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Dixon Charles Edward - Piccadilly Circus - British School - 19th Century
Circus Day
Apr 19
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"The roar of traffic rose to my window, and I watched the people passing to and fro in Piccadilly Circus. Life was crowded into that moment."
~ Virginia Woolf (1882-1941)
Feel as if everything is going in circles? Take advantage of this dizzy dilemma with a dance packed with busy circles named for the iconic London landmark, Piccadilly Ciricus. Taking its name from "piccadill," a type of wide lace-trimmed collar fashionable in the 17th century, the name originated from a tailor, Robert Baker, who made a fortune selling piccadills and built a grand house in the area—hence "Piccadilly." This fashionable collar could be considered a more refined and flattened evolution of the Elizabethan ruff, signaling status and style in early Stuart fashion.
The word "circus" refers to the circular road junction created in 1819. The iconic illuminated signs at Piccadilly Circus have been shining since 1908, and the site has only ever gone fully dark twice—during World War II blackouts and for Earth Hour. Virtually visit all the famous landmarks in this 4 couple busy reel, full of hands across figures and of course, ending with an 8 hands round circle to the left, ending with a pivot and chase back to starting positions! 🇬🇧 🎪 ❤️ 🤍 💙
Piccadilly Circus
Some famous Piccadilly Circus landmarks include:
Criterion Theatre –
Historic Victorian theatre (1874) located right on Piccadilly Circus, known for its intimate underground stage and classic West End performances.Regent Street –
Iconic shopping boulevard famous for its curved Georgian architecture and flagship stores like Hamleys.Royal Academy of Arts –
Esteemed art institution offering world-class exhibitions and housed in a grand Palladian building near Piccadilly.Piccadilly Arcade & Burlington Arcade –
Elegant covered arcades featuring high-end shops, tailors, and specialty boutiques with a timeless, old-world feel.London Pavilion / Body Worlds –
Formerly home to Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, this historic building now hosts the Body Worlds exhibition of human anatomy.Shaftesbury Avenue (West End Theatres) –
London’s theatreland core, just steps away, showcasing major productions in venues like the Apollo and Lyric Theatres.Soho –
Lively and eclectic neighborhood filled with cafes, nightlife, and creative energy, directly north of the circus.Eros Statue (Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain) –
The famous winged statue in the center of Piccadilly Circus, often mistaken for Eros but actually representing Anteros, the angel of selfless love.
For more on Picadilly Circus' history, click the portrait of a Scottish Nobleman (British School, 17th century) wearing the namesake "piccadill"!
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
