Hello my darlings! Emma here, back with another juicy trip through the glorious history of drag, all in this fab pink tutu! Oh, did I tell you? I snagged this stunner at a vintage shop in Notting Hill the other day, it’s pure silk, a blush pink that practically shimmers and sparkles. And you wouldn’t believe the bargain I got on it! It’s a true testament to my always on point thrifting skills, and darling, we’re gonna be using it for so many fabulous time travels!
Today, I’m twirling my way back to 2nd February 1988, a truly iconic date in the ever-evolving tapestry of drag! To celebrate, I’m slipping into my fabulous tutu, and donning my killer cherry red heels, ready to soak up all the glamour and excitement that was swirling in the air back then. Grab a cuppa, grab some cake, and let's get this drag-venture started!
Before I share my escapades, I just wanted to give a big shout out to all of YOU, my fab followers! My website has been absolutely buzzing with your comments, messages and requests! You really are the wind beneath my pink tutu wings! Speaking of, let’s give a round of applause to the amazing performances I've done lately, they've been helping fund all my amazing adventures! We even had a fundraiser last week at the local pub in my little village in Derbyshire – remember my last blog post where I went back to 1984? Swoon Well, we did a drag revue all night! Let’s just say everyone was singing, dancing, and absolutely loving themselves!
Right, now, where were we? Ah yes! 2nd February, 1988! It was a Monday. I know, I know, it's not always the most exciting day of the week, but darling, back in 1988, Mondays were full of fabulousness !
It was a time when drag was finding its footing as an even bigger, bolder phenomenon. Drag was slowly moving away from being something you saw mainly in cabarets and nightclubs to become a proper theatrical force.
What was happening that night? It’s actually a super fascinating tale, but for this post, we’re gonna take a quick dip into what was bubbling in the fabulous drag scene on that particular day.
The Scene: New York, New YorkDarling, I landed in the Big Apple itself! Oh, it was so glamorous, and let me tell you, New York never disappoints. My tutu was absolutely getting a workout with all the twirling I was doing. This is where my inner dancer came out to play! It's simply irresistible, and of course, all my adventures wouldn’t be the same without it! It adds a touch of chic and drama that is simply unbeatable! And you just know, all those sassy New York queens were totally rocking tutus, too!
One of the hottest drag places back then was a club called The Pyramid. Oh, it was absolutely bumping and I could practically feel the energy from a mile away!
Now, 1988 was a year when drag wasn’t always readily accepted everywhere, darling, so seeing something like The Pyramid flourish with so much style was absolutely magical! The drag queens were incredibly talented and diverse, performing everything from outrageous comedy skits to powerhouse ballads, and it was all utterly inspiring!
If you haven’t been to a drag show before, I strongly suggest you try to find one. There's something absolutely electrifying about it. The audience is up for a laugh, everyone's dancing, the performers are pushing boundaries – It’s everything you could want in a good night out!
That same evening, just a stone's throw away, a truly iconic show was happening at The Peppermint Lounge! Now, imagine, darling, this was a drag cabaret show, showcasing the talent of queens like The Lady Chablis!
And The Lady Chablis – well, she was something else. A true legend of Drag, a true drag pioneer. I'm getting a bit ahead of myself – my excitement’s bubbling over, but The Lady Chablis' impact on drag history is absolutely HUGE! This drag diva – with her sass and wit was legendary and I would be remiss to leave her out of this post.
For The Lady Chablis to be performing at a venue as iconic as The Peppermint Lounge – wow! I mean, that place was THE PLACE TO BE, it’s a historic drag spot that hosted incredible performers who really helped to elevate and change the perception of drag. So, when I tell you the scene that night was buzzing, imagine two dozen other incredible drag artists performing too. That’s the kind of incredible talent that was present at that show!
A Trip Down Memory Lane with The Lady ChablisThe Lady Chablis, with her sultry voice and magnetic charm , captured the hearts of audiences across the country! There was a spark about her, a genuine connection to the audience and an innate understanding of what it meant to really be a Drag queen. Her fearless spirit and her unwavering commitment to delivering the most fabulous and captivating performance made her stand out from the crowd. The impact that she has had on the culture of drag can’t be understated.
In a 2011 interview with the New York Times, The Lady Chablis recounted her journey to becoming a celebrated drag queen. She reflected on the era when drag performances often were hidden away from the mainstream public. Yet, that wasn’t stopping these talented queens, oh no! It was fueling their creativity and determination to show their true selves!
It's that sheer resilience and strength that resonated with so many audiences, particularly The Lady Chablis’ show at The Peppermint Lounge that night. She reminded me we have to have that kind of guts to be ourselves!
The fact that a drag cabaret show like the one hosted at The Peppermint Lounge, that night in 1988, was gaining traction meant it was breaking down barriers and showing people just how talented these Drag Queens are! It was like an injection of flair and color that the world needed!
I can only imagine how powerful this show would have been. It must have been the talk of the town, everyone wanting to get a glimpse of the incredible Drag artists who took the stage that night. And with The Lady Chablis at the helm? That would have been show stopping!
My Journey Through History in My Pink TutuAfter getting a little carried away in my time travelling adventures, we’re back here in the present! You know what darling, I love remembering what Drag artists had to do to overcome those challenges and carve their own paths. It really shows that drag has always been about resilience, expression, and of course, fabulousness! It was an incredible journey – filled with incredible talent, and it really made me appreciate the pioneers who have made the art of Drag so amazing today!
Remember, it's not always about what you see, it’s why you’re seeing it! And these amazing performances, the queens like The Lady Chablis, are all a part of making a change!
And for everyone in the world – don’t be shy, slip into that pink tutu and get out there! Make the most of every opportunity! That’s the message from me to you! And I am always here with you, on every step of that incredible journey!
Until next month darling, stay fabulous and see you next time, on Pink-tutu.com!
