Anna Conda, Imperial Palace Queen of the Month, September 2013

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From Deep Within the Jungles of San Francisco by Mark Thaler, Imperial Palace

The stage goes dark and all of a sudden all you see are large, thick jungle leaves. Youhear the eerie sounds of a ra inforesta flash of lightning and the fury of thunderandthen the narrator speaks.San Francisco is known by many as a jungle full of deep,dark creatures creatures that titillate and entice us creatures known by most as dragqueensdrag queens who know how to lure us in with their sultry and seductiveeyes.their alluring charmtheir expert talents ...but there is none so fierce and socaptivating as that of the great.Anna Conda (lightning flash-thunderous boom) .andshes our ferocious Queen of the Mont h for September 2013!

A History

Anna Conda (aka GlendonHyde) is an independent dragqueen who started out doingdrag at Wigstock 1992 in

New York City after doingacid with her roommateWinona, who was a dragqueen. After that, she

became hooked (on drag) andstarted performing at placessuch as Boy Bar, Jackie 60 , Linda Simpsons Channel 69and the Pyramid Club on aregular basis. She would

perform anywhere! At that time, New York City was a bastion for drag and RuPaul was just about to become a household name. Anna Conda feels lucky to have happened uponsuch a vibrant scene in her 20s in NYC. She says that she would have gone to theopening of an envelope (would anyone like to talk about Madelyn Ashton , hmmm?).
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Anna says that no one wanted to hire her because she was shy and reserved, but to think of that little shy boy is crazy now!

Anna Conda is not only a glittering drag performer, but a hard-working activist

focused on maintaining and promoting aqueer history. She organized the SanFrancisco branch of the Great Nation-WideKiss In , where thousands of people joinedtogether in over 55 cities, across the US andCanada, to stand together and kiss for equality. Anna has also been a part of theTake Back the Polk marches to raiseLGBT visibility in the San Francisco Polk Street area.

Anna Conda won the title of Miss Trannyshack in 2004, during which time she was outalmost 6 nights a week working in drag.

In 2009, she was Sainted by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence during their 30thanniversary, becoming Saint Anna Conditional Love and Rockets, Protector of the Polk and Purveyor of the Apunkalypse .

In 2010, she ran for San Francisco Supervisor of District 6 (as Glendon Hyde) and came in 5th out of 16 candidates. Anna Conda was appointed acommunity representative of the San FranciscoEntertainment Commission .

In 2012, Anna Conda became the first drag queen toreside as President of the Harvey Milk LGBTDemocratic Club .

Self-Reflection

Anna Conda considers herself to be a rebel andtherefore clashes with the presentation of theImperial Court System , although she gainedrecognition in the Ducal Council thorough being

raised from a Lady to a Dame. Anna admits to being a lone she -wolf, having aselfish/independent streak that is a difficult fit with organizations.

Though Anna Conda is our featured Queen of the Month for September 2013, she statesthat she is past that need for recognition and as Supervisor Jane Kim told her, Choosingto over- extend yourself is a decision not to do other things. Anna says that Jane wasright and she now feels she needs to concentrate on being home more and focusing on the
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future as a Cultural Anthropologist andCommunity Leader. Anna is no longer aningnue, but a seasoned veteran who saysthat it is okay to pull back on nightlife andfocus on other things, although she will

never completely give up the nightlifesince it was her home and the source of her awakening.

Musical Style

Anna Conda considers herself to be a punk rocker. Fetchin Bones is her signature band where she eats dog biscuits to one of their songs called Stray . (See YouTube video HERE ). Anna also likes PJ Harvey,Patti Smith, the Yeah Yeahs and Lush. Anna does a lot of themed shows, so she doesntalways get to choose songs specifically, which she feels broadens her reach. Anna says,

I have a soft spot for Olivia Newton -John and Dusty Springfield, but I have to admit Ireally hate pop music and cannot stand the modern group from Beyonce to Ke$ha. I findit terribly over- produced and boring. Anna Conda also impersonates Little Edie fromGrey Gardens.

