Fred Astaire: The Conference
ORIEL COLLEGE OXFORD
21–24 JUNE 2008

Patricia Carley

Patricia Carley has been possessed by a love of Fred Astaire films since childhood. As a result, she has developed an expertise in Astaire’s work and an obsessive (and, she sometimes fears, annoying) desire to share this devotion with everyone she meets.

Patricia and fellow presenter Chris Bamberger developed a continuing education course on Fred Astaire’s life in films, emphasizing his influence on dance and movies, his often neglected singing ability, and of course, his sex appeal. The aim of the course is to broaden people’s awareness and appreciation of Astaire’s greatness, helping them to move past the stereotype of the guy in top hat and tails. Patricia has assisted Chris in presenting the course at community centers, dance schools, and retirement residences.

In her other life, Patricia works on international human rights issues in Washington, D.C.

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"The Astaire Conference" is an organization which contracts with the College for the use of facilities,
but which has no formal connection with The University of Oxford.

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