Piccadilly Circus @ The Unicorn, Hanley 4th July 2009

Article by Matt Taylor

This new City centre event takes place in Piccadilly, Hanley, on Saturday 4th July, and will feature a programme of stage entertainment including eight bands, acoustic acts, theatre groups, high school performances, and a salsa lesson for everyone who comes to watch!

The agenda will highlight some of Stoke-on-Trent’s up-and-coming talent from one extreme to another; from some of the area’s hottest bands playing their own material, to youngsters taking the stage for the very first time.

And back down on the ground there will be plenty going on too, with Stoke’s Top Talent contestant close-up magician Ben Cardall baffling his victims, while visitors can quench their thirsts at the real ale beer festival tent, including beers from Staffordshire and the rest of the UK.

This is the first time this event has taken place, but organisers hope that its success will repeated year after year. Matt Taylor, who is also licensee of the Unicorn, Hanley, coordinated the event. He said:

“It’s taken a lot of time and planning to get to where we are now. It’s hard to believe that it’s actually going to happen on Saturday."

“I’d really like to thank all the people who have helped with the event: Stoke Sounds for their part in organising bands, Sarah Smith for contacting all of the theatre groups, and the council for closing the road and allowing us to go ahead with it."

“We have had some setbacks and a couple of bands have dropped out, but that’s the way it goes."

“All the signs are that we’re going to have a cracking day, and if we’re lucky the weather will be with us too. I urge anyone who has only just heard about it to come along and have a look, after all, it’s free!”

Piccadilly Circus will take placed on 4th July, in Piccadilly, Hanley, this Saturday, between 12pm to 10pm and the itinerary is as follows:

12.00 Stoke youth Musical Theatre Company
12.30 Alsager High School
12.50 Salsa in the Street
13.15 Liberty Theatre Company
13.40 Clough Hall High School
14.00 Gareth Powell (acoustic guitar)
14.35 Five Towns Theatre
15.00 Stoke youth Musical Theatre Company
15.25 Phil Wagg (acoustic guitar)
15.45 The Coach Trad Jazz Band
16.45 Molotov Revival
17.30 The Black Apples
18.15 Cocks Entry
18.45 Interval (feat. DJ Hushmore)
19.15 Mistaken for Strangers
20.00 Heart of the Sun
20.45 The Decision
21.30 The Control