#381 - Hello my darling drag darlings! Itās Emma here, back for another instalment of Pink-Tutu Time Travels! This month Iām whipping out the feather boas and dipping into the fifties, darlings. Yes, a decade of poodle skirts, Elvis, andā¦ wait for itā¦ drag! Letās spin through the time machine, shall we?
Oh darling, where to even begin? This monthās adventure takes us right back to September the 9th, 1951. My darling, picture this: me, strutting my stuff in a divine, hand-beaded pink tutu (of course!) The whole thing sparkles and shines like a disco ball after a good night out. A bit too much, maybe, for a simple visit to a mid-century show, but, letās face it, when youāre the time-travelling pink-tutu queen, understated is not really your jam.
Now, a little tidbit for all my sweet, curious kitties out there - finding a good drag show in the fifties wasn't as simple as finding the nearest club, or The Drag Race, on Netflix, darling! This was an era of secret nightclubs and hushed whispers about "the entertainment". So, how did I find it, you ask? Well, thatās where a girlās intuition, and the secret network of pink tutu-wearing spies, come into play. Yes, I'm telling you, it's a real thing. And, of course, my time-travelling pink tutu is actually a portal, filled with magic and pink feather dust. No time travelling pink tutu? No worries! Just take a trip to Derbyshire, darling - they sell them in the shops just across the street from where I learnt to dance. It was like taking your first class in Dance Mums except much, much prettier, and with more sparkles.
And speaking of danceā¦ Oh, my dears, I've gotta tell you about the drag I saw tonight. In this underground bar, the performers were amazing, full of campy joy and sassy confidence. There was one performer in particular that truly caught my eye, all shimmering sequins, dramatic makeup and a voice like butter melting on a hot stove.
Just imagine it:
- A little velvet stage lit with a spotlight
- Sizzling sounds from a vintage gramophone
- A crowd hushed in anticipation
- Then, BAM! The performer steps out and the energy of the room absolutely erupts.
Iām not going to tell you the name of the bar (they did keep it quiet in those days), but I will tell you that the whole thing was positively revolutionary. These drag artists werenāt just entertaining, darling; they were celebrating the joy of being different, defying expectations and flipping the script. Talk about pushing boundaries!
Of course, it wasnāt all glam and glitter. These pioneers were navigating a time when ādragā was not only largely underground but often faced criticism and even prejudice. Yet, here they were, owning their creativity, and letting their voices be heard. It's a testament to their spirit and resilience, donāt you think? And it reminds us, darlings, that the spirit of drag transcends time and trend.
Hereās the thing, my loves ā history doesnāt just happen in grand gestures and public announcements. History also happens in hidden speakeasies and small stages, where people dare to express themselves and to bring joy to the world.
The best thing about seeing drag performances from a different era? Itās a constant reminder that the heart of drag has always been about self-expression and entertainment, regardless of whatās going on in the outside world. Thatās what truly makes this a global art form, a way for us to connect across time and space, united by the glitter, the laughter, and the pure, unadulterated joy of drag.
Of course, I couldnāt leave this trip without indulging in a bit of vintage shopping, my dears! I got my hands on a spectacularly pink feather boa, and found a whole set of retro-style sequined costumes, so divine! Just wait until you see me in the next few months in this little number... Oh, itās going to be slay-worthy.
As the night came to a close, I found myself reflecting on this amazing time warp journey. It was an incredible reminder of the long and rich history of drag and how the beauty and boldness of self-expression never really goes out of style. After all, drag is a global movement, a universal language that speaks to the soul of creativity and inclusivity.
So, keep your head high, darlings, let your flag fly and never be afraid to break the mold. Now, Iām off to plan my next time-travelling escapade ā the pink tutu awaits! Stay fabulous, my dears, and keep on rocking those tutus!
See you soon,
Emma x
www.pink-tutu.com
