Oh darlings! Get your popcorn ready, pour yourselves a gin and tonic (or whatever your poison is - don't judge, darling!), because Emma's here with another whirlwind trip in her trusty, time-traveling pink tutu!
This month, my fabulous frock has whisked me all the way back to April 4th, 1982 - can you believe it? The early '80s! Now, I've always had a bit of a soft spot for that decade. Remember the big hair, the neon colours, and the music?! We’re talking Michael Jackson, Madonna, Blondie… Honestly, those outfits were fabulous. Just the inspiration I need to whip up some new looks for my next gig.
Speaking of gigs… let’s talk drag! Now, I know you love your drag history just as much as I do. I’ve always got a hankering to go back and see the queens that paved the way, especially those queens who weren't recorded, those who made their mark in local bars and backrooms - they are the backbone of our beloved art form. I'm all for the glitz and glam of today's drag scene, but those OG queens were legends!
Right, back to my journey through time. I found myself in San Francisco - where else?! A city pulsating with drag culture, even back then. Now, I know I might not be able to tell you exactly what was going down on this particular April 4th in 1982 - that’s the magic of the time travel tutu! But, oh darlings, I found a whole lot of fascinating stuff.
Remember The Cockettes? Oh my God, what a legendary group! A troupe of avant-garde, drag performers, performance artists, actors, and writers. The epitome of bohemian style - they had it all - flamboyance, theatrical magic and a huge dose of satire. They were wild, free, and utterly unbridled. The early '80s were a bit of a fallow period for them - their last hurrah had been at the San Francisco International Film Festival in '79. But their legacy, their sheer audacity, was still ringing out throughout the city. Imagine what a drag queen experience in 1982 was! It wasn't all polished drag bars. You had dive bars, nightclubs with basement shows, warehouse parties… it was like an underground network of talent!
I wandered into one such establishment and it felt like I had entered another world - smoky air, thumping disco, and people in fabulous, homemade creations - it was electric! I spotted a drag queen dressed in a pink tutu, reminding me that pink can take on different identities! That's my mission, darlings! Pink for everyone! Now, don’t go thinking I only want pink, darling! I'm all for individuality, expressing yourself, your uniqueness - that's what drag is all about! Pink is simply my go-to colour!
A true embodiment of the energy and excitement I experienced in 1982, was this dazzling show at a venue called The Palace. It was a place known for hosting some truly legendary shows - like a breeding ground for incredible drag talent. Imagine: the smoky air, the pulsating rhythm of the music, the glitter bombs, and the roars of the crowd. Can you feel the magic? I did. This energy was something else!
Now, this wasn’t just your average show, darling - there were queens who truly pushed the boundaries. We’re talking performance art that transcended the conventional. These queens, they sang, they acted, they danced, they made us think! There were dancers in high-flying, death-defying routines that reminded me of the ballet world that I am obsessed with, those fluid moves.
Speaking of which, do you know where my next tutu time-travel adventure will take me? It's a top secret for now, but let's just say it involves something with beautiful swirling, tutus and an exciting blend of music and movement - stay tuned, my dear darlings!
Until next time, make sure to keep that pink tutu sparkling!
Love,
Emma
P.S. Do you know any fascinating stories from the early days of drag in your city? Share them with me, darlings - I would love to hear them! And as always, check out my drag calendar for a taste of what's going on in the UK, all of which I finance with my time traveling drag performances. Don't forget to check out my site www.pink-tutu.com for the most up to date travel adventures in time! I'll leave you all with a pink sparkly wish!
