Oh hello darlings! Emma here, back again for another installment of Pink Tutu Time Travel. Get your pom-poms ready, 'cause today we're waltzing back to January 2004, a time when the world of drag was bubbling with excitement and fabulousness. It's like that special vintage teacup collection - just absolutely brimming with tea!
Right, darlings, you know the drill - itâs time for a peek into my sparkly, shimmering, magical time machine. Did I mention itâs pink? Well, it is! And it just so happens to be shaped like a tutu! A bit inconvenient for storage, darling, but who needs practical when you can have fabulous, eh? So, with a swirl and a twirl, weâre off on another dazzling time travel adventure!
London Calling: A Night Out With the Girls
First stop, London town! 2004 was a stellar year for London drag, especially in January. If you're looking for a night of glitz, glamour, and laughs, you couldn't go wrong with a trip to the iconic Royal Vauxhall Tavern. It was the place to be for the most iconic London drag performances, and trust me, they never disappointed! Think witty banter, outrageous costumes, and performances that had you begging for more.
And oh, the legends of London drag were strutting their stuff. There was the one and only Divine, the icon of drag and performance art, gracing us with her larger-than-life presence, although sadly not in the flesh (sheâd tragically left the world in 1988).
You could also have caught Cherry Valentine, the darling of the drag scene, with her vibrant, larger-than-life style, always turning heads with her dramatic make-up and even more dramatic gowns! You wouldn't find a more captivating performance!
Of course, the London scene was overflowing with other stellar talents - think of the powerhouse voices of The Vivienne, The Countess, The Drag Mothers, and so many more! Every single one a queen deserving of the crown and our applause! I dare you to try not to get swept away by the energy, darling, youâll be wanting to grab a wig and take to the stage!
But it wasn't just the shows! The Soho drag scene in London was alive with buzz. I'm talking street parties, iconic venues, and a whole world of drag queens. And you can bet your bottom dollar they were looking fabulous, from the head-turning ensembles to the captivating performances - truly a spectacle worth seeing. I bet they were making good use of those vibrant, neon pink colours! Just try not to get lost in the colourful flurry, my darlings, that's if you manage to tear yourself away from the stunning performances.
New York, New York: Where Dreams Take Flight
Oh, darling, New York in January 2004! Where even the streetlights seem to twinkle a bit brighter, a real scene-setter for fabulous drag shows! In the Big Apple, there was no place to be except the Stonewall Inn for drag nights. You couldn't swing a sequinned cat in there without hitting a drag queen! It was a night of vibrant energy, full of drag superstars - Iâm talking legendary status, here. And guess what, dear? You didnât need a ticket for a show! You could grab yourself a cheeky cocktail and dance the night away with a parade of flamboyant performers, truly a magical scene!
Who were the queens you'd have found dazzling the stages of the Stonewall Inn, you ask? Oh, you shouldâve seen Miss Fame, bringing that avant-garde glamour and artistic flair that had everyone begging for more, every time! You wouldâve had Alaska turning heads with her charming humour and captivating voice - absolutely iconic! And then there was Jinkx Monsoon, with that charming wit and powerhouse vocal talents â she had everyone hooked with her charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent! You'd never have caught me not being caught up in the drag madness! It's enough to give even the most grounded of people a little air-kiss to the clouds, I tell you!
But beyond the big-name queens, darling, there were so many other talents just waiting to be discovered. You just needed a little peek behind the scenes - you know, a wink to the backstage, a brush of the dressing rooms â and youâd see a new wave of artists with talent for days! Just as I had when I had my own moment at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern. They just need that chance to shine and steal the show! They will become the next icons!
Oh, darling, I've just gotta share this little snippet of gossip I picked up on one of my fabulous adventures. Have you ever wondered about that famous glitter cannon? Apparently, in 2004, the most popular glittery addition to the drag queen's costume wardrobe was, get this â pink glitter! They used to load it up into cannons, just blasting the audience with rainbows, you can imagine the effect! It was the perfect finishing touch for every look. Can't say I'm surprised, darling, because whatâs more fabulous than pink glitter?! Honestly! Pink glitter is my absolute favourite!
Crossing the Channel: The Sparkle of Paris
Paris, the City of Lights and a drag mecca in its own right, also had plenty of sparkle and joy to offer during this time. And where better to find that dazzling, glamorous experience than at the Moulin Rouge, one of the most famous cabarets in the world. Darling, there were those legendary dancers, the costumes, the Moulin Rouge signature style of the feathered headdresses, red and black velvet... a stunning sight!
And Iâm just whispering this in your ear, my darling... rumour has it they had this dazzling pink feathered showgirl outfit, the one that stole the stage during the can-can scene! Youâd need to see it to believe it - totally gorgeous! Imagine it - shimmering pink feathers under the sparkling spotlight! Divine! Iâd bet my bottom dollar, they couldn't resist adding a splash of pink!
But wait, my darling! I also found this interesting gem in the history books. Paris in 2004 saw a rise in âboylesqueâ - which, if youâre like me and enjoy your shows and the glam â think burlesque shows, but instead of dancing divas weâve got those dashing male performers, adding a sprinkle of sex appeal to their performances. You wouldnât have seen anything like this!
Now, you may think it wasn't as widespread as the other scenes I've mentioned. But believe me, my dear, drag shows were becoming bigger than ever before. Paris, and particularly its lively cabarets, had so much energy you couldn't miss it!
Where Was It All Heading?
So, my darlings, looking back on January 2004, itâs clear to see the global drag scene was ready for a transformation. I'm talking bigger stages, larger crowds, more creative freedom! This is the era of drag truly embracing its strength. Weâre about to see the emergence of reality television shows focused on the world of drag â shows like RuPaul's Drag Race that took the scene to a new level! But thereâs one thing I love most about 2004... the emphasis on individuality, the embracing of self-expression - something that, as much as times change, is a constant. I love the heart of the art form, that is always celebrating who we are and daring to express ourselves in unique and brilliant ways!
Remember, darling, the power of drag is to shine, to make people smile, to show them the beauty of self-expression. You have so much to celebrate, whether you're performing or just watching the spectacle unfold. I love watching all of the new generations of talent, especially as someone who started in drag just before 2004! And this, darling, is just the tip of the iceberg.
So, before I spin off into another sparkly pink dimension, darling, I have a little task for you! I want you to grab your pom-poms, put on a pink tutu â remember that time-traveling tutu tip I gave you â and share your thoughts with me at www.pink-tutu.com! And, oh! Why donât we all agree to wear pink tutus at the next big drag performance you go to! Thatâll really be a fabulous sight to see, wouldn't it?
Catch you in the next pink sparkly blog post! Until then, darling, spread the pink, spread the sparkle, and above all, spread the love!
