Excalibur Poetry // May 31st

Excalibur is the sword given to Arthur by the lady in the lake. It is the legendary sword used to defend against colonialism and oppression. Our guiding principles are the same. This is a place to wield your words against the forces that would rather see us dead.

 

SUNDAY, MAY 31ST
DOORS @ 6PM + SHOW @ 7PM
OPEN MIC LIST OPENS AT 6PM SHARP
NO COVER // FREE FUN

 

Ayanna J (@simply_ayanna2.0), simply Ayanna she/they is a Black, queer, activist environmentalist and poet who is committed to being love and showing love. Proudly a lesbian and their work highlights their intersectional experiences as a black lesbian, they believe their gift back to the earth is their art, she writes and listens as both witness and kin to the earth and invites others to as well.

 

Aaron Gadbury (@crushedfruit) is a Philadelphia-based poet, performer, and co-producer of House Poet, a spoken word dance party. Originally from South Carolina, Aaron studied English at the University of South Carolina, wrote for The Daily Gamecock, and took the scenic route to Philadelphia by way of Beijing, New York City, and several romantic misadventures.

Aaron’s poetry is funny until it catches itself telling on itself. His work uses linguistic play, layered metaphor, and emotional misdirection to explore desire, shame, human history, family, politics, scientific inquiry, and the humiliating human wish to be witnessed correctly. His poems move between confession and critique, often asking whether vulnerability is intimacy, performance, self-defense, or all three.

His poetry has appeared in Wingless Dreamer Lit, Moonstone Press, and Pennsylvania Bards: A Southeast Poetry Review. He currently lives in Philadelphia, where he writes along the charged border between divulgence and performance, making shame laugh first and tell the truth second.

 

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What’s Up at TMoms:

Sundays, All Day Long | if u didn’t get glitter in ur drink did you even craft sunday? Craft Sundays at TMoms every sunday, play both upstairs and downstairs. u heard me, both.

Daily Happy Hour | $4 drafts every day from 4-6pm, everybody cheered!

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.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: A Live Reading

BREAD MAKES YOU FAT?!
Yeah, it may, but you know what doesn’t make you fat? A Theatre Contra Live Reading, that’s what! We’ve got 7 evil exes to defeat while avoiding a stalker, a confusing roommate, and an arguably evil sister. So grab your warhammer, collect your coins, and get ready to witness SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD live at Tattooed Mom!

 

MONDAY, MAY 11TH
7-9PM
VIP TICKETS: $15
>> NOTAFLOF <<

 

Directed by Tay Sconiers

Artist Lineup:

 

Follow Theatre Contra on Instagram.

 

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What’s Up at TMoms:

Mondays, 4-11pm | mom’s marvelous meatless mondays?? Say it 3 times fast and see what happens. we dare u. Meatless Monday is here at TMoms from open ’till close. See what’s on special this month!

Mondays, Upstairs 6-11pm | cue ball as bright as ur future. Free Pool Mondays upstairs at TMoms continues!

Daily Happy Hour | $4 drafts every day from 4-6pm, everybody cheered!

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.

Heathers: A Live Reading

My Son’s A Homosexual, And I Love Him…

There’s ONE true queen bee of high-school dark comedy, and that’s HEATHERS. And now, Theatre Contra is taking this cult-classic script of teen angst, croquet, and casual homicide and performing it LIVE!

Get ready for a night of savage one-liners, color-coded tyranny, and a love story so toxic only Winona Ryder could pull it off. So pull on your scrunchies, hop in a go-kart and prepare for an evening of beautifully bitchy mayhem as we bring this deliciously dark masterpiece to life.

 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29TH
7-9PM
VIP TICKETS: $15
>> NOTAFLOF <<

 

Directed by John Patouhas

 

Artists/Performers:
Arthur Robinson
Eliza Waterman
Liz Crino
Mariah Ghant
Tay Sconiers

 

Follow Theatre Contra on Instagram.

 

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What’s Up at TMoms:

Wednesday, 4-10pm | they’re a smash hit for a reason. Smash Burgers (classic or vegan) every Wednesday for just $6!! u heard that right! + $3 PBR! RUN!!!

Daily Happy Hour | $4 drafts every day from 4-6pm, everybody cheered!

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.

Excalibur Poetry // April 26th

Excalibur happens in the same time and place as Scribes on South, the last Sunday of each month on the second floor of Tattooed Mom.

Excalibur is the sword given to Arthur by the lady in the lake. It is the legendary sword used to defend against colonialism and oppression. Our guiding principles are the same. This is a place to wield your words against the forces that would rather see us dead.

 

SUNDAY, APRIL 26TH
DOORS @ 6PM + SHOW @ 7PM
OPEN MIC LIST OPENS AT 6PM SHARP
NO COVER // FREE FUN

 

Christopher Clauss (he/him) is a poet, organizer, ocean explorer, middle school science teacher, and “pretty ok dad” from rural New Hampshire.  His work has appeared in more than 60 publications, including New York Quarterly, Plants and Poetry Journal, Sylvia, FreezeRay, and Bureau of Complaint.  As a performance poet he has competed at the national level for over a decade, most recently being a member of the winning team at the 2024 Ohio Meatgrinder Poetry Slam.  Nominated for 2025 NH Teacher of the Year, his pre-teen science students rave that Mr. Clauss is “Fine, I guess. Whatever.”  Christopher’s first book of poetry, Photosynthesis & Respiration (Silver Bow Press, 2022) explores the bliss and turmoil of relationships at the intersection of life, love, and science.

