Carolina shag
Encyclopedia
Carolina Shag is a six-count partner dance done mostly to moderate tempo music (100-150 bpm). During the dance the upper body
and hips hardly move as the legs
do convoluted kick
s and fancy footwork. The lead is the center of attention, and the follow's steps either mirror the lead's or mark time while the lead shows off with spins and other gyrations. Carolina Shag is the state dance of North Carolina
and South Carolina
, and is still popular amongst residents of both states.
Carolina Shag can trace its origins to the southern United States during the Big Band Era of the 1930s and 40s. One of the earliest documented references to a dance called "Carolina Shag" appears in a Helen Powell Poole article in 1936.http://dancehistory.org/forum/gallery/menu.php?gallery=public&album_id=7&sid=8f4fb39095a57460734768ce724f3385 Whether this article refers to an early version of the contemporary dance by the same name is still a matter of debate, as some historians claim that Carolina Shag is a descendant of Carolina Jitterbug, and its predecessor, Little Apple (whose origins can supposedly be traced to Columbia, S.C. in 1937). These historians claim that a slower six-count variation of Carolina Jitterbug (which is 8-count) was what gave rise to contemporary Carolina Shag. Soldiers from the north are said to have influenced its six-count rhythm.http://dancehistory.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=384&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=little+apple
"Shag" itself (when used in reference to American vernacular dances) is a very broad term that denotes a number of swing dances that originated during the early part of the 20th century. Arthur Murray
mentioned one form of Shag in his 1937 book "Let's Dance". This article states that shag was known throughout the entire country under various names, like "Flea Hop". And, a New York writer sent to Tulsa, Oklahoma in late 1940/early 1941 noted an "Oklahoma version of shag" done to the Western Swing
music of Bob Wills
and his Texas Playboys at the Cain's Dancing Academy in Tulsa."
Some dance historians say there is evidence to suggest that the term "shagger" was used to refer to vaudeville performers in the late 19th century http://dancehistory.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=8&p=2830&hilit=Shagger#p2830, who were known to have danced the Flea Hop. Later "shag" became a blanket term that signified a broad range of jitterbugging (swing dancing). In the 1930s there were arguably a hundred or more variations of the dance, which differ in various respect depending upon the geographic region in which they were done. Thus, Carolina Shag often bears only the faintest resemblance to other dances that share the shag designation. Contemporary St. Louis shag, for instance, (an eight-count dance) does not look much like contemporary Carolina Shag, though both originated in the Swing era of the 1930s and 40s. Though St. Louis shag is still often danced to swing music, Carolina shag is more closely associated with a variant of rhythm and blues known as "beach music
". And, for this reason, many dancers no longer consider Carolina Shag to be a true swing dance.
The term "Carolina Shag" is thought to have originated along the strands between Myrtle Beach
, South Carolina
, and Wilmington
, North Carolina
, during the 1940s. According to Bo Bryan, a noted Carolina Shag historian
and resident of Beaufort County
, the term was coined at Carolina Beach, North Carolina
. Today, the shag is a recognized dance in national and international dance
competitions held across the United States
.
The 1989 film Shag
starring Bridget Fonda
, Phoebe Cates
, Annabeth Gish
, and Page Hannah
as four high school friends on their last road trip together before graduation, was filmed in Myrtle Beach and features the Carolina shag. In 1997, the country music
band Alabama
recorded the single called "Dancin', Shaggin' on the Boulevard
" referencing this style of dance.
Body
With regard to living things, a body is the physical body of an individual. "Body" often is used in connection with appearance, health issues and death...
and hips hardly move as the legs
Human leg
The human leg is the entire lower extremity or limb of the human body, including the foot, thigh and even the hip or gluteal region; however, the precise definition in human anatomy refers only to the section of the lower limb extending from the knee to the ankle.Legs are used for standing,...
do convoluted kick
Kick
In combat sports and hand-to-hand combat, a kick is a physical strike using the foot, leg, or knee . This type of attack is used frequently, especially in stand-up fighting...
s and fancy footwork. The lead is the center of attention, and the follow's steps either mirror the lead's or mark time while the lead shows off with spins and other gyrations. Carolina Shag is the state dance of North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
and South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, and is still popular amongst residents of both states.
Carolina Shag can trace its origins to the southern United States during the Big Band Era of the 1930s and 40s. One of the earliest documented references to a dance called "Carolina Shag" appears in a Helen Powell Poole article in 1936.http://dancehistory.org/forum/gallery/menu.php?gallery=public&album_id=7&sid=8f4fb39095a57460734768ce724f3385 Whether this article refers to an early version of the contemporary dance by the same name is still a matter of debate, as some historians claim that Carolina Shag is a descendant of Carolina Jitterbug, and its predecessor, Little Apple (whose origins can supposedly be traced to Columbia, S.C. in 1937). These historians claim that a slower six-count variation of Carolina Jitterbug (which is 8-count) was what gave rise to contemporary Carolina Shag. Soldiers from the north are said to have influenced its six-count rhythm.http://dancehistory.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=384&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=little+apple
"Shag" itself (when used in reference to American vernacular dances) is a very broad term that denotes a number of swing dances that originated during the early part of the 20th century. Arthur Murray
Arthur Murray
Arthur Murray was a dance instructor and businessman, whose name is most often associated with the dance studio chain that bears his name....
