https://www.hillsidefarmvt.com/dirtbagdrag

Hold on to your horns and halos, hotties – it’s the October installment of First Friday. Kick off spooky season at First Friday – Vermont’s longest running monthly LGBTQ event.

Emoji Nightmare hosts while GAYBAR has created a dance set to keep your wings fluttering and your pitchforks bumping. Our little devils (Icarus, Ruthless Retribution, Whiskey Desire, Alice von Derland) will face off against the precious angels (Emoji Nightmare, Miss Chekova, Prisma Pallet) in a drag and burlesque show that will be sure to titillate.

Which side will you take? Heaven forbid you come decked out to represent your inner chaotic, temptrous devil! Or dust off those heavenly halos, queue the harp, and bring that pure angelic vibe. The best dressed of the night might just win free tickets to a remaining First Friday!

So pick your team, come dressed to impress, and join us for a night of fright, delight, and non-stop fun at First Friday: Devils vs. Angels.

It’s Pride! It’s ArtHop! It’s Story Hour!

Join us for our annual return to the south end for a celebratory good time

$30 Advance | $40 Day of Show | $25 M&G Add On

18+ 

—

The annual Pride Ball is back to celebrate Pride Vermont Week. Don’t miss an unforgettable night of dancing, mesmerizing live drag and burlesque performances, surrounded by our joyous community!

Hosted by Emoji Nightmare and featuring music by GAYBAR

Headline performances by:

Miz Cracker (from RuPaul’s Drag Race – S10 and RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars – S5)

Lemon (from Canada’s Drag Race – S1, Drag Race UK vs. The World – S1, and Canada’s Drag Race: Canada vs. The World – S2)

Special guest performances by the Jersey Shore’s finest:
Victoria Courtez
Mona Little

And a selection of the best Vermont drag and burlesque talent:
Green Mountain Cabaret
Sasha Sriracha
Katniss Everqueer
Rhedd Rhumm
Carmen Gettit
Domini’que Anjou
Marjorie Mayhem
KING Cocktail
Lio Letizia
Pete Zapparti
Zacharine Flesch
Mochaccino

Plus a performance by Mina & Kim and go-go dancing by Mecca and Cettina

About Emoji Nightmare:

Emoji Nightmare has been performing across Vermont and the region since 2015 and is one of the state’s leading drag entertainers. She is host and producer of many of the largest LGBTQ+ events of the past decade. She is the co-founder of the Vermont chapter of Drag Story Hour, a frequent guest on Amber Live!, and a multi-year nominee for Seven Days’ annual Daysies Awards for Best Drag Performer in Vermont.

About Miz Cracker:

Miz Cracker is a New York City drag queen—and a writer, foodie and comedienne. She launched her drag career in 2011 while participating in marches for marriage equality in Times Square. She went on to compete in RuPaul’s Drag Race Season Ten, landing a spot in the top five and becoming a fan favorite. She later appeared in RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season Five, landing a spot in the top 3. Today, she tours the world with her one woman shows; delights fans on her YouTube channel; lectures on drag at top universities; writes for publications like Slate, ArtForum, Vice, and GQ; engages nearly 1.5 million followers across social media; and tells the stories of incredible women through her interview podcast, She’s a Woman. Cracker describes herself as a “woman’s lifestyle brand,” and is a vocal advocate for women’s rights.

About Lemon:

Born and raised in Toronto, Lemon is a true queen of the North. Spending her youth inside of the world of conservatory and competitive dance with Vlad’s Dance Company in Richmond Hill, she built a foundation and a passion for dance performance. At the age of 18, Lemon left Toronto with big dreams to find her way in the epicenter of professional dance, New York City. On full scholarship, she attended the prestigious Alvin Ailey School studying modern dance and ballet, two years at a contemporary ballet company in New York City, and another year in the city fulfilling her OPT (Optional Practical Training). She was on track to become a full time company dancer, but as the universe always does in the most sly of ways, another door of opportunity opened itself to her.  Being openly gay in NYC, Lemon found a community inside of the bar and nightlife scene. And like a passing summer breeze, she caught wind of a local drag competition called Lady Liberty with a prize of $500, which no young artist surviving in the Big Apple could pass up. This competition has seen the likes of well-known queens such as Jackie Cox, Jan Sport, and Rosé; she knew winning would bring a sense of notoriety and accomplishment she craved. She competed and sadly placed 3rd. But if Lemon had learned anything so far in her life it’s that you hustle and hone your craft and try again until you get first place! She listened and learned, sculpted her makeup, refined her style, conceptualized her performance, and went back to sweep the competition and claim 1st prize, all while dressed as one of her greatest inspirations, Paris Hilton, doused in Tinkerbell perfume. From there, Lemon was born and a force to be reckoned with. Catching the eye of Sasha Velour, she went on to walk in her opening ceremony collaboration for New York Fashion Week, alongside performances by Shea Couleé, Farrah Moan, and Christina Aguilera. She began working weekly shows at drag bars across Manhattan and before she knew it, was a full time, fully realized drag queen. Lemon went on to compete in the World Pride edition of Lady Liberty at the Playboy Club, gaining the attention of Brita Filter and Alyssa Edwards, and snatching the crown for first place. Like a vision in the night, the official announcement for Canada’s Drag Race was released and Lemon was never more confident in anything, that being on that show’s first season was a stroke of destiny. Calling both Toronto and NYC home, Lemon’s journey has just begun and she has big plans to take the world by storm because when life gives you Lemon, Lemon gives you life.

