Welcome to Patricia Campbell, Dance Caller from Fairfield County, CT. Here you will find information about traditional social dancing, about my programs, and about The Reel Thing and other bands who provide live music for them.

Traditional Social Dance

Traditional dance includes a variety of names and types of social dance: barn dance, ceilidh, community dance, square dance, English country dance, International folk dance, just to name a sample. It is an engaging and lively social activity, especially with the sparkling music of bands like The Reel Thing, Lost Dog, the Fiddleheads, and others. In an age of increasing isolation and solitary activities, traditional dance continues to bring people together the way it has done for generations.

The caller does a “walk-through” for each dance and then continues to prompt it as long as needed. The synergy among the caller, the dancers, and the music is magical. The caller leads the dancers into a relationship with the music, a highly enjoyable experience for all.

Programs

Whether you are looking for historical dances such as dances from the Revolutionary War era, American folk dances (square dances, singing or “Playparty” games, contra-style dances), or  a mixture of traditional dances (contra, square, International folk dance), you can find it here. Our ability to customize our programs means they can be tailored specifically for you.

Individuals

If you are not part of a group (library, school, church, scouts, homeschoolers, senior center, other community organization), get a group of friends or families together and HAVE A DANCE!

Some examples of programs we have provided in this way include 50th birthday and anniversary parties, 80th birthday parties, a neighborhood block party, a variety of children’s and family events, a Colonial-themed wedding reception. We particularly enjoy providing family dances, “barn” dances, and inter-generational dances. We can also provide a variety of music programs. Your imagination is the only limit on what kinds of traditional dance & music programs we can provide.

A note to non-profit organizations...

I am listed in the CCT Directory of Performing Artists and therefore eligible for you to apply for funding for our programs to the CT Commission on Culture & Tourism from their Arts Presentation Grants. If you are in New England, but outside Connecticut, you can find me on Matchbook.org through which you may apply for grants from NEST (New England States Touring) funds through the New England Foundation for the Arts. Check these sites to apply for grant money with which to arrange to bring our music & dance programs (historical or contemporary) to your group or venue!

You can also find me on Facebook -