mentioned one form of Shag in his 1937 book "Let's Dance". This article states that shag was known throughout the entire country under various names, like "Flea Hop". And, a New York writer sent to Tulsa, Oklahoma in late 1940/early 1941 noted an "Oklahoma version of shag" done to the Western Swing
Western swing
Western swing music is a subgenre of American country music that originated in the late 1920s in the West and South among the region's Western string bands...
music of Bob Wills
Bob Wills
James Robert Wills , better known as Bob Wills, was an American Western Swing musician, songwriter, and bandleader, considered by music authorities as the co-founder of Western Swing and universally known as the pioneering King of Western Swing.Bob Wills' name will forever be associated with...
and his Texas Playboys at the Cain's Dancing Academy in Tulsa."
Some dance historians say there is evidence to suggest that the term "shagger" was used to refer to vaudeville performers in the late 19th century http://dancehistory.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=8&p=2830&hilit=Shagger#p2830, who were known to have danced the Flea Hop. Later "shag" became a blanket term that signified a broad range of jitterbugging (swing dancing). In the 1930s there were arguably a hundred or more variations of the dance, which differ in various respect depending upon the geographic region in which they were done. Thus, Carolina Shag often bears only the faintest resemblance to other dances that share the shag designation. Contemporary St. Louis shag, for instance, (an eight-count dance) does not look much like contemporary Carolina Shag, though both originated in the Swing era of the 1930s and 40s. Though St. Louis shag is still often danced to swing music, Carolina shag is more closely associated with a variant of rhythm and blues known as "beach music
Beach music
Beach music, also known as Carolina beach music, is a regional genre which developed from various musical styles of the forties, fifties and sixties. These styles ranged from big band swing instrumentals to the more raucous sounds of blues/jump blues, jazz, doo-wop, boogie, rhythm and blues,...
". And, for this reason, many dancers no longer consider Carolina Shag to be a true swing dance.
The term "Carolina Shag" is thought to have originated along the strands between Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is a coastal city on the east coast of the United States in Horry County, South Carolina. It is situated on the center of a large and continuous stretch of beach known as the Grand Strand in northeastern South Carolina. It is considered to be a major tourist destination in the...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, and Wilmington
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in and is the county seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476 according to the 2010 Census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state of North Carolina...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, during the 1940s. According to Bo Bryan, a noted Carolina Shag historian
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
and resident of Beaufort County
Beaufort County, South Carolina
-National protected areas:*Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge *Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 155,215 people, 45,532 households, and 33,056 families residing in the county. The population density was 206 people per...
, the term was coined at Carolina Beach, North Carolina
Carolina Beach, North Carolina
Carolina Beach is a town in New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 4,701 at the 2000 census. It is located on part of the Wilmington metropolitan area...
. Today, the shag is a recognized dance in national and international dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
competitions held across the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The 1989 film Shag
Shag (1989 film)
Shag is a 1989 comedy film starring Bridget Fonda, Phoebe Cates, Annabeth Gish, Page Hannah, Jeff Yagher and Scott Coffey. The film features Carolina shag dancing and was produced in cooperation with the North Carolina Film Commission. The soundtrack album was on Sire/Warner Bros...
starring Bridget Fonda
Bridget Fonda
Bridget Jane Fonda is an American actress. She is best known for her roles in films such as The Godfather Part III, Single White Female, Point of No Return, It Could Happen to You, and Jackie Brown...
, Phoebe Cates
Phoebe Cates
Phoebe Cates is an American film actress, model, and entrepreneur known for her roles in several teen films, most notably Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Gremlins.-Early life:...
, Annabeth Gish
Annabeth Gish
Annabeth Gish is an American actress known for starring roles in Shag, Mystic Pizza and Double Jeopardy. She is best known for her roles as Special Agent Monica Reyes on The X-Files, Elizabeth Bartlet Westin on The West Wing and as Eileen Caffee on the Showtime drama Brotherhood.-Personal...
, and Page Hannah
Page Hannah
Page Hannah is an American television and film actress. She is married to Lou Adler and the couple have four sons, Manny, Ike, Pablo, and Oscar. She is the sister of actress Daryl Hannah...
as four high school friends on their last road trip together before graduation, was filmed in Myrtle Beach and features the Carolina shag. In 1997, the country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
band Alabama
Alabama (band)
Alabama is a country music and southern rock band from Fort Payne, Alabama, United States. The band was founded in 1969 by Randy Owen and his cousin Teddy Gentry , soon joined by Jeff Cook...
recorded the single called "Dancin', Shaggin' on the Boulevard
Dancin', Shaggin' on the Boulevard
"Dancin', Shaggin' on the Boulevard" is the title of a song written and recorded by American country music band Alabama. It was released in June 1997 as the second single from the album, Dancin' on the Boulevard. The song peaked at No...
" referencing this style of dance.