Today, meet 2011 Philly Fringe artist Monica Day, who just performed at the SlutWalk Philadelphia fundraiser at the Fire. Miss her at the fundraiser? Catch up with her here, and at her show in September.

Name: Monica Day

Show: Song of the Sacred Whore

Age: 44

Where were you born? Trenton, N.J. Really.

What’s your show title? Song of the Sacred Whore.

What was the first thing you stole? Necklaces for my BFF’s. The year my friends decided we should get holiday gifts for each other and I was broke. Resorted to crime, not proud. It was a first and only. I have no poker face, and am ruled by guilt. I’d be in jail before I got to the end of the block.

After the jump, selling potential heirlooms for groceries, and a media personality insults Monica to hit on her.

What’s your favorite alcoholic beverage? Pinot Grigio, Cosmos. Dirty Martini when I want to live dangerously and forget about it later.

What were the last performances you saw? The Rap Guide to Evolution by Baba Brinkman, and My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend by Mike Birbiglia.

What’s the worst thing you ever did for money? Depends on who you talk to, or on your definition of good and bad. Once I had to sell the rocking chair I had nursed my first daughter in to buy groceries that week. That sucked.

Who’s your favorite Phillies player? I was once called a media and sports moron by a rather well-known Philly media personality. He claimed it was a term of endearment, probably because he thought he might not get laid. But it’s true. How do people follow such things, plus have jobs and families, and get anything else accomplished in life? It’s a mystery to me. I have to tune a lot out to get anything other than the basics of life accomplished.

Do you have relatives more famous than you? I wish I did. It would make this whole artist’s journey a lot easier! Or would it?

What’s your least favorite country, and why? I’m thinking a woman who is performing a piece called Song of the Sacred Whore shouldn’t spend too much time in burka-wearing, genital-mutilating, overtly oppressive countries. And yet, my respect and curiosity about the women who endure such conditions is sometimes overwhelming.

Do you know what the Internet is? You mean, that thing Al Gore invented?

Do you own a gun? No. I have often said that I am the reason I believe in gun control. I’m an Italian-Catholic-Jewish girl born in Trenton, New Jersey and raised in Philly. With a temper. I have no business owning or even holding a weapon.

Do you have pets? I used to have a dog named Lola. And yes, she was a showgirl. Lost her in divorce. Now I cat-sit across New York City in exchange for free places to stay. Most cat owners are a little crazy. That’s all I’m saying on that!

What’s the most disgusting thing you’ve ever seen on SEPTA? Seen . . . or done? 😉 Not to Philly-bash, but I am always amazed at how much stronger the smell of urine is in Philly subway than in NYC subway. What’s up with that?

Monica Day’s Song of the Sacred Whore runs during the 2011 Philly Fringe from September 8 through 11, Media Bureau, 725 N. 4th Street, Northern Liberties. Times vary, $15. For tickets, click here.

–Nicholas Gilewicz

Photo by Stacie Joy