Darling, darling, darling, welcome back to my little slice of Pink-Tutu.com! It's your fabulous friend, Emma, bringing you another installment of our exciting time-travelling adventures through the glittering, glamorous history of Drag! I'm ready to twirl you back to the 10th of October, 1967 – a date ripe with all things groovy, baby!
This month, my pink tutu has whisked me to a very special year – a year that was just starting to sizzle with the energy of a revolution, a cultural awakening, and… well… drag queens just being gloriously, fabulous, unapologetic selves, naturally!
Now, let's get straight into the meat of this time capsule! It's the Swingin' Sixties, darlings. Fashion is daring, hair is bouffant, and there's a real spirit of exploration and liberation in the air! Think miniskirts, go-go boots, and a touch of paisley for good measure!
So, where did my time-traveling tutu land me, you ask? This month, I found myself on the buzzing streets of… well, absolutely everywhere, pet!
Let’s have a bit of a wander and see what was happening across the globe.
New York, New York… and all that Jazz!
This week, the Stonewall Inn is celebrating its fourth birthday. Remember the Stonewall riots, darlings? Such a monumental event! While a real turning point for LGBTQ+ rights, 1967 is not exactly known for being the peak of acceptance – but it was certainly the year that started the ball rolling, and that’s exactly why the Stonewall Inn’s fourth birthday, is so special, a marker in time, celebrating the community.
In the clubs, on stage, and even on the streets, drag queens were carving out their spaces, and expressing themselves through their artistry. The nightlife scene was popping off in every big city, with places like the Village Gate and The Continental offering stages for performers from all walks of life. I heard tell that a performer called Miss Peggy Lee was smashing it with her impersonations, darling.
Over in Brooklyn, there’s a lot of chatter about a little club called The Ninth Circle, the spot to be for everything, oh you know, glamorous, risqué, fabulous, fabulous. You're a real risk-taker if you venture there, I hear, but my advice, take that risk, grab that microphone! I am truly itching to hop back in time and enjoy that.
I just wish we had something like The Ninth Circle here in Derbyshire!
London Town!
Across the Atlantic, my Pink Tutu dropped me right into the heart of London. It's all about fashion, darling, fashion and the latest styles. Think Carnaby Street, bold colours, a hint of rebellious energy, and a dash of Bohemian vibes!
On the drag scene, the Piccadilly Institute and the Windmill Theatre are attracting large, and frankly very appreciative, crowds for some glorious performances. It is whispered in drag circles, that there's one show that’s a total riot. And this is in the best way possible! It's all about taking the mickey out of society’s expectations, challenging norms, and reminding us that laughter is the ultimate weapon! A cheeky, but truly fab piece of theatre!
If that isn't enough to send shivers down your sequined stockings, darling, there’s always the gay clubs of Soho, all ready to get their glitter on. They’re pulsating with music and energy and – let’s be honest – more than a dash of excitement. Soho has always been a safe haven for the queer community.
Now darling, London might have its fashion, its theatre and its Soho Clubs but no city comes close to…
Paris, mon chérie!
Ah, Paris, darling, the city of lights, of art, and of oh-so-chic fashion! Here, the world's leading designers are creating looks that are so on-trend and absolutely oozing that Parisian je ne sais quoi, darling.
Now darling, don’t even get me started on Parisian fashion. The designers are experimenting with materials and colours. We are talking tartan, paisley, vivid and bold patterns and textures. All, yes all of these are going into couture masterpieces for some of the most stunning drag performances, on the drag circuit, in the clubs, even in some private houses in the posh quarters. They are creating some of the most breathtaking and creative shows the world has ever seen. It is all going off, darlings, just let the creativity flow.
There's a buzz around this place, I can tell you, a buzz like nothing you’ve ever experienced. The streets are alive with fashionistas, art lovers, and artists of all kinds! It’s truly inspiring, my dear! You want some artistic inspiration and to make your inner-artiste really, really sing.
Let's pop back over to…
Sydney!
From Parisian chic to, well let's say Sydney sophistication, which frankly for this date is still pretty limited in drag terms, however in these parts, even limited can still be a whole heap of fun!
That's right, Australia. Drag is starting to emerge from the underground scene and step onto the main stage, literally. On stage at the “Forty-Nine Club”. This year, “The Forty-Nine Club" is opening up its space to host a few, what they call, Drag Balls and while these Drag Balls aren't as glam or decadent as the ones I saw in the later part of the 1900s (I’ll save that story for a later date, darling!) But we’re talking more than a bit of sass, more than a bit of dance, and a fair old lot of fun! You can't be the same after a Drag Ball - they’ll change your whole outlook on life! The best way I can explain them is this, Drag Balls are an event with a story! The crowd is encouraged to enter the spirit of the story by taking part! It's the full shebang! If you get a chance to attend one – grab that chance and run with it darling.
But all the while I’m having a blast and the fun is spreading from one town to another, let’s not forget…
The wider World
My pink tutu takes me all over the world, baby. This is truly the golden age of exploration! There are drag scenes emerging in cities all over the globe, from Rio de Janeiro to Tokyo! Each city brings its own flavor and unique twist, each a little bit different to the last, and in all of this beautiful diversity and cultural difference – each is an inspiration to the last!
I think what makes this period of time, oh so interesting, so electrifying, is that there’s a certain freshness in drag, there’s a vibrancy that really catches your eye. The energy of the whole time period makes drag so much more daring, in a word fabulous, the freedom is electric, and even when they aren't as openly embracing the scene, drag queens are making an impact in every corner of the world!
Drag is definitely something special!
And let’s get back to basics darling - how can I make you feel fab today!
So what did we learn today, you may ask, darling, well it’s as simple as a twirl on a stage, we learned, if we can find something we are passionate about, that brings a smile to our face, something that sparks our imagination, we should embrace it! If you have ever dreamed of being a star, of performing, of singing, or of making people happy – then step up to the microphone and find that one place that will be your own, your little piece of magic. It doesn’t have to be on stage. It could be on the street, it could be online – as long as you find that one spot that really lets you shine your inner you.
My darlings, while this adventure takes me through history and shows you the fantastic world of drag, my favourite time travelling adventures will always start at home. So, when you want to be inspired, want a little magic to kickstart your day - don a fabulous tutu, (pink or any colour, it really doesn’t matter!) let yourself dance and twirl around the room and see what creative, fabulous sparks of joy you can light within yourself!
Don’t forget my dears to pop back next month, I promise a new story will be here for you then – now go forth and conquer the world, a little twirl at a time!
See you soon darling!
Love, Emma
* www.pink-tutu.com*
Emma, the Pink Tutu Drag Queen!
