The Candy Gram: Madame Rosebud

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 New York's Madame Rosebud of The Peach Tartes.

What is your hometown?
New York City where there's glitter in the sidewalks

How long have you been interested in burlesque/performing?
My mother says I've been "stripping" and calling people "honey" like Jessica Rabbit since I was three. I've been performing in musicals, operas, and plays since middle school. But my favorite role has been Cherry in William Inge's Bus Stop that should have tipped me off.

How many pairs of pasties do you own?
Actually I only own three lovely twirly pairs by the wonderful Rubie Fizz, I'm a fan of colored electrical tape.

What are your three favorite songs to perform to?
I'm Not In Love With You by Immogen Heap
Air Bag covered by The Vitamin String Quartet
Strangers on a Train by Lovage

What three items could you not live without as a performer?
Kimonos, Fetish Heels, and RED lipstick

Who had the biggest influence on your career?
Tigger, he is fearless, shameless, romantic, well researched, beautiful, and a consummate professional. He is a joy backstage as well as in the spot light, he also has the classiest way of passing knowledge onto a performer. Immodesty Blaize in her own way has really helped me focus what my ideas of "good" and "great" burlesque are. She has a way of imbuing classical style with so much sass and pow, it becomes immediately original and breathtaking.

Who is your favorite burly queen?
There are soooo many! Well I'm partial to NYC's own Tigger, Julie Atlas Muz, Little Brooklyn, Nasty Canasta, Clams Casino, The World Famous Bob. I love everyone that makes up this community, but I'd have to say currently Immodesty claims that title as well as the ladies in my troupe The Peach Tartes.

What is your favorite item of clothing?
My leopard print '40s style turban.

What’s the last movie you saw?
The lush and groundbreaking Flower Drum Song

What’s on your must-see-TV list?
TCM! They're almost always showing something great.

What book is on your nightstand?
The Asian Mystique by Sheridan Prasso and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

If you could go anywhere for vacation, where would you go?
I would take my honey moon in Japan! If I could have any wish I would be a passenger on the Orient Express in the 1920's, or I'd be seeing Mata Harri perform in Paris.

If you could have any superpower, which one would you want? Why?
I would be able to become invisible because that's the ultimate tease. Can you just imagine?

Satisfy your appetite for more Candy Grams: Little Brooklyn, Victoria Veneance, Sauci Calla Horra, Penny Starr Jr., Gemma Parker, Darla DeVine, Sparkly Devil, Vivienne VaVoom, Lux LaCroix, Charlotte La Belle Araignee, Bunny Love, Amber Topaz, Amelie Soleil, Red Hot Annie, HoneyLu, Kimberlee Rose, Vicky Butterfly, Dominique Immora, 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.