Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels, your one-stop shop for all things glamorous and fabulous! This month, I'm twirling back to November 11th, 1980, for a trip that'll make you want to get your glitter on! I must say, the fabulousness of 1980 was off the charts!
This is your monthly fix of drag history right here at www.pink-tutu.com – we are your home for all things drag – a space where we are celebrating queens, history, and yes, all those incredible pink tutus too. So, put on your finest feather boa, grab your tipple, and get ready to sashay through the pages of drag history!
It wouldn’t be a Pink Tutu Travels post without a little bit of shopping! Remember my dear friend and neighbour - Agnes, the fabulous seamstress down the street? She’s always my first port of call before any time travel trip. Agnes stitched me a magnificent pink tulle tutu - big, fluffy, and shimmering. Let’s be honest, the colour is my trademark! I had a sparkly pink crop top that I also snagged, some beautiful pink satin gloves, and my trusty pair of feather boa earrings. They say every drag queen needs a signature piece - and it just had to be pink!
Ready to take the trip?
The Show Must Go On!As you know, I’ve been to some amazing shows across the world. Well, imagine my excitement as I touched down in San Francisco. In the 1980s, San Francisco was a real hub for drag, you know - think legendary places like Cockettes, and the all-time diva - the divine Divine - she just seemed to rule everything!
The fabulous drag scene was just kicking off in San Francisco. Imagine my shock – I waltzed in, expecting some classic ballroom dance routine. Then BAM! The stage was alight with some of the most wild, avant-garde, and creative performances ever witnessed - something which influenced my performances so much. Think wild makeup, neon colors, and costumes that pushed every single boundary! It was a total sensory overload of fabulousness. It made me feel as though I could take on the world! I thought “Yes darling, this is what a proper drag queen can achieve - nothing is off limits. It is a visual feast, a dramatic spectacle of fashion, and make-up artistry.”
They weren’t the only queens strutting their stuff. New York’s drag scene was alive and thriving! Queens like Jackie Beat and Lady Bunny were making waves in clubs, making it big on stage at shows - a truly electrifying atmosphere for everyone. The Village Gate had some amazing performances; I saw a drag queen who made my heart flutter, she danced to this very catchy tune that we now call 'Disco'. Now that was a real throwback! I am very happy I found some great secondhand pink feather boas at the market stall – for under 5 dollars a piece. Bargain!
But drag wasn’t just confined to America in 1980, not by a long shot! The UK scene was alive and kicking - especially in London and Manchester. Did you know that London had places like the "Gay Centre" which opened its doors as a home for the LGBTQ+ community in the 1970s.
And I discovered, oh darling, London had its own kind of queen, think outrageous, quirky and fun. The "Queen's Court" – just imagine, you had 'Queen' himself, that iconic show! The London scene is like stepping back into some historical glamour with all that amazing history. And there’s this show with this lady, oh she was just glorious - let me think. I was writing it in my notebook as soon as I saw it – 'The Girls of Glory'. They had everything from dance and singing to poetry performances, which was totally captivating and truly a breath of fresh air.
Let’s all give it up for those queens that came before. They worked hard, they fought hard for their rights, so they paved the way for a generation of drag queens to break boundaries and become bigger and better!
But darling, don't forget about the other side of the world! Australia had drag stars in its own right too. Can I just say those queens on that stage - you just have to be there to get a feel for the atmosphere and the vibes! The audiences were totally hooked - you can see why, every night there were some crazy parties in the backrooms after the shows and dancing till sunrise – amazing!
Drag queens have always pushed boundaries and challenged the norms, but they didn’t do it alone. It took those trailblazers that pushed the limits on everything from makeup to dance to performances and made this art form as unique, colourful and diverse as it is now. This has also played a big part in opening up my time traveling tutu's and leading me to other adventures.
Back in the Dressing Room!Remember, darling, I’ve got to make some dough. Money talks and the tutu’s gotta travel, after all! In 1980, a lot of drag happened in pubs, bars, even clubs! And to celebrate this month’s trip, I am giving it my all on stage. I even got my own personal photographer - a sweet chap named Danny, to catch those glam moments. A few pictures will go up online – don't miss it – but first come along to see the 'Pink Tutu Performance Show' - on Friday at 'The Little Pink Shoe'! It’ll be full of sparkle, glitz, and more feathers than a peacock. Come and support the cause!
Next month, I’m travelling back in time – but where? Well, it’s a little secret! Tune in next month to see where this pink tutu ends up!
Now remember darlings - keep up to date and find all the fabulous gossip and all that amazing drag history, right here on Pink Tutu Travels, www.pink-tutu.com. And don't forget to get those tutus out - even if they’re not pink - because you can’t have too much fabulousness! Until next month, happy twirling!
