This Saturday, February 22, drag performers, entertainers and partygoers from across Vermont will dress up to get down for the 30th annual Winter Is a Drag Ball. This pearlescent anniversary, held at Higher Ground in South Burlington, finds the iconic tradition at a juncture. The beloved House of LeMay drag troupe has produced and hosted the event since 2003, but this year the torch has been passed to Mike Oxready, a local drag king and longtime Showcase Lounge stage host for the ball.
Oxready, 42, who uses a stage name, first performed in 2009 at an event called Dragnomenon and ended up winning the competition. He went on to form his own drag king troupe, New Cocks on the Block, which performed at the drag ball from 2010 to 2012. From the dissolution of the group, Oxready’s solo persona was born. When it came time to pass the mic, drag ball producer Bob Bolyard, aka Amber LeMay, saw Oxready as the obvious choice for continuing its legacy. Oxready has a knack for hosting and had been booking talent for the drag ball for almost a decade.
This year’s drag ball theme is “ResistDANCE + RevoluSHINE,” a nod to the current political climate and queer joy as an act of resistance. In keeping with tradition, the event is a fundraiser for Vermont CARES, a nonprofit focused on HIV/AIDS resources, education and prevention.
“It is a bolus of queer joy during the dark days.” Mike Oxready
Seven Days chatted with Oxready about creating safe spaces, honoring the LeMays and the continuing evolution of Winter Is a Drag Ball.
What about this event is so special to you personally?
I saw drag kings perform for the first time at Winter Is a Drag Ball and said to myself, I want to do that, too. I’m excited to see how much drag has grown in Vermont. The community is super inspiring. When I think of drag ball, the resounding feeling that comes up is queer joy and being surrounded by community and a safe space.
I’m hoping this vision of a joyful, queer community event will bolster folks and demonstrate that drag is for everyone. It doesn’t have to look just one way. There are lots of different hosting styles. I do a lot of dad jokes, but I also remind the audience that consent is mandatory. I just want to create that accepting environment.
Winter Is a Drag Ball is open to anyone, regardless of identity. For me, it feels like a holiday. It is a bolus of queer joy during the dark days in the cold, long winter of Vermont.
How do you plan to add your own twist while still honoring those who have made this event such a tradition?
The House of LeMay is an institution. Everyone knows them. This year there will be a lot of familiar elements. I didn’t want to change too much too fast. I am looking forward to hearing from the community, performers who have been involved for many years and newcomers to see what they might want in upcoming years. I don’t want it to be my unilateral plan or vision. I want to hear what works and what doesn’t. I want the event to evolve in a way that works best for the community.
Who are some notable performers to look out for in this year’s show?
We have a wide range of performers in both age and experience. We have some folks who are coming off of the newcomers’ showcase from last year, and we also have seasoned performers. Prisma Pallet is a notable emerging performer, and there are plenty of others representing Rutland, Brandon, Brattleboro and even Hudson Valley, N.Y. DJ Llu hasn’t spun in person since 2021, but they will be doing a mask-encouraged, before-bedtime dance party.
We also have favorite performers who have been doing this event for many years, including Rev. Yolanda, the House of LeMay, local favorite performers like Miss Chekova and Rhedd Rhumm, Green Mountain Cabaret, House of Cocktail, and plenty more surprises.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve been to all of them or if you’ve never been before — we want you there.
This interview was edited and condensed for clarity and length.
The original print version of this article was headlined “Carrying the Torch | Three questions for new Winter Is a Drag Ball organizer Mike Oxready”
This article appears in Feb 19-25, 2025.
Got something to say?
Send a letter to the editor and we'll publish your feedback in print!