Greetings, darlings! Emma here, your favourite Derbyshire drag queen, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels! This month, I'm swirling my way through the glamorous archives of August 2021, a time when the drag scene was exploding with talent, creativity, and all the glitter a heart could desire! This is blog post number 1220 on www.pink-tutu.com, and I'm so excited to share my latest adventures with you.
Let's twirl back to the sparkly reality of August 2021...
First stop: New York City, the Big Apple!
Oh honey, what a fabulous time it was to be a drag queen in NYC! Drag Race season 13 had just concluded, sending the iconic Symone to the top, and the streets were buzzing with excitement for the new season of Untucked. RuPaul's Drag Race was truly becoming a global phenomenon, and everyone from casual fans to the most seasoned queens were eagerly awaiting the new crop of stars.
My first show of the evening was at the legendary Stonewall Inn, a historical landmark and a monument to the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. This time, it wasn't a riot, darling! Instead, the air was electric with the vibrant energy of an incredible Drag Race viewing party! Just imagine, hundreds of queens and fans crammed into this iconic venue, roaring with laughter and cheering on their favourite contestants! It was pure magic, a vibrant celebration of all things drag.
Later that night, I stumbled upon a glittering drag show at the iconic Boom Boom Room. The room throbbed with a disco beat as a queen in a towering feathered headpiece spun around the stage. She was fierce, fabulous, and had the audience mesmerised with every flick of her wrist! I knew right then, drag wasn't just a performance in NYC; it was a whole way of life!
From the Big Apple to the Big Smoke: London Calling!
Jumping through time in my magical pink tutu, I landed myself in the vibrant city of London. It was an amazing time to be a drag queen in the UK, too! The British drag scene was thriving, with a mix of underground and mainstream stars, captivating audiences with their diverse styles and stunning talent.
I stumbled upon an incredible drag performance in the West End, the legendary district known for its spectacular theatres and musicals. This queen was channeling an otherworldly ballerina persona, her movements precise and graceful as she floated across the stage in a swirling tulle tutu - just like me, only she was doing it with a stunning neon green tutu, rather than my favoured shade of pink, naturally! She had the crowd completely spellbound with her mesmerizing movements, reminding me that drag isn't just about glam, it's about performance art at its finest.
Next, it was onto Manchester!
Manchester is known for its vibrant music scene, so I was expecting something extraordinary, and darling, it didn't disappoint! There were drag shows popping up in unexpected locations - even in the charming canal-side pubs. I saw a fabulous show where the drag queens, decked out in neon and feathers, performed a comedic routine based on the iconic 'Carry On' movies, keeping the entire crowd in stitches with their sharp wit and hilarious impressions. Oh, how I love to see drag queens embracing local culture!
But my favourite find in Manchester was a truly magical drag show at a small, independent theatre. The atmosphere was intimate and full of warmth, and the queens were all local talent. Each one delivered a passionate and heartfelt performance, showcasing their individual personalities and unique stories through song and dance. It was a perfect reminder that drag is truly a community, and that its magic can be found in even the most unexpected places.
Across the pond, in Australia!
After my European escapades, my pink tutu led me to the land down under - Australia! I found the Aussie drag scene to be a perfect mix of quirky humour and fierce performance. The local queens, known for their fearless attitude and love of a good laugh, embraced all things bold and colourful, much like myself!
I had a ball at the legendary The Imperial Hotel in Sydney, a legendary location for drag shows since the 1970s! The energy was infectious as I witnessed a queen with a full pink sequined jumpsuit, literally doing cartwheels across the stage with a microphone in hand. The music was upbeat and fun, and the entire crowd was completely immersed in the moment! It felt like a massive, flamboyant, all-night disco party with a drag twist, and I'm so glad I was invited to the dance!
Back to the future with you!
As my pink tutu whisked me back to my own time, I couldn't help but reflect on the extraordinary journey through August 2021. The drag scene is so vast and diverse - truly a global phenomenon, brimming with unique voices, creative ideas, and undeniable talent. The message was loud and clear: drag isn't confined to the stage. It's a celebration of self-expression, a rejection of limits, and a fierce commitment to authenticity, all wrapped up in fabulous fashion, sparkly gowns, and plenty of glittery glamour!
And as for me, well, I'll continue my time-travelling adventures through drag history, and of course, sharing all the colourful escapades with you in my next Pink Tutu Time Travels blog post. In the meantime, remember:
"Every day is a new opportunity to wear pink and embrace your inner fabulous!"
Now go out there, channel your inner drag queen, and embrace the sparkle within!
Love, Emma, Your Pink Tutu Time-Traveller
*P.S. Don't forget to subscribe to www.pink-tutu.com to never miss an adventure! And be sure to visit my next show - the proceeds are helping me to buy a sparkly new pink tutu! *
Stay fabulous, my dears!
