By Jerry Grimes
For thousands of Carolinians, the “shag” is a beloved dance step popularized in the 1940s and 50s along the Grand Strand. Our elders often reminisce of swaying to the beat and gliding effortlessly across dance floors on sultry summer nights with the ocean roaring steps away. Having movements related to the “swing” or the “jitterbug”, it is fascinating to watch shaggers with fluid, graceful movements and fancy footwork. It’s a part of life here in the South, and in fact, the South Carolina Shag is the official state dance.
“I’d rather shag dance than eat,” said Vickey Van Frank, 73, president of the Capital City Shag Club. She is serious, recalling how she has allowed food to become cold several times so she could take one more spin on the floor. But it is so much more than just a dance; to the members of Columbia’s shag dance clubs, it’s a vital key to staying young and healthy, a boon to good relationships, and an entire lifestyle all in one. “It’s wonderful because you meet so many people who are so nice. They become a part of my shag family, they have my heart,” Frank shared. The love for this joyful dance step has built a community of hundreds of people in the Midlands who belong to one or more of the area’s three clubs: Capital City Shag Club, the Columbia Shag Club, and Palmetto Shag Club.
Liz Smith, 75, of Lexington, says her doctor told her shagging might be why she is so healthy. “She told me to keep doing what I am doing,” Smith said. “Any movement is good. Good for your heart, your body, your lungs. And good for your head because it makes you leave your house and be with people,” Smith added. The key is not to let age be a barrier to dancing; you are never too old or too young. Many local shag clubs hold events designed to attract families with children, teens, and everyone in between in an effort to keep the dance alive by passing the torch to future generations.
Jennifer and Brian Grant, originally from Chicago, are in their 50s and love taking to the floor to keep their relationship strong. Brian also admits that learning to do the shag when he turned fifty cured him of a bad case of dance phobia. “I didn’t even dance at our wedding,” Grant said. “I was terrified just looking at a dance floor. But something about this dance kind of drew me in. I tried it, took lessons, and I was hooked.”
Shagging is often linked to the term “swing dancing,” though the two dances shouldn’t be lumped into the same category. It has since been described as a “cold beer on a warm night with a hot date and no plans for tomorrow.” More often than not the shag is the featured dance at any club-sponsored event, but many participants in the group enjoy line dancing as well. There are various other genres of music for shaggers other than the classic “beach music” that made the shag famous, such as nostalgic tunes from many decades ago, and even a few country favorites that are occasionally rotated into the selection.
South Carolina author Tom Poland co-wrote Save The Last Dance for Me: A Love Story of the Shag and the Society of Stranders, and he has a special place in his heart for the activities and interests of shag club members. “They’re making a real effort to pass this on to what they call ‘juniors,’ and that is a good thing to see. I think it will always be passed on. It’s the official state dance in North Carolina and South Carolina,” Poland said. The Society of Stranders (SOS) is a national organization that provides a means to guide shag dancing and the lifestyle that surrounds it while keeping in touch with the past that gave birth to the phenomenon. This presents the framework for discussing, planning, and implementing activities at the beach for all “stranders” to enjoy and enhance their experiences. The website has extensive information for shag culture, including communication between shaggers, lounges, dance clubs, and affiliated organizations.
Getting involved with shag dancing couldn’t be easier; just show up at the VFW Hall on Cedarcrest Drive in Lexington on most Thursday nights. The Capital City Shag Club and Palmetto Shag Clubs meet there weekly, except for the third Thursday of each month. There are free Junior Shag Workshops for ages 2-20 years old. Anyone is welcome, even if you feel that you were born with two left feet, according to Palmetto Shag Club President Butch Smith. “Just come on and hang out with us and have a good time,” Smith said, with arms wide open.
Capital City Shag Club
PO Box 53
Irmo, SC 29063
CapitalCityShagClubSC.org
Columbia Shag Club
PO Box 11225
Columbia, SC 29201
ColumbiaShagClub.net
Palmetto Shag Club
P.O. Box 7232
Columbia, SC 29202
PalmettoShagClub.com
