Campbell To Call Traditional Dance For All Ages, Feb. 3

WASHINGTON — Cabin Fever: A Traditional New England Country Dance for All Ages will take place at 7 pm Friday, February 3, at Wersebe Hall on the Green.

The event will include music by Frisco Hermans and Friends, led by caller Patricia Campbell of Newtown.

Traditional country dancing includes longways contra-style dances such as the Virginia Reel, square dances and folk dances.

Each dance will begin with a walk-through and then will be prompted by the caller. No experience is necessary, and guests may attend with or without a partner.

A mixture of Celtic, French-Canadian and southern Appalachian tunes will be played.

Ms Campbell has been dancing since she was 5 years old, starting with modern dance and ballet.

Her repertoire now includes contra dance, square dance, 18th Century Colonial dance, and some international folk dance and Singing Games, also known as PlayParty Games — dances that are done to songs rather than to music by instruments.

She leads seated square dances for those who cannot easily walk or dance. She does workshops and school residencies, along with custom programs for different events.

She was a caller and a member of the Board and Programming Committee for the Northeast Music, Art and Dance Festival for most of its 20-year run.

Suggested donations are $10 for adults, $5 for children, and $25 for families.

The hall is part of First Congregational Church on the Green, off Route 47 at 6 Kirby Road.

Those seeking additional information about the traditional dance may call Karen Esslinger at the Parish House at 860-868-0569.