Shagging is a form of ballroom dance despite the popularity of Austin Powers. A six count dance, the Carolina Shag is a partner dance. The goal of the dance is to look like a Saturday morning cartoon where the characters are stationary from the waist up while the legs are going crazy as they dance. The male leads his partner through kicks, spins and amazing footwork.
It's interesting that the dance is not called the North Carolina or South Carolina Shag, partly because it the official dance of both states. Originating in the states, the dance began in the early 1930s as newspapers started talking about "Shag Parties" in 1932. Hod Williams and his orchestra provided music for numerous "Shaggers Nights," with tickets costing 40 cents for men, 20 cents for ladies and 10 cents for children. The basic steps are the kick step, box step and the triangle with about seven combinations of these steps.
To do the kick step, one must step forward with left foot, kick with the right foot, step back on the right foot and ball change left to right. To box step, begin with the left foot, drop the heel, step to the right close the left foot to the right. Then do the same starting with the right. To do the triangle, step your left foot forward diagonal to the right, ball change right to the left, step to the right, and close left foot to the right. Then do the same starting with the right foot.
It has been written that there are hundreds of variations to the Carolina Shag. The term "shag" refers to a number of swing-type dances that were popular at the time. There was even a Carolina Shag scene in the 1989 movie called "Shag" starring Bridget Fonda and Phoebe Cates.
Don't be embarrassed about shagging your partner if you feel like dancing. You can even go down to Carolinas and show off doing their states' official dance. So go out there and shag it up!
It's interesting that the dance is not called the North Carolina or South Carolina Shag, partly because it the official dance of both states. Originating in the states, the dance began in the early 1930s as newspapers started talking about "Shag Parties" in 1932. Hod Williams and his orchestra provided music for numerous "Shaggers Nights," with tickets costing 40 cents for men, 20 cents for ladies and 10 cents for children. The basic steps are the kick step, box step and the triangle with about seven combinations of these steps.
To do the kick step, one must step forward with left foot, kick with the right foot, step back on the right foot and ball change left to right. To box step, begin with the left foot, drop the heel, step to the right close the left foot to the right. Then do the same starting with the right. To do the triangle, step your left foot forward diagonal to the right, ball change right to the left, step to the right, and close left foot to the right. Then do the same starting with the right foot.
It has been written that there are hundreds of variations to the Carolina Shag. The term "shag" refers to a number of swing-type dances that were popular at the time. There was even a Carolina Shag scene in the 1989 movie called "Shag" starring Bridget Fonda and Phoebe Cates.
Don't be embarrassed about shagging your partner if you feel like dancing. You can even go down to Carolinas and show off doing their states' official dance. So go out there and shag it up!
About the Author:
Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin have been dancing, teaching, and creating fantastic choreography for over three decades. The operate New York City's top-notch dance center If you want to know more history of any dances make sure you check out their site. They are now teaching dance lessons in NYC.
