Hello darlings! Your favourite pink-tutu-wearing, time-travelling blogger is back! Welcome to Pink-Tutu, where we shimmy through the glorious history of drag. This month, I'm taking us to a truly fab date - 11th November, 1971, the day when disco was starting to sizzle and drag was truly blooming. Get ready for some sensational history, fabulous fashion, and a little bit of sass!
This trip started as it always does ā with a whirl and a twirl in my magical, pink time-travelling tutu. The moment I slipped it on, I was transported back to 1971, my vision filled with colours and a vibrant energy. Stepping off my time-travelling portal in the middle of Derby (can you imagine the gossip?), I headed straight to the closest dance floor.
My first stop was The Pink Flamingo, a club in New York City where a certain glamorous legend was about to take to the stage. You know the name ā the iconic Divine. She was performing alongside the equally legendary, glittery, and gloriously talented Jackie Curtis, and my dear, what a show! They were bringing the energy, the drama, and a hefty dose of camp that had everyone going wild. I mean, seriously, there were more sequins than you could shake a feather boa at! The crowd went absolutely bonkers as they took the stage in outfits that could only be described as utterly fabulous.
Now, Iām all about pink, but the seventies really knew how to do bold colours! I saw Jackie Curtis dazzling in a crimson jumpsuit, her signature dramatic makeup giving her that fierce, captivating gaze. And Divine was looking gloriously glamorous in an emerald green gown, perfectly complemented by the sparkling emerald gemstones adorning her dazzling earrings. It was enough to make even the most reserved soul loosen their inhibitions and bust a move.
And, oh, the dance moves! You see, dear readers, it wasn't just about the clothes - it was the atmosphere! It was the energy that buzzed through the room! It was about finding your rhythm and expressing yourself without a care in the world. I may not be able to time travel back in time and do the disco moves with them (that's a real shame, trust me!), but it sure was a treat to observe the scene, soaking it all in and living vicariously through them.
Later in the evening, I popped into a Broadway performance that I absolutely had to see ā a production of āFolliesā that brought together legendary stars like Ethel Merman and Gene Kelly. Now, "Follies" wasn't strictly a drag show, but I had to see what all the fuss was about! Those dazzling costumes and the dazzling choreography just felt so glamorous, and they showed that the glitz and glamour wasn't just about a drag stage!
And, the most remarkable thing about "Follies"? It captured the spirit of this era ā the yearning for excitement, glamour, and freedom. People craved a break from the traditional, the mundane. They wanted to dance, they wanted to celebrate life.
From there, I popped into the world of drag in a bustling club in London. It was a small club on Wardour Street, a street I adore even today! Now, I know some say Londonās drag scene was āundergroundā back then, but donāt get me wrong - the crowd was full of lively energy and bursting with glitter, much like me. They called it āClub Cabaret,ā and let me tell you, I found it brimming with artistic energy. These drag queens were so bold, with incredible personas that reflected everything that was exciting and new about this time. It was incredible to see the creativity shining through. The performers' confidence radiated in every strut and sass, showcasing the fierce independence and vibrant energy of the drag scene.
There was this incredible drag queen called āLittle Jackieā who completely stole the show. Her vibrant stage persona and stunning costume felt like a celebration of being uniquely yourself, a vibe I could absolutely get behind!
After spending an entire night in these brilliant and dynamic clubs, I woke up with a head full of disco beats and a heart full of wonder. It wasnāt the pink-tutu loving ballerina that was the focus here, it was the freedom to explore your individuality. As for those spectacular costumes, those sequin-encrusted looks and extravagant makeupā¦ my dear, they truly put the "glam" into "glamour." Itās no wonder that these looks and performances influenced future generations.
My trip to 11th November, 1971, taught me the incredible impact of drag on culture and how powerful it is as a tool of expression. It's about pushing boundaries and celebrating individual uniqueness, and itās truly amazing to witness its evolution throughout the decades!
Now, darlings, as I wrap up this post, letās talk tutus. Iām always looking for ways to spread the joy of pink tutus, so I challenge you all to put on your brightest pink tutu this week! It's a celebration of all things wonderful and a reminder of the importance of self-expression. After all, every single one of us deserves to live in a world bursting with glitter and good vibes. So, let's get those tutus twirling, darlings, and share the joy!
Until next time,
Emma (your pink tutu obsessed time traveller)
