PASSION PROJECT: Encyclopedia Madonnica feat. Matthew Rettenmund
Release Date: 01/09/2023
PASSION PROJECT: FRANTASTIC, part 1 feat. Marcus Heslop
WEBurlesque the Podcast
Viktor Devonne presents: PASSION PROJECT, a series devoted to artists and creators behind really neat stuff. The latest episode is FRANTASTIC PART 1, with the author Marcus Heslop, who's Fran Fullenwider biography has just been published. From the press release:"Actress, cult icon and unapologetic trailblazer, Fran Fullenwider lived life on her own terms. From The Rocky Horror Picture Show, to classic British comedies such as The Two Ronnies and Worzel Gummidge, to working as a model, Fran defied Hollywood’s traditional beauty standards with her rallying cry of 'Big is Beautiful,' Told...
info_outline
S10 E298: Aloha w/ Shawna the Black Venus
WEBurlesque the Podcast
Beloved burlesque legend Shawna the Black Venus, showgirl at age 78, joins Viktor Devonne for a glimpse into her past from Pittsburgh to Oahu, and the stages in-between. Shawna candidly shares about colleagues, venues, photoshoots, costumes, healthcare, history, and the time she needed her stage fire torches to keep warm in a broken down car on a cold early morning. She would retire in 1994, and return to the Burlesque Hall of Fame stage to staggering applause, with festivals and events clamouring to include her. Still recovering from breast cancer treatment, Shawna is taking time to...
info_outline
S10 E297: Welcome to the Stage, Ida Banger and Roxie Sunshine
WEBurlesque the Podcast
Viktor Devonne speaks with Ida Banger and Roxie Sunshine of Arizona; we talk about their first few years in the biz, what they've learned, who they've learned from, and what their first BHOF Weekender was like. This chat was recorded on July 10, 2026. Give love to the folks… Ida: Roxie: More Viktor: More WEBurlesque: FOOTCLOTHES! Get 10% off your order with the code VIKTORDEVONNE at FOOTCLOTHES.COM
info_outline
Music That Made WE: Twen Peeks (side b feat. Garth Brooks, Moulin Rouge!, more)
WEBurlesque the Podcast
The Music That Made WE welcomes Twen Peeks, from Memphis to New Orleans and now Germany, who has chosen 10 songs that up their story, with a soundtrack that includes Christina Aguilera, Halestorm, and Etta James, , and more. + Stick around for Viktor's hidden bonus track. more Twen: & ...
info_outline
Music That Made WE: Twen Peeks (side a feat. LeAnn Rimes, Linkin Park, more)
WEBurlesque the Podcast
The Music That Made WE welcomes Twen Peeks, from Memphis to New Orleans and now Germany, who has chosen 10 songs that up their story, with a soundtrack that includes Christina Aguilera, Halestorm, and Etta James, , and more. + Stick around for Viktor's hidden bonus track. more Twen: & ...
info_outline
S10 E296: Everybody Wants to Be a Showgirl w/ Aquarius Moon
WEBurlesque the Podcast
Aquarius Moon talks with Viktor Devonne about her groundbreaking traveling exhibit, what's it's like being a documentarian of the field of burlesque, surveillance culture, legendary children, working class burlesque, and getting what we want. This chat was recorded on July 24, 2026. Give love to the folks… Aquarius: + More Viktor: @viktordevonne More WEBurlesque: FOOTCLOTHES! Get 10% off your order with the code VIKTORDEVONNE at FOOTCLOTHES.COM @footclothesofficial
info_outline
S10 E295: Six Months of Lucho Lawless and Cru Hefnir
WEBurlesque the Podcast
Amarillo's Lucho Lawless and Cru Hefnir join Viktor Devonne to talk about their start in burlesque just months ago, and what they have learned thus far--from cheering on stars at the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender to crafting group acts with Pistol Holliday under the name Homo Erectors. A real-life couple embarking on this at the same time, they discuss relationship dynamics, Burlypicks, gay voice, and being entertainers in the state of the world today. This chat was recorded on July 4, 2026. Give love to the folks… Cru: + Lucho: + More Viktor:...
