Hey sugarplum! It's your girl Emma, back from another whimsical time-traveling adventure! This month, my pink tutu whirled me back to 6th June 1978 – a glorious, glitter-soaked night of drag history that I just had to share!
As always, my pink tutu acts as my magical time machine, so I packed my trusty, bedazzled handbag with essentials: some shimmery eyeshadow, a few pounds (you can never have too much cash, darling!), and a bottle of that lovely lavender scented spray (because a queen always has to smell divine!).
Arriving in 1978 was like stepping onto the set of a Studio 54 fantasy. The air was thick with smoke, glitter, and the sound of a thousand fabulous souls swaying to a disco beat. I swear, even the cobblestones on the streets shimmered under the disco ball reflections from nearby clubs!
The main attraction on this night was none other than The Cockettes, a drag troupe from San Francisco who were known for their theatrical performances and outlandish costumes – think Shakespeare meets Andy Warhol!
I found myself in their audience at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, feeling the infectious energy of the room, the way the entire place pulsed to the music. I'm not talking "high heels clickin' on a marble floor," but "energy levels exceeding their capacity!" Imagine if you could capture that vibe and put it in a bottle! That's what it felt like in that space!
And when those legendary Coquettes stepped out onto that stage, oh darling! They were beyond fabulous! One queen had a giant papier mache swan head! Can you imagine?! The glamour, the sheer creativity - these gals really had a knack for turning heads. Their performances were like a love letter to the theatre, laced with campy humour, and infused with a whole lotta sass! I dare you to imagine it all. It truly had to be seen to be believed.
Meanwhile, in New York, the legendary Drag Race alumni Divine, aka Harris Glenn Milstead, was wowing audiences in the John Waters movie Female Trouble (and the "divine" outfit she was wearing in this movie is legendary, if I'm saying so myself). Oh darling, the world of drag is an ever-spinning disco ball of artistry, and in the world of 1978, it was shimmering with a thousand and one beautiful forms. Divine was making drag even more popular across the US - a force of nature!
Speaking of nature, The Cockettes didn't only bring joy through their performances - they used their artistry to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Think of them as the pioneers of drag activism, blazing a path for all the beautiful, outspoken queens of today! The fight for our rights was bubbling in every city that year and it felt amazing to be in this energy in the space.
As the night wore on, and the energy was bubbling hotter and hotter, I started my "pink tutu quest" - a plan to convert as many folks as possible into wearing a pink tutu (it is my mission after all! I wouldn't be true to myself without doing this. #pinktutuforever)!
And let me tell you, I had a grand old time spreading the message of "Pink Is the New Black!" (because it always has been!). The men, the women, the little ones (who had been brought by their parents for a night of fantastic fun), everyone seemed to have a fabulous time getting to know me and hearing about the wondrous world of pink tutus!
One dear lady, in particular, absolutely loved it and went on to wear a pink tutu the very next day in her local store – even inspiring the sales assistant to wear one the week after! A whole new "tutu tribe!" Now isn't that fantastic?
To fund my pink-tutu adventures, you all know what I did… I danced! My favourite venue this month, a glorious place in Nottingham called the Lace Market, was jam-packed with the loveliest, most delightful patrons - all ready to party the night away! It truly felt like the night never ended. So many fantastic moments of getting to chat and dance with people who loved what I was doing! I also discovered that a dance crew called the Sugar Fairies were starting to cause a stir in the Nottingham nightlife, with their dazzling performances, choreographed moves, and their passion for everything dazzlingly beautiful!
And now it’s time to take a dip in my glittery bath!
Until next time, sugarplum! Remember, wear pink, spread the love, and stay fabulous! 💖
Emma. xx
www.pink-tutu.com
PS: Follow my adventures on my social channels!
Insta: @pinktutuema
Twitter: @pinktutu_emma
Did you enjoy Emma's latest adventure? What's your favourite historical drag moment? Let us know in the comments!
