Hello, my darling dears! Itâs your girl, Emma, and welcome back to the magical, magnificent world of Pink-Tutu. October has finally arrived, and you know what that means? It means autumn leaves, pumpkin spice lattes (sorry, not my fave) and... a trip in the olâ time-traveling tutu!
This month, weâre dipping our toes into the sparkling waters of 1979, darlings. The year of disco fever, shoulder pads that could house a family of birds, and a new wave of fierce, fabulous drag queens changing the face of performance art. And I, for one, am absolutely ready to catch the next big act!
You may have guessed by now that October 10th isnât just any date for your beloved Emma. Why, this particular day is packed full of glitter and sequins, history and hysteria!
Firstly, weâre kicking off in my home town, Derbyshire! And what do we find, nestled in a cosy pub with a roaring fire? You guessed it, a dazzling drag show! Back in 1979, the LGBTQ+ community in Derbyshire, whilst ever-so-fabulous, didn't have as many venues as today. But these queens were making magic with whatever they had, and it was truly inspiring. Imagine: the dimly lit stage, the smoke machine billowing out plumes of fog, a single spotlight cutting through the haze... and BAM! The queen in the glittering, beaded jumpsuit and those big, glam feather boas takes center stage, and the room is electric!
Now, while I wish I could share my favourite act (I'll leave you to use your imagination on that one, darlings), I can tell you this: It was a night filled with laughs, camaraderie, and the genuine joy of seeing drag performed for the love of the art. Itâs moments like this that remind us why drag is so essential, a joyous and vital expression that helps people come together, laugh together, and connect in a world that desperately needs it.
Now, darling dears, itâs time to hop back on the pink tutu train and head across the Atlantic! We're taking a peek at what's happening in the drag scene in the Big Apple... New York City! You'd be surprised to hear that this night in 1979, while a true golden era of disco was exploding on the airwaves, the city wasn't just about Donna Summer and The Bee Gees. Nope!
At a hidden little club nestled in a tiny, tucked away corner of the city, legendary drag queen Jackie Beat was about to take the stage. Her style, her comedic timing, her daring acts, she was literally a force of nature. But on this particular night, Jackie was hosting a âcomedy drag nightâ. Just the kind of event that takes an amazing drag artist and adds layers of wit and charm! Can you picture the scene, my dears? Jackie in a sparkly, sequined ensemble, a microphone in one hand, and the crowd howling with laughter as her zingers land? Now, imagine her whipping out those cheeky one-liners, a play on words, an impression so uncanny it sends shivers down your spine, and everyone is screaming for more.
Now, hold on tight because weâre taking a little detour in this journey, a detour that's going to transport us back in time even further. While Jackie was entertaining her audiences, on the same day, 10th October 1979, across the ocean, something else truly revolutionary happened in the world of drag... A film was released.
A film featuring one of the greatest drag icons of the 20th century! A true visionary whose impact still echoes today. We're talking about none other than Divine, the queen with the hair that was a hurricane and a persona that demanded you paid attention. Yes, darlings, this was the day âPink Flamingosâ hit the screens. While I canât talk about the filmâs plot itself (itâs definitely not something for young eyes, my darlings) , what we can explore is how the release of this film forever altered the trajectory of drag and made its mark on cinematic history. It wasnât just about its content, it was about pushing boundaries, taking risks, and breaking down social taboos in a way no one else had done before.
It takes immense courage to challenge societal norms, and Divineâs courage is an inspiration to drag performers and queer folks all over the world. So while some might say âPink Flamingosâ was âshockingâ or âcontroversial,â it was actually, and perhaps above all else, about freedom. Freedom of expression, freedom to create art that doesnât follow the rules, and the right to be authentically yourself.
After our cinematic sojourn, let's get back to the glitz and glam of 1979, and let's have a little chat about the impact these amazing performers had on the future of drag.
Jackie Beat, with her impeccable comedic timing, paved the way for so many incredible comedians. And Divine, with her sheer audacity and fearlessness, inspired a whole new generation to express themselves without limits. These queens, alongside countless others who weren't so lucky to get the same level of recognition (you know I love those local stars!), became the foundations upon which the drag scene stands today.
Itâs a reminder, my dears, that history isnât written just by the most famous. The smallest drag show in a tiny Derbyshire pub can have a big impact. These shows arenât just a fun night out, they're vital hubs where people come together to celebrate themselves, connect with others, and ultimately feel seen. It's why I always make sure to keep the time-traveling tutu spinning!
Remember, a world where everyone is embracing their unique beauty is a world full of endless possibilities. We just need to keep those tutus flowing, the smiles shining, and the magic going.
Thatâs all from your girl Emma today, but keep checking in on pink-tutu.com! You can join me in a whole other journey next month. Don't forget to tell your friends to check it out! Let's keep the pink tutu revolution going, my dears!
And as always, darling, donât be afraid to unleash the pink tutu inside you!
Xoxo, Emma
