Hello, darlings! Emma here, your resident pink tutu-wearing time traveler extraordinaire, back with another tantalising slice of drag history. This month, we're waltzing back to March 3rd, 1991, a date that, while not marked in history books, holds a special place in our hearts, because, honey, it was dragtastic!
Iâve been busily practicing my fouettĂ© in my time travel tutu, and trust me, itâs a bit tricky to time travel with a five-tier tulle creation on your backside, especially when you're trying to remain fashionably inconspicuous. But, darling, we have a job to do.
Now, 1991 was a pivotal year for drag. Remember "Paris is Burning" and the groundbreaking docudrama that shook the world? The year had only just begun, and the fire of the ball scene was burning bright! Drag wasn't just about glamour and theatrics; it was about resistance, empowerment, and finding beauty and belonging in the most unexpected places.
Drag on the 3rd of March: A Global Scene
Let's hop in our trusty pink tutu-mobile and take a whirl around the globe!
New York, New York:
Picture this, honey, the glitter is bouncing off the subway windows as the world's leading drag queens, from Kiki to Dorian Corey, strut down the sidewalks in full ball gown glory. Theyâre probably on their way to the legendary Gay Nineties, a historic bar, and likely planning their next ball performance, because, let's face it, in those days, the only time people saw the dazzling creativity of drag was in these intimate balls. This was where drag really flourished and pushed the boundaries, it was drag on a shoestring, drag of self-expression, drag at its raw and brilliant best.
London, London:
Now, London wasn't exactly known for its fiery ballroom scene at this point, but that doesnât mean the drag scene was quiet. On this day in 1991, the Theatre Royal Stratford East, a gem of a theatre tucked away in East London, would be hosting the UK's "Mr. Gay UK" contest. This was a major event for the queer community. Imagine a room filled with some of the best-dressed drag kings from all across the country.
I'm imagining a mixture of classic style with a sprinkle of the avant-garde and the fierce sense of freedom only a drag king can exude! Maybe it wasn't as glamorous as the balls in New York, but it certainly was dramatic!
Manchester, Manchester:
Across the Pennines, our own city of Manchester was getting its drag on at The Ritz nightclub. Think a warehouse of music and light with drag performances under a throbbing disco ball, maybe a few cheeky drag kings getting in on the act! And as a proud Derbyshire girl, itâs a date Iâll need to add to my calendar for our local club, The Black Horse!
A Drag Dream
Now, darling, while these cities had their own drag experiences, one thing unites us all - that shared passion, that urge to create, that thrill of getting on that stage! Remember, these were times when being a drag queen wasnât about a quick âlikeâ on a social media video - it was about the dedication to the craft, about hours of creating makeup, crafting gowns and finding your own voice, which is why today, we remember them, celebrate them, and carry the flame of their spirit!
Tutu-ly Magical!
Well, my lovely readers, our time travel adventures will have to stop here. It's time for me to step back into my pink-tutu-time machine and whizz back to the future, but before I go, I want to encourage each and every one of you, dear reader, to channel your inner drag queen! Doesnât matter if itâs rocking out at your local drag event or rocking that pink tutu around the shops, you are worthy, fabulous and a force to be reckoned with! Don't forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com for your next dose of time travel adventure. Until next time, remember, darlings: be bold, be bright, and always be pink!
