“The Carolina Shag”

Emily Steinbach, Emilia Torello, and Nina Tinsley

Introduction:
● “Shag”: A partner dance done to beach music
○ a social experience
○ Fluid and energetic; upbeat, yet relaxing and fun
● Place of Origin: the Carolina beaches along the strip known as ”The Grand Strand’
● Southern tradition

Origin:
● Evolved from the Jitterbug and Charleston– wanted to slow down and smooth of the dance
● People:
○ European Settlers coming to the Carolina colony in 1760’s
○ African descent

Development:
● 1920’s and 1930’s: jazz and swing music; only on jukeboxes in black night clubs
● Beach Music: brought into white beach clubs
● 1940’s: gained attention and Shag become what it is known for today
○ Billy Jeffers, “Big” George Lineberry, Malcom Ray ‘Chicken’ Hicks attributed to
popularizing the dance in the 1940’s and 1950’s
● The rise of Rock ‘n’ Roll
● 1964- Hurricane Hazel

Present:
● Society of Stranders
○ Fall Migration
○ Spring Safari
● Association of Carolina Shag
● Dance Clubs
○ Fat Harold’s Beach Club, Spanish Galleon (Myrtle Beach)
● National dance competitions
● Tradition: Southern sorority formals, weddings and parties
● Social Media - 2006: 800,000 people know of Shag

Footwork:
● Six-count, eight-step pattern: “one-and-two, three-and-four, five-six”
○ Move to every count
● Couple does the same steps, opposite feet
● Man leads with left, woman follows with right

Example Websites:
● Learn to Dance Carolina Shag Volume 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdadn1iT_58
● Jackie McGee and Charlie Womble Spotlight Dance July 13, 2013:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2MMLaSOXzE