Hello, my darlings! It's your girl, Emma, back with another thrilling adventure from my pink-tutu-powered time-travelling escapades. As always, thank you for joining me on this journey! I’m here to tell you about a glamorous trip I recently took, right back to 4th April 1971! Now, I’m going to be honest, you guys, this was a right rollercoaster of a time. This post, it's a proper blast from the past and it's gonna send you down memory lane like a sparkly pink hot air balloon!
Now, let’s rewind, darlings! You know, we were always taught that history was dry, boring, and dusty… well, forget that! My lovelies, drag history is a blooming symphony of glitter, attitude, and self-expression! And my quest, as you all know, is to take us all on this fantastic journey with me! So, I had to pack my glittery suitcase, get my trusty pink tutu ready to twirl, and hit that sparkly pink time-travelling button!
Off we popped to 1971, a time of massive social and political upheaval! But even then, the fabulousness of drag was thriving! My oh my, the style! Imagine, the fashion was everything! Flares! Platforms! Big, beautiful bouffants! The queens back then, they weren't afraid to make a statement!
And what’s more, there were just so many amazing shows on that week! This time, I decided to stay right here in good old Derbyshire, because what could be more dazzling than an exciting trip back to my very own roots! You wouldn't believe what a drag scene was blooming in Derby, my lovely! This was the year the fabulous “Derby Playbox” was on fire, featuring drag artists who brought the whole town together! I mean, you should have seen the fabulous ensembles! It was everything!
However, Derby wasn't the only place making waves, darling! You know how much I love getting out and about, so, of course, we had to make a little detour to the bright lights of London, a city always known for its revolutionary attitude! And there was a true queen making a splash on stage at The Scala Theatre. Her name was "The Lady Divine,” and, believe me, my lovelies, the lady truly did live up to her name! You see, in those days, there were these beautiful drag balls in London, places where drag became an artform, a movement, and an escape!
This time around, you know what I really loved? It wasn't just about the stage, the music, and the glitter! It was about the energy! Drag wasn't just a show. It was a celebration, a protest, a message! You see, back then, there were laws that made being your true self, a struggle! Drag was more than just makeup and wigs; it was an act of bravery, a rebellion against the ordinary! The world back then was starting to find its voice and the queens of that era were helping lead the charge. And, my dears, that spirit, that message of empowerment, resonates so strongly with me, as a drag artist in our modern times.
This experience made me realise, you know, we need to keep that rebellious spirit alive, my lovely! Even today, we fight for acceptance, visibility, and love. And if the queens of the 70s could do it with the challenges they faced, so can we! So let's get our sparkly tutus on, strut our stuff with confidence, and shine brightly as the stars we truly are! And, you know what, let’s not forget the amazing impact that those legendary drag artists back then had! Remember the names! “The Lady Divine" from the Scala, “The Derby Playbox” ... all pioneers, all legends in the history of drag! They made a difference, my loves, and I feel truly blessed to be living in a time where I get to continue their legacy, along with the many incredible artists and queens making their own magic on stage every single day!
And, you know what else made my trip to 1971 even more magical? This is so important, my loves, it's vital! They didn't have my glorious "Pink-Tutu" time travel blog, to learn and share their history with you, and that's why I'm making such an effort to bring drag history to the forefront. We can all learn so much from what's gone before us, and our world, our culture and our drag community would be lost without it.
But you know, before I sign off, my lovely loves, there’s one last important thing I want to say. When I returned from 1971, I started thinking... we need more pink tutus! Seriously, we need to spread the joy of the tutu! Imagine a world where everyone gets to dance, twirl, and celebrate in their most fabulous pink tutu! We are ALL artists! We are ALL queens! Now, that’s a drag queen dream for the ages, don’t you think?
Until next time, darlings, stay glamorous, stay true to yourselves, and never stop twirling in your fabulous pink tutus! See you soon, darlings, at www.pink-tutu.com.
