Oh, darling, gather round! It's Emma, your fabulous, time-traveling ballerina queen from Derbyshire, and it's time for another fabulous blast from the past! This month, I've been twirling and swirling my way back to August 2009, and let me tell you, it's a treat for the senses! As usual, I've packed my trusty, shimmering, time-traveling pink tutu - oh darling, the sparkle on this one is enough to rival a disco ball - and I'm ready to dive into the delicious history of drag!
Now, 2009 was a time of such delicious creativity in drag. I'm thinking glamorous wigs, fierce makeup, and an explosion of bold costumes! You can't forget the dazzling lights and even more dazzling personalities – I just couldn't wait to experience it all in person!
From Derbyshire to... the World!
Oh, it’s all thanks to this marvellous tutu. Every month I put on this little pink wonder and bam! – instant time travel. This time, I landed smack-dab in the middle of a dazzling drag show in the heart of London’s West End, darling.
London Calling: Drag in the Big Smoke!
Now, I've always said that London's one of the best places for drag. I can’t say enough about the sheer variety - from the classic and camp to the cutting edge and avant-garde.
Let’s rewind to the big Smoke, where I found myself dancing along to the latest beats at Heaven! This place is a drag institution – you could call it a haven for drag divas, oh darling! Imagine the best drag from all corners of London all under one roof… now add in a touch of mischief and you have Heaven!
Miss Sink It’s all a bit Much!
I popped into a delightful little bar called The George, a popular haunt for local queens, when a particularly cheeky and glamorous queen caught my eye.
“Who’s this flamboyant goddess,” you ask, well, this fabulous queen goes by the name Miss Sink! Miss Sink is well known for her wild, glamorous style - her love of sequins, glitter, and more sequins! I even hear she was rumoured to have taken home a trophy at the Queen of Soho contest at the time – what an absolute star!
Glam and Goss: The Drag Scene Everywhere
But wait, darling, it doesn’t stop there! I’ve been dancing around the globe, you see! From New York's vibrant drag scene, a veritable powerhouse for innovative talent – imagine, even today!– to Sydney's wild nightlife – where queens served up looks as bold and vibrant as the Australian sunshine, darling.
So Many Shows! So Little Time!
It wasn't all about dazzling performances and outrageous costumes though! I got to see firsthand the phenomenal support within the drag community – queens supporting each other, learning from each other and inspiring each other, all in the pursuit of fabulousness. You see, drag isn't just about glitter and glamour, it's a family, a space of acceptance and empowerment for queens and their fans alike! I even heard there were a whole load of fabulous drag queens competing for the Miss Gay America crown! Can you imagine? So much glamour!
Always Looking Forward, Darling!
Oh, darling, if you’re looking for inspiration in this life, drag has it in droves, I can guarantee it! In August 2009, I felt like I was witnessing the start of something amazing. As I said, it was a real highlight to see these phenomenal artists in their element - that love for the artform shone brighter than any sparkly outfit.
As I step back into my time-traveling tutu, I find myself with even more reasons to be proud of the drag world. 2009 reminds me why this form of artistic expression is so vital – it's full of courage, resilience, and above all, it’s an absolute riot of glorious fun!
So, join me in celebrating drag queens, the world's brightest stars, who show us all how to shine – don't forget to wear your most fabulous pink tutu, darling!
