A day of drag in Waterbury
September 26, 2025 | By Roxy Vanderhoff | Community News ServiceEnthusiastic crowds showed up Sunday for a double bill of Pride: a drag brunch and story hour in downtown Waterbury.
Drag performer Rhedd Rhumm lip syncs to a jazzy tune during drag brunch at Stowe Street Cafe. Photo by Roxy Vanderhoff
“We knew that drag story hours were happening in major metropolitan areas, but we hadn't heard of any happening in Vermont, and we wanted to bring it here,” said Emoji Nightmare of Cambridge, who led the event.
The brunch at Stowe Street Cafe was a first for Waterbury, while it was the second time for a drag story hour at Bridgeside Books.
With three sold-out brunch seatings and performances, it’s not likely to be the last drag brunch in Waterbury. When performers asked about future drag brunches, the cafe audience cheered in response, and owner Nicole Grenier said she’s interested in doing it again.
The audience ate French toast and eggs Benedict from the chefs at Stowe Street Cafe and sipped mimosas while they watched.
Nightmare opened with an Adele parody – a song about hot dogs, while throwing hot dogs hidden in her wig into the crowd. Nightmare was followed by three other performers, and the audience clapped and cheered along to each.
Audience-member Manny Santiago recently moved to Vermont and is a long-time drag fan. He’s excited to see more drag events popping up here. “I’m finally back in the scene, and it feels good to be here!” Santiago said.
After the brunch shows, Nightmare joined Katniss Everqueer next door at Bridgeside Books for Story Hour. These two queens are on a tour of Vermont, reading stories all over the state. After an opening activity of sign language and singing, Nightmare and Everqueer read and acted out children's stories with various messages and themes, including “My Shadow is Purple” by Scott Stuart and “Princesses Versus Dinosaurs” by Linda Bailey.
Katniss Everqueer and Emoji Nightmare read “Princesses Versus Dinosaurs” by Linda Bailey at Drag Story Hour at Bridgeside Books. Photo by Roxy Vanderhoff
Katniss Everqueer and Emoji Nightmare share the children’s storybook, ‘My Shadow is Purple’ by Scott Stuart. Photo by Roxy Vanderhoff
Before two of the books, Everqueer said that the titles were banned in some places and pretended that the books were on fire. This was followed by a message that books are safe and nothing to be afraid of, even if they are banned.
The kids in the crowd cheered and answered questions throughout the story hour. By the end, even the shy kids and older people who were quiet at first were singing and laughing along.
The story hour ended with two messages from the queens. They encouraged everyone to say “no thank you” to shame about who you are, and then to recognize how amazing it is that we don't have to be just one thing.
“Doing story hour is exceptionally meaningful,” Everqueer said. “We get to read to folks of all ages, and I love thinking, especially in a rural state, that we might be reading a book where a young person is seeing themselves or their family represented for the very first time.”
No protesters showed up at either event. Organizers said they felt overwhelmed by a positive, joy-filled day.
“We get to experience joy, and we need more joy and kindness in this world,” Everqueer said.
Community News Service is a University of Vermont journalism internship program reporting for Vermont news organizations, including Waterbury Roundabout.