Drag Queen Story Hour visits Waterbury on Aug. 27

Aug. 18, 2022  |  By Waterbury Roundabout 

Drag queens Nikki Champagne (left) and Emoji Nightmare (right) at a children's story event. Courtesy photo

Bridgeside Books and The Children’s Room with a grant from Revitalizing Waterbury will host Drag Queen Story Hour on Saturday, Aug. 27, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.  

The performers, Emoji Nightmare and Katniss Everqueer, will visit Bridgeside Books to read several children’s picture books including favorites from Mo Willems and Michael Hall, sing a few songs, and share some sign language. 

The Children’s Room volunteers will lead a crown-making activity following the storytime. 

What is a Drag Queen Story Hour? 

From the website of Emoji Nightmare: “Drag Queen Story Hour is just what it sounds like…drag queens reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. DQSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models…These performers and storytellers will be sure to delight and captivate audience members of all ages as they share stories focused on individuality, activism, gender, creativity, expression, and social responsibility.”

 Here are several examples of storybooks for the story hour. A full list is online at BridgesideBooks.com/events. Courtesy images

Community members may remember Drag Queen Story Hour from their recent performance at Harwood Union High School in June. Emoji Nightmare has performed in many schools, libraries, bookstores, and other venues around the state since co-founding the Vermont chapter of DQSH in 2017. 

Now with chapters around the world that are independently managed and funded, the organization was created in San Francisco in 2015 by Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions, a queer literary arts organization. 

Drag Queen Story Hour is free and attendees of all ages are welcome. 

Organizers thank Revitalizing Waterbury for sponsoring the event. “All involved parties are eager to host events that engage creativity, self-expression, and positivity in the community,” said Katya d’Angelo, Bridgeside Books owner. 

Heather LaRocca, coordinator at The Children's Room, said her organization is involved for the opportunity to create a supportive and inclusive environment that models for children how to value and embrace differences. 

“It’s going to be a fun and engaging family event with stories, crown-making, amazing performers and more,” she said. “It's also a wonderful opportunity for families and children to gain exposure to diverse people and experiences in a safe and inviting atmosphere.” 

For more information regarding the event and a complete list of the books involved in the performance, please visit Bridgesidebooks.com/events.