About GAYBAR:

GAYBAR is a lesbian party DJ from the east coast of Canada who is now based in Burlington, VT. GAYBAR’s sets span decades and include house music (melodic/progressive), top 40 hits, remixes, divas, drum and bass, dubstep and hip hop. She has been working hard for the last several years in Burlington to create/promote new queer spaces for people to congregate. THE GOAL: Good music. Celebrating our existence. Radical love & Radical joy

DATE: Sun, September 1
TIME: 11am--1:30pm
ADMISSION: $20*

* ticket only; food avail to purchase separately

18+ RECOMMENDED.

To purchase tickets, enter quantity in upper right & click "Add to Cart" (then check out). No physical tickets will be mailed; simply bring your confirmation to the box office.

PLEASE NOTE: To guarantee your party can sit together, tix must be purchased under one name OR you may call the box office in advance with your party size (802.859.0100).

THIS MONTH'S SHOW WILL FEATURE:
Emoji Nightmare
Sasha Sriracha
Rhedd Rhumm
Ginge O’Lolly
Bethadone Clinique
Miss Chekova
Stevie Glitz

ABOUT THE EVENT

The hairspray! The rhinestones! The outfits! The fabulousness! Spend your morning at Vermont Comedy Club/Happy Place Cafe for an enthralling edition of Eleganza and Espresso: A Drag Brunch.

An ensemble of Vermont’s most dazzling drag queens and kings will help every bite go down easy as they entertain guests and prance, dip and dive around your tables. Hosted by Emoji Nightmare!

Stock your wallet with singles for this interactive, tip-worthy spectacle. And brace yourself for perhaps the bawdiest brunch of your life.

Grab yourself a ticket NOW as this show sells out! Available for sale (separate from ticket price) will be: food, coffee, mimosas, Bloody Marys and more!

Join the UVM Program Board and Prism Center for five rounds of Bingo hosted by Emoji Nightmare and featuring Denim (Canada’s Drag Race) and some of Vermont’s best performers. Plus - we’ve got huge prizes - you won’t want to miss!! It’s all happening on Friday, August 30th at 7pm in the Grand Maple Ballroom.

Please contact the UVM Program Board (UPB) at upb@uvm.edu for questions and accommodations. For more event information visit uvmbored.com/WOW or check out UPB online at fb.com/uvmupb. #UVMWOW

THIS EVENT IS ONLY OPEN TO UVM STUDENTS AND FACULTY

$15 Advance | $22 Day of Show

18+ | Seated Show: First Come, First Serve – SRO space in the back.

—

First Fridays at Higher Ground are back in 2024, hosted by Emoji Nightmare and GAYBAR.

It’s Britney, Bitch! For the August edition, we’re partying like it’s 1999, celebrating the iconic debut album by the Princess of Pop, Britney Spears’ “Baby One More Time” which includes the classic turn of the century hits “Sometimes”, “(You Drive Me) Crazy”, and of course the title track.

Join host Emoji Nightmare with performances by Doctor Vu, Pete Zapparti, Mochaccino, Karina Libido, Susan Saranwrap, and Stevie Glitz.

After the show, stick around because GAYBAR has an epic Britney dance party highlighting all the eras of our favorite knife-wielding, kitchen-dancing, choreo queen.

ABOUT TOP2BTM:
TOP2BTM is a celebration of iconic album anniversaries, subsequently performed IN their entirety from TOP 2 BTM by your favorite Drag and Burlesque performers.

“I love the concept of performing an entire album in drag and burlesque. It’s been in my wildest dreams since we did a Shania Twain full-album show in 2022, and I can’t wait to bring this and three other iconic albums to life this year. It’s time to get your paws up and celebrate the start of a new era of First Fridays at Higher Ground!” – Emoji Nightmare

Save the dates for the rest of our 2024 series! We will have themed dance parties, more TOP2BTM installments and as always, Pride Ball in September.–

September 6: Pride Ball

October 4th: (FF) – Devils vs Angels

November 1st: (TOP2BTM) – Gwen Stefani – Love.Angel.Music.Baby (20 yr anniversary)

December 6th: (FF) – Sugar and Spice

Vermont’s drag and burlesque performers bring the drama with numbers inspired by television, film, stage, and more!

