"Tuaca Kelly — Tilda Swinton-y even while performing as 'the entire cast of Star Trek' — seemed comfortable portraying everything from Queen Elizabeth to an 8-year-old nerd." — BackStage West
ABOUTTuaca Kelly is an American poet, spoken word artist, emcee, singer-songwriter and musician, most known for her unique wordplay, uncanny improvisation, unpredictable humor and ability to connect with the audience.
Originally from San Francisco, she represents the Generation X as a fierce femmeDaddy. Inspired by the iconic leather daddies she encountered in her youth, as well as the enchanting world of Wonder Woman comics, Tuaca explores themes of love, intimacy, religious mysticism, personal development, unbridled sensuality, and the transformative power of sacred sex. With a dictionary in hand, she fearlessly dives into these realms. Unwanted Words 2nd Queer and Feminist Poetry Awards Nominee for Poet of the Year (2023), Tuaca lives and breathes the importance of poetry with the understanding it is not a luxury, but an essential experience for mental health and a vital pathway for the human spirit to express the soul's wisdom, touch ephemeral empathy and connect with others. From collaborating with fellow musical artists to joining forces as a co-founding member of The Los Hombres comedic improv troupe, and having performed and taught in North America and Europe, Tuaca has left her 43,5-size footprints and audiences with reciprocated love on numerous stages and studios including: Gay Pride San Francisco, McCallum Theatre, Cayman Rooster Radio, The Improv on Melrose, Highways Performance Space at the 18th Street Art Complex, Kunstinstituut Melly, MACA (Moving Arts Center Amsterdam), Meervaart Theater, KALEIDO x Queer Amsterdam, Milkshake Festival, Poetry International Festival, LantarenVenster, Van Gogh Museum and more. Based in Amsterdam, Tuaca is very active in poetry and spoken word culture and serves as a local and international project collaborator, talent curator, creative producer and muse with Stichting Unwanted Words Project. Tuaca can lay down as written, bespoke or improvised spontaneous vitality into your audio book, documentary narration, public service announcement or animation as a voice over and character talent or bring love to your music project with top line, ad lib or feature. When otherwise engaged with the creative arts, Tuaca can also be found teaching and caring for others in her clinical healing practice. 
GRATEFULNESS TOUnwanted Words Project
Word Up Amsterdam Pleasure Society Pleasure Poetry Slam Framer Framed Queer Open Stage Poet Trapper Keeper The Writer's Guide to the Galaxy Labyrinth Amsterdam - Mixology, Food to Share & Poetry Pakhuis de Zwijger - contemporary 'talking house' Café 't Mandje - Bet van Beeren, since 1927 For keeping integrity and shelter for poetry, prose and spoken word art forms to flourish. NEWSTRIVIAa. I was Uma Thurman's stand-in on film Final Analysis - staring Richard Gere, Uma Thurman and Kim Basinger.
b. After 4-years of N.J.R.O.T.C, I enlisted in the US Navy as an E-3. My recruiter pulled the plug, so I never shipped out. c. In junior high school, after seeing the celebrated band live at Day on the Green in Oakland, CA with my mom, I was sent to detention for wearing a Journey concert t-shirt instead of the required San Francisco physical education uniform. |
APHORISMS"Art isn't a luxury. It is an essential experience for mental health and a vital pathway for the human spirit to express the soul's wisdom, touch ephemeral empathy and connect with others." - Tuaca Kelly
"Inspiration is curated through intimate internal dialog. Resolutions evolve from amity with self." - Tuaca Kelly  Tuaca Kelly, Amsterdam 2023
photo: Anastasiia Mykytiuk
Co-hosting w/Shari Klein at Pleasure Poetry Slam photo: Rowyda Zakaria
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ENDORSEMENTS FOR BESPOKE WORK
"My husband and I asked Tuaca Kelly to write and perform an original bespoke poem on for our wedding. The poem,
God Gave Me You, was such a beautiful surprise! The Love expressed in the personal poem touched our hearts and many others who have the honor to read this beautiful treasure.
With her enormous passion it is clear that Tuaca writes and performs with heart and soul and shines bright light on her audience. She is very talented and we definitely recommend Tuaca Kelly to perform during your event." - M & F, newlyweds.
"My husband and I asked Tuaca Kelly to write and perform an original bespoke poem on for our wedding. The poem,
God Gave Me You, was such a beautiful surprise! The Love expressed in the personal poem touched our hearts and many others who have the honor to read this beautiful treasure.
With her enormous passion it is clear that Tuaca writes and performs with heart and soul and shines bright light on her audience. She is very talented and we definitely recommend Tuaca Kelly to perform during your event." - M & F, newlyweds.
POETRY MOMENTS
©2011 Tuaca Kelly, printed and bound in Canada. ISBN: 978-0-615-43890
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Woman of My Dreams by Tuaca Kelly Deep through the night answering the call my Soul came to your alter Woman of my dreams Found purpose at your bedside among women of reason Swaying to our music Woman of my dreams Kissing every mouth to taste only your lips Your Soul held me to the alter Woman of my dreams Your Soul held me to the alter Deep through the night I’ll hold you to your promise Woman of my dreams |
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we shall obey - Scholastica's plea (to Benedetto)
beloved brother ausculta muffled by the Rule and the weave of your tunic my plea failed to brush immaculacy my prayers, received and answered through the vault, insisted il mio gemello blame me my beloved reflection for obliging you to bide so dutybound faithful in Covenant and simple habits we are subject to forget what we deny one night dear brother we shall be rebels and speak of things we won’t write down and think of things we won’t say aloud and render a final hymn until the earth absorbs the tears of men one night dear brother our last night dear brother let us share innocence and warmth lest wisdom make fools of us let your labor be mine dear brother it is winter I’ll take my rest there one night dear brother we shall be rebels and speak of things we won’t write down and think of things we won’t say aloud and render a final hymn until the earth absorbs the tears of men one night dear brother we shall be rebels we shall obey ©2024 Tuaca Kelly |
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