Performance: Mirrored Gestures

Dance and Poetry Collaboration
Sunday, 9/28/2025
4:00 - 5:45
Koret Auditorium
Main Library

100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
United States

415-557-4400

South Asia has a rich tradition of narrative storytelling, where poetry and movement are deeply intertwined. “Mirroring Gestures” is a collaboration between Bay Area artists Sophia Naz, a poet, and Tara Pandeya, a dancer, who bridge generations and artistic disciplines as stepmother and stepdaughter. This performance fuses original poetry and dance to explore themes of origin, migration, destruction, seeking and transcendence—offering a contemporary interpretation of ancient storytelling traditions.

Structured around the five elements—Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether—each segment evokes a visceral journey through personal and collective histories. The interplay between voice and movement creates a powerful dialogue between language, rhythm, and embodied storytelling.

The program will conclude with a 15-minute Q&A, inviting audiences to engage in a deeper conversation about the creative process and themes explored.

Performance Breakdown:

1. Earth / Origin – Rooted beginnings, language, inheritance

2. Water / Migration – Movement, displacement, resilience

3. Fire / Destruction – Loss, upheaval, transformation

4. Air / Seeking – Aspiration, searching for meaning

5. Ether / Union (Fana’a) – Dissolution, transcendence, oneness

 

Connect:

Sophia Naz - Website | Sophia Naz - Instagram   | Tara Pandeya - Instragram

 


 

Dance & Music

Enjoy performances, talks and workshops that celebrate movement and the musical arts.

Poetry

Programs designed to celebrate the art of the poem, including readings and talks.

Performance

Events featuring theater, music, art and dance.

Spotlight

This program is sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.

Attending Programs

All programs are drop-in (no registration necessary) unless otherwise noted. All SFPL locations are wheelchair accessible. For accommodations (such as ASL), call (415) 557-4557 or contact accessibility@sfpl.org. Requesting at least 3 business days in advance will help ensure availability.

This program will be conducted in English unless otherwise noted.

Notice: This event may be filmed or photographed. By participating in this event, you consent to have your likeness used for the Library’s archival purposes and promotional materials. If you do not want to be photographed, please inform a staff person or the photographer. A sticker will be provided to help identify you so that we can avoid capturing your image.

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The views and opinions expressed in programs presented by groups unaffiliated with SFPL do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SFPL or the City.