With all due respect to Austin Powers and our friends across the Pond, Shagging is a form of ballroom dance. The Carolina Shag, for example, is a partner dance with six counts. Danced to a moderate tempo, the goal 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 a series of spins, kicks and fancy footwork. If someone calls you a showoff, you're doing it right.
It's not called the North Carolina or South Carolina Shag because it's the official dance of both states. It began in the early 1930s as newspapers were mentioning Shag parties in 1932. A man by the name of Hod Williams and his orchestra provided the music for "Shaggers Nights." The basic steps are the kick step, box step and the triangle, and there are no less than seven combinations of these steps.
According to Ms. Poole, the basic Kick Step is performed by stepping forward with the left foot, kicking with the right foot, stepping back on the right foot, then ball change left to right. The Box Step begins with the left foot then drop the heel, step to the right, close the left foot to the right. Step back on the right then drop the heel, step to the left, close right foot to the left. Except for the heel drop, this is the standard Box Step that is the basis for many other ballroom dances. The Triangle is interesting. The left foot steps forward diagonal to the right, ball change right to left, step to the right and close left foot to the right. The right foot then steps back diagonal to the left, ball change left to right, then step to the left and close the right foot to the left foot.
There are hundred of variations to the Carolina Shag. The term "Shag" refers to a number of swing-type dances that were popular at the time. And there is even a Carolina Shag dance scene in a 1989 movie called "Shag" where four high school buddies go on a road trip.
If you feel like getting down to the beat and express yourself through dance, don't be embarrassed about want to Shag. Its the official dance of two states so there's bound to be some place where you can Shag. So go out there and just do it!
It's not called the North Carolina or South Carolina Shag because it's the official dance of both states. It began in the early 1930s as newspapers were mentioning Shag parties in 1932. A man by the name of Hod Williams and his orchestra provided the music for "Shaggers Nights." The basic steps are the kick step, box step and the triangle, and there are no less than seven combinations of these steps.
According to Ms. Poole, the basic Kick Step is performed by stepping forward with the left foot, kicking with the right foot, stepping back on the right foot, then ball change left to right. The Box Step begins with the left foot then drop the heel, step to the right, close the left foot to the right. Step back on the right then drop the heel, step to the left, close right foot to the left. Except for the heel drop, this is the standard Box Step that is the basis for many other ballroom dances. The Triangle is interesting. The left foot steps forward diagonal to the right, ball change right to left, step to the right and close left foot to the right. The right foot then steps back diagonal to the left, ball change left to right, then step to the left and close the right foot to the left foot.
There are hundred of variations to the Carolina Shag. The term "Shag" refers to a number of swing-type dances that were popular at the time. And there is even a Carolina Shag dance scene in a 1989 movie called "Shag" where four high school buddies go on a road trip.
If you feel like getting down to the beat and express yourself through dance, don't be embarrassed about want to Shag. Its the official dance of two states so there's bound to be some place where you can Shag. So go out there and just do it!
About the Author:
Tony and Melanie have been choreographing, educating, performing and composing fantastic choreography for over thirty years. The run 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.. Unique version for reprint here: History of the Carolina Shag.
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