Breaking the Curse Book Launch

Come join Philly faves Alexandra Naughton, Sawyer Lovett, and Daniel DiFranco for the release of Alex DiFrancesco’s new book, Breaking the Curse: A Memoir about Trauma, Healing, and Italian Witchcraft. Readers will each be on stage for 15 minutes followed by a book signing. But! There’s more! Tarot readings! Spell jars! We could even play “light as a feather, stiff as a board,” if you’re into it! But there will definitely be tarot readings and spell jars.

 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5th
DOORS @ 6PM + SHOW @ 7PM
NO COVER // FREE FUN
RSVP: FB EVENT 

 

Alex DiFrancesco is the author of Psychopomps, All City, Transmutaion, and Breaking the Curse. Their work has appeared in New York Times, Washington Post, The Guardian, Tin House, Brevity, Vol. 1 Brooklyn, and more. They are the first transgender awards finalist in over 80 years of the Ohioana Book Awards, and the winner of the 2022 Ohio Arts Councli’s Individual Excellence Award. They are the human companion of two rescues, Roxy Music, Dog of Doom (a Westhighland Terrier), and Janglin’ Jack (some kind of cat).

Sawyer Lovett is a trans writer living just outside of Philadelphia by way of Tazewell, VA. He’s a graduate of the Rosemont College MFA program and the human parent to two chaotic rescue dogs. He is an accomplished balloon twister, a pretty good barista, and an occasional bookseller.

Alexandra Naughton is the author of ten poetry collections. Her first novel, American Mary, won the 2015 Mainline contest by Civil Coping Mechanisms and was published in 2016. Her work has been featured in Dusie, Sporklet, sin cesar, Maudlin House, carte blanche, and elsewhere. She writes Talk About It on Substack, and organizes the Bring A Blanket reading series in Philadelphia. Find her on instagram: @alexandranaughton

Daniel DiFranco is a writer/musician/teacher from Philadelphia. He is the author of two novels, Panic Years (Tailwinds Press, 2018) and Devil On My Trail (Unsolicited Press, 2024). His short stories can be found in Smokelong Quarterly, Monkeybicycle, Fractured Lit, and others. Full list of pubs and miscellany can be found at danieldifranco.com.

 

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What’s Up at TMoms:

Wednesday, 4-10pm | Burger Wednesday is BACK y’all! Come slam some Smash Burgers (classic or vegan) every Wednesday for just $6!! Plus $3 PBR! Recently named one of the top burgers in the city by The Philadelphia Inquirer!

Daily Happy Hour | All drafts are just $4 every day from 4-6pm!

Daily Menu | Tattooed Mom will also be serving tasty eats and ice cold drinks all evening.

• Upstairs dining, bar access, and event entry is 21+ w/ valid ID.

• Accessibility at TMoms | Due to the construction of our historical building, Tattooed Mom is only partially accessible. Our event space is on the second floor, which is only accessible via a flight of stairs (20 steps, 3 feet wide, railing on the left side only). For more information, please visit our Accessibility page.

It’s Called Self Expression: live readings

Alexandra Naughton is back in Philly for the wedding of her first ex-boyfriend.  Join her, and three other amazingly talented poets and writers, as they attempt to make sense of this thing called Being-An-Adult through live readings of their work.  One night only!

50¢ pierogi until 10pm
Half off all drafts 5-7 & 10-11pm

Shy Watson is a poet, bartender, & painter currently living in Philadelphia. She is the author of AWAY STATUS (Bottlecap Press 2016) & my parents were going to give me your name if i was born a boy (Bottlecap Press 2017).

Amy Saul-Zerby is a Philadelphia-based poet. Her first collection, Paper Flowers Imaginary Birds, was published by Be About It Press in 2017. Her writing has also appeared in TheNewerYork, Painted Bride Quarterly, Spy Kids Review, and The YOLO Pages, and she is managing editor of the spoken word-based publication Voicemail Poems & multimedia editor of APIARY Magazine.

Alexandra Naughton is turning 32 this year and doesn’t believe she will ever settle down or be a homeowner. Regardless, she is living her best literary life and wants to share some work with you. You should humor her.

P.E. Garcia is an editor-at-large at the Rumpus and a contributor to HTMLGiant. They have a good dog.