Shag dancing, a popular form of swing dancing, has its origins traced back to South Carolina, with influences from other dances like the Carolina Jitterbug and Little Apple. Some historians even trace the shag back to its roots in African dance. Despite its long history, it wasn’t until the 1960s that dancers began using the term “shag,” and competitive shag didn’t come about until the 1970s.
Since then, shag dancing has had a significant impact on American culture, appearing in films, on TV, and on the radio. In 1989, the film “Shag” directed by Zelda Barron featured Carolina shag dancing in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Sam and his wife Lisa brought Carolina shag to television in a national commercial for an online travel company.
Today, shag dancing remains a popular pastime, with the National Shag Dance Championships being the longest continuously running shag dance contest in the United States. The preliminary trials for the 2022 championships will take place in Myrtle Beach in January 2022, with the championships following in March of the same year.
Videos from previous competitions show the timeless appeal of shag dancing. As demonstrated in a stunning performance, the energy and passion of shag dancers never get old. With its rich history and continued popularity, it’s clear that shag dancing is here to stay.
