When it comes to Swing dance, you’ll find there are many different forms. One of these is called Shag. Originally, it came from the African American community. But over time, it became a popular style among beachgoers. By the 1950s and into the 1960s, Shag was commonly referred to as “beach music.”
Capital City Shag
For several years, Capital City Shag has hosted dance competitions. In 2013, its ninth event, two dancers stood out as favorites. Kayla Henley and Jeremy Webb were young but they’d already made quite the name for themselves in the world of Shag.
Feeling excited
Knowing how good this couple was on the dance floor, the crowd waited in anticipation for them to perform. While some people had seen them before, others would get their first look at this duo. By the end of the routine, everyone was blown away at their level of talent.
Going viral
Seven years ago, videos didn’t go viral as quickly as they do today. Even so, one of their performance at the Capital City Shag competition earned them more than 450,000 views. Along with that, a lot of people posted comments like “Outstanding performance, top best.”
Getting ready to perform
In front of a packed house, Kayla and Jeremy made their way to the center of the dance floor. The room was filled with people of all ages, many there just to see this duo dance. Although some dancers might’ve felt nervous, these two looked comfortable and confident.
Sitting on edge
There was no need for the crowd to feel nervous. The second the music started, Kayla and Jeremy began strutting their stuff. Immediately, it was easy to see they were both incredibly limber. In fact, one poster commented that Jeremy had “rubber legs,” which for a dancer is a huge compliment.
On point
Of the different styles of Swing, Carolina Shag is probably one of the more challenging. The body, hands, and feet have to be on point throughout the routine. This form includes specific turns, twists, and foot flicks, something this pair did flawlessly.
Long-time partners
At least that’s what we’re guessing. For two people to get this good at a dance like Shag, they’ve had to spend years together. After all, it takes a lot of time, focus, and energy to craft such a skill. And as expected, Kayla and Jeremy didn’t disappoint.
Perfection from beginning to end
Whether sliding, gliding, twisting, or turning, this couple didn’t miss a beat. In perfect rhythm to the music, they gave a fantastic performance. It didn’t take long for the crowd to start whooping it up. Throughout the number, people couldn’t stop themselves from hollering.
It only got better
It didn’t matter if Kayla and Jeremy were dancing side by side or arm in arm, everyone in attendance was impressed. With talent like that on the dance floor, there’s no way they couldn’t be. And the more support the couple got from the crowd the better they seemed to perform…if that was even possible.
Making it look easy
Remember, dancing the Shag requires hard work, balance, and stamina. Yet somehow, this duo made it look like a breeze. And best of all, they were having just as much fun as the audience was. That’s one of the many things that made this particular performance so great.
If you’ve never seen anyone Shag before, this is a perfect example of what it entails. If you’re familiar with this dance style, Kayla and Jeremy will make you appreciate it more. To see their routine for yourself, click on the video below.
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