Politics is often dismissed as a circus—something performative, chaotic, and uncontrollable, like the circus itself. But what if circus arts could actually teach us something about civic life?

Civic life depends on trust, learning, cooperation and collective action that often takes shape in spaces that aren’t explicitly political. It's where we craft the stories that tell us who we are, what we value and who is included. Circus plays a similar role. Though it can be a spectacle-–playful and, yes, chaotic—it relies on cooperative problem solving and mutual support, and a willingness to work for the common good. Through this lens, we can see the circus not just as performance, but as a shared civic experience that brings people together, reflects collective narratives and invites us to imagine new ways of being in community. 

Join us for a lively exploration of these ideas with the leadership behind "Dear San Francisco" and members of Circus Arts Flow. "Dear San Francisco," often described as a love letter to the city, blends acrobatics, storytelling and performance to trace the history of San Francisco's neighborhoods while celebrating their creativity, resilience and diversity. Emerging after the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the show has helped bring people back into shared physical space, offering moments of wonder, joy and collective connection. Circus Arts Flow is a free, volunteer-based circus skill share that explores circus arts through a neuroscience lens, highlighting how neuroplasticity, failure and persistence drive growth. Practiced alongside strangers with no knowledge of one another’s political backgrounds or beliefs, this shared learning fosters connection and common ground to build community and create unity.

Audience members will have the opportunity to learn circus skills after the panel! Wear comfortable clothes and come ready for sharing and fun.