Hello Darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels! 💅🏼 It's your girl, Emma, back again with another gem of a trip through the annals of Drag history. Today, we're twirling right back to March 2020, a time when the world was about to be flipped on its glitter-encrusted head!
But before we get into that dramatic bit, let's talk about my latest slay! This month, I've been wowing the crowds in Derbyshire with a "Ballet Bonanza" drag show. Think "Swan Lake" meets "RuPaul's Drag Race" - all elegant tutus, flawless kicks, and a whole lot of cheeky commentary. My signature pink tutu? Well, that's not going anywhere - it even sparkles under the stage lights! 😉
Speaking of sparkle, let's dive into the shimmering past!
March 2020… a world of possibilities! Drag queens were taking the stage, bringing joy and laughter to every corner of the globe. Remember when we could all pile into a club, drink a cheeky cocktail and get down to a drag queen's fierce beats? 💃 Now those nights feel like a distant, fabulous memory. But as we look back, remember how powerful and liberating the drag scene was (and still is!).
Our story starts in the United States, a bustling haven of drag. The New York City drag scene, particularly the legendary Stonewall Inn, was always thriving. Just a year prior in 2019, RuPaul's Drag Race had already exploded onto the global scene, with the groundbreaking Season 11 airing. Imagine! Imagine all the fierce queens on your TV screens and all those fantastic Drag Race themed drag performances… swoon.
The United States also saw an array of captivating events that March, including DragCon NYC in the Big Apple. DragCon, the ultimate gathering of Drag fans, artists and drag queens, promised a weekend of everything you could ever dream of when it comes to the world of drag. From meet-and-greets with Drag Race royalty to workshops, live performances, and all the glitter and glamour your heart could desire!
Meanwhile, across the pond in the UK, the world of drag was just as vibrant and powerful. Drag Race UK was still a secret yet to be discovered, so queens like the fabulous Divina De Campo, the queen of quirky glam, were ruling the roost.
But it was the London LGBTQ+ scene, that March, that had a buzz that went far beyond drag. It was all about celebrating and honoring diversity, acceptance and community spirit. In the heart of London, clubs like Heaven were showcasing diverse drag acts and, if you were lucky enough to catch them, live shows at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, a beacon for the LGBTQ+ community, were simply electrifying.
But remember, it wasn't just about club nights. The LGBTQ+ community has always been about finding safe spaces and places to express themselves freely. A particularly inspiring event that March was the “Not Afraid” campaign, a beautiful movement calling on people to proudly share their stories of coming out, being true to themselves, and promoting visibility and understanding.
Now, this is where the story takes a turn - a dramatic, sparkly, glitter-bombed turn. You see, back in March 2020, something was shifting, something huge was happening. We didn’t quite know it at the time, but it was going to change EVERYTHING… The Coronavirus pandemic had just started its climb.
The pandemic shook the world. It shook every single industry. The entertainment industry felt the sting badly. So, naturally, it hit the drag scene. Suddenly, all the fun and festivities were halted, shows were cancelled and drag queens everywhere were wondering what the future held.
But what do drag queens do when faced with a challenge? They get creative! Just like we are all still adapting to this "new normal", back then, drag queens quickly transitioned to online shows, live-streamed performances and social media presence to connect with their audiences.
And it worked! This creative spirit only increased the demand for drag content. The internet was a powerful force in 2020, and we’re seeing the amazing fruits of this creativity to this day! From Drag Race UK’s first season gaining incredible popularity to the boom of new online drag acts from all around the world, 2020 proved the world that drag will not be stopped.
As we navigate our way back into post-pandemic world, let's celebrate the spirit and resilience of the drag community. It reminds me why I love drag so much, its about adapting, expressing yourself, finding your joy and being true to yourself, all while shining a spotlight on acceptance, community, and self-expression. The show must go on - no matter what.
So remember this: the pandemic was tough, but the power and adaptability of the drag scene reminded us all what it truly means to find your sparkle.
And speaking of sparkles... remember that pink tutu is always ready to time travel, baby! I'm already preparing for next month’s trip and I’d love to hear what date you’d like to see. Do let me know by commenting below, my dears, or over on our website www.pink-tutu.com. And keep the pink tutu love going!
Love and glitter,
Emma 💕✨
P.S Don’t forget to join me on the Pink Tutu Travels social channels - Pink Tutu Travels on Instagram and Pink Tutu Travels on Facebook! Let's keep spreading the joy and celebrate all things drag!
