost hear the iconic bass line of "Good Golly Miss Molly" by Little Richard pulsing through the streets, and it's no wonder! The record was released on this very day! I swear, that song still makes my stilettos shake with joy.
You might be surprised to hear, darlings, but the world of drag in 1959 was already brimming with fabulousness. Though drag wasn't something you'd see on primetime television back then, it thrived in clandestine clubs and underground venues, and that's exactly where I found myself!
I sashayed my way into a hidden bar in Greenwich Village, New York, just about a stone's throw away from the Stonewall Inn, which was to become so much more in the future! But I digress.
What I discovered that evening was pure magic, and a real treat! This wasn't a 'glitter and feather' extravaganza like we see today, darlings, but it was full of heart, wit, and raw talent. Think cabaret meets camp, with a sprinkle of the underground thrown in!
As I mingled among the throng, I saw the most glorious things. Imagine! Drag queens were wearing beautiful dresses, styled with incredible flair - gowns that looked like they came straight out of a movie set, perfectly adorned with feathers and sequins.
One particular performance really stole my breath. A drag queen called "Miss Mimi", was a seasoned pro! She commanded the stage, had the most impeccable comic timing, and performed a brilliant, yet shocking (for 1959), take on a song about the joys of having three husbands!
Talk about pushing the boundaries! My jaw literally dropped, and Miss Mimi gave me a little wink, with a saucy "Now, you just let your imagination go wild!" as I sat spellbound.
But what really brought it home for me was a charming, if somewhat scandalous, story from the New York Post from January 21st 1959. They covered a case of two queens called Jackie "Jo Jo" Jordon and Miss Lola getting busted! They got themselves a big old "brewing and drinking ticket!" The story said Lola (what a name, right?!) had an 'attractive but bizarre appearance' and Jo Jo (I could see that look happening today!), "showed off the most peculiar ensemble." It sounds like pure mischief to me! I was thrilled!
Now, in my travels to 1959, I didn't only find out about fabulous queens. I learned so much about the world in general, and it was actually incredibly poignant to see how far we've come, but how so much still resonates today!
There was such an undeniable tension brewing, but also so much optimism about a more progressive world coming into play. There was the Cuban Missile Crisis looming, but there was also the wonderful sound of new, diverse music being embraced everywhere!
The fashion scene was positively exploding! My favourite trend? A simple but stylish approach! Bell bottom pants were making a splash. These were literally designed to go to the Moon and, of course, big ol' sunglasses. Sunglasses in 1959 were already an important fashion statement, just like today, but back then they were often worn indoors too!
There was also a growing awareness of how fashion impacted us – the power it had to express oneself, challenge norms and create community. This felt very familiar, don't you think?
And so, my darling friends! As always, my journey was not simply about seeing what life was like, but about connecting the dots of our shared history and recognizing our own evolution.
It’s fascinating how, even amidst anxieties and changes, there is still the shared need for a creative outlet - something to brighten our lives, bring a laugh to our lips and express the uniqueness within each and every one of us!
Drag, then as now, was and continues to be the platform that unites! And in honour of this legacy, let’s all remember the power of our creative selves! Go ahead, darlings! Let’s all embrace the joy, the silliness and the outrageousness of our pink tutus and big dreams!
Stay sparkly,
Emma 💕
www.pink-tutu.com
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