The Conversation Series: Stitching the Geopolitical Quilt to Re-Body Belonging

Overview of The Conversation Series.

​

Rejecting finite points/products, The Conversation Series: Stitching the Geopolitical Quilt to Re-Body Belonging, performed by an interracial male duet (Helanius J. Wilkins & A. Ryder Turner), places value on bodies coexisting - sharing weight and responsibility, dancing to become better ancestors.

The project gains substance, momentum, and direction from a series of conversations in and with different diverse and inclusive communities across America. Activating technologies of the body, tools, & toys in a non-colonizing fashion, this work centers belonging as a way to disrupt the erasure of silenced stories and forge paths towards justice/equitable landscapes. As Wilkins travels along with an artistic team to make and share this work, he will stitch together a dance-quilt to broaden our understandings of what it means to be American and sew ourselves together anew.

This multi-year venture will result in four multimedia outcomes: new choreographies, a documentary film, a digital archive, and a JEDAI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Accessibility, Inclusivity) toykit.

​During August and September of 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Boulder Arts Outdoors created a safe platform for live performance with two packed drive-in performance series that presented 25 acts and 79 local artists. Inaugural BAO performances featured Latin American folk music, contemporary dance, Indigenous music and dance, classical ballet, djembe drumming, samba dance and music, bluegrass, chamber music, and more.

In 2021, Boulder Arts Outdoors is thrilled to carry its mission forward and to continue celebrating the region's unique, culturally diverse voices and award-winning performers. 

​

Helanius performs in the July 29th lineup, but each evening will feature a different lineup of Boulder performers. Can't decide program to attend? Come to all of them! 

​

Support Boulder Outdoor Arts by Donating Here

Helanius offers a talk on his work on bridging the arts and social justice, and practices rooted in resilience and resistance. The talk will be followed by a Q & A. 

​

This talk of part of the 2021 virtual RAD Fest. Tickets can be purchased at midwestradfest.org.

A Grounded Knowledge Panel™ (GKP) through the Center for Teaching & Learning mediated by Donna Mejia (Associate Professor, Department of Theatre & Dance and CTL Faculty Fellow) and Valerie Joseph (AEMES Mentoring Coordinator, Smith College).

​

This event will be a public conversation by a small group of people who have realistic, authentic and personal experience and understanding of a particular topic or question. While the Grounded Knowledge Panelists converse among themselves, the audience members (“witnesses” in the GKP model) observe the discussion, thus both groups — panelists and witnesses — bring a distinctive power and depth to the experience of speaking and listening.

"Unapologetically Bridging Art & Social Justice”, a series sponsored by the Boulder County Arts Alliance and CU Boulder’s Office for Outreach and Engagement, brings together Black, Indigenous and Latinx artists from campus and the community.

​

CU Boulder Assistant Professor of Dance Helanius J. Wilkins and Holly Bass, a performance and visual artist, writer and director from Washington, D.C. will discuss how their identities and experiences shape their performance practices rooted in resilience and resistance.

​

This is a free event, but donations of $5, $10, or $15 are much appreciated.

Helanius premieres Dirt, a new dance for camera project in collaboration with visual designer and video editor, Roma Flowers, and featuring an original sound score composed and performed by Andy Hasenpflug. Through the fusion of text, movement, layered visuals, and sound, this work explores identity and Blackness in a heightened time of unrest and uprisings fueled by issues of police brutality and systemic racism in America. 

​

Watch the Trailer Here

Helanius performs new solo work as part of this socially distanced drive-in performance pop-up. Boulder Arts Outdoors creates an opportunity for gathering to experience the performing arts live. 

​

Each evening will feature a different lineup of Boulder performers. Can't decide program to attend? Come to all of them! 

​

Tickets: $20

​

Support Boulder Outdoor Arts by Donating Here

Helanius performs a work-in-progress that centers a male duet exploring uncertainty and vulnerability in order to expose landing places for connectivity and reflection.This sneak peek of new material will be presented as part of Movement Research at the Judson Church in NYC.

This FREE performance is one night only. Stay tuned for the rescheduling of this performance.

Helanius performs the premiere of "Multiscapes,” an immersive and interactive performance installation that explores uncertainty and intimacy, taking place at the ATLAS Blackbox Theatre on the campus of CU Boulder. “Multiscapes” is a triptych that journeys from human connection to deconstruction to the act of rebuilding is presented through the melding of choreography, technology, design, and sound.

Reservations are required due to limited admission.

Helanius performs new work as part of "BODY/SPEAK," taking place at the University Dance Theatre, University Center for the Arts, on the campus of Colorado State University in Ft. Collins.