BAR FLIES: A MONTHLY READING SERIES Tickets

Bar Flies is a monthly reading series that has been entertaining audiences in Arizona since 2010. Described as a “nightlife narrator” by The Arizona Republic, the show features live readings of essays, poems, and other written works by local writers.

What sets Bar Flies apart is its unique format. Hosted at various bars around the Phoenix area, each show consists of five writers sharing their work on a particular theme. These themes range from silly and fun (such as “Barf” and “Road Trip”) to more serious topics like “Ghosts” and “Survival.”

The readings themselves are not staged or rehearsed, adding to the authenticity and charm of the show. Writers stand at a microphone with minimal props – just a glass of water and their words – and share their work with a captive audience. The result is a theatrical experience that blends the elements of storytelling, spoken word, and performance art.

While Bar Flies may not be a traditional theatrical production, it has a lot of similarities to theatre. Both involve performers sharing stories and creating a shared experience in real time with an audience. Both also provide a platform for artists to express themselves and engage with their community.

In fact, Bar Flies has become so popular that it recently expanded beyond Arizona with a virtual event featuring writers from all over the country. This demonstrates the power of storytelling and how it can transcend geographical boundaries to create connections between people.

Bar Flies has also created opportunities for collaboration and cross-promotion. The series often partners with local theatre companies and arts organizations to promote each other’s events and initiatives. This has helped to strengthen the creative community in Phoenix and showcase the abundance of artistic talent in the region.

Overall, Bar Flies is a wonderful example of how creativity can thrive in unexpected places, and how the theatre can take many forms beyond the traditional stage. It reminds us that storytelling is a powerful tool for engaging with the world around us, and that the best art often comes from the most unexpected places.