The Candy Gram: Dominique Immora

In our ongoing Q&A series --"The Candy Gram"-- we ask the same quirky questions of burlesque's various performers. If you want to be added to the mix, drop us a line at kellydinardo AT gmail DOT com. Today, say hello to Dominique Immora.

What is your hometown?
Boston, Ma

How long have you been interested in burlesque/performing?
I'm actually not one of those people who's been interested in performing since childhood. I spent many years in technical theatre, with no desire to be on stage. I started out my performing career with fire spinning, then I moved towards more indoor-friendly variety acts, and then I moved to burlesque. I've been a fire performer now for over five and a half years, and a burlesque dancer for two and a half.

How many pairs of pasties do you own?
Probably about 10. Only two or three of them see much use, the rest are too specialized.

What are your three favorite songs to perform to?
In These Shoes by Kirsty MacColl
Hummingbirds by Venus Hum
Zig Zaggity Woop Woop Part 2 by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

What three items could you not live without as a performer?
My hula hoops
Either eyeliner or dark lipstick
Fantastic underwear

Who had the biggest influence on your career?
Because I do a wide variety of performance, I can't say that there's been one person who had the biggest influence on my career as a whole. I have had so many friends and collaborators who've I've learned different bits and pieces from. The first person I would have to mention is Meraleen, a fantastic hooper who spent her youth in a Swedish circus. Seeing someone for whom hard-won lessons of the stage are second nature is a wonderful learning experience.

In terms of burlesque itself, the biggest influence hands down comes from being in a troupe. I'm blessed to be part of the Boston Babydolls, which is full of women who are constantly pushing themselves to learn new things and polish up old skills. The ability to get honest feedback and analyze strengths and weaknesses of acts in a friendly environment is absolutely the most useful tool a performer could have.

Who is your favorite burly queen?
After all the acts I've seen, I'd have to say Immodesty Blaze. I think she's one of the few performers out there who has the total package: she's creative, beautiful, has stage presence galore, and she's very intelligent.

What is your favorite item of clothing?
A pair of tall black boots from Fluevog that have a spool heel and faux buttons up the outside. They work for all of my performance styles as well as my "real" life. That's hard to do!

What's the last movie you saw?
Cold Comfort Farm (re-watch) or Everything is Illuminated (new viewing)

What's on your must-see-TV list?
I rarely watch TV, but I do catch old episodes of Family Guy while doing craft projects. I'm dying to see the new season of Battle Star Gallactica, but I think it'll have to wait until I can Netflix it.

What book is on your nightstand?
Neal Stephenson's The Diamond Age

If you could go anywhere for vacation, where would you go?
The Galapagos Islands. I've been planning to go there with my dad since I was little and I still haven't gotten the chance. After that, I want to go to the ruins of Ctesiphon.

If you could have any superpower, which one would you want? Why?
Hands down I would want to be able to control time. If I could just stop the world for a couple days so I could finish up some projects, or stop time so I could instantaneously travel to a gig four hours away, I'd be a happy girl.

Satisfy your appetite for more Candy Grams: Yasmine Vine, Cherry Bomb, Millie Dollar, Joanie Gyoza, Bonbon Vivant, Lola Martinet, Frankie Boudoir, Vixen Violette, Ravenna Black, Veronica Lashe, Amber Ray, Beatrix von Bourbon, Angie Pontani, Tanya Cheex, Bloody Belle, Clams Casino, Trixie Little, Michelle L'Amour, Margaret Cho, Miss Dirty Martini, Princess Farhana, Miss Delirium Tremens, Paris Green, Jo Boobs, Jack Midnight, Heidi Von Haught, Diamond Minx, The Titillation Twins, Scratch, Creamy Stevens and Gina Louise.