Shagging on the Shore
Dance the Night Away
Popular with students in the South, shag began in the 1920s and evolved through the 1930s and 1940s. Beach parties and social gatherings hosted collegiate students and the “one-and-two, three-and-four, five-six” step technique was danced through the night.
Rather than starting with a melody and adding movements to music, shag started with movements and was later put to the tunes of easygoing rhythm and blues hits. But that’s not to say shag can’t be done to Elvis or Marvin Gaye. As long as you have a partner, this slow jitterbug can be paired with many different types of music.
With a state dance like the Carolina Shag, it’s no surprise that shagging is such a popular pastime with the dancers of North Carolina. Whether you’re an amateur eager to learn or a pro at laying down the steps, the Brunswick Islands have plenty of opportunities to get into the swing of things.
Many of the local events involve shag lessons, shag contests, shag fundraisers or just good old fashion shag dancing. For those who want to show off, the North Carolina Oyster Festival is held every year in October and features a shag contest. Even if you’re not ready to compete, try your hand—or foot—at a lesson at one of the local venues in town.
Whether you know it as the Carolina Shag, the Collegiate Shag or just Beach Swing, the smooth sounds and starry nights of the Brunswick Islands are the perfect setting for friends and couples to make great moves and great memories.