A traditional community dance is scheduled on Friday, May 31, from 6:30 until 8:30 pm, in The Great Room of Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street.

The main purpose for the dance reflects Ms Campbell’s passion for “Celebrating Community through Traditional Dance and Music.”

Organizing the dance, Ms Campbell said, “came out of a feeling of wanting to do something in response to the tragic loss of Jeremy Richman — feeling a need to do something to help bring people together; to ‘smile — connect — dance.’”

The dance is sponsored in part by Newtown Congregational Church and by the Outreach Fund of the Country Dance and Song Society.

Dance Caller Patricia Campbell and The Reel Thing Band will lead people in circle, square, and longways dances (think Virginia Reel or Jane Austen).

“If you can walk, you can dance,” promises Ms Campbell.

Each dance has a ‘walk-through’ before dancing to the music, still with the caller reminding people of each next dance figure. Dances offer lots of fun, laughter, and “if you do get mixed up, it only adds to the helpful interaction,” according to Ms Campbell. “It’s the most “user-friendly” type of dance,” she added.

The dances are easy, and no prior experience is necessary. All are invited — beginners, singles, couples, groups. A goodwill donation is appreciated, but there is no cost to attend.

Refreshments will be donated by Butcher’s Best of Newtown.

Patricia Campbell is a local dance leader who calls dances in schools, libraries, historical societies, living rooms, community halls, outdoors… just about everywhere. She does a weekly dance at Bethel Senior Center and led one at Newtown Senior Center for three years.

She also leads the annual May Fair at Housatonic Valley Waldorf School and dances for all kinds of community organizations as well as private events and historical dance programs.

The Reel Thing is a Connecticut-based band specializing in music for traditional social dances, costumed, authentic colonial dances, music from the 18th Century, workshops for children and adults, and community “barn” dances.

The band includes former Newtown resident Fran Hendrickson on keyboard and accordion, Sue Hill on fiddle, Ginny Worrell on keyboard and fiddle, Julie Sorcek on flute and saxophone, and Bill Campbell on bass. There may be one or two guest musicians sitting in as well as a possible guest caller or two.

For more information, contact Ms Campbell at patricia@countrydancecaller.com or find Patricia Campbell, Dance Caller on Facebook.