It can’t all be classical compositions and world-renowned overtures. Sometimes you just need music with a little pop. So to bring a little lightness to the air, the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra presents its Pops Concert “That’s Entertainment” this weekend. Executive Director Mary Kay Robinson talks to Take Five about making music fun.

What should people expect from the pops concert?

Well, it’s a combination of music and merriment. It’s a little bit of everything. We get a little jazz, a little Broadway, a little popular music and a little humor. It’s a smattering of all those things. It’s just a fun night with good music.

How does it differ from the usual WSO lineup?

Typically in our pops concerts, instead of the classics — you know symphonies and concertos — there will be more of a contemporary lineup. It’s a little lighter flavor as far as the music is concerned. You’re not going to have an hour-long symphony. The pieces tend to be shorter and draw from popular music.

Tell me about the composers.

Ken Harrison was a composer and music director in Hollywood for 20 years. He wrote the music for “Fantasy Island,” “Dallas” and “Dynasty.” He’s done a lot of different stuff. He wrote a piece that will be premiering and he’ll be conducting in the pops concert. For Ray Downey, he’s composed and he’s going to perform a concerto for saxophone. He’s doing double duty. You don’t get to hear a lot of saxophone in classical music. This will be one of the few times patrons will get to hear solo saxophone accompanied by the orchestra.

Why did you choose guests artists, the Bottom Line Duo, Spencer and Traci Hoveskeland?

They do classical music with a sense of humor. Spencer performs “Flight of the Bumblebee” on a string bass. You don’t usually hear that. On Saturday night from 6:30 to 7 p.m., they’ll do improv live with members of The Upfront Theatre. It sets up the whole laughter and fun and all that, and it’s free if you have a ticket to the Saturday night performance. It’s kind of a little bonus.

What’s your favorite kind of pop music?

That’s tough. Probably my favorite kind of popular music is anything from American musical theater. “Westside Story” is a classic, (along with) “South Pacific” and “Oklahoma.” It captures such a wonderful sense of the mood of the country, that optimism.”