Barrio Stories: 10-Year Celebration
November 12–15, 2026
Tucson Convention Center – Alva B. Torres Plaza
A Theatrical Adventure Park
For ten years, Borderlands Theater’s Barrio Stories has brought the histories, memories, and lived experiences of Tucson’s oldest barrios to life through professional theater rooted in community.
Come for an hour. Stay for the day. Come back and experience something new.
Admission fee is a suggested donation of $25
Theater
30-minute and 10-minute plays performed on the Main Stage and throughout Alva B. Torres Plaza.
Music & Poetry
Daily poetry readings by the University of Arizona Poetry Center and live mariachi concerts.
Heritage
Adobe brick Installation by Barrio Bufflegrass, Sonoran flour tortilla demonstrations, oral history workshops, and more.
Exhibits
Explore ten years of Barrio Stories, community traditions, and Tucson neighborhood history
Barrio Viejo Tours
Step beyond the festival plaza with guided walking tours through Barrio Viejo.
Food & Gathering
Heritage food vendors, community spaces, and activities throughout the festival.
Season Pass holders get a VIP experience of Barrio Stories, including Reserved seating, parking, and a complimentary tour of Barrio Viejo. To purchase your season pass today, click the link below.
Thank you to our lovely sponsors for supporting this event!
There’s no way to see it all—and that’s part of the adventure.
Daily Schedule
11AM-3PM: Adobe Brick-Making Installation, El Pueblo 50: Celebrating the Living Heart of the Southside Pop-Up Exhibition. Barrio Stories 10 Year Retrospective Photo Exhibit sponsored by Rio Nuevo
11:30 AM– Dirt by Elaine Romero
Main Stage
12:00 PM — 10-Minute Plays throughout Alva B. Torres Plaza
- Building A Family Home by Veronica Weatherbie
- Meet Cute by Veronica Weatherbie
- Bees in the Trap by Chanel Bragg
- I Know This Place by Lydia Otero
1:15 PM — Slap, Slap, Brush by Martín Zimmerman
Main Stage
1:15–2:45 PM — Barrio Viejo Walking Tours by Trejo’s Walking Tours
2:00 PM — 10-Minute Plays throughout Alva B. Torres Plaza
- I Know This Place by Lydia Otero
- Curandera by Silviana Wood
- That’s Another Story by Marc David Pinate
- Mujeres Poderosas by Marc David Pinate
- Chinese Market by Milta Ortiz
3:00 PM — Mariachi Concert presented by the Tucson International Mariachi Conference
4:00 PM — Festival Day Ends
Exclusive Thursday Activities
- 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM: Poetry Reading featuring Mariana Rivera Presented by the University of Arizona Poetry Center
- 11:00 AM–12:00 PM: Sonoran Flour Tortilla-Making Demonstration Presented by Rachel Pollack and Los Descendientes
Exclusive Friday Activities
- 11 AM – 3 PM: Chinese Chorizo Project
- 11:00 AM–12:00 PM: Sonoran Flour Tortilla-Making Demonstration Presented by Rachel Pollack and Los Descendientes
- 11 AM– 12:30 PM: Collecting Oral Histories Workshop with Dr. Maribel Alvarez, presented by Southwest Folklife Alliance
- 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM: Poetry reading featuring Eva Sierra Presented by the University of Arizona Poetry Center
Exclusive Saturday Activities
- 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM: Poetry reading featuring Mele Martinez Presented by the University of Arizona Poetry Center
- 11:00 AM–12:00 PM: Sonoran Flour Tortilla-Making Demonstration Presented by Rachel Pollack and Los Descendientes
- 1:00–3:00 PM – Adobe Story Collection with David Walker
Exclusive Sunday Activities
- 11 AM– 12:30 PM: Collecting Oral Histories Workshop with Dr. Maribel Alvarez, presented by Southwest Folklife Alliance
- 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM: Poetry reading featuring Ofelia Zepeda Presented by the University of Arizona Poetry Center
- 1:00–3:00 PM – Adobe Story Collection with David Walker
- 1:45 PM – 3:15 PM: Chicano Theater performance of LOS TRES PUEBLOS by Tucson High School Theater
Be a Part of the Story
In the spirit of community collaboration, we invite Tucson families to share a short video story about a family or neighborhood tradition. It can be something your family still practices today or something that has faded away. We especially want to preserve traditions and memories that go back generations.
In the spirit of community collaboration, we invite Tucson families to share a short video story about a family or neighborhood tradition. It can be something your family still practices today or something that has faded away. We especially want to preserve traditions and memories that go back generations. Deadline is October 17
Learn More Before You Go
Show and Tell pre-event discussion by UA Confluence Center with Dr. Lydia Otero (Oct 22,6pm) THIS IS A PRE-EVENT and not part of the actual festival.
Volunteer with us.
Since Barrio Stories will be performing 10 different plays and 7 different activities over the course of 4 days, we could use a little help! We are looking for help with assisting with setup and takedown, manning the box office, and helping attendees across the Alva Torres Plaza. If you would like to spend an hour or more of your time helping, or have your local business or organization come and help out the community, click the link below!