Vermont’s drag and burlesque performers take on celebrities and famous figures to compete for a cash prize in this queer and campy take on the vintage Match Game. Hosted by Emoji Nightmare.

Vermont’s drag and burlesque performers bring you the raunchiest, filthiest, sexiest show that you’ll definitely want to make sure you bring your horny lil’ grandma to.

Vermont’s drag and burlesque performers go head-to-head in a lip sync battle round-by-round until an ultimate victor is crowned and awarded a cash prize!

Drag Story Hour (DSH) is just what it sounds like...

...drag performers reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. DSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish, where dress up is real. 

Emoji Nightmare and Katniss Everqueer, two of Vermont's favorite queer performing artists, 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. 

DSH was created by Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions in San Francisco in 2015. The Vermont Chapter of DSH was created by Emoji Nightmare and Nikki Champagne in 2017. In 2021, Emoji joined the national board of directors for DSH. For more information on DSH, visit DragStoryHour.org. 

Drag Story Hour (DSH) is just what it sounds like...

...drag performers reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. DSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish, where dress up is real. 

Emoji Nightmare and Katniss Everqueer, two of Vermont's favorite queer performing artists, 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. 

DSH was created by Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions in San Francisco in 2015. The Vermont Chapter of DSH was created by Emoji Nightmare and Nikki Champagne in 2017. In 2021, Emoji joined the national board of directors for DSH. For more information on DSH, visit DragStoryHour.org. 

Drag Story Hour (DSH) is just what it sounds like...

...drag performers reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. DSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish, where dress up is real. 

Emoji Nightmare and Katniss Everqueer, two of Vermont's favorite queer performing artists, 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. 

DSH was created by Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions in San Francisco in 2015. The Vermont Chapter of DSH was created by Emoji Nightmare and Nikki Champagne in 2017. In 2021, Emoji joined the national board of directors for DSH. For more information on DSH, visit DragStoryHour.org. 

Drag Story Hour (DSH) is just what it sounds like...

...drag performers reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. DSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish, where dress up is real. 

Emoji Nightmare and Katniss Everqueer, two of Vermont's favorite queer performing artists, 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. 

DSH was created by Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions in San Francisco in 2015. The Vermont Chapter of DSH was created by Emoji Nightmare and Nikki Champagne in 2017. In 2021, Emoji joined the national board of directors for DSH. For more information on DSH, visit DragStoryHour.org. 

Drag Story Hour (DSH) is just what it sounds like...

...drag performers reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. DSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish, where dress up is real. 

Emoji Nightmare and Katniss Everqueer, two of Vermont's favorite queer performing artists, 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. 

DSH was created by Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions in San Francisco in 2015. The Vermont Chapter of DSH was created by Emoji Nightmare and Nikki Champagne in 2017. In 2021, Emoji joined the national board of directors for DSH. For more information on DSH, visit DragStoryHour.org. 

Drag Story Hour (DSH) is just what it sounds like...

...drag performers reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. DSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish, where dress up is real. 

Emoji Nightmare and Katniss Everqueer, two of Vermont's favorite queer performing artists, 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. 

DSH was created by Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions in San Francisco in 2015. The Vermont Chapter of DSH was created by Emoji Nightmare and Nikki Champagne in 2017. In 2021, Emoji joined the national board of directors for DSH. For more information on DSH, visit DragStoryHour.org. 

Drag Story Hour (DSH) is just what it sounds like...

...drag performers reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. DSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish, where dress up is real. 

Emoji Nightmare and Katniss Everqueer, two of Vermont's favorite queer performing artists, 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. 

DSH was created by Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions in San Francisco in 2015. The Vermont Chapter of DSH was created by Emoji Nightmare and Nikki Champagne in 2017. In 2021, Emoji joined the national board of directors for DSH. For more information on DSH, visit DragStoryHour.org. 

Drag Story Hour (DSH) is just what it sounds like...

...drag performers reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. DSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish, where dress up is real. 

Emoji Nightmare and Katniss Everqueer, two of Vermont's favorite queer performing artists, 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. 

DSH was created by Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions in San Francisco in 2015. The Vermont Chapter of DSH was created by Emoji Nightmare and Nikki Champagne in 2017. In 2021, Emoji joined the national board of directors for DSH. For more information on DSH, visit DragStoryHour.org. 

Drag Story Hour (DSH) is just what it sounds like...

...drag performers reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. DSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish, where dress up is real. 

Emoji Nightmare and Katniss Everqueer, two of Vermont's favorite queer performing artists, 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. 

DSH was created by Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions in San Francisco in 2015. The Vermont Chapter of DSH was created by Emoji Nightmare and Nikki Champagne in 2017. In 2021, Emoji joined the national board of directors for DSH. For more information on DSH, visit DragStoryHour.org.