 

 

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What’s Up at TMoms:

Sundays, All Day Long | if u didn’t get glitter in ur drink did you even craft sunday? Craft Sundays at TMoms every sunday, play both upstairs and downstairs. u heard me, both.

Daily Happy Hour | $4 drafts every day from 4-6pm, everybody cheered!

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.

Excalibur Poetry // March 29th

Excalibur happens in the same time and place as Scribes on South, the last Sunday of each month on the second floor of Tattooed Mom.

Excalibur is the sword given to Arthur by the lady in the lake. It is the legendary sword used to defend against colonialism and oppression. Our guiding principles are the same. This is a place to wield your words against the forces that would rather see us dead.

 

SUNDAY, MARCH 29TH
DOORS @ 6PM + SHOW @ 7PM
NO COVER // FREE FUN

 

Pine Bluff, Arkansas native Christopher K.P. Brown aka KP ULTRA is the founder of Pecola Breedlove & The Freedom Party, a West Philadelphia–based open mic poetry event that created a platform for poets both local and national from 2014 to 2019. Prior to Breedlove, he ran a Philadelphia based small press named 2 Pens & Lint, under which he published chapbooks for over 400 poets. He currently runs Poetry215.com, an online poetry calendar where you can find upcoming poetry events in Philadelphia. His newest poetry book and album is titled 84 ULTRA. It includes the poems The Process, This Ain’t That, and Kiss The Sky. The project is available at 84ULTRA.com He is a graduate of Mercer University where he majored in African American Studies with minors in Creative Writing and Studio Art. When he isn’t working on poetry, he enjoys doing genealogy work for his family tree research company, Before They Were Ancestors, LLC.

 

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What’s Up at TMoms:

Sundays, All Day Long | if u didn’t get glitter in ur drink did you even craft sunday? Craft Sundays at TMoms every sunday, play both upstairs and downstairs. u heard me, both.

Daily Happy Hour | $4 drafts every day from 4-6pm, everybody cheered!

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.

Excalibur Poetry // March 22nd

This event was originally planned for January 25th.

It will now take place on Sunday, March 22nd.

 

Excalibur will happen in the same time and place as Scribes on South, the last Sunday of each month on the second floor of Tattooed Mom. It will also keep the same format, with one-two featured poets and a signup based open mic list.

Excalibur is the sword given to Arthur by the lady in the lake. It is the legendary sword used to defend against colonialism and oppression. Our guiding principles are the same. This is a place to wield your words against the forces that would rather see us dead.

 

SUNDAY, MARCH 22ND
DOORS @ 6PM + SHOW @ 7PM
NO COVER // FREE FUN

 

FEATURES
Kaylee “Kade” LeMasney is a nonbinary writer born and raised in South Jersey. Building their creative roots in New Jersey and Philadelphia, they find inspiration through the bustling streets of the city, the beaches, pine barrens and Jersey farms – always exploring ways to tie in humanity’s inner connectivity with the world around us. When they’re not writing sad and strange poems, they travel locally and far beyond, pursuing a career in live entertainment management. Their upcoming chapbook release titled “When It Unfolds” dives into the spiritual life beyond the veil, exploring themes of grief, uncertainty, and divinity. Release date TBD. IG: @k.lemasney

 

Juniper Danger is a queer poet inspired by nature, community, and the trans experience. She loves filling her house with people and filling those people with soup. You can find her at @androjunous on instagram

 

 

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What’s Up at TMoms:

Sundays, All Day Long | if u didn’t get glitter in ur drink did you even craft sunday? Craft Sundays at TMoms every sunday, play both upstairs and downstairs. u heard me, both.

Daily Happy Hour | $4 drafts every day from 4-6pm, everybody cheered!

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.

D2: The Mighty Ducks: A Live Reading

Ducks fly together…

That’s right, Theatre Contra is taking the script of D2: The Mighty Ducks and doing it LIVE! Get ready for knuckle-puck madness, outrageous ’90s patriotism, and the triumphant return of Coach Bombay as he leads Team USA against the most intimidating youth hockey squad ever assembled: ICELAND…our eternal villain for reasons still unknown.

 

MONDAY, MARCH 16TH
7-9PM
VIP TICKETS: $15
>> NOTAFLOF <<

 

Directed by Leslie Miller

Artists/Performers:

 

Follow Theatre Contra on Instagram.

 

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What’s Up at TMoms:

Mondays, 4-11pm | mom’s marvelous meatless mondays?? Say it 3 times fast and see what happens. we dare u. Meatless Monday is here at TMoms from open ’till close. See what’s on special this month!

Mondays, Upstairs 6-11pm | cue ball as bright as ur future. Free Pool Mondays upstairs at TMoms continues!

Daily Happy Hour | $4 drafts every day from 4-6pm, everybody cheered!

