Greetings, darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-clad, time-travelling drag queen extraordinaire! It’s June 6th, 1960, and my magical tutu is taking me back to the dawn of a brand new decade. Buckle up, because it's going to be a fabulous journey!
(This is post #486 on the www.pink-tutu.com website, where I delve into the fabulous world of drag history once a month. Catch up on all my adventures by heading over to the blog now! )
This time, my darling, we're going straight to the heart of what was then the New York City drag scene. This city, the city that never sleeps, was always buzzing with some sort of glamour, but for our purpose, we’ll be stopping by The Village Vanguard in Greenwich Village, one of the most beloved hotspots in New York City for jazz, cabaret, and all things artsy-fartsy.
I have my eyes on a legendary night spot, "The Cafe Wha?" a coffee house and a true icon for its artistic atmosphere and its undeniable connection to the New York Village scene. You can find a whole plethora of famous faces who got their start here, the list reads like a who's who of art history! It’s where artists like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez honed their craft.
And in a place that thrives on art and talent, we can also see what is on the forefront of New York drag!
Back then, the Village was truly where a drag queen could thrive and create an extraordinary, glamorous space, where expression truly was free and bold! Think back to "The Cockettes", "The Angels of Light" and "The Homosexuals" who brought to the forefront a uniquely glamourous and free expression. This was before the mainstream spotlight started making its presence known on the scene.
That's right, drag wasn't what it was on TV back then!
Back then, it was real - an underground movement that gave life and heart to the streets! They would sashay into these local hotspots, transforming them into a theatre space of their own design.
Imagine a coffee shop packed with the coolest crowd - you would have artists, poets, musicians and all kinds of performers and artists getting down on the dance floor or engaging with a live performance! It’s enough to get anyone’s heart beating. I do imagine, with my own experience as a performer, it’s probably something truly magic when everyone’s on the same energy!
Today, June 6th, 1960, maybe there's an up and coming drag performer on the floor or the stage of this cool, little bar! The Cafe Wha? will always be an undeniable piece of New York drag history, and what I love the most about it is it has a truly unique perspective - that this little bar was once where Bob Dylan performed and it is also the same space where, perhaps, one of the first New York drag performers made a mark.
This connection to a very important history in New York city was truly an important catalyst in my desire to come here today to find a real slice of life for this date. There was a very vibrant underground scene and I can only imagine how much was really being created behind the scenes and behind closed doors at these places.
I know we might see some more recognisable names further on in my drag queen history blogs - that will definitely be something to look forward to. This time though, I have the privilege of seeing a moment in the city where a movement that wasn’t yet named and categorised was gaining traction and energy in this artistic space.
As you know, my journey is truly a testament to everything beautiful that drag has to offer, a celebration of self-expression and all the possibilities!
Time to head home, darlings, it’s time to put this new bit of inspiration to good use. Keep the pink tutu vibes going!
Stay fabulous! 💖
*P.S. Remember, every day is an opportunity to make history. So strut your stuff, wear your colours loud and proud, and don’t forget to be kind to everyone you meet, because the world is a beautiful place when we all work together. Now, what's going to be your drag inspiration today? *
