Beaux Arts Ball to benefit Robinson Ballet Company

BANGOR – It’s time to get out the dancing shoes for the Robinson Ballet Company’s Beaux Arts Ball from 6:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Chateau Ballroom, Norumbega Hall, Harlow Street.

The semi-formal event begins with a cocktail hour and dinner prepared by Montes International Catering of Bangor. The Big Chiefs Band of Portland will provide music for dancing.

“Beaux Arts means ‘the beautiful arts’ in French,” said Helen Munsey, vice president of the Robinson Ballet’s board of directors and chairwoman of the Beaux Arts Ball committee. “It covers all arts – music, visual and dance. So we chose this name for our ball. The idea was to have a community event emphasizing the arts in Bangor.

“There was so much excitement after the National Folk Festival we thought it would be good to keep the momentum going,” she said.

The ball benefits the ballet company’s outreach programs, including school performances, lecture demonstrations, master classes and mini-performances. Sponsors of the ball include Hannaford, Bangor Floral, the Muddy Rudder Restaurant, Worksource Services and the Sea Dog Restaurant.

The cost of the ball is $65 a person. The deadline for reservations is noon Monday, Oct. 6. Call Helen Munsey at 866-3417 for more information.

This year, Robinson Ballet Company members Ian Robinson and Rebecca Breau were accepted as students at the prestigious Tisch School at New York University, and Erica Schweikert was accepted into the dance program at Colorado University.

The Robinson Ballet Company has traveled to schools from Rangeley to Machias, Thomaston to Calais to provide in-school dance instruction and performances.

The company plans to bring “The Nutcracker” ballet to elementary schools this year. It also participates in the Amicus project for individuals with disabilities, which provides an opportunity for handicapped people to participate in music, dance and artistic expression.