Culture Club

Piccadilly Square In West Boca Offers A Three-For-One Arts Experience

Piccadilly Square, West Boca's first shopping plaza, was built in 1980.

Almost 40 years later, it has transformed into a unique cultural center in South Florida. In 2015, Boca Black Box opened its doors on the boardwalk behind Dunkin' Donuts. Since then, it has become a popular venue, taking pride in its diverse entertainment - ranging from live music and comedy to magicians and theater.

Thus, it was only natural that Christine Barclay decided to join forces with the Black Box to open the BARCLAY Performing Arts Academy next door. A premier youth performing arts academy in South Florida, it gives kids in grades K-12 and working professionals the chance to perform critically acclaimed plays. BARCLAY also offers acting, vocal training and yoga classes; a homeschool program; and private coaching for special needs students.

"This is a safe place for kids to express and heal from the world," Barclay says. "We are not just an academy but a family."

Creative Heart Dance Studio, the final piece of the plaza's culture puzzle, relocated on the other side of Boca Black Box in June. Its main focus is teaching dance with creativity, passion and love. The studio offers recreational and competitive dance classes; unlimited class packages; family packages; master classes; private lessons; and adult dance classes. Gina Nespoli, owner and artistic director, stands by her mission of first teaching respect, thankfulness, discipline and kindness to all her students, thus creating a safe, positive environment. O For more information, visit bocablackbox.com, barclayperformingarts.com or creativeheartdance.com.