Hello my gorgeous darlings! 💅💋✨ Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels, your monthly dose of dazzling drag history! It’s me, your girl Emma, and this is post number 489! This month we’re jetting back to a truly fabulous era, a time when glamour was king and sequins were queen: September 9th, 1960.
This particular date has always been close to my heart because, darling, it was the day I first realised that the magic of drag was timeless. It's a secret that’s been shimmering throughout the ages, and we're gonna take a peek at the spectacular happenings back then!
Remember that little pink tutu I told you about? My precious pink companion that's always transporting me through time? Well, she's ready to whisk us away to 1960 – get ready for a ride, girls!
Picture this: the year is 1960. The world’s a little less sparkly, but believe me, the drag scene is bursting with vibrant life. The whole globe was shimmering with the most wonderful drag shows. From the underground clubs of New York to the backrooms of London's West End, drag queens were performing, bringing joy and campy comedy to the world!
I can almost feel the buzz as we step out of my time-traveling tutu, arriving at the fabulous, legendary, The Cockettes, in San Francisco. Imagine it: A group of fabulous men and women dressing in sequined gowns, outrageous wigs and platforms. A riot of colours and feathers, creating performances that combined surreal, satirical theatricality with cabaret! You can literally feel their wild energy and fierce freedom, don’t you?
I couldn’t believe my lucky stars when I caught a glimpse of the Cockettes' signature, a theatrical piece named "Pearls Before Swine." Imagine a giant pig, covered in glitter and pearls, alongside a cast of glamorous, colourful, and downright hilarious drag queens! This show, my lovelies, was the epitome of fabulous drag!
Of course, the underground drag scene in New York City was ablaze too! The famed Cafe Society, an incredibly hip establishment on Sheridan Square, was pulsating with electrifying drag shows! Picture this: Divas in elaborate, vibrant costumes performing cabaret routines under a stage lit with twinkling, disco-like balls. There was a real electric air of glamour, excitement, and sheer audacity, especially with a sprinkle of taboo and political satire woven through their performances. Imagine! A truly liberating experience for both the queens and their audience, which is something we should always be celebrating, darling!
Back in dear old Derbyshire, England, drag shows weren’t exactly what they are today, darling! This was the era of secret* drag gatherings and underground gigs. However, imagine this scene, darling: A cozy back room in a small pub in Derby. The air is thick with the aroma of warm beer and cigarettes, but the excitement in the air is electric. A small stage has been created, and there’s a gaggle of talented drag queens, bringing glamour and laughter to the small, excited crowd gathered around the stage. The night’s a little more daring than other nights, a bit of "camp" being squeezed into each hilarious song and skit. The feeling was one of unity and community. A feeling I truly miss today.
You know, even though the 60s were all about keeping things on the down-low for most of us fabulous drag queens, there was something incredible about the "camp" of the performances in this era. It was an era when the power of satire, the witty observations about the world and society, truly reigned.
Don’t get me wrong: 1960s drag was no walk in the park! It required tremendous bravery, creativity, and ingenuity. Drag queens had to navigate a society where they were often viewed with prejudice, where they couldn’t openly be who they were. But they embraced the challenge. Their dedication to their craft is the core reason why I'm here today, darling.
They’re our icons, these drag pioneers. They paved the way for so many fabulous people, for me! You know, I have to remind myself to look to them for inspiration, to never stop challenging the status quo, to never back down from being who we are!
While 1960 was a period of rapid social change, drag was the hidden beacon of expression. So, this September, when we celebrate this pivotal year, remember those pioneers, those rebels, those artists who broke barriers, pushed boundaries, and made drag history!
You know, as I sit here with my lovely pink tutu, I can't help but reflect: It wasn't always easy for our iconic drag pioneers to embrace their identities, especially during the 60s. So what’s our mission today? What can we do for drag today?
Simple: Get everyone wearing a pink tutu, darling! Spread the love of the colour pink. Express yourself! That’s the pink tutu message:
“It's okay to be bold. It’s okay to be you!”
And remember: My next post, darling, is about October 1st 1976! If you love reading my ramblings, don't forget to head to www.pink-tutu.com and stay fabulous! 😘💖✨
