Shag Dancing: Learn to Shag to Myrtle Beach Music

Many Shag clubs offer inexpensive and fun beginner shag dance lessons. There are also shag dance instructors that offer workshops and beginner lessons.

If you want to learn a fun new dance that anyone can do, the first thing I reccommend is to look for an area shag club. When shag clubs offer shag dance lessons is it usually done in a group format. This is a great way to learn because you interact with other people at the basic level. Everyone is there to learn to shag and there are several shag club members present to assist the instructors.

The dance lessons usually take several weeks (3 to 6)and consist of one class per week. To be honest I never thought I could dance a lick much less shag. I signed up for a group lesson and loved it. I enjoy every outing and shag club event now. There is always someone asking you to dance and every shag dancer whether great or beginner is always willing to help out.

The other option is to locate a good shag instructor in your area. This is more of a private session with you and or your spouse. Lessons can get pricy, so look for someone offering a introductory package. These lessons will allow you to take as many classes as you want and progress accordingly.

After you take a few basic classes, you can always buy a shag instructional DVD. Sam West, Ellen Taylor , Charlie Womble and Jackie McGee are the instructors that I reccommend.

Regardless of how you chose to take lessons just try to have a good time. It's easy to learn and very rewarding and most importantly for all ages.

THE OPEN- AIR PAVILION AT NORTH MYRTLE BEACH
By: Jennifer Finney

John and I decided to go down on the second Wednesday of SOS instead of just a weekend. I'm so glad we did! We were able to enjoy the beer, wine and shooter party at Ducks Two, which was a blast (especially the bend me over and piece of @_s shooters!!) We did a couple of workshops throughout our stay, laid at the pool some, walked on the beach, and went to mostly Duck's at night for dancing and socializing.

On Friday we went to Pirate's Cove to hear the DJ's battle it out with their vinyl records. My mom, aunt and her husband came down Friday to join us. Jason and Holly Cagle mentioned while we were there to be sure and check out the open- air pavilion across the street. We took their advice and headed that way.

When we walked up there were tons of people standing outside the building. We were hoping that wasn't a line to get in or something! We turned the corner and noticed all the people cutting a rug on the dance floor. It was a covered area with no windows or doors---just a big dance floor with a couple bars! You could feel the breeze from the ocean and look fifty feet and see the waves and the sand. We saw our old friend Bobby Smith from the Poor Souls and talked to several Twister's members. I think this was the first time John really enjoyed dancing with several different women instead of just me. I was thrilled-he looked so tan and handsome and the women were lined up. My mom and aunt really enjoyed dancing with him too. With so many fun and exciting things to choose from at SOS, it's extremely hard to pick only one fun event that stands out the most, but for me this was the real deal!!!

Jenn

I just heard from Ellen Taylor. She has just finished producing two more Shag Dance instructional DVDs. Ellen expects the DVDs to be ready for shipment in August.

I personally can not wait to get my hands on Ellen's new Shag dance DVDs.

Check Ellen Taylor's website for updates:




Ellen Taylor Foundation

JF

The basic step is counted "One-And-Two, Three-And-Four, Five-Six". Each word corresponds to a step movement (eight words = eight steps).

You never move the same foot twice in a row. Every time you move, you do so with a different foot. The first time you try to learn the "basic", it may help you to stand in place and (starting with your left foot) simply raise and lower alternating feet as you say the basic step out loud ("One-And-Two, Three-And-Four, Five-Six") without actually trying to do the forward or backward movements. When you are comfortable with this, go ahead and begin to learn where to actually put your feet as you move them.

It is extremely important that you learn the proper foot positions for each move within the basic. Some shag dance instructors teach the basic without emphasizing foot position. Although this method is initially easier to learn, your dance movements will look much more fluid, balanced, and in rhythm if you take time to learn proper foot placements. When you are dancing, having your feet in the right spots during the "basic" will also make it easier for you to continue into your next step without having to, first, correct your position.

To stay "on beat" with the music, the "Five-Six" portion of the basic should take you about the same "time" to complete as the "One-And-Two" or the "Three-And-Four" parts take.

To help you do the basic shag step more fluidly, think of your body's forward and backward movement as a swinging pendulum. It never stops, but it isn't jerky or erratic. There should be no bounce in your steps.

The lower body does most of the moving in the shag step. The upper body should remain generally erect, and without swaying from side to side.

Leather bottomed shoes are a must for men and women. Ladies should use flats or shoes with nearly no heel. The shag is done with your weight favoring the balls of the feet, not the heels. Your feet should nearly shuffle when you move them across the floor, as if your shoes were magnets and the floor was made out of metal.

Never dance diagonally across the floor. The shag is done with each partner facing any one of a rooms four walls. Each turn, pivot or step should leave both parties facing the same, or any other wall.

The man's left hand holds the woman's right hand. There should be some slight tension to provide a firm hold and resistence when the male "leads". But, the grip should never be tight. The forearm of the joined hand should always remain level with the floor, allowing the couple's motion toward and away from each other to be absorbed by elbow and shoulder joints. During the basic step, it should almost appear as if their joined hands are sitting on top of a fence post. The arms and hands should not sway from side to side, or move up and down.

Each person keeps one arm to themself, in a somewhat relaxed but slightly forward position. It should generally appear as if he or she had a drink in that hand that they were about to spill. This leaves the spare hand in great position to reach for the partner in more advanced steps.

Ready to practice? Tie a short piece of rope around a door knob, or loop a belt around it. You should be able to do your basic easily