All welcome as Winter's a Drag returns to Laurier’s Brantford campus Jan. 22 

Jan. 13, 2025
For Immediate Release

BRANTFORD — Students and members of the community are invited to attend a night of free entertainment celebrating inclusivity, creativity and self-expression on Jan. 22. 

The fourth annual Winter’s a Drag will bring some of Canada’s top drag artists to the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts for a vibrant show, along with meet-and-greet opportunities, prize giveaways and a photo booth.  

Local drag artist Xtacy Love has performed at Winter’s a Drag every year since its 2022 premiere.  

“The Winter's a Drag audience is electric,” said Love. “They’re so diverse in terms of background, age and orientation, but they’ve all come together to forget about the chaos of the world for the duration of the show. It’s just a giant room of fun.” 

Though Love has toured around the globe, a hometown performance holds special significance. “When I was growing up, the message was ‘don't be who you are,’” she said. “Now I’m on stage celebrating it. It’s great.” 

The event provides an evening of high-calibre entertainment, with performers from previous Winter’s a Drag shows, including Virgo Queen and Makayla Couture, having gone on to compete in the reality television program Canada’s Drag Race. 

“Winter’s a Drag has become a marquee event at Laurier’s Brantford campus that students look forward to,” said Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union President Ben Jesseau. “It provides an evening of entertainment, community building, and a sense of belonging and connection that brings energy to campus as we kick off the winter term.” 

Winter’s a Drag is funded by the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union and Hawk Team, Wilfrid Laurier University Alumni Association and the Student Alumni Association. The event was inspired by student-engaged research identifying a need for campus activities and entertainment opportunities to complement the positive experiences students enjoy in the classroom and through engagement with faculty, clubs and teams. It received a Gold Pinnacle Award from the Hamilton chapter of the Canadian Public Relations Society in 2024. 

Doors to the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts, located at 88 Dalhousie St. in Brantford, will open at 7 p.m. on Jan. 22. An artist meet-and-greet begins at 7:15 p.m. and the performers take the stage at 8 p.m.  

Seating for this free, non-ticketed event is first-come, first-served and registration is not required. All are welcome.