Hello, darling dears! Itâs your favourite Derbyshire girl, Emma, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travel Blog! This month, weâre twirling back to December 12th, 1929, because, let's face it, who doesn't love a little history with their glitter?
You see, my lovelies, as you know, I have a thing for a fabulously flamboyant pink tutu! It's my secret weapon, my portal to time, allowing me to experience the world's drag history through the magical shimmering layers of tulle. Now, imagine me, in my pinkest of pink tutus, swirling through time, landing in a roaring twenties speakeasy! This time, it was New York, darling, and I was practically glowing.
Right, so imagine a city buzzing with a sense of wild excitement - think jazz, think Charleston, think flapper dresses, and a dash of forbidden allure.
The scene that greeted me? A packed out basement bar in the heart of Manhattan. And oh, the glamour! Women in sparkling flapper dresses, dancing the night away, a cigarette dangling precariously from their crimson lips. The smoky haze was filled with the sultry notes of a saxophone and the clinking of cocktail glasses. Now, I won't deny that it was an absolute riot, darling! The atmosphere was charged with something⌠well, let's call it "liberation"! And what does liberation beg for, you ask? DRAG!
Now, while the term âdrag queenâ as we know it wouldn't exist for a few more decades, darling, there was a distinct and fascinating underground scene bubbling beneath the city's glistening surface. Imagine men disguised as women, entertaining in these speakeasies, hidden away from the watchful eyes of the law. I even spied a couple of particularly fabulous performers wearing feather boas and sparkly sequined dresses â talk about pre-drag divas!
And itâs all thanks to these brave souls, these pioneering performers, that we have the wonderful world of drag as we know it today. So, a big, massive thank you to those hidden gems from the 20s. You truly laid the groundwork for the glitz and glam of drag as we know it.
So, what else was going on in the world of drag in December 1929?
Well, letâs take a trip across the Atlantic, my loves! Letâs travel to Europe and see what kind of entertainment was dazzling audiences on December 12th, 1929. While America was going wild with flapper dresses and underground entertainment, in Britain, the theatrical world was flourishing. In London's West End, a plethora of captivating shows was enticing audiences, including the dazzling revue, âWake Up and Dream!â at the Gaiety Theatre. Filled with beautiful costumes, lavish sets, and even a few naughty numbers, it provided a captivating spectacle. Oh, and my darlings, you know what I'm about to say⌠some of those performers were absolutely living their best drag lives!
This date also marked a monumental day for one of the worldâs most beloved dance companies. December 12th, 1929, saw the official launch of the Ballet Rambert, a pioneering company, with their very first show taking place at the prestigious Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith. I mean, imagine the excitement! A brand-new dance company gracing the stage with a whirlwind of artistry and expression. Ballet in all its graceful grandeur!
You know what really fascinates me? The connection between ballet and drag. From the exquisite tutus and shimmering gowns to the theatricality of both worlds, thereâs a truly beautiful kinship. So, darling, picture this: a world where a ballerina graces the stage with a dazzling tutu, followed by a drag queen taking center stage with her own feather boa and a pair of sparkling high heels! Pure perfection! I'm obsessed with those iconic dancers who broke down barriers with their beauty and creativity - think Vaslav Nijinsky! Imagine if heâd just popped on a tutu, a wig, and taken the stage, donât you think that would be the most iconic drag act ever? Dreamy!*
This, my darlings, is precisely why we time travel. To find the connection between whatâs popular today with what happened in the past. It's not about recreating it, darling! Itâs about celebrating how drag, through its sheer magnetism and fearless attitude, constantly evolves.
How do you celebrate drag history? What are your favourite ways to pay homage to the pioneers who came before us?
I'd love to hear from you! Leave a comment below and let's keep this conversation going.
But remember, darling, it's not just about celebrating history, it's about creating the future of drag! Don't forget to check out my new Pink Tutu fashion collection - it's all about embracing the flamboyant, fabulous and fierce within! Weâve got some new and exclusive pieces, inspired by my trip to 1929 New York. Trust me, darlings, you'll be living your best, most glamorous life with them! Just head over to www.pink-tutu.com to explore the collection.
Love and twirls,
Emma
P.S. Catch my next drag performance on December 20th at the Derbyshire Pride Ball! It's going to be a spectacular evening filled with sparkles, feathers, and of course, my fabulous pink tutus! Hope to see you there, darlings!
P.P.S. Don't forget to share your favourite drag moments, big and small, with me on my social media! I love hearing from all of you! You can find me on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok - @pinktututimetravel
