History of the Carolina Shag
The Carolina Shag is a distinctive partner dance that originated in the 1930s and evolved in the boardwalk pavilions and beach clubs of either Carolina Beach, North Carolina USA. (where it’s also their state dance) or in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina–the story varies, depending on who you’re getting your history from. Ultimately, North Myrtle Beach has become the epicenter of this dance which has become synonymous with warm sand, cold beer, and summertime fun with friends and family.
The Carolina shag has elements of the jitterbug and the Lindy Hop, so it’s a lively dance that’s as fun to watch as it is to do, with a 6-count swing step that will definitely give you a fun workout.
The basic step in Carolina Shag is a six-count, eight-step pattern danced in a slot.
Much of the dance focuses on the fancy footwork and gliding, improvised steps of the male dancer, who really gets to strut his stuff. The shag is best danced to “beach music,” a regional musical genre with big-band era swing roots that also blends R&B, rock and pop music styles of the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s.
The Carolina Shag is a distinctive partner dance that originated in the 1930s and evolved in the boardwalk pavilions and beach clubs of either Carolina Beach, North Carolina USA. (where it’s also their state dance) or in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina–the story varies, depending on who you’re getting your history from. Ultimately, North Myrtle Beach has become the epicenter of this dance which has become synonymous with warm sand, cold beer, and summertime fun with friends and family.
The Carolina shag has elements of the jitterbug and the Lindy Hop, so it’s a lively dance that’s as fun to watch as it is to do, with a 6-count swing step that will definitely give you a fun workout.
The basic step in Carolina Shag is a six-count, eight-step pattern danced in a slot.
Much of the dance focuses on the fancy footwork and gliding, improvised steps of the male dancer, who really gets to strut his stuff. The shag is best danced to “beach music,” a regional musical genre with big-band era swing roots that also blends R&B, rock and pop music styles of the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s.
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Carolina Shag classes - Block courses
Port Dance Studio |
