Zara Irshad

Photo by Codioful (formerly Gradienta) on Pexels

My Recent Work

San Francisco Chronicle •

Queer fight clubs are the Bay Area’s newest nightlife trend. Here’s what to know

The jam-packed crowd roared as Mashallah and their opponent dropped to their knees, preparing to tussle. Hundreds of 20- and 30-somethings stood on their tiptoes trying to catch a clear view of the action, some spectators near the front collecting bets while passersby outside pressed their faces against the glass window behind the stage, their curiosity piqued by the cheers spilling out of the venue.

The jam-packed crowd roared as Mashallah and their opponent dropped to their knees, preparing t...
San Francisco Chronicle •

What it’s like to be a dancer in S.F. Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’

“It’s a very special tradition that the ballet world has and that people get a lot of happiness and joy from,” the 29-year-old said. “It’s just really great to be a part of it. … I don’t think that my holiday season would be the same without ‘Nutcracker,’ honestly.”

“It’s a very special tradition that the ballet world has and that people get a lot of happiness and joy from,” the 29-year-old said. “It’s just really great to be a part of it. … I don’t think that my holiday season would be the sam...
San Francisco Chronicle •

California stereotypes are real — and this extremely detailed data about time use proves it

There are only 24 hours in the day, and most of us spend that time on the same tasks: eating, working, sleeping and other survival necessities. But what we do in between those activities is where it gets interesting — and where Californians set themselves apart.

There are only 24 hours in the day, and most of us spend that time on the same tasks: eating, working, sleeping and other survival necessities. But what we do in between those activities is where it gets interesting — and where Californ...
San Francisco Chronicle •

Billie Eilish gets emotional, teases new album and movie at S.F. shows

“Yes, I know I could just keep this show going and keep doing shows. But I have to go home and I have to make an album,” she said, evoking a hearty cheer from fans already eager for what’s to come after “Hit Me Hard and Soft,” which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 last year. “I’ve actually had the time of my life on this tour. Tour didn’t used to be like that.”

“Yes, I know I could just keep this show going and keep doing shows. But I have to go home and I have to make an album,” she said...
San Francisco Chronicle •

East Bay quake swarm: How long could it last, and what’s the risk of a big one?

Amelia Boaz was in the middle of a conversation at her grandmother’s one-story house in Danville when the pictures on the walls suddenly started shaking. Her dog darted around the house. The quake lasted about five seconds, she said, and “literally felt like the whole house just shook.”

Amelia Boaz was in the middle of a conversation at her grandmother’s one-story house in Danville when the pictures on the walls suddenly started shaking. Her dog darted around the house. The quake lasted about f...
San Francisco Chronicle •

Bad Bunny, ICE presence at Super Bowl spark dueling petitions topping 180,000 signatures

More than 80,000 signatures have been collected for a petition to keep U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement out of Santa Clara during Super Bowl LX, amid controversy over halftime show headliner Bad Bunny.

More than 80,000 signatures have been collected for a petition to keep U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement out of Santa Clara during Super Bowl LX, amid controversy over halftime show headliner Bad Bunny.

The Puerto Rican star’s mid-show slot set for the big game at Levi’s Stadium o...
San Francisco Chronicle •

Former Bay Area librarian opens up about hosting ‘Reading Rainbow’ reboot

As a young bookworm, Mychal Threets eagerly spent his precious hour of daily TV time that his parents allowed watching LeVar Burton on PBS’ “Reading Rainbow,” wide-eyed and inspired by the actor’s love of books. Now, decades later and all grown up, he’s on the other side of the screen, bringing the beloved series to a new generation.

As a young bookworm, Mychal Threets eagerly spent his precious hour of daily TV time that his parents allowed watching LeVar Burton on PBS’ “Reading Rainbow,” wide...
San Francisco Chronicle •

‘I’m a different person now’: Malala Yousafzai re-introduces herself in ‘Finding My Way’

In the book, released Tuesday, Oct. 21, Yousafzai shares her most personal stories yet, from building friendships and struggling with mental health to juggling being a full-time university student with her advocacy work. She even includes “some silly, fun moments as well — from nearly failing my exams to getting ghosted by my first crush.”

In the book, released Tuesday, Oct. 21, Yousafzai shares her most personal stories yet, from building friendships and struggling with mental health to juggli...
San Francisco Chronicle •

Lorde personally requested to perform at Berkeley’s Greek Theatre. Here’s why

The New Zealand pop singer told a sold-out crowd at Berkeley’s Greek Theatre on Sunday, Oct. 19, that the warm welcome she received at the historic venue more than a decade ago has remained a “vivid memory” as her career exploded in the 2010s.

The New Zealand pop singer told a sold-out crowd at Berkeley’s Greek Theatre on Sunday, Oct. 19, that the warm welcome she received at the historic venue more than a decade ago has remained a “vivid memory” as her career exploded in the 2010s.

“I remembe...
San Francisco Chronicle •

‘Maybe I’m part of the problem’: Performative male contest takes over S.F. park

“I didn’t think I would make it this far, but I’m very happy to be here,” he told the Chronicle, noting he was “a little ecstatic” and overwhelmed by his victory.

