Hello darlings! It's your favourite Derbyshire drag queen, Emma, back with another fabulous time-travel blog from pink-tutu.com! This month, I'm dipping my toes into June 2003, a year that feels like it was both yesterday and a lifetime ago, in the best way possible, darling!
I mean, think of it! 2003: a world of chunky highlights, questionable low-rise jeans, and the sheer joy of finding a decent internet connection. But most importantly? 2003 saw the dawn of a new era for drag, a year of glitz, glamour, and sheer bloody brilliance!
Now, this pink-tutu-loving, drag-obsessed queen wouldn't be doing her duty if she didn't slip into my trusty, magic time-traveling tutu (you know, the one I stole from a mischievous fairy – long story!) to experience the majesty that was June 2003 for myself.
So, what was a fabulous queen like myself doing in June of 2003? I'll tell you, my darling:
Firstly, a trip to New York City! What's a girl gotta do to get a pink tutu fix, eh? I popped into a fantastic little drag show, a lovely club in Greenwich Village called The Duplex. This wasn’t some massive venue with flashing lights – it was small, intimate, and deliciously camp. You wouldn’t believe the drag royalty on that stage, all in their feathered finery, dripping sequins, and sashay-ing through life! Talk about giving a pink tutu enthusiast like myself a heart attack.
And of course, no trip to the Big Apple was complete without a spree on Canal Street, right? You haven't really been to New York City if you haven’t felt the silk on your fingertips and gasped at the glittery wonders waiting in every shop window! The shopping was fab, but it’s the fashion that got me: sparkling heels, feather boas that practically spoke, and dresses that would make even the most boring woman (shh! Don’t tell!) feel fabulous. I was positively giddy!
Next stop: San Francisco! Ah, San Francisco! Now, it’s a known fact: you can’t truly experience drag until you've spent some quality time with the queens of the Golden Gate City! So, naturally, I hopped onto my fabulously convenient time-traveling tutu and found myself in a cute little drag brunch – I know, I know! Drag brunches have exploded since then! Well, 2003 saw their rise to dragdom! And this brunch was simply divine.
With mimosa in hand, I watched in wonder as these incredible queens (imagine: sparkly pink dresses with massive pouffy sleeves, shimmering eye-shadow and long blonde wigs, all with incredible stage presence!), strutted their stuff. They were funny, fierce, and just plain joyful. Who needs a therapist when you've got drag, right? Plus, there was loads of glittery fun and I snagged some amazing sequined fashion bargains! Seriously, darling, every San Francisco vintage store is practically overflowing with potential pink-tutu outfits!
Now, hold onto your sequined hats, darling, because I’m about to take you to the drag capital of the UK: London! And boy oh boy, let me tell you – London was bubbling with excitement in June 2003. They had something called a "London Lesbian and Gay Pride" – oh the irony! It sounds delightful, doesn't it? Well, I can't stress this enough, this wasn't your usual pride event.
Now, picture it: hundreds, nay thousands, of queens and kings in all their colourful glory, walking down the streets of London, their laughter, music, and joy reverberating throughout the entire city. I just love a good Pride!
The real gem, however, was The Royal Vauxhall Tavern, a true pillar of London drag scene. Imagine: a dimly lit venue oozing with history, a dance floor teeming with laughter and rhythm, and queens in every shade and flavour imaginable – all celebrating and dancing.
It's one thing to talk about drag. It’s another to feel the heart of the community. And June 2003 just made my heart sing. It wasn’t just about the drag, darling! It was the energy. The inclusivity. The joy.
But honestly, what really put me into a whirlwind of a pink-tutu-tastic trance was… drum roll please…. the drag show that graced the stage of a legendary venue known as "The Astoria"! Now, I'm not exaggerating, darling! It was an absolute explosion of drag, sequins, laughter, and pure magic. This wasn't just a show. It was a statement.
Imagine: some of the most iconic drag artists from across the globe (we’re talking legendary, my dear, legendary!) all gathered together under one roof to put on a display that left audiences swooning. I was so lucky to be able to witness this incredible night.
You see, darling, June 2003 wasn’t just about drag shows, though those were a vital part of the fun. It was about the evolution. The acceptance the celebration.
By the end of my June 2003 jaunt, I found myself back in Derbyshire, completely giddy and brimming with a renewed desire to help spread the joy of drag far and wide, from the streets of London to the heart of New York, to every nook and cranny of the globe.
So, here's my advice, darlings. Don't just watch drag. Live it! Put on a sequined top, twirl a feather boa, throw on some pink eyeshadow, and let the inner diva out! You don’t need a magical pink tutu to join the fun (although it helps!). It’s all about embracing the glitter, the joy, the inclusivity.
But one thing's for sure: after my June 2003 travels, I'm more than ever convinced that a world full of pink tutus is the world we need. Let’s spread that joy!
Stay fab, darlings! And I’ll see you back here next month for another blast from the drag past!
