Active Seniors Dance On!
January 29, 2010 | Posted by Correen (clouda9) We went to a dance tonight. The Rock Hill Shag Club had a huge dance with the Coastline Band performing! It was a super group and a fun party. And of course, Whitey, my legally blind husband, was excited about going. We both enjoy dancing — shag and country line dancing. With predictions of terrible weather, I was a bit anxious, but we decided to go on. I am glad we did.
In the 1950’s and 1960’s, high school students of the Carolinas flocked to Myrtle Beach — actually they still do. But back in the 50’s and 60’s, everybody danced the Shag or the Carolina Shag, as it is sometimes called. Wikipedia says The 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 kicks and fancy footwork. The Carolina Shag is the state dance of North Carolina and South Carolina.
For some reason, those high school students of the 50’s and 60’s have never let go of those happy, carefree days. Perhaps because it’s such a perfect dance!
Dancing is a great way to celebrate life! What is the custom where you live? Do the seniors in your area still dance the dances of their high school days like we do? We certainly do not dance as well as the professionals, but this video will show you how the professionals do the Carolina Shag. Just click and the video will play right here in this blog. And thank you for visiting!
Categories: Dance, Senior Citizen Recreation | 
Tags: active seniors, carolina shag, senior life | 
11 Comments »
Joan Adams
I did not know what the Carolina Shag was but now I do! Looks like great fun! I don’t know of anything like that in our area.
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You actually helped teach me to shag when they held the teen dances at the parish at St. Pauls in Pendleton… remember that? I don’t shag all that well (no offense to your instruction, just lack of my talent), and mostly I just “buck dance” and have fun doing it! OD & MB were the shag capitals of the world & like most Carolinians of our generation… I have some mighty fine memories of being there.
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Now that was some shagging! …At the bars in my home county of Horry (Myrtle Beach included), and no, that’s not a wordy dirt, the H is silent, you can see people of all ages dancing the shag. The last time I went there was an old couple sitting at a table close to the dance floor. They looked to me like sure bets for folks who carry pill organizers. You know, those containers with the days of the week printed on them so you can keep up with all of your medicines. Well, for this couple, either the medicines work or the dancing does! They got on that floor and kicked up a storm. What an impressive sight!
Hi! I am just a mediocre dancer, but I like dancing, and I really think that for seniors is an excellent exercise, it is a celebration, an expression of joy, can be a way of life.
Great post
Michey
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Actually, my dear friend, we all taught each other, and oh yes, I remember the Teen Canteen at St. Paul’s. I remember taking ballroom dancing there, too, and yes, I am most sure you were in that class! I remember you doing the Lindy! lol
For sure, Mimi, we used to go to a senior shagging spot at Garden City – I can’t remember the name of it, but over 90% of the guests were over 60, and that’s where there was some real old-timey 50’s shagging going on! One guy danced with his cane, and he was leaving there to go perform at some shag event downtown Myrtle Beach! Old shaggers never give up!