Darlings,
Greetings from your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina! It's Emma, and it's June the 6th, 1963, here in my trusty, oh-so-sparkly, time-travelling pink tutu! (As always, all donations towards my pink tutu fund are most gratefully received! There's a "Pink Tutu" tab on www.pink-tutu.com - click the "donate" button!)
This month, we're whizzing back in time to a momentous year for civil rights - a year where change was on the breeze. 1963! It's a year that's burned itself into our collective memories, particularly for the iconic events that unfolded during the month of June. I couldn't wait to put on my time-travelling tutu and head back in time!
Just a few days earlier on June 1st, America took a giant leap forward. The march on Washington for jobs and freedom, which culminated in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech, became a pivotal moment in American history, demanding equal rights for all. What an absolute moment in time to be alive and part of history! I bet all the drag queens in 1963 felt a wave of change washing over the nation too. It's such a shame they didn't have a social media back then to share those incredible emotions. They wouldn't be posting Insta-stories - oh my darling!
On the Stage & on the Street - The Drag of 1963
1963 saw a fabulous world of drag bursting onto the scene! I spent this day checking out some amazing acts. Imagine my delight, darlings! Not only did the music of the day rock, but there were fantastic venues like The Cockettes, where drag reigned supreme! I spotted fabulous outfits in New York City at The Blue Angel, The Bon Soir and a little place called The Café Au Go Go, that seems to have become a happening venue, with the likes of the Supremes and Judy Collins in the line-up. Can you imagine the incredible stage-wear? It must have been fantastic, just imagine!
My Night out in the World of Drag!
As you know, my time-travelling tutu takes me all over the world, and it took me straight to a glamorous night at The Bon Soir in New York! (Yes, it was already legendary by 1963. There were just these fabulous ladies onstage dressed to the nines, some with spectacular feathered headdresses. Just the most darling makeup, full lips and a flick of the eyelashes - simply divine! There was one dame that made everyone giggle, as she told gag worthy tales about “The Night The Men of the Universe Landed!”
As for the outfits? Imagine a fabulous ballgown with shimmering sequins and sequins everywhere! Just divine, absolutely divine, darling! (Imagine how fabulous all those sequins would look underneath a pink tutu! The very thought gets me excited!) A lot of black, which is never bad, and vibrant pops of color. I couldn't stop thinking - “If I only had the materials available today! This is fabulous drag fashion history in the making! ”
There were amazing shoes! Platform heels to die for, or if you weren't lucky enough to have platform shoes, a simple stiletto with some lovely embellishments on them. They would definitely be part of my shoe collection - those babies wouldn’t just sit on the shelf!
Speaking of embellishments! Oh darling, the dresses had so many embellishments and embellishments everywhere! The ladies who went to the shows weren't just admiring the showgirls. Their outfits were just simply beautiful with beads and sequins - lots and lots of beautiful beads! Oh, to have been born in that decade, or even just had the sewing skills to create such beautiful ensembles! The very thought of all these beautiful materials used back in those days to make the outfits absolutely spectacular and they look even more spectacular in a time traveling pink tutu!
The performances were fabulous! You see, dear blog readers, they hadn't discovered "lipsynching" yet, as I did that same day at another show. So all the performances were live! These fabulous girls and boys, they would just stand there, no matter what the microphone malfunctions were, and they just would carry on! You have to love their spirit! And the dancers? Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God! Just beautiful, all beautiful. All so professional, all so beautiful. A great night out! Oh dear, I just love a great night out - who doesn't?!
Time Travel in my Pink Tutu
My trusty pink tutu and I took us across the continents. Let me tell you - London had a special vibe, I can tell you! With all those cabaret bars like The Windmill and The Soho Theatre. The dancers were very talented, but of course! In England, where ballet reigns supreme, you couldn't help but have incredible dance moves on stage! Just amazing talent, every single time, even today! This evening I'm feeling all inspired, don't you think darling? The drag shows were truly something special - I even felt like performing, but I know my dance moves aren't that advanced! (And you think this blog needs to have a “pink tutu-style dance move tutorial?” You know me! My brain is already cooking up an amazing idea for next month's blog post. The inspiration never ends in my world!)
So I must share a few tips with all of you - it's a very British way to share information.
- If you want to be fabulous, start practicing your moves, darling!
- Even the simple acts are a beautiful experience.
Oh, to have been there in 1963! To have witnessed this incredible drag history. The drag scene in 1963 really had a life of its own. All this drag talent, it is truly inspiring! The outfits, the performers - the glamour! So here's to 1963, a year that gave us all that special feel! And in the coming years of 1960s, fashion, stage design and costumes got even more amazing! And what I find most intriguing is the lack of makeup, with just a dash of powder on those beautiful complexions - something I should try for my next drag show.
As you can tell, it’s been a great few days in my pink tutu - you know how much I love history. And I know all of you do too - so let's all take a little moment and appreciate just how far drag has come! Oh darlings, don't forget to visit the blog for your daily dose of fashion and fabulousness and be sure to leave me your favourite comments and your favourite drag stories of all time - the best ones I might use for my next blog post - I promise not to give away your secrets!
Oh, and darling, never forget - just remember that all you need is a little sparkle and a whole lotta love! Until next month!
Much Love, Emma xx
