Drag Story Hour returns to Waterbury… with brunch
September 19, 2025 | By Roxy Vanderhoff | Community News ServiceTwo local business owners are building upon a previous drag queen story event this weekend by adding a new element: mimosas.
Stowe Street Cafe is bringing Drag Brunch to downtown Waterbury on Sunday, with four performers. Immediately afterward at Bridgeside Books, drag queens Emoji Nightmare and Katniss Everqueen will lead the storytime event. Emoji Nightmare, a leading drag performer in Vermont, is creator and leader of the Vermont chapter of Drag Story Hour, along with four other queens.
The organizers of these tandem events are bookstore owner Katya d’Angelo and cafe owner Nicole Grenier.
Bridgeside hosted its first Drag Story Hour in 2022 and drew an enthusiastic crowd that packed the independent book shop’s space along Stowe Street. Now the cafe, which operates alongside the bookstore, has added a brunch beforehand.
Grenier and d’Angelo recently spoke with Community News Service about why they are hosting these events.
Drag performers Emoji Nightmare (left) and Katniss Everqueer attract a big audience in Waterbury in September 2022. They return Sunday for a Drag Brunch at Stowe Street Cafe and Drag Story Hour at Bridgeside Books. File photo by Gordon Miller
Q: How do you feel about bringing this event to Waterbury?
Grenier: I would be disappointed if drag story hour wasn’t happening in my community. It feels like an honor.
Q: What are your expectations for the event?
d’Angelo: There’s singing, there’s sign language, there’s storytelling, there's big wigs and pearls, and it's just a lot of fun. Ultimately, I hope people come who want to celebrate individuality, and sparkles, and magic, and books.
Grenier: The cafe has very intentionally prioritized being a very safe and inclusive space. My hope would be that we could do drag brunch every year.
d’Angelo: I want people to know that 29 Stowe Street is welcoming for all, and a place to be in community.
Q: Although the response has been overwhelmingly positive, do you anticipate any pushback?
d’Angelo: We did have some people write us rude letters last time. There was some negativity, but I think most of it was due to a misperception of what it was, and part of the reason to do it again is so people can see what it really is.
I had a really lovely interaction a week or two after last time's performance with someone who had written me a letter initially that was not terribly friendly. They came in and said, “I had written you this letter, I had just moved to Vermont, I really didn't know anything about anything, and I want to apologize because I was out of line.” I almost cried and I hugged her.
This time, we haven't had any negativity so far, maybe that's because we did it before, and we'll do it again, and to heck [with] what people think!
Q: This feels like such a big event in such a small space. What are the logistics that go into planning an event like this?
Grenier: We’re wanting to host and offer a space where the drag queens can come in and do their thing and have a lot of fun, as well as bring a pride celebration to Waterbury in a way it hasn't before.
d’Angelo: “We clear the room and they show up and do their thing.”
Drag Brunch at Stowe Street Cafe requires a reservation for one of three seatings: 10 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Cost is $55 with tickets online in advance at sevendaystickets.com. Brunch offerings include several kinds of eggs Benedict, huevos rancheros, stuffed French toast, and a turkey sandwich and salad. Drag Story Hour at Bridgeside Books next door is free for all ages at 2 p.m.
Community News Service is a University of Vermont journalism internship that produces news coverage for Vermont news outlets, including Waterbury Roundabout.