“I didn’t think I would make it this far, but I’m very happy to be here,” he told the Chronicle, noting he was “a little ecstatic” and overwhelmed by his victory.

The 24-year-old defines a performative man as someone who panders to others by embracing “feminist-encoded stuff.” He dressed the part by wearing a pearl necklace, wired he...
San Francisco Chronicle •

How queer Gen Zers are transforming S.F.’s nightlife scene

It’s a Thursday night in the Mission District and a glitter-drenched crowd of 20-somethings are gathered around a dance pole in the middle of a cozy apartment. Some take turns twirling around and twerking on it while others lounge nearby, sipping drinks and swapping hugs.

It’s a Thursday night in the Mission District and a glitter-drenched crowd of 20-somethings are gathered around a dance pole in the middle of a cozy apartment. Some take turns twirling around and twerking on it while others lo...
San Francisco Chronicle •

The Bay Area’s most viral performer is a Sotheby’s auctioneer

On this particular spring evening, she was selling works by artists such as Ruth Asawa, Amy Sherald, Nicolas Party and Charles Gaines at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s annual Art Bash charity gala. But she’s also assisted with auctions for organizations such as Sundance Film Festival, the Atlantic Theater Company and American Friends of the Louvre.

On this particular spring evening, she was selling works by artists such as Ruth Asawa, Amy Sherald, Nicolas Party and Charles Gaines at t...
San Francisco Chronicle •

Exclusive: Ex-Kennedy Center employee speaks on institution’s ‘toxicity’ after getting fired under Trump

Joseph’s removal from the Kennedy Center on Tuesday, March 25, is only one component of a much larger shift within the institution since Trump took over as chairman last month, citing his desire to rid it of “woke culture.” The president replaced 18 board members with his own supporters — including Vice President J.D. Vance’s wife Usha Vance, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino — and has expressed interest in presenting “non-woke” musicals such as “Cats,”...
San Francisco Chronicle •

‘It’s a patriotism test’: Bay Area arts organizations voice concerns over NEA’s new grant guidelines

On Thursday, Feb. 6, the federal agency announced that “funding priority will be given for projects that take place in 2026-2027 that celebrate and honor the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.” The change quickly drew concerns about freedom of speech from Bay Area creatives, many of whom rely on NEA funding, not just for its own sake but as a way to show legitimacy to other potential grantors and donors.

On Thursday, Feb. 6, the federal agency announced that “f...
San Francisco Chronicle •

‘It went so fast’: Scotts Valley recovering after rare California tornado 

“Everything’s all cleaned up. … It looks like some of the crews are still across the street doing repairs,” Target employee Debie Nervina said Sunday morning. “But the trees have been picked up. The whole highway is empty from it.”

“Everything’s all cleaned up. … It looks like some of the crews are still across the street doing repairs,” Target employee Debie Nervina said Sunday morning. “But the trees have been picked up. The whole highway is empty from it.”

“We all went outside, and cars wer...
San Francisco Chronicle •

Are Bay Area clubs the new concerts? These music lovers seem to think so

A string of leather-clad music lovers ducked into the Cat Club an hour before midnight. Spilling into the narrow doorway, some bolted to the back room, dotted with disco balls, while others settled into its front space, decked out with Halloween decorations, blaring ’90s punk rock anthems.

A string of leather-clad music lovers ducked into the Cat Club an hour before midnight. Spilling into the narrow doorway, some bolted to the back room, dotted with disco balls, while others settled into its f...
San Diego Union-Tribune •

As a college student, the pandemic displaced much of my college years. Now I’m finally regaining my footing

“What would College Zara do?” 
My little brother often asks me this when I’m struggling to make a decision, despite the fact that I am about to enter my senior year at University of California San Diego.
I started my freshman year in 2019 and had a glorious six months of newfound freedom living on campus before getting sent home in March 2020 for what many around me celebrated as an extended spring break.  
It seemed too good to be true. Finals were put online, homework was being waived, and I...
San Diego Union-Tribune •

‘I used to come to shows here’: San Diego native Naomi McPherson sells out Observatory with pop band MUNA

“How many people in this room went to high school with me?” asked MUNA member Naomi McPherson on Monday night.
A San Diego native, the multi-instrumentalist had a handful of friends and family members in the audience of the band’s show at the Observatory in North Park.
Lead singer Katie Gavin chimed in teasing, “How many people in the room had a crush on Naomi in high school… And now how many people have a crush on Naomi now?”
The room burst into applause, leaving McPherson flustered.“You’re cu...
San Diego Union-Tribune •

SDSU professors celebrate achievements by Black women in STEM at fifth annual Afro-Futurism Comic-Con panel

A panel co-created by SDSU professor Ajani Brown to highlight Black innovation made its fifth appearance at Comic-Con on Thursday, with this year’s theme focusing on Black women in STEM.
The panel, titled “Afrofuturism–Black to the Future V: No Jive–Talk Black to Me! (The TED Talk),” was hosted by former “Star Trek” screenwriter Jimmy Diggs and included a lineup of women who discussed a wide range of cutting-edge innovations or advancements in their respective fields.
“Everything we do is on pu...