Whenever I see a good flyer, I nab it into a folder that I sort through at the end of the year. I started posting these curations on Instagram, then I made a flyer collection as part of my outer ][ space book, and now I find my passion for this medium continues to grow. I want to elevate this artwork and make room for these pieces to breathe away from the confines of social media. There's incredible graphic artists and designers in nightlife putting out beautiful, hilarious, and witty pieces that deserve more attention.

The rave flyer is an essential part of the nightlife ecosystem, even as urban legends of the algorithm set a trend of more selfie-oriented promotion. A great flyer builds anticipation and expectation, it sets the tone of a party before we even walk in the door. At its best, the poster screams out in coded language that only its intended audience can hear, pulling in the exact crowd the party is meant to host. Yet it's a flexible medium; it can be stone-cold serious, or it can be playful and flippant. Whatever the party needs.

I hope this collection reflects this range of purpose and showcases the talent in our community. Most of these come from parties in Brooklyn, but there's a separate section for flyers from other cities. I've done my best to identify the designers and artists, but a few are still unknown. I'll continue updating this as I find more credits. If you can help fill in the blanks, please drop me a line!

LADYFAG PRESENTS: NO FRILLS, Oct 29. Credit: Michael Magnan (flyer, ig: @michaelmagnan) and Unknown (illustration)

VISIONS, July 2. Credit: radha (ig: @radha.v)

SIZZMARI, Aug 15. Credit: Sun Links Arts (ig: @sun_links)

DARKER THAN WAX, July 24. Credit: Marco Weibel (ig: @marcoweibel)

MIZZ SOFTEE, Sep 11. Credit: Kid Kura (ig: @kid_kura)

SOULSEEK, Aug 28. Credit: Cole Evelev (ig: @colevelev)

Some context for the imagery in this flyer: The cards featured in this poster are taken from a Korean card game called Godori or "go-stop". The game originated in Japan the 14th century when Portugese traders introduced their card games. The Japanese government banned these cards and the numbers were erased and replaced with drawings of flowers to disguise the cards.

In the 19th century during Japan's 35-year occupation of Korea, the cards and the gambling with came with them were introduced as a way to sedate and distract the Korean population. Even with this historical context Godori remains one of the most popular card games in Korea.

SOULSEEK, Sep 24. Credit: Jess Hitchison

OMAR S, Dec 17. Credit: Alex Seamens (ig: @cranksnyc)

SYITS, Oct 15. Credit: Mandy (ig: @overripemango)

MISS THING LET'S KI!, May 30. Credit: Unknown

TRANSMISSION, July 2. Credit: Unknown

BOSSA NOVA CIVIC CLUB, Dec 12. Credit: Michael Magnan (ig: @michaelmagnan)

BOSSA NOVA CIVIC CLUB, Dec 25. Credit: Alex Seamens (ig: @cranksnyc)

BOSSA NOVA CIVIC CLUB, Oct 31. Credit: Alex Seamens (ig: @cranksnyc)

SORRY RECORDS: BREAKS IN AMERICA, Dec 20. Credit: Jean Pierre Consuegra (ig: @jeanpiconsuegra) and Nick Boyd (ig: @nickboydnyc)

NONE/SUCH PRESENTS: SWEET DREAMS, Nov 3. Credit: Cat Marchenko (flyer, ig: @catmarchenko), Jamie Johnson (stamps)

ELECTROFLX, Sep 30. Credit: jacques (ig: @mando.nnet)

XYZ, July 7. Credit: Juli Fosforo (ig: @jules.b.h)

SHE.THEY.DJ, Oct 16. Credit: Kelsey Nizolek (ig: @kelseynizolek)

HAUS OF ALTR, June 5. Credit: MoMA Ready (ig: @moma_ready)

INFINITIY HOLD, June 11, Aug 18. Credit: Gina Lee (ig: @ladydownfall)

EPILOGUE, July 3. Credit: Unknown

MERGE, Dec 17. Credit: David Padilla (ig: @astrouhr)

1-900-STUNTSZ, June 25. Credit: Unknown

BOUND x TOM OF FINLAND, June 25. Credit: Suga Shay (ig: @djsugashay)

UNTER. Credit: Evan Henry Catlett (ig: @raveart.png)

Beyond Brooklyn

A few selections from outside my neighborhood, found by following my favorite artists as they tour. You can probably guess which artists I'm keen on.

P13 & THE WHITE HOTEL (Manchester), Aug 10. Credit: Unknown

MAKING TIME (Philadelphia), Oct 29. Credit: Zach Snyd (ig: @zach_snyd)

SMOKING GUN (Dallas), Oct 15. Credit: Henry (ig: @derkindestod)

WISDOM TEETH (London), Aug 12. Credit: Guillaume de Ubéda (ig: @guillaume_de_ubeda)

STATE OF SWEAT (Richmond VA), Dec 22. Credit: @__bootleg.mew / @lil_tat_mama (ig)

PLAIN SAILING (Belfast), Nov 13. Credit: Nänni-pää (ig: @nanni_paa)

SPEND THE NIGHT (Portland), Nov 19. Credit: Evan Geltosky (ig: @eg_83)

ACCIDENTAL MEETINGS (Brighton), Sep 10. Credit: Ciarán Birch (ig: @ciaranbirch)

PHONOX (London). Credit: Unknown

A CLUB CALLED RHONDA (Los Angeles). Credit: Ian O’Phelan (ig: @ianophelan)

Please let me know if you can help identify the credits for the remaining pieces!