Open Your Eyes

A dance production sheds light on the Iraq war.

A A A Comments (0) By Amber Taufen Thursday, Apr 17 2008

Colorado Ballet dancer Andrew Skeels's independent dance-theater performance, Palimpsest, was inspired by the American Friends Service Committee's Eyes Wide Open exhibit, for which Skeels volunteered back in October; the exhibit involved 3,000 pairs of combat boots laid on the front lawn of the State Capitol to represent the soldiers who lost their lives in Iraq, plus pairs of shoes signifying the Iraqis who have died as a result of the war. "I deeply believe that art has the ability to help bring about change," Skeels explains, "and one of the ways that happens is by exposing and talking about issues that are oftentimes ignored or hidden. The plight of the Iraqi people after the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 is something that is rarely discussed in the mainstream media. It is my hope that I may help, if only in some minuscule way, to bring to light the struggles of the people of Iraq."

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Palimpsest (which refers to a layered parchment where the original writing is scraped off and new words are superimposed over the old impressions) includes some of the shoes from Eyes Wide Open in the set design; Skeels says it will be performed as a "final workshop piece," which means a minimal set and use of lighting. Eight dancers from the Colorado Ballet will participate; performances start tonight and tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at the Colorado Ballet studios, 1278 Lincoln Street. A suggested donation of $5 to $10 is requested at the door; call Skeels at 303-862-2282 or e-mail skeels_andrew@yahoo.com for information.
April 17-18, 7 p.m., 2008