When I moved from the Blue Ridge Mountain area in North Carolina to North Myrtle Beach, I found a few things to be different. I will save all those differences for another post, but one thing that intrigued me was the Official State Dance called "The Shag".
For those of you who don't know about this popular dance, you are in for a real treat. It is really a BIG deal at North Myrtle Beach, and I do mean BIG. These guys take this form of dance very seriously. So seriously in fact, that I am embarrassed to even try to learn. There are some real serious shaggers here at the beach.
Shagging originated in North Myrtle Beach in the 1930's. It is known as a smooth, graceful, dance with emphasis on footwork rather than turns. Smooth and grounded, the partners connect with one hand only in most cases.
Beach music tunes are popular music played for those who shag. "Carolina Girls" - "Under the Boardwalk" and " I love beach music" are a few of the popular tunes.
The mecca of the shag dance is an area in North Myrtle Beach called "Ocean Drive". There are many clubs that offer lessons, and many people of all ages and walks of life participate in the fun dance.
In the 1980's, came the Society of Stranders, better known as SOS. This organization is owned by the Association of the Carolina Shag Club or the ACSC. The SOS sponsors the Myrtle Beach Spring Safari in March, and again in September they host the Fall Migration.
These events bring huge crowds to the North Myrtle Beach area.
Although I am not an official shagger, I do enjoy watching other couples who have mastered this dance. Some day, I am going to get brave and learn it myself. Until then, I just enjoy watching the rest of the gang.
If you have not experienced this art form, you should consider coming on down and seeing what you have been missing!! You will find shagging going on somewhere in the North Myrtle Beach area, any time you want to look. So put on your shagging shoes and get on down here. We will be waiting on your arrival.
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