If you’ve never heard of shag dancing, you’ll find its history interesting. It stemmed from young folks who were really just out to have a good time at the beach. The laid-back vibe and worry-free environment had everyone so relaxed and at ease that the only way to express the priceless feeling was through dance.
And so, with a six-count, eight-step pattern, the dance became a symbol for fun, happy times.
Called the “swing dance of the South”, the Shag is so popular because of how easy it is. Dino Thompson, one of South Carolina’s original Shaggers, offers a brief explanation of the dance’s origin:
“We started dancing like we talked to girls at the beach – laid back, slow and easy.”
Its common purpose is to break barriers and bring everyone together to have fun and enjoy the music. In fact, Thompson says,
“The sheer power of the emotional appeal of music brought the races together. Black and white, rich and poor, jumped the rope and came down from the balconies to share the music and a memory.”
(Source: Discover South Carolina)
It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what you do.
As long as you know how to get down on the dance floor, then you’ve got the essence of the Shag down pat.
Always a delight to watch, Shag dancing always brings people back to the good old days.
In fact, today’s Shag dancers even sport the same stylish, classic ensembles worn by the original Shaggers.
Check out LA Shag and their amazing performance at the Camp Hollywood National Jitterbug Championships.
Composed of four pairs of dancers, the group assembled on the dance floor looking like they just stepped out of a 1940s magazine.
They came up with the perfect introduction, too. The dance number starts with the group pretending to be asleep until dance music fills the room.
That’s when the first couple feigns waking up and proceeds to quickly tap the pair next to them as their feet begin to move in time with the beat of “San” by the California Fleetwarmers.
The pairs danced in perfect synchronicity, moving smoothly across the floor and showing off some fancy footwork.
The beat and the dance will definitely have you clapping and tapping along.
The fast-paced movements of the dancers went perfectly with the old school vibe of the song. You’ll be amazed at how effortless the dancers make it look. In fact, the entire dance number is so engaging that you’ll want to try it out yourself. Viewers young and old alike couldn’t help commenting on the outfits and the dancing.
The older ones especially appreciated how the performance brought them back to their younger days.
“Oh, to be young again…”
As LA Shag danced across the floor, switching positions, the audience were kept entertained by extra moves incorporated in the dance: when the males pretend to steal a kiss and the females respond by acting shocked and “slapping” them. Keeping up their energy, LA Shag even included bunny hops in their routine.
It’s no surprise that the group bagged first place in the team category of the competition.
Check out LA Shag’s winning performance below!
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