Tuesday, January 5, 2016

DRAG..HIS STORY MONTH

 
With the holidays now behind us, it's time for the Mistress to bring on Drag History Month!!!!
We took a hiatus from this last year, so I thought as usual in January, we'd bring it back since I have a lot of new friends and readers. Although it isn’t “official” in the same way that LGBTQ History Month is, I think it’s a great idea and should be celebrated internationally. What better way to celebrate? But drag and cross-dressing developed out of something totally different to the stage – religion. Male priests and shamans in ancient times would dress as women to act as “wives” to the deity they worshipped. In a way theatre derives from this religious “acting”, and directly as a result of this ,women were banned from the stage until well into the 2nd millennium. The Ancient Greek even had a God of Wine who condoned cross-dressing, Dionysius as the patron of theatre, party, wine and transvestites!!!

The development from these ancient cross-dressing priests into the modern drag kings and queens is very long and complicated, so I won’t go into it now. But there’s a danger that some confusion could arise, because not all cross-dressing activity can be called drag. When I was active, when done for the night,,the drag came off fast!!!! To many people drag conjures up images of camp, often outrageous, personalities like Lily Savage, Lady Bunny, Divine and RuPaul.

This type of drag is the main focus for celebration by the Logo channel, as well as highlight its many different forms – from pantomime, like Widow Twank to cabaret, like the great Ricky Rene and Danny La Rue, from traditional musical performance  like Hinge and Bracket and Jim Bailey to public drag persona like the Jewel Box Revue and Divine, the drag community is as varied as any other and there’s a lot to celebrate. The month will bring some reposts and some new post, while my most of my usual fare will take a backseat. so....
 
grab a girlfriend..
 
and a cock-a-tail...
 
get relaxed...
 
and feel free to reach me with any questions on the Casa hot line....
 
well, either in my sidebar via email, or in the comments sections!
 
This month won't get any queenly than this! 

24 comments:

  1. Danny La Rue! There's a name I haven't heard in a long long time! Would I be right in thinking that most of today's drag queens look rather more sexy and feminine that those of Danny's era?

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    1. Yes...you'd be correct. And which do you prefer?

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  2. Oh wow, didn't know it's that month! :) I'll just sit back, read the post & enjoy. Seems interesting, judging the colorful photos.

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  3. I loves a good history lesson!

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  4. Male divinities were historically preceded by female divinities -- the Great Goddess fertility archetypes. It is speculated that, as male gods gained ascendancy, priests imitated the feminine attributes of the goddesses being replaced as a way to legitimize the transition. Sort of the same dynamic as how Christianity appropriated and subverted pagan rituals and ideas for their own purposes and to gain acceptance among reluctant peoples.

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    1. Its all rather fascinating isn't it how things got a start.

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  5. I remember these posts from a couple of years ago. Bring it on!

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  6. I don't remember these post so I will look forward to them....with a cocktail!

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  7. I always enjoy your blog for drag...it's actually how I found your blog to behind with. Looking forward to this.

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  8. Do we need to take notes in case of a pop quiz?

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    1. Where have you been missy.....nice to see you again here.

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  9. I thought I smelled "Evening in Paris" wafting from somewhere, I just followed my nose...

    Happy New Year Doll!
    xoxox

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    1. So nice to see you Wallingford!!!! My windsong tends to stay on the minds of others.

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  10. I love drag queens!!! Never did it though. I'll be looking forwards to this. Already learned a few things.

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    1. We have Wally, a Monday and a gorilla....what is this planets of the apes?

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  11. Ah, this looks to be an educational month. Plus, I never say no to a bit of Hinge & Bracket!

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  12. And just what can we do for extra credit??????

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    1. Would you see me after class please..

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  13. Can't wait to see what the month brings!

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  14. As you say, drag has been around for thousands of years. My parents' generation howled with laughter at "Uncle Miltie," and Tony Curtis and Jack Lemon in "Some Like it Hot." But, they were stunned silent by Jim Bailey's performance on national TV.
    There are some truly talented ladies out there, that's for sure. My friend here does a great job. I shall grab a pic for you and send it to you one day.

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    1. I would love that!!! Jim Bailey is quite an amazing talent! I have a clip of him coming up later in the month.

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!