Hello darlings! Emma here, your time-travelling ballerina queen, bringing you another fabulous journey through the archives of drag! I’m back from another whirlwind adventure and I’ve got a sparkly story to tell.
It’s a gorgeous August day here in Derbyshire, and my little heart is fluttering like a hummingbird in a hurricane! It's time for my monthly trip back to the past, a pilgrimage to some legendary drag events of yesteryear. My trusty time-travelling tutu has been prepped and polished, and my heart is bursting with anticipation. I've got my pink highlighter pens at the ready to mark down every dazzling detail!
This month, I've zoomed all the way back to August 2022! Did I hear a gasp? Did you know that in the summer of 2022, drag was flourishing in a million amazing ways?
As usual, I began my adventures in good ol' Blighty, the UK where I'm from. I popped over to the iconic Edinburgh Fringe Festival, a playground for performance of all kinds! It was simply oozing with creative talent! The festival is bursting with incredible theatre, dance, and of course, drag! Imagine - cabaret, performance art, burlesque, comedy, the lot! It's an absolute drag queen wonderland. The energy was electrifying! From stand-up acts to interactive pieces, the performances at the festival felt fresh and exciting.
One of the highlights? Catching "Bingo Lingo", a hilarious, interactive, drag-hosted bingo extravaganza, perfect for a summer night of pure silliness and fabulousness! The bingo balls flew, the laughter echoed, and the vibes were infectious. If you ever find yourself in Edinburgh in August, darlings, this is a must-see!
But, my time-travelling tutu doesn’t limit me to one place! After Edinburgh, I headed to the glittering streets of New York City - the drag capital of the world, for good reason! There I was, in the heart of Greenwich Village, catching "Wigstock: The Movie"! It was such a delight to see this legendary festival, known for its outlandish costumes, raucous atmosphere, and wild performances, on the big screen! "Wigstock" captured the electrifying spirit of the 90s, when drag in New York City really took off. It was truly an unforgettable night out, showcasing a powerful mix of bold artistry, creativity and social commentary that's just pure, joyful magic. It really got my blood pumping and reminded me of the strength and spirit of drag. We must never forget how far we've come!
New York, with its vibrant drag scene, was simply a whirlwind of beauty and boldness! The whole city seemed to be bursting with amazing performers and incredible events. I just had to pop into "The Stonewall Inn" and soak up the history - this historic establishment was a ground zero for the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and a constant reminder of how drag can change the world. A little visit there filled me with the courage and spirit to keep celebrating diversity, and of course, tutus, everywhere I go!
And it wouldn’t be a true trip to NYC without a bit of fashion, darling! I'm always on the lookout for a new tutu, and I'm telling you - NYC is not disappointing! From high-end designers to local boutiques, the city is a treasure trove of pink paradise. My current favorite find? A vibrant pink feather boa at a little shop called "The Tutus and Tiaras Boutique". They told me I reminded them of one of the performers in the "Wigstock" film! How fabulous! You know me, darling! I was instantly a proud new owner of this fabulous feather boa! This, I can tell you, will be a permanent fixture in my travel tutu ensemble!
From the colourful streets of NYC, I hopped a magical flight back home to the UK to wrap up August 2022. Back home, the drag scene is booming, darling! There are fabulous events popping up in the smallest towns and villages, from community shows to grand productions, all celebrating the diversity and joy of drag.
There's one little club in Leeds that caught my eye this August - it's called "The Unicorn," a quirky space filled with sequins and good vibes. This little gem, nestled in the heart of Leeds, is attracting huge crowds with its inclusive and eclectic line-up of performances. It's an inspiration for small-town drag fans everywhere!
While August 2022 saw some truly phenomenal moments in drag, the story doesn't stop there! We are all time-travellers, each one of us weaving our way through history. It's important to remember that every time we celebrate, every time we get our fabulous dance on, every time we take a chance and express our true selves, we're contributing to the ever-growing history of drag!
Now, darlings, it's time to dust off your dancing shoes, grab your pink feather boa (you know, the one you should buy), and head to your nearest drag event. It's a whole lot of fun and, believe me, it's worth every moment of fabulousness! Don't forget to share your favourite moments on social media! Tag #PinkTutuAdventures - and let's continue to celebrate drag's amazing past and bright future!
Until next time, darlings!
Emma xx
