Darlings!
It's Emma here, your very own Derbyshire-born drag queen, and Iām absolutely delighted to be twirling my way back to your screens with another fabulous journey through Drag Queen History! This month, my pink-sequined time machine (aka this marvellous tutu!) has whisked me away to April 2020.
Let me tell you, the world looked very different back then! You might be thinking āEmma, surely April 2020 isn't that long ago?! We're not that old! But oh, darling, trust me, so much has changed!
The world was still finding its feet in a new reality, something they called... "Lockdown!" Apparently, something called āCovid-19" had put the world in a rather tight spot! People were staying home, only leaving for essentials, and... shudder... many were wearing masks! Can you believe it, my dears? Mask-wearing! Imagine covering up your stunningly sculpted face! A true drag queen's worst nightmare. Thankfully, though, the art of drag persisted even in these turbulent times. Let's take a look back, shall we?
Drag During Lockdown: The Show Must (Almost) Go OnWell, while our clubs and theatres might have been quiet, the queens were far from idle! They were innovating and pushing creative boundaries - the ultimate drag spirit! Itās a good thing we can never really lock up the magic of drag. It's more adaptable and resilient than you could imagine. Think about it: Drag has been around for centuries, so surely it could conquer anything, right? And oh darling, conquer it did!
With a flood of digital performances, queens embraced the power of the internet to stay connected to their fans, bringing a slice of drag to everyone's living rooms! Live-streamed shows, online drag workshops, even Zoom-based drag queen bingo nights! Talk about ingenuity, dear!
Queens were creating art, spreading joy, and, in some cases, offering vital support during a time of immense uncertainty! Many used their platforms to raise awareness, offer words of comfort, and, of course, spread a healthy dose of much-needed glamour! This truly epitomises the incredible community spirit that drives our beloved art form.
And I dare say, darling, the queens had more time for crafting fabulous homemade outfits! Think, stunning looks created with a pair of scissors, some fabric, and a dash of fierce creativity! I was actually inspired to whip up a couple of my own looks, which were totally perfect for these online events! Can you imagine a better excuse for crafting, glitter, and even more rhinestones, my darlings?!
April 2020: Dragās Turning PointThis was an undeniably difficult time for all, but for the drag world, April 2020 became a time of powerful adaptation. Instead of just a showcase of performance, drag became a source of connection, positivity, and creativity! Queens, my loves, proved their absolute brilliance, their determination, and their enduring power. It was truly a magnificent showcase of strength and resilience!
So remember, dear reader, if you ever feel that the world is closing in on you, think back to this time, and think of the queens. Their commitment, creativity, and community are truly something special. Let that spirit empower you and remind you that even in the toughest of times, joy, laughter, and a sprinkle of glamour are just around the corner.
But darling, thatās just a snippet of the drag delights that April 2020 brought! Let me tell you a bit more about what I got up to on this particular day:
The Show Must (Almost) Go On
It's the night of my show at the local pub, and it was a joy to be performing for a limited but extremely enthusiastic audience! They were all sporting masks, of course, but they were dancing and cheering just as loudly! It really was the best kind of lockdown release. Even the little pink poodle from next door came down and wagged his tail at every big finish! The joy on his face was priceless.
We all knew that life would be different, and the drag scene wouldn't be immune. But the incredible creativity and ingenuity of the queens really blew me away! From those hilarious zoom-based bingo games, where I won the "Best Bingo Eye Makeup Award", naturally! (a picture is up on my blog!), to the amazing live-streamed concerts...it really felt like everyone was coming together, even if it was through a screen.
And you know what, dear? Seeing those faces lighting up at home through the camera felt just as good, if not better, than being out there with a huge, cheering audience. It reminded me that, at its heart, drag is about joy and community. And that's something you just canāt erase!
Shopping for My Next Look
After the performance, we all made our way to the local tea shop, because clearly, any queen worthy of the title of ātime travelling drag queenā needs to keep their sugar levels high. The owner even gave us a free pink tutu for my performance, which youāve probably seen on the blog (if youāve not, make sure to click on the photos)!
You know how much I love pink tutus and finding those little hidden gems that nobody else will ever find! It was so heartwarming, though, to see how this small town community had come together. There were so many signs about kindness, neighbours helping neighbours, and, most importantly, the love of fabulous outfits, darling.
That day, I felt really grateful to be a part of such an inspiring time. The community really came alive in ways that were not possible in the hustle and bustle of everyday life! And that, my loves, is what truly makes the heart of drag: community! Itās about connection, about bringing joy to people, and it's always been around! Even if it was just through the screens in 2020, it felt so good to know that, even in challenging times, that core connection, that magic, was never going to fade!
My Trip Home
As I stepped into the bright light of 2024, my own pink tutu shimmering under the streetlamp, I was so full of joy and gratitude. Even though we are miles away from the era of glitz, glamour, and outrageous outfits, one thing is clear: the spirit of drag has endured. And in fact, darling, it might even have grown stronger!
Don't you ever let anyone tell you otherwise, darling. You know that our commitment, creativity, and community are not something that can ever truly be locked up! It's like a flame that, despite its tiny flicker, continues to spread. So get your feathers, your rhinestones, your glitter, and a little bit of attitude. It's time to show the world just what it means to be a drag queen!
And please, my darlings, I implore you: if you havenāt done it already, put on a pink tutu! Iām spreading the love of pink tutus. In fact, Iāve launched a new project on the website called #pinktuturevolution. Tell me your best pink tutu moments and upload your photo!
Until next time, darlings,
Love, Emma
*P.S. Have you heard about the amazing drag events going on in your town? Donāt forget to check the events section on my website for your local show, your favourite queen's performance, or any great workshops. Make sure you never miss a single one, darlings! You can never have too much glitter! *
