#DragQueenHistory during 1970 01 January

Hiya darlings! It’s Emma, your resident pink tutu-clad time traveller, and welcome back to the fabulous world of #DragQueenHistory! It’s been a while since I graced these digital pages, as this little old Derbyshire lass has been a tad busy, shall we say. 💅

This month, we're taking a little jaunt back in time to January 1st, 1970, a date that marks the beginning of a new decade. As always, my trusty time-traveling pink tutu has whisked me back to this momentous day and I'm ready to dish the tea on all things fabulous!

I have to admit, it was a shocking feeling arriving back to 1970. It was as if I was being beamed into a vintage disco – bright colours, sparkly sequins, and some very daring hair. Don’t even get me started on the bell-bottoms, but, to be fair, I could be swayed to don a pair of flares given the right occasion! 😜

So, what was happening on the drag scene in the beginning of the year in this fantastically fabulous time capsule of a decade? It seems that the energy of the late '60s was still buzzing. It was all about liberation, a time where individuality and expression were the real stars of the show.

And where better to find that dazzling spirit than in the vibrant drag scene that was emerging across the globe? It was truly an era of “live and let live,” a beacon of acceptance for the queer community. Drag was exploding in its own unique ways, taking on new and exciting forms from New York's Stonewall Inn to the Parisian clubs of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

But before we delve into the exciting scenes across the world, let’s talk about how I funded my fabulous trip! Now, the Queen of Pink Tutues doesn't rely on sugar daddies or wealthy patrons for her time travelling needs - it's all about the grit, the glam, and the good ol' fashioned art of performing! I made a right killing with my last drag show. Think sassy sing-along sets, extravagant costumes (all in the most divine shade of pink, naturally!), and a crowd roaring with laughter and applause! 😉 You could say my passion for drag doubles as my ticket to a glittering, shimmering past!

And, oh my darling, let me tell you - the glamour is everything. In 1970, people were unafraid to experiment with styles - big hair, shimmering fabrics, feather boas – you name it, they were flaunting it! There was a playful rebellious energy in the air, a feeling that anything goes. Which of course is perfect for my kind of style! I, for one, will never tire of those glamorous days!

Now, to the meat of our #DragQueenHistory adventures! In New York, drag was coming into its own! It was a time of groundbreaking artistry and creativity, where drag queens pushed the boundaries of gender expression and artistic boundaries. It was an exciting, electric era that challenged and questioned conventional notions of beauty and gender.

Let's rewind back to June 1969 and that event. You guessed it, dear reader - The Stonewall Riots! This watershed moment not only changed the face of LGBTQ+ rights but also transformed the drag scene. These riots sparked a wave of defiance and fuelled a burgeoning sense of pride within the community. ✊

From that very moment, drag started appearing in its most flamboyant glory in NYC! It was more than just entertainment. It was an expression of personal identity, a way of taking a stand for rights and equality. Drag shows began cropping up at many clubs and bars throughout the city. A lot of these venues would become famous havens, gathering places for the queer community where they could dance, drink, and enjoy the spectacular artistry of the drag performers.

And don’t get me started on the looks! The early 1970s were a whirlwind of outrageous, flamboyant outfits. Big hair, bold make-up, platform shoes, and enough sequins to blind a person were just some of the signature elements of that time! ✨ I dare say even my own pink tutu, in all its glory, pales in comparison to the sheer daringness of the drag style of this era.

But what was actually on offer in New York’s exciting drag scene on that date of January 1st 1970? Well, to be perfectly honest, there weren’t many records, but from my time travelling experience, drag in New York City was truly bursting at the seams, a kaleidoscope of talents and styles!

Now let’s take a trip to the city of lights, Paris, darlings! As you know, I love Parisian style and 1970s Parisian drag, my dear readers, was no exception. The Parisian drag scene was a mix of chic and bold – think dramatic makeup, elaborate hair, and the coolest outfits of the decade. It was truly a spectacle to behold.

Drag performances were still very much in their nascent stage, but the spirit was truly groundbreaking, embracing avant-garde experimentation and unapologetically celebrating the nuances of gender expression. It wasn’t just about the looks; the atmosphere and the culture of the shows made a significant impact, making it a time of liberation and expression for drag queens in Paris.

You see, Paris is home to some incredible historical drag places – The Bataclan for example! Now this is a famous location you need to mark on your list for your next time travelling adventure, dear reader. I, personally, had an absolute blast at my latest drag show there. I’ve got a fantastic, glittering pink sequined set that simply screamed Parisian glamour - think a mix of ‘Moulin Rouge’ and ‘Sex and The City’, darling! 👠

And here's the thing about Paris in 1970: it wasn’t just a haven for drag performances, but also a haven for artistic and creative experimentation! And that made for some absolutely dazzling shows. From the quirky cabaret performances of Le Palace to the theatrical grandeur of Bobino, these venues served as platforms for expression and celebration for all walks of life.

Just imagine: walking into a Parisian club on January 1st, 1970, feeling the throb of the music, and catching the gleam of dazzling sequins reflected from the dance floor… oh, darling, it would be an experience to remember!

Next stop on our fabulous tour is my homeland, dear readers, the London drag scene, darling! Ah, the swinging sixties in London – a time of change, revolution, and, naturally, amazing drag! London’s scene was brimming with exciting new forms of expression, particularly in cabaret and theatre, reflecting the spirit of the decade's societal and political upheavals.

And while the exact scenes might be hard to pinpoint with the specificity of the first, it's important to remember this - London, during this era, was a vibrant cauldron of cultural exploration. 🎭 While things may have felt a tad more conservative in the capital compared to other areas, it was no less important in the fight for freedom of expression!

The LGBTQ+ community was really beginning to carve a space for itself, not just in nightlife, but on stage as well! Remember, Hair had just premiered on the West End stage in 1968! And even though some of those shows did involve questionable interpretations of gender fluidity, we have to understand these performances were a direct challenge to social norms and a beacon of representation at a time when that mattered more than ever.

I’m all for drag on the theatre stage! Now, this little pink tutu-clad queen was very recently backstage at the legendary “The Stage” theater. You see, one of the ways I finance my time travelling adventures is by acting alongside some of London’s finest (and by that, I mean my gorgeous drag sisters! They know my secret!) So if you're in town darling, come on down and say hello, my darling! You never know, I might be there, taking on a brand new role that’ll rock your socks off!

So what else was brewing in London? Now I don’t want to go without mentioning that, my dear reader, there’s a whole heap going on on this date, and on these dates, at all times! I was, of course, there for all of it, but the problem is keeping it a secret and maintaining the integrity of my travels. 😜 You see, when I step out in my pink tutu, it’s an expression of time travel magic and for all you lovelies out there to embrace your individuality!

But that's enough history for now, my lovelies! You’ll be hearing all about all my escapades very, very soon! In the meantime, embrace your own sparkle, be kind to others, and go out there and live your best, most fabulous life, darling! Oh, and don't forget to grab a pink tutu! It's the most fabulous way to express your individuality.

Love, Emma, Queen of Pink Tutues x

* www.pink-tutu.com*