Whimsical spring Robinson Ballet, Maine Music Society plan frolick

Ever seen a martini-drinking snake dance?

You can this weekend, along with the sun, the moon, sailors, flowers and even water as the Robinson Ballet Company takes the stage in a whimsically choreographed performance to Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” and Bohaslav Martinu’s “The Kitchen Revue.”

The Bangor troupe has teamed up with the Lewiston-based Maine Music Society to present two performances accompanied by live music – Saturday in Lewiston and Sunday in Brewer.

“That’s the exciting part of it,” said Kelly Holyoke, co-artistic director of Robinson Ballet. “The actual performing with live music is a kick. It’s better than canned music.”

Robinson Ballet dances to live music for its annual production of “The Nutcracker” and plans to have a brass quintet at its spring dance concert. What makes this performance unique is that the first rehearsal the musicians and dancers will have together will be their only rehearsal together.

“They respect us, and we respect them,” said Keith Robinson, another co-artistic director at Robinson Ballet. “Of course, it’s a little nerve-racking. … You never know what you’re going to get. That’s the fun part.”

While distance may have made rehearsing together a little difficult, it does have some benefits for both the ballet company and the music society.

“It’s nice because we expand to their audience, and they expand to our audience,” Holyoke said.

When Peter Frewen of the Maine Music Society approached Robinson with the idea of a concert, he already had “Appalachian Spring” in mind. Choreographer Terry Lacy gave it his own spin, though, with the story of a young girl and her dog hiking the Appalachian Trail. They encounter many interesting things along the way, including the martini-drinking snake.

The original “Kitchen Revue” performance included pots and pans and the like, but when Robinson heard it, he envisioned something entirely different: sailors and their girlfriends by the waterfront. He choreographed it this way and called it “On the Quay.”

“The whole evening will be pretty light and frolicky, I think,” Holyoke said.

Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Lewiston Middle School and at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Brewer Middle School. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and $8 for children 18 and under. For tickets or information, call 942-1990.