Darlings! It’s Emma, your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, back again with another monthly trip through the wondrous, sparkling history of drag! Today, my darling dears, we’re hopping into my time-traveling tutu and zooming back to November 2006, just in time for a spot of drag history – and, wouldn’t you know it, I’ve got my eyes on the very latest in pink and feather fashion!
Now, let me tell you, darlings, November 2006 wasn’t all about glittery ball gowns and feathers galore – and that’s a bit of a bummer for someone who loves the flamboyant and fabulous! While drag queens across the world were showcasing incredible looks on stages big and small, a bit of a dullness was happening when it came to fashion trends.
Where were the sequins? Where were the extravagant wigs? Where was the outrageous makeup? Don’t get me wrong, darling, drag has always been about pushing boundaries and expressing yourself, and I have no doubt that the queens were bringing the fabulous, but this era was about a little more practicality and toned-down fashion.
Imagine, if you will, darling, my pristine pink tutu getting a bit dirty from a lack of sequins and shimmer! The horror!
Let’s have a peek at what was happening in the world of drag, shall we?
New York City:
Oh darling, let me tell you, New York City in 2006 was a bustling hotbed of drag, overflowing with vibrant queens making their mark. There were some pretty spectacular events happening at the time:
- The Wigstock Festival: Held annually in August, this fabulous extravaganza brought together drag queens and performers from all corners of the city for a wild celebration of drag, music and just plain fun! I imagine, darling, my time-traveling tutu might have gotten a little… messy… during this one, wouldn't it?
- The "Dames at the Disco" series at The Box: Oh darling! Imagine: disco, fabulous women, drag queens, it's practically a dream come true! Sadly, darling, I must admit, this particular series of drag shows happened before November, but the dazzling excitement, I can only imagine!
- RuPaul's Drag Race: You betcha, darling! Even back in 2006, the fabulous RuPaul was showcasing the most exciting new drag queens on the planet, on her ever-popular, groundbreaking show "RuPaul's Drag Race" which had only started a year before, in 2005. Now darling, I heard a rumour – and rumour is always true, darling, rumour is true – that some of the queens even wore the odd tutu for a show or two. But not pink ones, I bet, no, that colour was too good for them!
Now, my lovely readers, don't be put off by my comments on the sequin shortage. What mattered most, back in 2006, were the performers – their personalities, their humor, their wit!
London, my darling!:
You bet, darlings! London was in the thick of it in November 2006!
- The "Night of the Queens" at the Rivoli Ballroom: It's an absolute icon, darling, and for all you lovely readers who are a little behind the times (just like me), the Rivoli Ballroom, which has hosted all sorts of fabulous drag nights in the past, has had to shut its doors as a night venue, but thankfully, still exists as a glorious day event. This must've been some incredible event. Oh, darling, it's my favourite part of the night-time drag experience, you know, the glamour of going out, the excitement, the energy… it’s like… pure magic, and the Rivoli Ballroom was perfect for it.
- The "Boylesque" show at the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith: Oh, my dears! I hear rumours that drag is an art form and not just for women – squee! and here, a truly unique performance brought a dash of sexy naughtiness with a cabaret style production, a mix of the bawdy and burlesque, which, you can see, darlings, it has to be a fab combination!
From Derbyshire to the World
Darling, my time travels have taken me to many places - New York, London, and even places further afield than my imagination could possibly comprehend. But nowhere, darling, can compare to Derbyshire, my beloved home!
The beauty of drag isn't just in the glamorous costumes and elaborate performances, although don't get me wrong, I love that too, but it’s about finding your tribe, expressing your unique personality, and bringing joy to those around you!
Even back in 2006, Derbyshire was overflowing with drag queens and the love for performance and glitter was in the air, making our little corner of England a drag paradise! You know what else? It's my theory that all that glittery, glitzy joy of drag in the Peak District gave birth to this very tutu I am time travelling in. Just think! What would I have done without it? I would be stranded in my little corner of Derbyshire for the rest of my life – with no pink sparkly tutu for company. Ugh, the horror!
Let's keep in mind that drag isn't just about sequins and big hair, though it certainly doesn't hurt! It's about being courageous, finding your own style, and being a champion of self-expression. You’ll never find me, darlings, in my lovely, time-traveling pink tutu if it wasn’t for the wonderful people around me and, oh, the fabulous fashion – because I think every single person in the world could look so much better with a pink tutu, wouldn’t you agree, dears?
Remember, darlings, be brave, be bold, be fabulous, and, most importantly, have a fabulous time being yourselves! Oh, and do take some inspiration from me - wear pink and feather and sparkle everywhere you go! Until next time, dears, you know where to find me – www.pink-tutu.com, your destination for all things time travel and pink!
Love always, Emma
bows deeply, and curtseys to the reader
