Landon Cider talks Ogden Pride, his personal journey, and the fluidity of gender

Ogden Pride is buzzing with excitement as it prepares for its 10th annual festival — Decade of Diversity. One of the highlights of this year’s celebration is welcoming Landon Cider as their Mister of Ceremonies, who will be hosting Sunday of their weekend full of events. Known as the SuperMonster winner of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula Season 3, Landon is coming to Ogden from Long Beach, California. His unique journey and dynamic presence promise to make this year’s festival truly unforgettable. We had the opportunity to ask Landon a few questions, where he discusses his path in the world of drag, his personal take on Pride, and what it means to represent the art of drag kings.

PERSONAL JOURNEY

Can you tell us a bit about your journey in the world of drag and how you became Landon Cider?

Growing up as a visual and performance artist, I fell in love with special FX makeup in high school. Coming out in my early 20s and regularly going to drag shows, I always felt inspired by the beautiful blend of musical theater, cabaret, and improv. After fighting oral cancer in 2008, I was committed to return to performing, and creating Landon is how I found my way back to the stage. I was instantly hooked and never looked back.

PRIDE CELEBRATIONS

How do you personally celebrate Pride, and what does it mean to you?

Pride celebrations are truly something completely unique to our community, and nothing connects us like it, especially when we remember that Pride is a revolution and not just a party. Hitting up the parades, festivals, performances, and just connecting with strangers bonding over our diversity are my favorite parts of Pride season.

ROLE AS MISTER OF CEREMONIES

What are you most looking forward to as the Mister of Ceremonies for the Ogden Pride Festival?

Mainstream Pride season always focuses on drag queens, and I’m so proud to represent the equally important king art form, which has been around just as long but is so often overlooked. Not only am I proud to be a king and a lesbian, but also a woman whose voice on the mic has the potential to reach and inspire a larger audience of youth and adults alike. I hope to validate those in the audience who don’t often see themselves celebrated in these roles and positively impact the local LGBTQ+ community.

DRAG AS ART

What do you think is the most important message or feeling that drag as an art form can convey to audiences?

That we can celebrate the beautifully large spectrum of masculinity, femininity, and the fluidity between the two regardless of gender.

ADVICE FOR ASPIRING PERFORMERS

What advice would you give to aspiring drag performers who look up to you?

Practice your makeup multiple times before your first show, and know your lyrics so much that if distracted, your mouth’s muscle memory and choreography take over when your mind forgets them, because it will forget them.

FUTURE PROJECTS

Are there any upcoming projects or performances you’re excited about that you can share with our readers?

Happy to still be touring the country and internationally performing for audiences, and some super secret projects that I still can’t disclose, but keep an eye out.

information on Ogden Pride can be found at ogdenpride.org