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.

4 Dudes and 1/2 of a Guitar! Show + Vendors

“Four White Dudes and One Half of a Guitar” is a new play by E Quinn in the form of a parody fanfiction from the days of 2010s band fandom / Tumblr tween cringecore. If the word “Wattpad” resonates with you at all – BE THERE. The first public reading of this one-act comedy will also feature a Y2K vendor mart featuring themed treats by MK’s Baked and zines/prints/stickers/custom jewelry by Tulula’s Tulips! Come out and support GIRLPOPE THEATRE COMPANY as the queer producing collective hosts their second community fundraiser, free of charge with plenty of opportunities to give a good-faith donation! Cashapp, Venmo, and Cash donations will be accepted at the door, pay-what-you-can style. Fems, freaks, and beyond: join the pantheon!

 

SUNDAY, MARCH 15TH
DOORS @ 6:30PM + SHOW @ 7:30PM
NO COVER // FREE FUN
TICKETS: EVENTBRITE

 

Sara Jane Mascelli IG: @sarajanemascelli (Artistic Director, Co-Director)
Daylin Rose IG: @dayrose17 (Creative Director, Co-Director)
E Quinn IG: @thevowele (Playwright)
Eliana Berson IG: @smellsarthell (Dramaturg)
Charlie Nicolini @charlienicolini (Actor)
Symphony Yvonne Thompson IG: @symphyvonne (Actor)
Sriya Sadhu IG: @sadhu.srya (Actor)
Sam Oberle IG: @oberle_dramatic (Actor)
Julie Hamilton IG: @julie.hamilton (Actor)
Nat Langnas IG: @nat.lag (Actor)
Tulula’s Tulips IG: @tululastulips (Vendor)
MK’s Baked IG: @mksbaked (Vendor)
Ary Morrow IG: @mallrow.photo (Photographer)

 

Follow Girlpope Theatre Company on Instagram.

 

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What’s Up at TMoms:

Sundays, All Day Long | if u didn’t get glitter in ur drink did you even craft sunday? Craft Sundays at TMoms every sunday, play both upstairs and downstairs. u heard me, both.

Daily Happy Hour | $4 drafts every day from 4-6pm, everybody cheered!

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.

Reading and Signing with Jen Dary

Join us on Sunday, 3/1 at 6:30pm for a book reading and signing with @jendarywriter and to celebrate the release of her memoir I BELIEVE IN EVERYTHING.

Jen’s life was turned upside down when, at 35, she learned she had a lemon sized brain tumor. I BELIEVE IN EVERYTHING follows her wild journey in healing, humor, and unexpected magic. This book is a sincere, smart, laugh-out-loud memoir about the mysteries that shape us, the love that sustains us, and the courage it takes to believe in the impossible.

RSVP optional here. Books will be available for purchase!

 

SUNDAY, MARCH 1ST
6:30PM
NO COVER // FREE FUN
RSVP: Evite

 

Follow Jen Dary on Instagram.
 

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What’s Up at TMoms:

Sundays, All Day Long | if u didn’t get glitter in ur drink did you even craft sunday? Craft Sundays at TMoms every sunday, play both upstairs and downstairs. u heard me, both.

Daily Happy Hour | $4 drafts every day from 4-6pm, everybody cheered!

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.

Excalibur Poetry // February 2026

Excalibur happens in the same time and place as Scribes on South, the last Sunday of each month on the second floor of Tattooed Mom.

Excalibur is the sword given to Arthur by the lady in the lake. It is the legendary sword used to defend against colonialism and oppression. Our guiding principles are the same. This is a place to wield your words against the forces that would rather see us dead.

 

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22ND
DOORS @ 6PM + SHOW @ 7PM
NO COVER // FREE FUN

 

Featuring:

Abigail Guidry is an artist, poet, and memory worker living in Philadelphia, PA, with their two tortoiseshell cats. Abigail is co-founder of the sibling collaborative Guidry Press, where they make zines and artists’ books alongside their brother. When they aren’t reading poetry at local open mics, they can be found watching horror movies and learning new crafting techniques.
Rowan (they/them/themme) is a creature primarily focused on poetry and painting. Rowan believes in the accessibility of art and aims to foster community connections through authenticity and kindness. They can be found either performing at and/or hosting many of the open mic nights in South Philadelphia, and their written works appear in New Jersey’s Soup Can Magazine, Los Angeles’ Fruit Slice Magazine: Rituals, Philadelphia’s CollideZine: Issues 8 & 11, and will soon be published in New York’s newest Slut Zine(2026). In June of 2025, Rowan used their art and poetry to raise over $1K, most of which was donated to The TransLifeline, and the rest was sent directly to the Philly community. Rowan believes in the power of connectivity that comes from people sharing their lives freely, and they hope their work will inspire others to do the same.

 

 

 

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What’s Up at TMoms:

Sundays, All Day Long | if u didn’t get glitter in ur drink did you even craft sunday? Craft Sundays at TMoms every sunday, play both upstairs and downstairs. u heard me, both.

Daily Happy Hour | $4 drafts every day from 4-6pm, everybody cheered!

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.