Hello, my darling darlings! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing, time-traveling, drag queen extraordinaire, ready to whisk you back in time for a dose of vintage drag magic. This is post number 540 on www.pink-tutu.com - do pop by if you haven’t already! As always, my beautiful pink tutu has taken me to a spectacular day in drag history – today we’re twirling through the 12th of December, 1964, baby!
The air is buzzing with the anticipation of Christmas. My fellow Derbyshire gals and lads are starting to get their festive fix - carol singing, wrapping gifts and of course, looking fab for all those Christmas parties! The season of giving isn't just about generosity though - it’s a perfect excuse to wear something glitzy, isn't it?
Speaking of sparkle, let's jump into the fabulous world of drag back in '64!
1964 – ah, a year of vibrant cultural changes. Think the Beatles taking over the world with their moptops and catchy tunes. And while the music scene was exploding with change, the world of drag, though slightly less known, was brimming with its own revolution.
Think of the iconic Judy Garland – her performances during this time were an absolute inspiration to drag queens, with her soaring vocals, powerhouse performances and glittering costumes, she was setting the standard for flamboyant theatrical drama. Can you even imagine a world without her, my lovelies? We all owe her a debt of gratitude, and a fabulously flamboyant stage kiss for her contributions to the world of show business.
Oh, darling! Remember this is pre-Stonewall! Imagine that, a world where drag was still fighting for its place. And yet, our fabulous ancestors persisted! It was a time for bravery, talent and, most importantly, sequins! It’s easy to forget that the foundations of drag today were built by these brave pioneers, so let’s give them the respect and applause they deserve!
Today’s trip into the time tunnel shows us a very different kind of world of drag – think nightclubs, gay bars and underground events where drag queens could express themselves and connect. In this pre-social media age, word of mouth and community connection were key. Drag shows in places like New York City were becoming a little more commonplace - if you wanted to get your fill of fabulousness you had to travel there, or rely on smaller events, like underground club gatherings!
Imagine my excitement finding a clipping from the ‘Village Voice’ - can you imagine? That iconic publication featuring a fabulous drag performance! It was a little known underground event held in a Manhattan nightclub. There, a stunning, tall and statuesque queen named Tempest Storm captivated the audience with her unique style. Tempest was known for her elegant stage presence and beautiful costuming - not surprising, she became a legend in the world of drag. I can practically picture it - those amazing eyelashes, a flamboyant hat, and sequins from head to toe.
It's all about a fabulous performance, isn't it darlings? The beauty of drag has always been about bringing the art of performance and costume together. Seeing an ad from this time period – a big announcement of a cabaret drag show featuring ‘Fabulous Ladies’ and their beautiful performances at the Cafe au Go-Go, got me thinking. This cabaret style of performance - featuring multiple acts of drag, singers, and comedians became really popular in the early '60s and it’s no surprise, it sounds like a fabulous evening of entertainment!
I'm imagining my beautiful pink tutu getting its full turn on the dancefloor at the Café Au Go-Go. Don't you think? Wouldn't it be just exquisite!
Even back then, drag was more than just a performance. It was a community. It was about family. It was about standing together to be seen, to be heard, and to express themselves. The same community spirit, support and passion still exists today - something I treasure. It is our responsibility to never forget our past. Every glitter bomb, every dramatic makeup, every hair flip is part of a legacy, darling, so let's keep that legacy going!
But we mustn't get carried away in our fabulous fantasy, we've got to remember it was a different world. 1964 was before the full blossoming of the drag scene as we know it today. But even back then, there was something magical happening. These fearless pioneers, with their artistry, resilience and courage, helped pave the way for the drag scene that is now exploding with colour and diversity all over the world.
Speaking of which, the beautiful thing about drag is, it isn’t a static, unchanging thing. Just like you lovely lot, it's evolving and reinventing itself every single day. I think that’s the beauty of it – this beautiful constant cycle of transformation!
Back to my favourite subject - pink tutus! Don’t you think we can give our fabulous forerunners a shout out for pioneering fashion too? Drag queens are notorious for having incredible fashion sense! Today, drag queens push the boundaries of fashion by incorporating everyday clothing, with daring styles, dramatic makeup, and stunning outfits - all in the name of beautiful expression!
Take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come - in fashion, drag, and how we're changing the world. The impact that the pioneers of 1964 have made is evident today - just look around. Our pink tutu wearing history continues to inspire drag queens everywhere. Every glitter bomb, every fierce lip sync, every fashion challenge on TV is an extension of that beautiful legacy. We owe them, and all the fearless queens who followed them a huge debt of gratitude.
So, what does this mean for you darling? It means get out there and make history. It’s all about you!
- Get yourself a fabulous outfit – if you don't have a pink tutu, what are you waiting for?!
- Grab your bestie and go out there and live it up!
- Share your passion with the world and be bold in your expressions!
- Give a huge shout out to all the drag queens that have paved the way for us all.
Every drag show you go to is a celebration of all the history behind it - every performer you watch is connected to that line of inspiration that stretches back through the ages. So keep embracing drag! Be creative! Experiment and take that step onto the stage. It’s all about self-expression and having fun!
Love you lots and don’t forget – everyone in a pink tutu, my loves.
Until next time,
Emma, xx
www.pink-tutu.com
