Hello, darlings! Emma here, your favourite time-traveling tutu enthusiast, back with another juicy morsel of drag history for you to devour. As always, I’m channeling my inner fashionista in a particularly fabulous pink tutu, twirling through the time continuum and bringing you the hottest news from the drag scene - this time, we’re landing in 1977, 5th of May. Buckle up, darlings, it’s gonna be a campy adventure!
Now, before we go galavanting off into the past, let me tell you, my recent trip to the West End was positively divine! The shows, the shopping…simply exquisite! It made me even more excited about today’s journey – you know I simply adore a good drag show, and 1977 was absolutely bursting with legendary talent!
This particular day, dear readers, the whole world was abuzz with anticipation for the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest – imagine, drag and song competitions in one go! A dream, isn't it? But let's travel back to 5th May, 1977, and explore what the drag scene had in store for us.
The legendary Cockettes were still kicking up a storm in San Francisco, spreading their infectious brand of theatrical performance, fueled by glitter, fabulousness, and more glitter. I bet they were throwing a smashing good time – all that colourful, theatrical excess, they were true pioneers of drag expression. Can you imagine being a part of the Cockettes, darling? You'd never have to stop putting on the show!
But let’s keep this a bit closer to home, shall we? My dear Derbians, you'd find yourself on a date with a true drag icon. It was a big day in Nottingham, because Divine, a drag legend known for his campy outrageousness, was in town performing his legendary live cabaret! I hear the theatre was packed full of drag fans ready to get down with Divine and his troupe – those Nottingham ladies were surely in for a right hoot! I do wish I could have been there to experience the divine drama, darling! It must have been the absolute nectar of the gods!
But London, darling, was also bursting with fabulousness! The city’s leading cabaret scene, at venues like the Gateways, was ablaze with glamorous drag artists performing live. Imagine the magic of witnessing these early trailblazers, paving the way for future drag icons. This was truly a golden age for British drag! Think, darling, the very first glitter bombs, the first high heels kicking out the jams, - it’s just beyond exciting!
But wait, darling, the excitement wasn’t just confined to live shows! In 1977, we saw the dawn of a new era - the arrival of "Drag Times", a glossy drag magazine celebrating everything from local scene news to exclusive interviews with the brightest stars of the day. What a fabulous concept, darling! I just imagine how delighted I'd be reading about all the fabulous events, interviews and of course, the sensational fashion!
However, dear readers, there is always a little bit of tragedy mixed with the brilliance, don't you think? Sadly, 5th May, 1977 saw the passing of the legendary Judy Garland. While her iconic drag and theatrical career wasn't officially recognised for being “drag”, the role of “Dorothy” was in its own way, drag in essence! Such an incredible legacy! And, a lasting inspiration for us all!
Overall, darling, the drag scene in 1977 was absolutely buzzing with excitement, creative expression and fabulousness, making 5th May a truly remarkable day. A day brimming with glitter and glam, pushing boundaries and forging new pathways for future generations of drag queens and kings!
Now, how does this translate to your fabulous lives? Embrace your inner diva! Channel your inner "Divine" with a splash of camp, go on, let your personality sparkle, dress for the life you deserve, embrace the joy of putting on a show! And, darling, don't forget about a beautiful pink tutu – there’s a fabulous look waiting for you, darling.
Till next month, and happy time travelling!
xx Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