Drag and Fashion Style

Anna says that her style of drag goes fromAndrogynous/Genderfuck, toCamp, to Fish, to Hag Drag,High Drag, HighFashion/Couture and FemaleImpersonation. She shareswith us that Matthew Kastenfashioned her as the teenaged

blonde goddess which hasstuck since being at Boy Bar, but that she is nowhere near being a teenager any longer.She says that she likes to look pretty, but she has done away with the fake boobs andcinchers. She says I am too old to suffer with things that pinch any longer. I like big

sexy Versace hair and almost always wear adress. I am not afraid of characters though.

Anna says that if I could be Glenn Close, I would because she could be sexy and beautiful,but there was a danger to her and she canreally get into character without caring about looks. She continues to say that, Bette Daviswas that way and I loved her too. I amexpanding as I get older and when Charlie
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Horse was at the Cinch, it helped me focus on theme and not always beauty. At Boy Bar I always had to be pretty. I love being pretty though most of all. In my little delusional mind I am a model.

Inspirations and Influences

Anna finds inspiration from her dear friendsand fellow drag performers in San Francisco,which include Dam Dyke, Dean Disaster,Frieda Laye, Monistat, Mutha (Chucka), Nix,Vivianne, Hoku Mama, Kiddie, Marcy

Playground, Sheena (Rose), Gina la Divina and countless others. Anna says that these people are living the dream and that, to her, is inspiring.

Anna Conda has high respect for local organizers Laura Thomas and

George Ridgely, who she says have been doing great and important work in the community for a long time.Anna says, That is so amazing tome. I have never really been kind,

so I hope to gain that from them, aswell as truly make a difference in thelives of our community here in SF.

Annas biggest inspirations includeHarvey Milk, Katherine Hepburn,Patti Smith, PJ Harvey and thewomen of 4AD. Anna likes peoplewho cant help but be who they areand dont try to conform. Annasdrag inspirations include dear friend Glamamore who she states is a great talent, Mx.Vivianne Bond for her wit and her guts, Varla Jean Merman because she is funny ashell, Candice Cayne for breaking the trans barrier on TV, Felicia Flames for staying ontop of maintaining their history and Matthew Kasten, Annas mentor at Boy Bar in NewYork.

Anna also shares a very close and sisterly bond with friendsDudley Klute, Devon Rousch, David Roman, Dean Novotney,Jason Smart, Brian Busta, Summeriea Kashar and Frank Eddy.Anna indicates that she, never had any family and they have

been there through thick and thin. Anna also mentionsinfluential high school friends Becky Feldkamp, Amy Petrakosand Amy Wenzel, who helped her during a time when she waspetrified of life.
https://www.facebook.com/david.glamamore?fref=tshttps://www.facebook.com/david.glamamore?fref=tshttps://www.facebook.com/david.glamamore?fref=tshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Vivian_Bondhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Vivian_Bondhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Vivian_Bondhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Vivian_Bondhttps://www.facebook.com/varlajeanmerman?fref=tshttps://www.facebook.com/varlajeanmerman?fref=tshttps://www.facebook.com/varlajeanmerman?fref=tshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candis_Caynehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candis_Caynehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candis_Caynehttps://www.facebook.com/ScreamingQueens1966?fref=tshttps://www.facebook.com/ScreamingQueens1966?fref=tshttps://www.facebook.com/ScreamingQueens1966?fref=tshttps://www.facebook.com/ScreamingQueens1966?fref=tshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candis_Caynehttps://www.facebook.com/varlajeanmerman?fref=tshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Vivian_Bondhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Vivian_Bondhttps://www.facebook.com/david.glamamore?fref=ts


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On Drag

To Anna Conda, drag is Freedom. Annaadmits that she comes from abusive parents,who continue to abuse her in a born-again

christian sort of way. Drag helps her toescape and find acceptance, becoming astronger, more certain person. She says that

being an M.C. helps take her out of her owndislike for her voice and allows her to standup and speak. Drag has also helped to foster her political ambitions, giving her a platformto do it, as well as be a great *gimmick*.Most of all, drag has given Anna Conda

personal empowerment and that it has made her Other and that having something thatmakes her Other makes her proud and gives her a lot of strength, reminding her to tr y

to empower others.Anna says that drag gave her everything she has today and that the fantasy blossomedinto strength and she says, I guess I have Lady Bunny to thank, or LSD.

