Oh, darlings! Emma here, your pink-tutu-clad time traveler, ready to whisk you back to the glorious 80s! As you all know, March 3rd, 1981 was a very special day - not just because it was my 22nd birthday, but also because it was the night I donned my magical, sparkly, pink tutu and time travelled to a legendary night at the "Bistro" in New York City.
Let's get one thing straight: I simply can't get enough of that 1980s era. The music! The fashion! And don't even get me started on the drag scene. It was, quite simply, everything!
I had heard rumours about this incredible drag club called the "Bistro" for months. The gossip was that it was one of the first truly inclusive spaces in the city, welcoming performers and audiences from all walks of life, with an emphasis on a real "community spirit" that felt truly magical. My drag heart was buzzing with anticipation, and so was my little pink-tutu heart.
And, let me tell you, the energy as I arrived at that historic building, a touch of late 70s chic with its dark wood doors and a sense of exciting intrigue, was intoxicating. You just knew, this was a place where something truly extraordinary was going to happen.
As I stepped through the doorway, I was welcomed into a world of neon lights, glitter-dusted tablecloths, and a cacophony of infectious laughter and joyous conversation. The performers, absolutely stunning in their own right, looked like they'd stepped straight out of a magazine, every one of them shimmering in flamboyant fashion. There were so many colours, feathers, and even more glitter. I must admit, even I, a lover of all things pink, was tempted by the gorgeous metallic turquoise leotards paired with feather boas, worn by a drag queen who was absolutely captivating on stage. The makeup was bold and the hair - divine. We all had our own style, but the air crackled with a sense of camaraderie and support that warmed even the coldest heart, darlings!
But you know what really floored me, what gave me the shivers and sent shimmers down my spine? It was the audience. I mean, just take a moment to picture it: a diverse, wonderfully chaotic mix of New Yorkers of every colour, ethnicity, and background, all brought together by their shared love of the vibrant, magical world of drag. Every eye was glued to the stage, every face a mask of pure adoration for the talent on display. This, this is what truly embodies the essence of drag – a beautiful, powerful, universal language of expression, understood by every single soul present in that room, making every performer feel empowered, celebrated, and seen.
For me, the "Bistro" represented a moment of true inclusivity in the early 80s. I realised then that this place was a beacon, a powerful testament to the fact that drag, in its essence, is not about gender or identity - it’s about art, community, and expressing your fabulousness to the world. That night, the “Bistro” wasn’t just a drag club - it was a portal to a world of pure, unrestrained creativity and pure joy. You truly couldn’t help but be swept away.
As for me, my love for the vibrant energy of drag nights is just as strong now as it was in the 1980s. My pink tutu might not get me as many invitations to prestigious New York nightclubs today as it did then, but the magic of drag still resonates through my Derbyshire soul.
Remember, darlings, my little pink tutu might look small, but it’s got enough power to take you all on a fabulous time travel adventure to some truly iconic drag nights! Don’t just stand there, come join me for a fabulous night at the “Bistro”, even if you just travel there in your mind! After all, isn’t that what drag is all about – celebrating the world in a bold, vibrant, and spectacularly flamboyant way?
Catch you next month, darlings!
XOXO
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
