Oh darling, hello! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time-travelling diva, Emma, here, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things fabulous and sparkly! This month, I'm taking you back to May 2000, a month overflowing with iconic moments in drag history. Grab your teacup, darlings, because this is one heck of a trip!
From Derbyshire to Drag Divas: The Spark that Lit the Pink Tutu Fire
As a Derbyshire girl at heart, itās always exciting to see my home county leaving its mark on the drag scene! This May in 2000 saw the beginning of something truly special ā the birth of the legendary Miss Fame! (Yes, that Miss Fame!) Now, a little birdie told me that this future beauty queen wasnāt quite the runway sensation she would later become. She was still learning her craft back then, which is why I absolutely loved seeing her drag in its nascent stages, soaking up every bit of that Drag Race experience.
While Fame was establishing herself, another legendary queen, RuPaul, was making headlines ā for the right reasons this time, thank goodness! After some earlier, less than flattering forays into film, she released "The RuPaul Show," a hilariously surreal sitcom about drag. I know some queens may not remember the show fondly, but darling, itās a time capsule for drag queens! Seeing RuPaul, in his full Queen persona, making a genuine attempt to be ānormalā was pure comedy gold. Plus, thereās something truly satisfying about seeing a drag icon trying out mainstream Hollywood while keeping a slice of her drag heritage intact. And youāre right, we couldnāt see how this would lead to a certain drag queen reality TV show...
But while Ru was exploring television, the world of drag theatre was bubbling with excitement. On a date we all should add to our diaries, May 30th, 2000, saw the legendary Hedwig and the Angry Inch grace the stage of the Jane Street Theatre in New York City! I'm talking about a drag legend of a musical ā Hedwig, a glam rock goddess, tells the tale of her life, her loss, her love, and her stunning journey to self-acceptance. As for the music, my dear, those songs! A mix of rock anthems, power ballads, and genuine pop hooks. This wasn't just a drag show, it was a performance art event, and a musical masterpiece!
The production was a massive hit, gaining a cult following, awards and a big screen adaptation in 2001, a film that propelled Hedwig, and its stars into even greater fame. But remember, all of this started with a play in a tiny New York theatre! A true reminder that big dreams, just like drag queens, often start with a bang ā and a sprinkle of glitter.
A Trip Back in Time (and a Tutu Swap): My Own Drag Travels in May 2000
Now, getting back to my own trip, because who needs to talk about history when youāve got a pink tutu?
Stepping out of my shimmering time portal, I found myself amidst the streets of San Francisco! A beautiful city full of diversity and energy! It wasnāt hard to feel the excitement building, the anticipation for what felt like an entire yearās worth of exciting drag performances.
This year, Cockettes, the pioneers of drag theatre in the '70s were still touring, putting on vibrant performances with their classic flair ā that beautiful mix of punk and hippie, and a liberal splash of performance art.
However, the energy felt younger, fresher and with an unmistakable sense of new wave excitement. In fact, a brand new queen was starting to make waves in "Trannyshack" the show created and curated by another iconic drag artist: Jackie Beat, (now a seasoned reality show veteran) known for her blend of stand-up comedy and cabaret.
As for the tutus... I saw some stunning, feathered, frilly works of art, but let me tell you ā a trip to Costumes by Francesca, San Franciscoās famed costume designer, was a highlight of this time trip! They had a vintage collection of the most dazzling and dramatic tutus, I literally felt like I was living inside a fairytale! I found a tutu in a glorious shade of fuchsia, so bright, it seemed to glow! Of course, I swapped it with my usual pink for the trip, it wouldn't have been right to step out without that iconic color. This pink was my tribute to the history of drag in the US and a subtle way to say āHello, San Francisco, Iāve arrived!ā
And for Your Viewing Pleasure, Darlingsā¦
My advice? Start exploring those forgotten corners of drag history and be sure to take your own personal time travel adventures. Don't be afraid to venture back in time. The history of drag is so rich and fascinating!
Next month, Iāll take you on another pink tutu time travel, as I continue to search for the ultimate, iconic pink tutu (in case I don't find the one Iām looking for!), while celebrating all things drag, and making sure we all feel fabulous. Don't forget to check back next month for another epic journey through time!
See you then, darling, and stay fabulous!
Love,
Emma
P.S. Don't forget to follow me on www.pink-tutu.com for fabulous updates on the world of drag, new blog posts, upcoming performances, and everything you could ever want to know about pink tutus!
P.P.S. Check out these amazing drag shows for a taste of drag history, from Hedwig to RuPaul!
- "Hedwig and the Angry Inch"
- "The RuPaul Show"
"Trannyshack"
And while you're at it, if you have a favorite show from the drag world, leave it in the comments below!
Stay fabulous, darlings!
