"P" Shy

Y’all are familiar with the “P” word, right? You know, that one. The one referring to a ladies’ nether regions? In Jessica Holter’s Don’t Say the “P” Word, it refers to the slang term for “vagina,” which is known to some folks as “punany.” There. We said it. Holter’s performance...

By Christina Caldwell

August 25, 2011

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

Y’all are familiar with the “P” word, right? You know, that one. The one referring to a ladies’ nether regions? In Jessica Holter’s Don’t Say the “P” Word, it refers to the slang term for “vagina,” which is known to some folks as “punany.” There. We said it.

Holter’s performance dissects sexual attitudes, spirituality and self-worth in a society where Janet Jackson’s Super Bowl nip slip set off a nationwide scandal.

Say the “P” word around some women and you might get a cringe in return. But Holter, an activist and author, pretty much lives her life around the “P.” As the creator of the Punany Poets, her cast investigates the sex lives of conservative Christian housewives, uninhibited lovers and other sexual stereotypes to break down the frigid wall of conventional sexuality.

Sat., Aug. 27, 8 p.m., 2011

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.