Hello my darlings! Emma here, back with another juicy instalment of Pink Tutu Travels! This month, my magical pink tutu took me soaring through the temporal vortex to a mind-blowing date: May 2047! And oh honey, the world of drag was truly blooming! It's always a hoot to see how drag has evolved over time.
First things first, I touched down in fabulous New York City! The drag scene was absolutely bursting! Every night, clubs like The Stonewall Inn, now a monumental drag cathedral, were buzzing with shows. They had the most incredible stage designs, dazzling light shows and cutting-edge performances - drag was seriously mainstreamed here, even featuring on billboards and magazine covers. The drag scene was so inclusive; you could see every imaginable queen, from hyper-masculine boy drag kings to glittery, shimmering glam queens and even queens who looked more like they were plucked straight from a Shakespearean play! It was absolutely bonkers!
The most exciting part of the trip was witnessing a truly legendary show at The Stonewall, hosted by none other than the iconic drag superstar, Queen Mimi, the absolute empress of Drag! She strutted on stage in a stunning emerald green sequined gown, adorned with glittering, shimmering beads and plumes that must have weighed a ton. She even had her very own troupe of "Mini-Mims," who were absolutely divine. The whole experience was just mind blowing - I could've watched her for hours!
After I was done swooning over Queen Mimi, I went shopping, because every drag queen's gotta stay fashionable, right? I was completely gaga over all the vintage fashion, I especially loved the re-appropriated 1980s power suits, paired with chunky platform shoes - they just screamed "Drag Dynasty!"
I must admit, though, there was a hint of nostalgia for those legendary, camp, outrageous, classic drag performances. The scene felt quite sanitized - the kids today had it good, but I felt a little melancholy that some of the wild energy from those golden-age drag performances of the 2020s and early 2030s was starting to fade.
After the US drag marathon, I zipped on over to my own little Derbyshire, England. Now, Derbyshire doesn't exactly have a big reputation for being on the cutting edge of trends, but you know what? That made the "Drag Derby" scene all the more charming! The local drag scene in 2047 was more inclusive than ever! It was lovely seeing that drag performances were going on at local pubs, village halls, and even the odd bowling alley. Everyone just loved to "Get Their Drag On!"
And it wasn't just about performing - I saw tons of lovely, friendly faces in full drag shopping, having a bite at the cafe, even working as post-office assistants, with absolutely zero judgment, just lots of acceptance and a little healthy bit of fun thrown in! This acceptance was beautiful to see. Drag in Derbyshire, it turns out, wasn't just an art form, it was a community, a way of life, a testament to how far drag has come.
In all my journeys through the decades, it was amazing to see that, whether it was glam, camp, outrageous, theatrical, or just a touch of feminine fabulousness - drag's fundamental essence has stayed the same - to entertain, to express, to inspire and to create!
From the outrageous shows on the glamorous streets of New York to the cozy local pubs of Derbyshire, drag truly has woven itself into the fabric of society - and let's face it, darlings, that's absolutely fab-u-lous! And remember, darlings, you don't need a pink tutu to be a drag queen, although you really, really should - just wear a bit of pink, sprinkle in some glitter, embrace your inner sassy side and go for it!
Until next month, stay fabulous!
Emma the Tutu Queen
www.pink-tutu.com
