Hello, darling! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels, your monthly dose of fabulousness from the time-travelling drag queen, Emma. This month, I'm whipping out my trusty, sequined pink tutu and swirling through the archives of drag history, landing right here, 12th December, 1983. Ooh, the fabulousness! Hold onto your wigs, dolls, because this one's a real gem!
As you all know, my dear readers, my mission in life is simple: Get everyone wearing a pink tutu. It's a bold statement, I know, but I'm all about that playful, joyous energy, and a pink tutu just oozes it, don't you think? It’s like a cloud of femininity, ready to make the world a more fabulous place one twirl at a time.
Now, I'm from Derbyshire, England, you see? We love a good time over there, but sometimes, it can be a bit... well, lacking in flamboyant frocks! So I set out to see what drag looked like in different corners of the world, inspiring others to embrace the joy of the pink tutu. And what better place to start than on this gloriously iconic date in drag history?
December 12th, 1983
Oh, darlings, let's take a step back in time! We're in the midst of the eighties, when the glitter was extra, the hair was extra, and the makeup, well, let's just say you couldn't find a brow bone! It was a time of fearless creativity in drag, where the rulebook was ripped to shreds and the most outrageous was celebrated.
I'm in New York City, right? Feeling that buzzing, vibrant energy. The iconic Pyramid Club was a drag hotspot then, a place where drag royalty came to play, and I'm all eyes (and glitter, and lashes!) for the divine Ms. Divine herself! Her drag, it's beyond words! It's theatrical, bold, campy. It's like she stole all the colours in the rainbow and splattered them onto herself. And her performance? Unforgettable.
Back then, there were plenty of incredible venues for drag. I'm not just talking the usual drag bars. Drag shows were taking over Broadway! Divine and the rest of The Cockettes, with their glitter-drenched madness, took the stage by storm. The drag revolution was happening!
Speaking of Divine, let's take a detour to Baltimore, Maryland! That's where John Waters - yes, you know him, he of the shockumentary, Pink Flamingos - gave Divine her first acting break. A real "divine" duo. And as we all know, those crazy, outlandish John Waters movies were so crucial in pushing the boundaries of American culture and getting drag to a wider audience.
But New York City was the epicenter. The Palladium and Studio 54 are legendary spots where drag was woven into the fabric of nightlife. Imagine it, darlings. Glittering ballrooms, dancing queens in extravagant costumes, a kaleidoscope of colours and personalities, with disco balls swirling overhead!
Oh, the glorious history of drag! I could chat for hours.
Drag is so much more than just dressing up. It's about individuality. It’s about self-expression. It’s about being yourself, even if that “yourself” is covered in glitter and feathers. And it’s about having the time of your life, baby!
So, remember, darling, if you ever feel the urge to step outside your comfort zone, take a deep breath, let the rhythm take hold, and twirl into your most fabulous self! Put on a pink tutu - or, dare I say, ANY tutu! Let the world see your shine. You never know where a little sparkle might lead you!
Oh, I better go now. Got a date with a fabulous vintage feather boa in Paris. I’m hearing there’s a new Jean-Paul Gaultier show! A pink tutu is in order.
Until next time, my loves! Remember, spread joy and sparkle!
Emma x
Pink Tutu Time Travels
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