Circassian or Sicilian

Norman BETT

Message 11286 · 18 Mar 1998 18:03:51 · Fixed-width font · Whole thread

Hello

Here's something that has been puzzling me for some time: When I first heard
the name `Circassian Circle' I was playing solely for Scottish Dancing in
Scotland. Since then I have played for all kinds of `English Dance' and some
American. In England the term Circassian Circle is used to describe a single
circle, usually a large one, with dancers facing inwards and holding hands. The
formation of couple facing couple round the room is known as a Sicilian Circle
in English dancing; possibly in American too. The Scottish version is like the
English Sicilian. Which is right, if any? Do these formations have any
relationship to the supposed country of origin ? Perhaps the Scots version
should always be called the Scotch Circle (although unfortunately there is a
specific dance of that name - as I'm sure you all know!)

Norman Bett

Mr Norman Bett
2 Blinco Grove, Cambridge CB1 4TS UK

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