Helloooo Darlings! Your girl, Emma, is back, and ready to whisk you away on another glorious journey through the annals of drag history! Grab your fanciest fascinators, your biggest blushers, and your best pinkest tutu – because today we’re travelling to May 5th, 1966. A date etched in glitter and greasepaint – can you even believe it’s been almost 60 years? Honestly, the way time flies, I think it might be time for another round of botox!
But where to start?! You know me, darlings, I simply cannot resist a good bit of shopping on these time travel jaunts. This month I found myself wandering around the famous boutique in New York City, Henri Bendel. It's a shop bursting with beautiful things, and I practically had to be dragged away from their amazing hat department – seriously, the headwear was absolutely spectacular, every piece more elaborate than the last. I imagine if I ever saw those hats on stage… I think I might faint! But honestly, for a queen like me who lives in pink tutus, well, they're not exactly my everyday wear.
Speaking of New York, what would a drag time travel jaunt be without some serious drag entertainment? I, of course, snagged some fab front-row seats for a night out at The Forum - it was a wild one! This incredible theatre, also known as the legendary ‘The Palladium’, was overflowing with fabulous drag queens - and ooh, darling, let me tell you, the show stopped traffic! Imagine a glorious melting pot of comedy, music, dance, and outrageous costumes – all for the delight of a wonderfully flamboyant audience! It was a dazzling spectacle, my dears, and I think I still have my eyes adjusting to all the fabulousness.
Now, a true drag historian always gets a little misty eyed when talking about the 1960s. It was such a phenomenal time for drag, with huge acts gaining recognition both in clubs and on stage. I particularly love the way they were taking drag outside the nightclubs, spreading the glitter and glam to new audiences! I simply adore that these brave, beautiful pioneers paved the way for all of us to shine in our own, unique glory!
Let's dive back into 1966. It seems the 1966 "Drag Queen" craze wasn't just confined to America! Just imagine this: my glorious tutu time machine whisks me all the way to Berlin! It was all the buzz, darlings - an absolute revolution in German nightclub culture! Imagine "Chez Nous" * buzzing with energy as the likes of the *The Fabulous "Fifi", Gino "Gina" De Luigi, “Betty” and "Lilo”, and "Tequila", amongst many more fabulous icons, took to the stage. These queens brought an unprecedented level of flamboyance to a city that was eager for liberation, creativity, and a lot of laughter. These shows were nothing short of revolutionary, proving that drag truly has no borders and can captivate hearts wherever it goes.
The spirit of that revolutionary drag movement truly travelled around the world! Think about this: the Queen of the South herself, Dame Shirley Bassey (always my idol, of course!) was thrilling audiences with "You Only Live Twice", a song with all the right notes for those vibrant and ever-evolving 1960s vibes! She embodies the energy of the time perfectly – sassy, strong, and stunningly beautiful, always daring to be bold and original. You know I always look to the legends for inspiration and remember, darlings, never let anyone tell you what to do! Be bold, be fabulous, and let your true self shine!
My dears, this has been such a dazzlingly glamorous journey, wouldn't you say? From the colourful clubs of Berlin to the glittery streets of New York, we’ve journeyed through a world filled with music, fashion, and fierce talent. The spirit of 1966 is a reminder to all of us that drag is more than just makeup and feathers, it's a celebration of individuality, of expressing yourself in ways that defy expectation. It’s a way of shining bright and captivating hearts, wherever your path takes you!
Before I whisk myself off to my next glittering escapade, a little reminder that your favourite, oh-so-fabulous, pink-tutu loving drag queen has a whole show planned for the first Saturday of every month at “The Diamond Dolls” in Derbyshire! Come down, grab a cocktail, and let's celebrate drag together.
Until next month darlings! Love, Emma, your time-traveling pink tutu diva. www.pink-tutu.com
P.S Don't forget - join the Pink Tutu movement, spread the glitter and get everyone wearing a pink tutu, because if we’re going to be making history, it’s best done with a little touch of fabulousness!
