PORTLAND – Portland Ballet Company’s “Signs of Spring” performance today and Saturday, March 25, will feature two world premieres. They are “The Three Cornered Hat,” a Spanish infused classical piece by Daielma Santos set to the music of Manuel de Falla, and “Spoke of the Wheel – the Winkler Project,” a collaboration of contemporary choreographer Nell Green and international artist Michael Winkler.

In addition, the ballet company will reprise two favorites: the duet “Somebody” to the music of Queen, and the all-male piece “Au Suivant.”

PBC resident choreographer Daielma Santos’ “Three Cornered Hat” is a classical ballet piece originally choreographed by Leonide Massine for the Ballet Russe in 1919. Santos’ interpretation of this work incorporates bravado ballet technique with the flair and sensuality of the Spanish tradition.

Santos, a native of Brazil, also choreographed “Au Suivant,” an ode to everyday stress performed by four male dancers in business suits to an upbeat, rhythmic Jacques Brel French Cabaret song (“Au Suivant”) .

The “Winkler Project,” choreographed by Green in collaboration with Winkler, incorporates contemporary movement and Winkler’s word art, creating a single unified piece. Green’s contemporary choreography has been performed in Maine, Indiana, Colorado, New York, and in Eastern Europe. Winkler’s art can be seen at www.winklerwordart.com.

Green is also the choreographer and dancer in “Somebody,” to Queen. She will perform this piece with fellow Portland Ballet dancer Tyler Sperry.

A former resident of Maine, Winkler, has won numerous awards for his work, including being named National Arts Fellow and Fellow of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. His work is included in the permanent collections of various art and literary institutions.

Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Portland’s John Ford Theater. The entrance is through Portland High School. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for students. They are available through PortTix, 842-0800 or www.porttix.com. Tickets may also be purchased at the PortTix box office, 20 Myrtle St., between noon and 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.