When it comes to types of dancing, you probably already have seen dancers tango, breakdance, tap, swing, or ballroom, but have you seen dancers dance the shag?
I know I did not until today!
Just like clothing and makeup trends, dance styles go in and out of popularity through the years.
These junior dancers demonstrate why shag dancing should still be a fun and popular dance.
Shag dancing, also known as the Carolina Shag, was created on the beaches of the Carolinas.
It rose to popularity during the 1940s and 1950s.
Shag dancing, in the beginning, was danced to “beach music,” since it was created in beach clubs.
As most trends, shag dancing rose in popularity with the young crowd first.
Once again, it is young people that want to bring the shag back, at least by this junior team.
NCpedia explains, “There were many beach club pavilions sporting dilapidated outsides and wooden dance floors where teenagers would sneak off and dance the night away… In its prime, the shag became more than just a dance; it was a social phenomenon, with teenagers from all over the Carolinas drawn to its image of daring and excitement.”
Southern Living has more on the shag,
“It has ebbed and flowed in and out of popularity since. And, as if it couldn’t sound any more Southern, the Carolina Shag has lived on to being described as a “cold beer on a warm night with a hot date and no plans for tomorrow.”
Now how cool is that?
The young people are leading once again by bring back the shag. The Junior Shag Dance Team was created with the intention to be,
“… a group of young Carolina Shag dancers ages 14-20 from all over the South. Their goal is to spread the dance they love to the world in hopes of keeping Carolina Shag and it’s deep-routed traditions alive.”
Now that’s pretty cool if you think about it.
These kids would rather dance than spend countless hours on the internet or even hanging out in public places with their friends.
This dance team is made up of six girls and six boys.
It is important in shag dancing to look as if all members are mirroring each other and dancing in sync.
This team does not have to worry about that because their very first dance moves shows that this team can move as one.
The smiles on all their faces shows that they know they are about to crush this dance.
Once they show off their harmony as one, it became time to split off.
The dancers go into groups of four, two boys and two girls.
The dancers might have broken off into smaller groups of four but watching the entire team dance in their groups, they are still dancing as one.
These young adults have major talent and they look like they are having so much fun, it makes me want to learn the shag!
The groups of four become even more narrowed down as each dancer grabs just one partner.
The first shag dancers of the 1940s usually danced the shag with only one partner. So, it is important for this team to showcase the main event of a shag dance. This is when the dancers really start to move.
As they dance with their partner, they are still able to showcase that their are also still dancing as one team.
What makes this dance even more fun to watch is their music!
Their choreography is set to classic songs, such as “Think” by Aretha Franklin, “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone” by The Temptations, and “Midnight Special” by Little Richard.
These classic songs are always fun to dance to and you can tell they are loving the songs too.
The shag dance is all about that party vibe after all!
This shag dance was meant for first place and the team got what they deserved, they were the champions of the competition!
Watch their full dance right below and get ready to want to shag dance!
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