For Up and Coming Queens

For new, up and coming drag queens, Anna Conda says,Just Do It. Also, dont ask someone to make you up.Learn yourself as quickly as possible about your face andclothing and become a unique expression. One hintthough: Red Lipstick will hide the blue in your beard after shaving. Apply under the base where the beard comes inand the red keeps the blue of your beard at bay.

Mostly, dont be afraid. As Maude said in Harold andMaude, Dont take yourself too seriously, it is best if wemake our own mistakes, (paraphrased there a bit!)

Also, just follow your heart. I had an established queenask me why I was running for District 6 Supervisor in2010 with both my drag and boy names. She felt that itwould make people take me less serious. Our culture is

often taken less serious as gay people. Like we need to be fixed and that our assimilationinto straight culture is the same as equality. I want to be proud of who and what I am andthere is no other way to show the world that than taking my culture and being with me.Many people dumb themselves down to fit in. That is for me a terrible shame and whywe are being assimilated instead of maintaining our culture and cultural identity andasking for things.


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Events

On the first Saturday of each month, Anna co-hosts Charlie Horse at the Eagle Tavern inSan Francisco, alongside drag performer Mutha Chucka . However, Anna is currentlyattending school and doesnt hav e quite as much time to perform. She still does squeeze

in some fundraisers and charity events such as the Save Esta Noche event in May 2013,an effort to help sav e part of Queer History and San Franciscos sole gay Latin bar. Annahelped to raise funds on June 2, 2013 at Aunt Charlies Lounge to name the 100 Block of San Franciscos Turk St. to Vicki Mar-Lane after Vicki Marlane , a San Franciscolegend and pioneering transgendered performer who passed away on July 5, 2011. Theevent was presented by Miss Collette LeGrande & Ms. Felicia Flames .

You can find Anna Conda on Facebook as Anna Glendon Conda Hyde , or on Google+ asGlendon Anna Conda Hyde .
http://do415.com/event/2013/04/06/charlie-horsehttp://do415.com/event/2013/04/06/charlie-horsehttp://do415.com/event/2013/04/06/charlie-horsehttps://www.facebook.com/MuthaChucka?fref=tshttps://www.facebook.com/MuthaChucka?fref=tshttps://www.facebook.com/MuthaChucka?fref=tshttps://www.facebook.com/events/213598888764532/?notif_t=plan_user_invitedhttps://www.facebook.com/events/213598888764532/?notif_t=plan_user_invitedhttps://www.facebook.com/events/213598888764532/?notif_t=plan_user_invitedhttp://www.auntcharlieslounge.com/http://www.auntcharlieslounge.com/http://www.auntcharlieslounge.com/http://sfist.com/2011/07/05/local_legend_vicki_marlane_die.phphttp://sfist.com/2011/07/05/local_legend_vicki_marlane_die.phphttp://sfist.com/2011/07/05/local_legend_vicki_marlane_die.phphttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1345749955&fref=tshttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1345749955&fref=tshttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1345749955&fref=tshttps://www.facebook.com/ScreamingQueens1966?fref=tshttps://www.facebook.com/ScreamingQueens1966?fref=tshttps://www.facebook.com/ScreamingQueens1966?fref=tshttps://www.facebook.com/AnnaCondaSF?fref=tshttps://www.facebook.com/AnnaCondaSF?fref=tshttps://www.facebook.com/AnnaCondaSF?fref=tshttps://plus.google.com/u/0/112971016563494280610/postshttps://plus.google.com/u/0/112971016563494280610/postshttps://plus.google.com/u/0/112971016563494280610/postshttps://www.facebook.com/AnnaCondaSF?fref=tshttps://www.facebook.com/ScreamingQueens1966?fref=tshttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1345749955&fref=tshttp://sfist.com/2011/07/05/local_legend_vicki_marlane_die.phphttp://www.auntcharlieslounge.com/https://www.facebook.com/events/213598888764532/?notif_t=plan_user_invitedhttps://www.facebook.com/MuthaChucka?fref=tshttp://do415.com/event/2013/04/06/charlie-horse

Anna Conda, Imperial Palace Queen of the Month, September 2013

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