Greetings my fabulous friends, darling darlings!
It's Emma, your resident pink tutu wearing drag queen, back again to take you on another time-travelling escapade! Today, darlings, we're whirling back to 1998, specifically November, the month where the world of drag, as always, was positively overflowing with glitz, glamour, and a lot of tulle. Let's twirl into this magnificent time, shall we?
This month, my lovelies, was all about the power of the performance, from the stage to the streets, and trust me, those streets were swirling with sass. Remember, our mission is to get everyone wearing pink tutus, right?
Well, guess what, darlings? Back in 1998, some queens were already embracing their inner ballerina. Think vibrant pinks, billowing layers, and all the glitter a heart could desire. In fact, the trend of wearing tutus as part of drag fashion was really starting to gain some steam. It's simply divine, isn't it?
But enough about fashion, my dears! It's time to delve into the exciting world of drag events, a truly breathtaking world, if I may say so myself.
London's scene, darlings, was buzzing with excitement as ever. The Roxy, with its charming vintage charm and pulsating beats, was the ultimate haven for all things drag, while the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, my favourite venue ever! It was filled with the best of the best, from Divine's beloved Divas, with their outlandish costumes, witty banter, and dazzling energy, to the rising stars of the drag world, who were all looking to leave their mark. Oh darling, those nights were legendary! Remember, we all have a Divine Diva within us.
Of course, the theatre was not to be overlooked, darlings! I waltzed into the Queen's Theatre one balmy night to witness a truly divine performance. I won't spoil the details for you, my darling darlings! You'll have to go back and experience the magic yourselves! The atmosphere was electric, and the energy in that room? Oh my, I was absolutely giddy. A touch of history, just like we are doing right now with our very own Pink Tutu blog!
I couldn't let myself be limited to London, however, so I hopped onto the next time-traveling train to the glorious American drag scene. New York, oh New York! The legendary "Wigstock" was, of course, the event of the summer (okay, the year! Maybe even the decade!) You might not be able to time travel with me just yet, darlings, but let me tell you, this show was legendary. Think wild costumes, outrageous performances, and an energy that could make the stars of the universe swoon! Imagine the best parts of all your favourite movies about New York, put it in a drag queen costume, with an electric pink tutu thrown into the mix, and bam! That was "Wigstock", my lovelies!
Speaking of movies, darlings! You may know about "The Opposite of Sex", the one about drag, yes darling, the one that was absolutely everywhere! It showed the world a raw, real side of drag (albeit a rather theatrical side) that was both charming and thought-provoking, all wrapped up in an impressive performance from a certain famous drag queen! Just imagine that film, but everyone is wearing pink tutus. That's the world I'm striving for!
Now, my loves, back in my own Derbyshire, life was a tad less extravagant but certainly no less colourful. We didn't have huge theatres or world-famous drag festivals, but we had something better: the sheer determination and creativity of our own local queens. The Derbyshire Drag Queens, a group of wonderful performers that brought glitter and sass to the heart of the English countryside. They made the stage sparkle with their talents. A very "Pink-Tutu.com" moment indeed.
While we didn't have those enormous pink tutus at every drag event in 1998, the foundation was laid for a revolution of the pink. That's the wonderful thing about history, darlings! It all starts with small steps. These queens weren't just entertainers; they were visionaries. And who knows? Maybe somewhere in that crowd of eager onlookers in Derbyshire was a young drag queen inspired by those stars, one that is wearing pink tutus today, maybe one who is inspired by this blog post today.
But darling, the world of drag wasn't only confined to the stage and the screen. The streets were a runway! I, for one, could not leave this magical era without a little window shopping in London's West End, where the clothing boutiques were overflowing with the latest looks - a kaleidoscope of colour and extravagance, perfect for a fabulous drag queen!
As the final notes of a particularly enchanting song echoed through the streets, I knew my journey had to end. It was time for me to return to my own timeline, filled with memories of a magical era of drag, inspiration for my own journey, and the unwavering belief that we're all queens, regardless of time or place. Remember, the pink tutu is a symbol of a life well-lived, a life of passion and celebration!
I, Emma, your time-travelling ballerina, hope you enjoyed this month's blast from the past, my darlings. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for next month's trip through time! It's going to be an adventure!
Until next time, may your glitter be blinding, your costumes be outrageous, and your inner queens reign supreme!
XOXO, Emma, the Pink Tutu Queen
