Ballet benefits everyone

They’re light. They’re colorful. They’re dancing for miracles. And that’s enough to recommend the show presented both this weekend and next by dancers of the Robinson Ballet Company. The program is a benefit for Eastern Maine Medical Center and the Children’s Miracle Network, but the payoff is really for the audience that gets to see Bangor’s community dancers at their energetic best.

Friday’s opening night show began with a loose and funky tap-off between Kelly Holyoke and Melanie Shipee, and moved into the athletic jazz piece “Just for Fun,” which featured 1940s tunes. In these peppy sketches, choreographed with Holyoke’s usual moxie, the dancers leapt, rolled, climbed, hoisted and launched each other.

Equally entertaining, though in a more graceful and austere style, was Maureen Lynch’s “Once Upon A Time…” The clean choreography, witty outline, primary colors and expansive music were reminiscent of Martha Graham’s works.

“Gymnopedies,” choreographed by Keith Robinson with moody music by Erik Satie, featured the fawn-like Emily Bragg between moonstruck Eric Gardiner and Robert Libbey.

“The Marsh Tinker” told the story of a Maine pirate, his wares and wiles, and gave the dancers a chance to bring a bit of drama to the evening.

The tour-de-force, however, was “Swan Lake, Act III,” which was presented during the second half of the show. Standout performances were given by Emily Bragg and Alexander Zendzian as Spanish dancers and Sandy Hartley and Robb Thomas as Neopolitan dancers.

The Robinson Ballet Company will perform 8 p.m. May 7, 13 and 14 at the University of Maine Hauck Auditorium. For tickets, call