Hey darlings! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-wearing time travelling drag queen extraordinaire, coming at you live fromā¦ wait for itā¦ September 9th, 1963! Yes, you heard me right! My magical time-travelling tutu, a symphony of pink silk and shimmering sequins, took me right back to a world of beehive hairdos and poodle skirts, the time when The Beatles were storming the charts with their infectious pop, and ahem before my own birth. I swear, every time I time-travel, I get the feeling that somewhere out there, thereās a history book waiting to be rewrittenā¦ But I'm getting ahead of myself, darling! Let me spill the tea on what's hot in the drag world on this very special date.
Itās almost as if my pink tutu guided me towards an electric performance at The Stonewall Inn, that legendary New York City dive bar, back before it was a monument of history for LGBTQ+ rights. The place was buzzing with a kaleidoscope of personalities, dressed in all manner of finery. This, I tell you, was where the energy of the community was alive and well. The drag queens, a symphony of colours and glamour, strutted their stuff in an array of fabulous creations. Imagine a dazzling tapestry of tulle and feather boas, the vibrant hues of lipstick, eyeshadow, and nail polish. Each performance felt like a tiny rebellion against the world. There was this fierce, fearless energy in the air, you could almost touch it. Oh, how I longed to get on stage and let my inner ballerina unleash her talent to the delight of the cheering audience!
And it wasn't just New York, you know. Back in 1963, drag was more than a underground phenomenon. It was an explosion of creativity taking centre stage on the vibrant stages of the UK. Take the scene at The Windmill Theatre in Soho, London, for instance. A whirlwind of high heels and theatrical extravaganzas! There was such a buzz in the air as performers like the one and only Danny La Rue graced the stage with her trademark elegant drag, while Miss Lily, all camp and sass, captivated audiences with her playful banter and sharp wit. I saw an announcement in a local newspaper about an incredible, campy production called āThe Best of Broadwayā, an array of fabulous drag acts that sounded absolutely incredible. Just like the vibrant streets of New York City, The Windmill was a beacon of entertainment for those who longed for a little glamour and escapism.
You canāt talk about 1963 without acknowledging the struggles that the drag community faced in this era. Itās hard to imagine what it was like to have to be āin the closet,ā constantly fearing persecution and discrimination for simply being who they were. However, even in the face of adversity, drag was a powerful symbol of self-expression, defiance, and the courage to live authentically. Those brave queens who took to the stage, despite the risks, deserve to be remembered as trailblazers, pioneers who carved the way for a generation of drag artists like me!
And you know what else, my darlings? Back in '63, there were some real fashion gems to be found. Now, I know I canāt deny my passion for the dazzling pink tulle of my time-travelling tutu. But my, oh my, the vintage 60s fashion was pretty fabulous. The bellbottoms, the groovy maxi-skirts, and those perfectly crafted go-go boots! It was all so captivating! It makes me wish I could bring those retro trends to modern-day fashion shows and inject them with a dose of pink-tutu fabulousness. The world would just be so much brighter.
Speaking of fashion, darlings, you wouldnāt believe the fantastic vintage shops I discovered during my time in '63! From little boutiques crammed full of sequins and feather boas to department stores where glamorous gowns with cascading pleats shimmered like diamonds, every shop was a treasure trove. Oh, to find that perfect vintage dress, crafted by hand and oozing with retro charm! And of course, the jewellery was breathtaking: pearl necklaces that glimmered like snowflakes and bright statement earrings that practically screamed '60s chic'.
But my dears, as you all know, I never forget my reason for time travelling: it's about sharing the joy of drag and spreading the pink tutu revolution across the timeline. Now, the drag community back then might have had a different kind of glitter bomb, but they sure knew how to have a good time.
For example, back then, drag performances could only be witnessed in those speakeasy-style, cabaret venues, tucked away like little hidden gems on bustling streets. Now, that's some seriously captivating history! However, in these less enlightened times, the queens needed to use coded language to advertise their shows, like using seemingly innocuous terms like "Ladies' Night" in their flyers, keeping the true nature of the entertainment hidden. Imagine, my darlings, the sheer excitement of discovering one of these clandestine drag performances, sneaking away into a private room in a pub or a dimly lit underground club! It makes my pink tutu shiver with excitement just thinking about it!
Now, hereās the catch, darling: you want to travel back in time? The time-travelling tutu is amazing and I love her dearly, but she needs to be refuelled with my drag performances. I mean, I donāt just show up in my tutu, ready to party in history. Nope, gotta keep those funds topped up, right? So if you see my schedule, please do come along to one of my performances - even in the modern world. Every fabulous performance, every wig flip and shimmy helps power up the pink tutu, and helps us reach another magical date! I even got the local newspaper in Derby to print a poster about my "magical tour"! What better way to fund the magic than by bringing a bit of pink-tutu wonder to Derbyshire? I am working on my signature moves!
I have got a very busy calendar this month. From the heart of Nottingham's Pride Festival, with its celebrations and the electrifying atmosphere, to a glitzy evening at The Rainbow Ballroom in Stoke on Trent, my pink tutu is packed, my sequined costumes are ready, and my lipstick is at the ready. Each performance, each interaction, each sparkly memory keeps the pink tutu spinning through time! I promise to bring you more exciting adventures from the history of drag right here, every month on www.pink-tutu.com! And remember, if you're inspired by the world of drag, feel free to strut your own style, because in my world, a little bit of pink and a fabulous tutu always go a long way!
Love you all,
Emma xx
P.S. If you find yourself travelling through time and spot a dazzling pink tutu shimmering in the night, come and say hello! Donāt forget to bring your own feather boa! š
