Strips in parallel!?!?!

Hi, All…
I am very new to arduinos and addressable leds. I want to know if I can run 2 strips, 288 LEDs total in PARALLEL?!?!?! I am not into all the fancy colors. I would only light about 10 LEDS at any one time. Not only that, but I am not interested in full brightness either. Would trying 2 strips in PARALLEL screw up the controller?

Your answer can save me a lot of experimentation, and money.
Thanks,