The "Shag" 5 '08

“The Shag” is the official dance of South Carolina.  It originated in the 60s at the height of the beach music craze, and it is still popular with all ages throughout the South.  There are lots of “Shag Dance Street Festivals in the warmer months, and all of the winter holiday parties feature a “Shag Band.” Bruce and I signed up for lessons.  It is basically a simple six step routine with lots of turns thrown in for show.   You wouldn’t believe how fast the locals warm up to us when we tell them we are learning to “Shag”.   It’s better than saying you golf; after all, golf is  played everywhere, but The Shag is a Southern dance and if you are learning it - it must mean you are sincere about wanting to be a part of this community.

     Bruce is much better at the dance than I am   I have no sense of rhythm, but find it worth the effort to practice just because it opens so many doors for us.  Anyway I don’t need to be great as most of the fancy foot work is done by the male.