Rainbow Militia Will Bring the Circus to Denver’s “Art Deserts”

Aerial acrobats, awe-inspiring jugglers, an elaborate wagon that transforms into a stage: Those are just a few of the stunning displays Barnum residents can expect to see when the Rainbow Militia invades their theater-deprived neighborhood this month. A local collective known for its Cirque du Soleil–esque performances, the troupe will bring a preview of its latest fantastical work, Zabiti, to 10 “art deserts” (places with limited access to performing arts venues) around the city this summer, starting with Barnum. Each immersive experience is free and will take place at a community gathering space, such as a park or rec center. “We felt something like this could enrich the lives of all Denverites,” says Rainbow Militia producing director Amber Blais. During the spectacle, which is based on a Russian folktale, woodland scenes and professional and student performers will create the feeling of being lost in a strange, magical forest. Although the group is still finalizing locations (visit zabiti.com for updates), Blais says the tour definitely will stop in Curtis Park and Cole before concluding in August at a yet-to-be-determined warehouse, where the Rainbow Militia will mount the full version of Zabiti for an extended run. By then, hopefully, the show’s spell will have been cast across Denver, bewitching a new, previously underserved set of art lovers.