Robinson Ballet's past, its future and its 40th season

BANGOR One of Bangor's longest-tenured and beloved artistic institutions is celebrating a big birthday this year. The Robinson Ballet is marking 40 years as part of the cultural and creative firmament in this region.

A look ahead at the CCA's 2016-2017 season

ORONO The Collins Center for the Arts is getting ready to launch its 31st season of quality entertainment on the campus of the University of Maine.

Editor's Note: Wire Reports contributed to this article.

ORONO After taking home yet another Grammy for his incredible stylings on Banjo with his wife Abigail Washburn, Bela Fleck will be coming to the Collins Center for the Arts on Feb. 29 at 7 p.m.

Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn have collaborated in the past, most visibly in their Sparrow Quartet with Casey Driessen and Ben Sollee. Until last fall, though, any performances they gave as a two-piece were decidedly informal - a pickin' party here, a benefit show at Washburn's grandmother's Unitarian church there. It was inevitable and eagerly anticipated by fans of tradition-tweaking acoustic fare that these partners in music and life (who married in 2009) would eventually do a full-fledged project together.

ORONO - Few entertainers today are as accomplished or versatile as Ben Vereen and his legendary performances are woven into the fabric of this country's artistic legacy. The Collins Center for the Arts Gala at the University of Maine, present 'Steppin' Out with Ben Vereen' on Sept. 29 at 8 p.m. Tickets are available by calling (207) 581-1755 or online at http://www.collinscenterforthearts.com. The Collins Center for the Arts is located on the University of Maine campus at 5746 Collins Center for the Arts, Orono.