Phillip’s Dog delivers enchanting performances of historical and folk dance music with energy and flair.
Phillip’s Dog is a unique ensemble specializing in colonial Australian dance music, while also exploring a wide-ranging repertoire. It encompasses a variety of musical styles, including medieval melodies, the dance compositions of Purcell and Bach, traditional folk tunes, and contemporary works. The ensemble performs an array of dance forms, such as branles, jigs, hornpipes, waltzes, polkas, and reels. With a lineup of skilled musicians playing acoustic instruments ~ fiddle, viola, clarinet, piano, and guitar, Phillip’s Dog offers a rich and engaging musical experience.
The band is led by Roland Clarke (violin, viola) who arranges the music and enjoys creating harmonies to enhance the melodies. Roland travelled to California in 2020 to record a CD of dance music (Captain Cook’s Country Dances) in collaboration with The Whoots, one of the world’s leading exponents of English Country Dance music. Roland is joined by Anne Hayes (piano), Annalie Roux (clarinet), and Ron van Puten (guitar), and friends.
Phillip’s Dog plays for regular dances in Samford and Arana Hills, and our annual Jane Austen Ball. They also perform at special events – National Folk Festival, Shakespeare in the Gardens, Abbey Medieval Festival, Galvanized Festival, 4MBS Shakespeare Festival, History Alive, National Trust events, etc.
Contacts
Email: contact@historicaldance.au Telephone: 04 2206 7392
At the launch of Samford Creative Trails, May 2026. Photos by Anna Fawcus.
They were wonderful! Thoroughly enjoyed their performance.
Such talent in one space was an exceptional treat.
Wolston Homestead, National Trust of Queensland for the Australian Heritage Festival, May 2026
What a wonderful May Day at Wolston Farmhouse over the long weekend, with over 130 guests across the day joined us for a beautiful afternoon of heritage dance and tunes as part of the Australian Heritage Festival.
Live music that brings history to life!
Limestone Frolic for the Galvanised Festival, Ipswich. 2022 – present
Please note: The music on this video is not Phillip’s Dog, it does however, capture the essence of the evening exceptionally well!
We’ve had an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response from those who attended.
The organisers at Ipswich Libraries.
Fantastic evening once again. Excellent instruction, enthusiastic dancers, lovely supper. So well organised, and the decorations, band and photo booth were wonderful.
This is our third year attending and absolutely love it every time.
Had a wonderful time thoroughly enjoyed it, looking forward to next year
Abbey Medieval Festival, 2023-2026
