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The Carolina Shag – A State Tradition

Featured Image: Jarrett Hucks

From the Carolina Wren to Carolina Gold Rice, South Carolina is full of iconic state symbols. One that stands out above the rest is the Palmetto State’s official dance: the Carolina Shag.

In the 1940s, the Shag became a favorite dance among young people of that decade. Born only years before on the beaches of South Carolina, Shag quickly gained popularity originally after the rise of big band swing music in the decades before. As popular music began to shift to beach music and R&B, the Carolina Shag was created to the beat of those genres.

Initially, this phenomenon was called “Fast Dancing” and those that danced along the beach in this style were called “Jitterbuggers” or “Beach Cats.” The name “Shag” did not come until years later after beaches along the Carolina coasts had already picked up this new dance style.

As people continued to dance in coastal pavilions of South and North Carolina, each town and each beach gained its own variation of the Shag that still exists today. Across South Carolina, you can see regional differences in how people approach the Carolina Shag.

At its root, though, the dancing pattern is a simple “one-and-two, three-and-four, five-six” step. In terms of those not familiar with the Shag, the steps are simply stepping forward and backward while shifting your weight from right to left. With those simple steps, the Shag allows dancers to spice things up with more advanced moves like the “pretzel” or “twist hooks.”

With its rich South Carolina history, the Shag officially became the state dance in 1984. Today, its tradition carries on with events and functions throughout the Palmetto State and the South centered around Shag.

Learn to shag today or take a look at some of the other things that make our great state an even greater place to live!

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Three Places to Get Your Shag On in SC

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Shagging is known as the signature dance of South Carolina. Rumor has it that this specific type of dance started on the Grand Strand in the 1920s, and the dance has been going strong ever since. If you’d like to keep this fun piece of history alive, here are three venues across the state that are great for getting your shag on.

Fat Harold’s Beach Club: Myrtle Beach, SC

Fat Harold’s has been around for years and has an old-school atmosphere. It’s a dancing spot known for shagging and line dancing. Offering free beginner shagging classes every Tuesday, and open-floor shagging nights on Wednesdays starting at 4:00pm. Even more classes are offered on Mondays for all levels of shaggers, with alternating instructors each week. No matter the day of the week, there’s something for every level of shagger at Fat Harold’s Beach Club.  

Check out their Facebook page here.

The Woody at The Vista: Columbia, SC

If you’re looking for a more laid-back, nightclub atmosphere, try visiting The Woody. Let loose with the casual vibe and cocktails. You’ll catch people out on the dance floor every night of the week here. But, if you really want to get your shag on, show up on a Thursday night for The Woody’s featured “Shaggin’ Thursdays”.

Check out their Facebook page here.

Dolphin Head Golf Club in Hilton Head Plantation: Hilton Head Island

If you’ve been shagging for the majority of your life, Dolphin Head Golf Club is the place for you. The dance floor here is sponsored by The Carolina Shag Club and is made for just that – getting your shag on. There’s also an outdoor dance floor for those cool September nights. This venue is for more serious shaggers, with social dances every Friday night at 6:00pm. The DJ also changes weekly. Come and show off your moves for just $5/person.

Check out their Facebook page here.

 

 

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