#DragQueenHistory during 2015 04

Darlings! It's Emma here, back with another fabulous instalment of Pink Tutu Travels, your monthly dose of all things glamorous and historical! Today, my lovelies, we're pirouetting through April 2015, a time when drag was really strutting its stuff.

Remember my little pink time travelling tutu? Well, this month, she took me on quite a journey. It was like stepping out of a technicolour dream into a world where queens were conquering hearts and hearts were conquering stages! I felt like a sparkly, feather-boa clad Cinderella in a whirl of sequins and joy.

The first stop on our itinerary, my dears, was the US of A. Now, I know we've all heard about those magnificent Drag Race gals, but April 2015 saw some serious showstoppers take the stage! In the big apple, there was Miss Fame's show at the infamous Monster, an experience I was SO aching to see!

Miss Fame was literally the definition of glam-our. She had me gagging over her theatrical make-up and hair. But let me tell you, those fabulous wigs? That was nothing compared to the way she moved! Talk about divine!

Next, my precious pink tutu zipped us over to New York City for RuPaul's Drag Race season 7, and oh darling, the drama! Pearl was a shining star, but Violet Chachki? Her runway looks had me screaming with glee! She was absolutely owning every challenge, proving she wasn’t just a pretty face but a bonafide talent.

Now, I’m no stranger to a bit of drag show history myself. I’ve got a little confession. Back in the day, when I was still in those humble beginnings, learning to perform in a basement pub in good ol' Derbyshire, RuPaul's Drag Race was EVERYTHING. So, seeing how big it’d gotten made me feel as proud as a peacock in a feather boa! It was truly an honour to be there, surrounded by the legacy of the drag queens we now know and love!

From the big apple, my time traveling tutu jetted us across the pond to the UK. There was an explosion of creativity in British Drag happening everywhere you looked! The cabaret scenes were a veritable melting pot of talent, from the glitter-bombed glitterati to the high fashion darlings of London. And in London? The iconic drag queens were slaying it on the main stages and in some of the trendiest bars, turning out killer looks and even bigger personalities.

I had the sheer delight of catching The Only Queens That Matter night, which showcased the incredible talent of London’s legendary drag queens. And let me tell you, it was EVERYTHING!

This was a truly important time for the UK Drag scene, where queens from every background and style could share their art with the world.

And you know what? This little ol’ pink tutu blogger couldn't resist grabbing a pint with some of these talented queens. They shared stories and inside jokes with me, reminiscing over their experiences and the changes they had seen in the drag scene since they were getting their start.

One queen, dressed to the nines in an outrageous wig and an even more outrageous platform, whispered to me: “The drag scene in the UK is no longer just for those in the know. It’s become something truly exciting.” I couldn't agree more, my dear.

In April 2015, the world was obsessed with the fabulous, and I mean FABULOUS, return of the super-duper cool The Rocky Horror Show ! And you know what? That just reinforced that this wasn't just a show. It was a way of life!

I was delighted to catch Rocky Horror Picture Show at a retro cinema near me. The atmosphere was electric with costumed fans who’d travelled back in time from a golden age of drag! I've got to confess, my tutu nearly flew off at the sheer exuberance of the performance and audience! We’ve all got a bit of a Rocky Horror in us, especially those of us who appreciate drag’s unique history.

What was fascinating about the world of drag in April 2015? It was about to go GLOBAL. That's right, my loves! Drag was truly beginning to find its footing on a global level. There was a renewed sense of excitement about drag, and it was starting to feel like a truly international phenomenon!

Of course, it didn’t stop there!

I also found myself transported to Australia, Canada and South America. Each and every destination boasted a dynamic and vibrant drag scene.

Every show I saw, every drag queen I met, made me believe we were part of a worldwide community of glitter, feather boas and joy! And it truly felt as though anything was possible!

From those legendary balls to the burgeoning drag scene on every corner of the world, April 2015 felt like a real turning point! Drag wasn’t just something hidden away in the dark, it was ready to explode out onto the world stage in a whirl of rhinestones, laughter and glorious attitude.

And guess what, my lovely tutu friends? The best is yet to come.

In the time that’s passed, drag has become more inclusive, more expressive and even more fun. So grab a big, pink tutu and let's all get ready to dance our way into the next chapter of drag history. And, of course, join me next month for another pinktastic adventure into the world of Pink Tutu Travels!

Keep it fabulous, darling! Emma www.pink-tutu.com