THE HISTORY OF THE SHAG

As with all established institutions, the Shag didn’t happen over night. It evolved slowly, naturally, and gracefully much as the dance itself. It’s been said that Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle started it all with their movie Runin’ Wild. Once and for all they gave us permission to loosen the restraints of the European style of dance forever. By 1924, the Charleston became the rage made internationally famous by that beguiling, multitalented young lady in the banana skit, Josephine Baker. The Charleston followed by the Black Bottom, Big Apple, Varsity Drag, and later the Lindy Hop along with its sister the Jitterbug led to the era of Swing Dancing and eventual birth of the Shag.

As Swing grew, it took on unique styles for various geographic areas in the United States. In California it was called the West Coast Swing. In North Myrtle Beach in the 1940’s teenagers developed their own style of swing that was to become known as the Shag. Slower than the West Coast Swing, this dance didn’t bounce or hop, it glided, and was best enjoyed barefoot in the sand. Some historians say the term Shag was coined at Carolina Beach, NC, but that’s debatable since Duck-Tailed guys and pretty girls danced to Beach music in 4/4 time from Virginia Beach to Savannah, Georgia.

Billy Jeffers and Chicken Hicks are two notable dancers credited with developing the Shag we know today. They slowed down the early fast swing tempo into a looser, easy dance. Whether you prefer a “kick-ball-change” step in place or the basic “step, kick, one-two-three, rock back” style, the dance is still cool. Why? Because it’s one of the most soulful, sensual dances ever. Observed, this may seem a paradox since the partners never touch except of their fingertips; it's old fashioned courting at its finest. The lady gently places her hand in her partner’s sure grip, and he takes her on a fun trip that only a masterful, secure gentleman can maneuver. It’s all in the graceful, individual footwork.

Ocean Drive (OD to natives) became a Shagger’s heaven. Lifeguards and college kids, along with folks from all walks of life traveled weekends and summer holidays to clubs such as Ducks, Fat Harold’s, and The Pad. In 1980 an ex-lifeguard named Gene Laughter planned a reunion for Ocean Drive beach bums who enjoyed the Shag. Today this pilgrimage has become a beach tradition with over 15,000 die hard Shaggers turning out every spring and fall for the Society of Stranders (SOS) Spring Safari and the Fall migration Shag conventions. Dancers get together and talk about old times and, of course, “shag the night away.” Lessons are taught certain nights at various clubs, and everyone is invited to go out and learn this fun dance.

In 1984 the South Carolina General Assembly declared the Shag to be the official state dance. Today, often referred to as the “longest running Shag contest in the U.S.”, the National Shag Dance Championship is an annual event in Myrtle Beach.