info_outline
Music that Made WE: Bella Fire, Side B (feat. Enrique Iglesias, Brooks & Dunn, more)
WEBurlesque the Podcast
The Music That Made WE welcomes Bella Fire of Denver who has chosen 10 songs that up their story, with a soundtrack that includes the the Beach Boys, Rachel Platton, Donna Summer, and more. + Stick around for Viktor's hidden bonus track. more stella: The Music That Made WE is a creation of WEBurlesque Podcast Network, produced by Viktor Devonne. For the extended VIDEO version of this presentation, please visit our ...
info_outline
Music that Made WE: Bella Fire, Side A (feat. Beatles, Donna Summer, more)
WEBurlesque the Podcast
The Music That Made WE welcomes Bella Fire of Denver who has chosen 10 songs that up their story, with a soundtrack that includes the the Beach Boys, Rachel Platton, Enrique Iglesias, and more. + Stick around for Viktor's hidden bonus track. more stella: ...
info_outline
S10 E294: Mocha Mocha 2.0 is Diving Into Her Funk Bag
WEBurlesque the Podcast
Fresh from the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender's Tournament of Tease and walking away with Best Debut 1st Runner-Up, Mocha Mocha 2.0 is striking delight and awe in audiences with shows in Chicago and beyond. She and Viktor talk about her project Body Confidence For Queens, dance, keeping space for oneself, and sharing with the world. This chat was recorded on July 2, 2026. Give love to the folks… Mocha Mocha 2.0: & More MM2.0: More Viktor: @viktordevonne More WEBurlesque: @weburlesque FOOTCLOTHES! Get 10% off your order with the code VIKTORDEVONNE at...
info_outlineViktor Devonne presents: PASSION PROJECT, a series devoted to artists and creators behind really neat stuff. The latest episode is ENCYCLOPEDIA MADONNICA, with the author Matthew Rettenmund, who published his first edition in 1995, and then again in 2005, and the latest September of 2022.
A literal a-z on the subject of global superstar Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone, born in Bay City Michigan and subsequent queen of the pop world (and one of our last remaining icons who began their domination in the 1980s), the book is a mammoth collection of trivia, fascinating factoids, speculation, and commentary on the star's body of work, love life, activism, narcissism, fragility, strengths, and missteps along the way. One of the most "fun" icons to be a fan of, there are just as many heights (Blond Ambition! Evita! Hung Up!) as fails (Sean Penn! Body of Evidence! TikTok?) and projects that must be re-evaluated (Bloodhounds of Broadway! Sex! Bedtime Stories!) after loads of criticism was heaped upon them during their initial run. Rettenmund is one of the great masters behind maintaining perspective on Madonna's legacy whilst keeping a clear head on the present day.
The result in the definitive encyclopedic compendium, in the latest and greatest form with exclusive interviews, culled quotes, forgotten lore, and necessary snark.
Matt talks about how the initial publication almost never happened, his favorites and less favorites (what beloved M track is he less than delighted by? You may gasp.), and how he managed to get a snapshot with the legend herself (and what she said to him!) during the tour and press events he experienced and compares notes with Viktor on whether or not she really should try another movie.
Video version of this conversation is available here: https://weburlesque.wordpress.com/passion-project
You can buy your own copy here: https://linktr.ee/boyculture
- Matt's blogs of all things queer and pop: https://www.boyculture.com/ and https://gr8erdays.com/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mattrett
– For more on WEBurlesque Podcast Network, visit weburlesquepodcast.com and @weburlesque @viktordevonne everywhere
Passion Project is a production by WEBurlesque Podcast Network and Viktor Devonne; all original material property to Viktor Devonne; all non-original material property to those copyright holders. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.