Just what is SC shag dancing, and why has it attracted thousands to the Myrtle Beach area?
No, this isn’t the carpet or the haircut.
Shag dancing is the state dance of South Carolina and comes from the Grand Strand. Three times a year, thousands of shaggers, as they’re called, descend on North Myrtle Beach, to enjoy beach music, dance for hours and reconnect with friends. Here’s your primer to the history and culture of shag dancing in the Myrtle Beach area.
Around 3,000 shaggers are in North Myrtle Beach this weekend for the Society of Stranders Mid-Winter Break, estimated Robin Morley, chair of the Association of Carolina Shag Clubs. The festivities are spread around clubs by Ocean Drive (OD for short) in North Myrtle Beach, including the OD Arcade and Lounge, Fat Harold’s, the OD Resort, the Spanish Galleon, and Duck’s Night Life.
Where does shag come from?
The dance was most popular in the North and South Carolina coasts in the 1940’s and 50’s. Open-air beach-front pavilions hosted teenagers dancing to beach music, which is post-war R&B.
The dance has similarities to the Lindy Hop, Jitterbug and East Coast Swing. Today, North Myrtle Beach is the epicenter of Carolina shag, and hosts three festivals each year: the Mid-Winter Break, Spring Safari, and Fall Migration.
What makes shag unique?
Shaggers traditionally dance to beach music, but now DJ’s mix it up with country and other genres. In the early days, it was mostly the men who spun and did fancy footwork. Now, everyone adds flavor to their dance. Dancers keep their top half controlled – the legs and feet are the stars of the show. A wood floor and leather soled shoes are ideal for shag, so dancers can slide.
Why do people like shag?
Attendees said their favorite part of shag is the camaraderie and community. “It’s not just a dance, it’s a lifestyle,” said Candy Long of Rock Hill, S.C.
“It’s almost like a family, we get a family reunion like three times a year,” said Ken Akin from Aiken, S.C. Akin started shagging over 50 years ago when he was in high school. “I was able to dance with the girls when the other guys were sitting around. I knew right then that I needed to keep dancing.”
Mid-Winter Break attendees said they were excited to welcome new dancers, especially younger ones. “If you were just learning to shag and I asked you to dance and you told me that, I would never go out there and embarrass you,” said David Galloway of Wilson, N.C. “Because I want you to enjoy and feel comfortable and have a good time too.”
How can I try it out?
To get involved with shag, you can take lessons or get involved with a club. Fat Harold’s Beach Club in North Myrtle Beach hosts weekly shag classes on Mondays (7 p.m. beginner, 8 p.m. Intermediate) and Tuesdays (7 p.m. beginner). The Murrells Inlet Community Center holds beginner shag classes on Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Want to get social? Join the shag community at a shag group near you. The South Strand Shag Club in Murrells Inlet hosts shag dances each Saturday night from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the VFW at 4359 US-17 BUS, Murrells Inlet. The OD Shag Club in North Myrtle Beach meets up on the third Saturday of every month at Fat Harold’s Beach, 212 Main St, North Myrtle Beach.
To find out about shag events throughout the region, keep your eyes on the Society of Stranders. They post events and workshops in their Facebook group.
