#DragQueenHistory during 2040 12

Hello, darlings! It’s Emma, your time-traveling ballerina drag queen, back with another dose of fabulous history! I hope this month finds you strutting your stuff, serving fierce looks and owning the dance floor like the sickening superstars you are. Today, we’re taking a trip down memory lane (or, rather, time travel, duh!), landing squarely in the glittery year of 1940. Hold onto your tiaras, babes, this one's a hoot!

Remember those big pink tulle tutus I told you about? The ones that could swallow a small house? They’re still in my closet, all ready to go. Today, however, I'm slipping into the most incredible pink tulle number, fit for a princess, or, at least, a time-traveling ballerina drag queen. We're headed to New York, because darling, the world of drag is waiting!

And honestly, 1940s New York, even with a little less acceptance and a lot less makeup, is pretty exciting. Drag was happening. It wasn’t a fully recognized art form, but trust me, the fierce energy was already bubbling!

But first, some outfit talk: I've pulled out a pair of bright pink, platform pumps that would make even a seasoned showgirl swoon. They're sparkling under the lights in my bedroom, ready to conquer whatever historic scene I’m about to step into. To finish it off, a dash of glittery eye shadow, some ruby red lipstick, and let's not forget the tiara - you know me! I'm all about a statement look.

The word "drag queen" as we know it hadn't really made it to the lexicon just yet, darling. We were all still pretty much in the 'look at that fella's' dress' phase of things.

Think, flamboyant entertainers, performers with an inclination towards the dramatic and a whole lot of sequins. We're talking about vaudeville shows, nightclub acts, and cabaret acts, and those stars? They were rocking those extravagant outfits!

Just imagine, my lovelies, a room full of glitter and smoke. A microphone stands tall, a spotlight shines down on a flamboyant performer, all feathers and glitter. She throws her head back and belts out a show-stopping song with a sassy twist, then turns to reveal her costume - oh my, she's practically swallowed a ball of tulle, but in the best way possible. That’s what drag was like back then. A hint of genderbending fun amidst the theatricality, you know? I was so excited!

### From The Streets to The Stage.

Imagine my surprise when I found out a lot of these drag acts were performing in speakeasies, darling! You see, this was the era of Prohibition! Can you imagine trying to grab a drink and suddenly there's a dazzling drag act, strutting around, singing their heart out? Imagine! So, in a way, these fabulous creatures were the highlight of these illegal underground parties! Talk about defying norms!

One night, I decided to sneak into one of these underground events. It was a dingy bar, hidden down a cobbled street. There were whispered jokes, cigarettes hanging from the mouths of guests, and the distinct smell of bootleg liquor in the air. I snuck past a group of fellas with slicked back hair, the kind that looked like they had seen it all, and, finally, there it was - the show!

A spotlight appeared, illuminating a woman on stage. Darling, she was everything! All she had on was a flowing white satin dress, with a matching feather boa draped around her neck. The makeup? Dramatic, my dear. Bold and expressive. And as she sang and danced, a few dollars dropped onto the stage at her feet, thrown by her adoring audience. It was captivating. The sheer thrill of this forbidden entertainment, the music, the costumes, it all just blended into a breathtakingly beautiful spectacle. This was drag, my lovelies. Pure magic in a gritty, underground world.

It was in those spaces that some of the most famous performers, who would later go on to grace stages, radio waves, and even films, found their voice. One of the most memorable figures I encountered was Julie London, an American singer known for her smoky, sultry voice. But before she achieved Hollywood success, she was already captivating the nation by doing drag in nightclubs! Can you imagine, she's a name, a face in history, and yet she started with these illegal gigs. Truly fascinating.

Now, my fellow drag-a-holics, while the fashion on display may not have been as extravagant as our modern looks (a shame for me, I love my glitter!) they were definitely something special. And just imagine, darling, no Amazon Prime for vintage clothes! If you were a performer in 1940, you'd be going through the back of your mother's wardrobe! We are living the life, aren't we?!

For those aspiring queens in 1940s New York, resourceful improvisations and some serious crafting skills were essential! They'd raid second-hand shops, thrift stores, or, as my friends and I in the present sometimes do, the charity shops. A bit of DIY magic and you'd be transforming those forgotten garments into stage-worthy outfits. Talk about recycling fashion!

You might have seen vintage photos of performers from this era – the dresses were typically more elegant and understated, not too out there. But, you could still catch a flash of brilliance - a glimmer of creativity shining through. Take for example, a few outfits that stole the show. The iconic singer and performer Josephine Baker – darling, she was an international superstar! And you know what? Her stage persona was definitely rooted in those extravagant and often daring performances that you’d find in those speakeasies! Josephine Baker, like many performers, had her unique take on the 'feminine look'. She mixed those signature '40s styles with bold embellishments and feathers – a definite influence of African and Latin American traditions - bringing a whole new dimension to fashion. That’s something, I'm sure, many contemporary drag queens continue to celebrate and even explore in their fashion, darling.

And while drag was undoubtedly celebrated, at least for its sheer entertainment value, in many cases it also was challenged. This period saw some major changes in gender expectations. But while things were certainly becoming a little bit more accepting, the cultural norms of the 1940s definitely didn’t take drag too kindly. It wasn't just about the glamour, darling, it was about making a statement, it was about expressing yourself in a world where many found it easier to stay silent.

There was also the question of censorship. Remember that it was during these times when Broadway's production of the musical “The Chocolate Soldier" got shut down due to some deemed "risque" costumes. You wouldn’t believe the headlines at the time, "Outrage!" It just shows how much drag and artistic expression were seen as disruptive by the establishment, at least back then.

In some ways, 1940s America reminds me of the drag scene in some of our smaller towns, back in the days of before. Small bars with some fabulous performances that attracted their niche crowd, but a few folks, they weren't ready to have that much fun. We can't forget where we came from. Even as drag evolves, some challenges, like the right to express oneself openly, still remain!

And that's why it’s so fascinating for me to revisit this period, to go back and learn from the pioneers who fought to bring joy and entertainment into this era. They taught me a valuable lesson - drag is not only about makeup, fashion and stage performances; it's also about freedom, expression and pushing boundaries! Even in an era of restrictions, drag was already challenging the norms of society. We may have a long way to go but drag has always been an act of resistance and empowerment. And that's what makes it so powerful!

But this little journey has left me exhausted. You can always find me, in my pink tulle, relaxing in my favourite tea room in Derbyshire. I’ll tell you about more fascinating adventures from drag history, soon. In the meantime, my lovelies, go out, shine, make your dreams reality, wear your hearts on your sleeves (or, in my case, on your pink tulle!)

Until next month! Love,
Emma.

(You can find Emma's blog at www.pink-tutu.com and learn all about this extraordinary time-traveling ballerina drag queen).