Hello my darlings, Emma here, and welcome to another month, another adventure, and another fabulous Pink Tutu post!
This month, my loves, I’ve taken a journey to 12th December, 1965 and trust me, the world of drag was buzzing! I popped on my time travelling pink tutu (can you believe I even had a matching* pink bowler hat this time, I looked positively spectacular!) and just floated through time. And oh my, what I found!
It was Christmas time in 1965, a time of pure joy, and Drag was positively blooming! I found myself, naturally in a legendary New York Drag spot called The Tenth Street Theatre. And lemme tell ya, it was a real hotbed of amazingness. I was positively gobsmacked!
Just picture it; a fabulous theatre with a smoky atmosphere, full of glamorous queens and roaring applause! A real whirlwind of energy!
In a world just a tad before the fabulous Stonewall, the drag community in 1965 was making its mark. The theatre hosted amazing performances, from lip syncing to hilarious drag acts, and let me tell you, my darling readers, the sheer creativity and talent on stage? Stunning!
This place was a haven, you see. Where queens could be their truest selves, their brightest, most flamboyant versions. The theatre itself was a vibrant celebration of freedom, and you know me, I always love a bit of freedom!
One show in particular captured my attention - "The Queen Bee" starring a fierce, sashaying performer called "Miss Cleo". Miss Cleo had this electrifying stage presence, just captivating the whole theatre with her witty repartee and impressive moves. Oh, I tell you, the whole room was mesmerised, her performance left the audience whooping and hollering. It truly was a sight to behold!
Then there was "Lola La La", another spectacular drag act, dressed to the nines, full sequins and glitter, and oh those dazzling heels! Lola was just pure entertainment. She had the audience roaring with laughter, even I found myself giggling, her jokes were that good!
The drag scene in New York was truly alive in 1965, buzzing with energy, full of laughter, passion and acceptance. They were true performers, creating a whole world of colour and fantasy for the whole city!
As I stood in that positively wonderful New York atmosphere, I found myself remembering that back home in Derbyshire, England, drag had always had a place. Remember those local talent shows where my Nana would encourage me to get up and do a little tap routine in a dress? Or when the pantomime season would be bursting with drag royalty, from Dame Edna to Auntie Marlene? It’s in our blood! It’s just a fact.
But you see, my dear readers, 1965 was the year that my whole time-travelling pink tutu dream actually started. I just knew this is where I wanted to be. And I knew, I could learn so much from it, you know. About what it means to be a queen!
Back then, it was all about making that extra effort to look good. Fashion, honey, it was everything! Now I know why vintage styles always inspire so many of us in the present! The queens of 1965 used vibrant fabrics, outrageous colours, and lots and lots of glitter! You see, drag was so much more than just costumes and makeup, it was a real expression of themselves! It was their chance to push boundaries, embrace a character, to truly live life to the fullest.
Just imagine my thrilled self as I strutted around those New York streets, observing the colourful shops, taking inspiration from the glamorous fashions I saw all around me, imagining those wonderful creations dancing on stage. Oh, how I longed to have a drag costume for myself!
I spent the evening in another delightful cabaret spot called The Pied Piper, and that's when I met "Jackie". Oh, she was something special. All decked out in full sequin attire, feathers, and bright red lipstick, I nearly faintened. This woman was flamboyantly fierce, laughing with everyone, charming the whole room.
And you know, that's exactly where my journey into the world of drag truly began. Seeing those queens perform with such fierceness and grace, the way they embraced their entire self, that really, truly changed my whole perspective on drag. It’s like a spark ignited within me. I realized how powerful drag was; how it allowed you to be bold, be confident, be unapologetically you!
Of course, after that, it wouldn't be long before I joined my very first drag night. Oh my, it was just a small gig in a local Derbyshire pub, with one audience member – my beloved Aunt Dot, (she was so excited I had joined!) I felt unbelievably nervous! I remember taking deep breaths to try and calm those racing butterflies. And then, it was time. I took a deep breath and, with the courage of my entire pink tutu, walked out onto that makeshift stage.
At first, it was daunting, feeling all those eyes on me. I mean, this was the very first time I ever performed! I still hadn't fully embraced that fabulousness inside, that's where Jackie's fiery energy really inspired me. I thought of her, her excitement for every move, her dazzling style. It felt like her pure joy jumped onto the stage, filling the whole pub with it! I found myself *smiling, * truly embracing the moment, *spinning, * embracing every step, every gesture!
And it all clicked. The audience started cheering (I swear, I think there were at least four people in the pub! And they really got into the whole dancing vibe), My voice became louder, more confident with each number, I danced like never before, and the joy I felt... oh my, the pure happiness radiating from my sparkly heart was beyond words!
From that day on, that magical night that started it all, my whole life changed. My goal? Simple! I want everyone to wear a pink tutu, to discover the freedom, the creativity, the joy it brings.
My pink tutu adventures are far from over, and there are many more amazing stories from drag history that I can't wait to share with you! So keep checking in here each month, on my blog, www.pink-tutu.com - let's make every day, pink tutu fabulous!
Until next time, stay stylish!
XOXO Emma xx
