Hiya darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time travelling drag queen, reporting live from... well, 1962 to be precise! How absolutely fabulous, isn't it? It's always a thrill to get my sequins shimmering through the mists of time, and this month, my darlings, I've found myself in the middle of what can only be described as a most exciting time in drag history!
So, before we delve into the drama (and darling, there was some drama!), let's chat a bit about this glorious month. December is my absolute favourite. Think shimmering snow, twinkling lights, and the joy of festive feasts! This December 12th, though, wasn't quite a winter wonderland as I'm used to. We're smack-dab in the middle of Cuba! Yes, Cuba, darling, the home of some of the most dazzling drag talent I've ever seen, even if their tutus are a little different than mine...
I arrived here feeling absolutely resplendent in my hot-pink tulle creation, of course. Now, imagine my surprise, darling, when I found myself surrounded by these incredible drag queens who have never even seen a pink tutu, let alone donned one themselves!
This, darlings, is why my time travel mission is so important. I'm on a mission to make pink tutus the hottest accessory of all time, and if that means travelling back to a time when tutus were purely for ballerinas, then so be it! Now, let's delve into the excitement!
This particular day in 1962 is absolutely jam-packed! Let me tell you, you wouldn't have caught me dead not attending these absolutely iconic events:
1. The Premiere of "Victor/Victoria" at the Shubert Theatre, New York City:
First up, we have the grand opening of "Victor/Victoria," a groundbreaking musical featuring the one and only Julie Andrews! She is playing a gorgeous and utterly convincing drag king, performing with so much charisma, I nearly swooned right then and there! Now, don't let the fact that the musical premiered today fool you, darlings - I went ahead and time-travelled a little bit into the show!
I have to say, this performance absolutely stole my breath away. From the dazzling costumes to the sensational set pieces, every element oozed glamour.
2. Cuban Drag and the Underground World of Entertainment:
Now, you see, Cuba back in 1962, it's not like today. It's under Communist rule. You think pink tutus would be fashionable? Oh darling, not so much! The idea of men dressed in sequins, never even crossed their minds!
Instead, it's more about this secret underground drag scene that just busts with energy. These Cuban drag performers have created this amazing art form. Think fierce female impersonations, but they use very different techniques and styles to mine what I could only call a beautiful, flamboyant underground artistry. It was like something out of an absolutely divine dream!
Let's get one thing clear, I saw an incredible amount of talent on the Cuban stage. There were fabulous diva performers and dancers, but one performance I saw was like nothing I have ever encountered, and I have been everywhere! There was this sensational drag queen at this secret venue hidden in the shadows and she performed what she called "a ritual to womanhood." Now, I adore a ritual any day of the week. We are, after all, in the cult of Emma, the pink-tutu-clad time-travelling, goddess of fabulous! It wasn't in the way we expect. This wasn't about getting into a fancy frock and doing big theatrical numbers - though her gown was magnificent! She wore this striking red ensemble with embroidery, it had some fabulous fringe, I can tell you, all very dramatic and flamboyant! And her makeup? She had a striking black eye, just a single line, that ran across one side of her face and connected to her lips in a swirl of crimson, that was so striking I'm still thinking about it! This beautiful woman spoke in her divine stage voice, using poetry and powerful movements in a display of strength and feminine power I just loved. I mean, it sent shivers down my spine! She turned out to be a celebrated Cuban artiste. Can you imagine that? This amazing drag queen living a double life in a world that just wouldn't accept her? Talk about daring! But her work was captivating and a testament to the power of drag!
Oh darling, let's get down to business and chat a little bit about the finer points of this fabulous fashion odyssey:
1. The Art of Theatrical Fashion and Costumes
You know I love my costumes! So, let me tell you, these musicals, especially "Victor/Victoria," showed me just how bold theatricals could get. The designers pushed every boundary of imagination, blending these classic looks of Hollywood glamour with this new wave of "rock 'n' roll" style that was coming in. It was pure magic! Imagine sleek fabrics with so much glitter, the sort that shines in every single light. They had gowns that swung and danced to every note! These looks would have been perfect to rock any ballroom and have left every diva, even yours truly, completely speechless.
2. Celebrating Drag and a Little bit of History
Here's the truth, darling. These Cuban drag queens had something very unique. They combined their local traditions and incorporated that with modern trends of American pop culture, the music, the fashions. These artists, who were pushing boundaries in a conservative society, inspired me so much.
Imagine drag queens who perform outside, at secret events, where people would never expect it. They were not only expressing themselves, but also challenging expectations and showing just how powerful drag truly is. They were absolutely redefining femininity with an expression that truly touched my heart!
Now, darlings, you'll just have to come and read my blog again next month, as I have to hop on my time machine. You see, there are still so many more stories to tell! This isn't even close to the end of our adventure! And if you happen to find yourself in Derbyshire one day, why not join me at one of my shows?! We can discuss this in person over a lovely cup of tea and crumpets, and discuss what's coming next.
Keep your sparkle, Emma
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