Hello darlings! Emma here, your fabulous Derbyshire gal, back with another monthly instalment of Pink Tutu Time Travels! You'll never believe what happened to your girl this month! I found myself whisked away in my magical time travelling pink tutu - which is currently feeling very en pointe by the way, all fluffed up and ready to shimmy! - to a rather spectacular date: August 8th, 1981.
Now, you might be thinking, "August 8th, 1981? That sounds rather...ordinary, Emma." Oh, you sweet, innocent things! 1981 was a wild time in the world of drag, my dears! It was like a giant disco ball had exploded in a hurricane of glitter and feather boas!
My time machine deposited me right in the heart of New York City, smack bang in the middle of a bustling Greenwich Village. The energy was positively electric! I swear, the sheer volume of fabulous was practically palpable! And honey, I couldn't resist joining in the party. The local drag queens looked simply divine in their brightly coloured, futuristic attire, strutting their stuff with such a sense of sassy, fearless abandon.
Just imagine: think bold makeup, sky-high hair, vibrant colours, and platform heels galore. The whole look screamed 'I am fierce, I am fabulous, and I am owning this!'
As I danced the night away at a downtown club (they had a surprisingly good selection of cocktails, let me tell you), I learned that August 8th was actually the night of the infamous The Cockettes performance at The Palladium! You've gotta picture this, darlings! The Cockettes, the legendary drag collective known for their camp, countercultural performance art. They were wild, free-spirited and challenged societal norms through their theatrical flair. Imagine drag with a splash of avant-garde, a dash of rock 'n' roll and a healthy dose of humour, and youâve got the Cockettes!
Oh, to have been part of that! I can just picture them in their elaborate, outlandish costumes, singing, dancing, and weaving stories about rebellion and beauty! They truly paved the way for a new kind of drag â the kind that dared to question, to subvert and to celebrate the beautiful spectrum of life in all its glory!
But the adventure wasn't just about glamorous evenings. During my trip, I ventured beyond the neon-lit nightlife, and discovered a world of local drag history waiting to be uncovered. I stumbled upon a quaint little bar, "The Ritz" (now, whatâs more fabulous than a Ritz?) and met an older drag queen named Lola, whoâd been strutting her stuff since the 70s. Imagine, a veritable walking encyclopedia of drag history! We shared stories about the early days, the struggle, the joy, and the evolution of drag in a way that was simply electrifying.
One of her most amazing tales was about Divine, the legendary drag performer and actor, known for his collaborations with John Waters. He was absolutely everywhere in the world of drag! Divine, she said, was the true embodiment of the saying, "bigger is better"! I have a picture in my mind of that oversized hair and makeup - truly captivating!
Lola's story cemented just how integral drag was to the fabric of society in those times. Not just for its theatricality, but also as a vehicle for expressing your true self in a world where acceptance and individuality werenât always embraced. It was, and is, an expression of liberation. It was, and is, about freedom of expression.
In a way, I was experiencing this beautiful, rebellious spirit right there, in that little bar, while I was wearing my very own magical, time travelling pink tutu. Iâm pretty sure that everyone, even the bouncers, loved it! My goal in life is to get everyone in the world wearing a pink tutu â even the time travelling version!
You know, even though I only had a day in August 8th, 1981, it was a truly eye-opening experience. It taught me so much about the incredible journey of drag history. A journey marked by challenge and resilience, by glamour and glitter, by community and activism, and ultimately, by the unwavering belief in the power of self-expression.
And darlings, there is truly nothing more important than expressing yourself authentically. Whether you choose to do so in a pink tutu, on a stage, or in the everyday, always remember to embrace your true self with boldness and joy.
Before I go, let me just leave you with a little glimpse of the drag happenings around the world that very same date, August 8th, 1981! Get your dancing shoes ready!
Global Drag Gems for August 8th, 1981:
- Los Angeles, California: The famous âThe Comedy Storeâ hosted an unforgettable night of stand-up comedy with some drag queens giving a fantastic showing.
- London, England: The âRoyal Vauxhall Tavernâ, a legendary LGBTQ+ venue, featured a double bill - a night of dazzling drag acts, leaving audiences completely spellbound!
- San Francisco, California: The legendary drag show Cockettes closed their show, âThe Times They Are a-Changinâ!â to a roaring, packed audience at the "Old Waldorfâ theatre. This show marked the end of an era!
So, there you have it! My fab, August 8th, 1981 journey in the time travelling pink tutu.
Now, be sure to visit my blog at www.pink-tutu.com and follow me on my next trip to a time that promises even more drama, glitter and fabulousness. Itâs going to be even more amazing than this!
Keep spreading the pink, darlings!
Emma xoxo
