While visitors come to North Myrtle Beach for its wide beaches and great seafood platters, many leave with a newfound love for a tradition that has been bringing people together for nearly a century. The Carolina Shag is more than a dance; it's part of South Carolina's coastal soul.
No one knows exactly how the shag earned its name, but its story begins in North Myrtle Beach during the late 1930s, when the African American community developed the dance in local clubs.
Built around an easygoing six-count beat with an eight-step pattern, the shag evolved alongside what became known as beach music, a blend of R&B, blues and swing. By the 1940s, college students were packing the hangouts along Ocean Drive during spring break. They learned the steps, and before long the shag took off, spreading from one beach town to the next, eventually becoming synonymous with the coastal culture of the Carolinas.
For Greenville native Don Barbery, shagging at Ocean Drive has been a cherished part of his life for more than 60 years.
"We started young, learning to shag in front of a jukebox," says Barbery. "Later at Parker High School, everyone went to OD, and it became a tradition."
Like many great traditions, the shag weathered changing times until 1980, when an unexpected event changed everything. Former lifeguard Gene "Swink" Laughter wanted to reunite a handful of beach workers from the 1950s. For fun, he tucked an invitation inside a bottle and tossed it into the Atlantic. Someone found it. A newspaper published the invitation, and about 5,000 people arrived for a weekend filled with dancing, storytelling and reconnecting.
That spontaneous reunion inspired the formation of the Society of Stranders (SOS), an organization dedicated to preserving the Carolina Shag. Four years later, South Carolina named it the official state dance.
Today, Carolina Shag is alive and well, thanks to the many beach clubs, shag societies, SOS events and generations of dancers.
If the Carolina Shag has a home base, it's Fat Harold's Beach Club, which opened in 1962. Every Tuesday, free beginner lessons invite anyone willing to try, while Mondays offer more in-depth instruction. Even if dancing isn't your thing, part of the fun is people-watching, especially with Fat Harold's famous fried bologna sandwich and cold beer in hand.
The biggest misconception about the shag is that it's difficult. It isn't.
"The rock step is the foundation of everything," says shag instructor Darrell Gaither, who has been teaching locals for more than 30 years. "You're taking baby steps, staying on the balls of your feet with your knees relaxed, and letting the music do all the work"
Once you get the basics, it's less intimidating than it looks.
"It's designed to be a laid-back dance," says his co-instructor, Lori Setzer. "The secret is communicating with your partner. The more you do, the more comfortable you become."
In the end, it's about finding a rhythm with your partner, the music and the people around you.
"It brings everyone together," Gaither says. "I've met lifelong friends because of it."
That's the magic of the dance. You may come for a lesson, but chances are you'll stay for the company.
At OD Pavilion, you'll find first-timers sharing the floor with couples who've been dancing together for years. Nobody seems to mind who's new or who's been at it since the jukebox days.
"Some of the greatest shaggers are at OD Pavilion, especially during SOS events," Barbery says. "It's right on the ocean, and it's also where they play the best beach music."
Just down the street, Duck's Dance Club fills with familiar faces, while the legendary Spanish Galleon keeps beach music rolling long after sunset. While every dance floor has its own personality, they all share the same welcoming spirit.
For more beach clubs to try, check out North Myrtle Beach's Shag Trail, a self-guided collection of popular hot spots.
The Carolina Shag has survived changing musical tastes, hurricanes and disappearing beach clubs because it has never been about mastering the steps.
"Dancing is a lot of fun, but it's really about the people," says Barbery. "I always look forward to seeing old friends, and it's also a great way to meet new people too."
That's a sentiment repeated often around North Myrtle Beach. A familiar song can bring generations together and a few steps can lead to treasured friendships.
SOS Fall Migration Shag Fest: Don't miss one of the Society of Stranders' biggest events, Sept 18-27. Expect live beach bands, workshops, contests, block parties and plenty of chances to dance the night away.
NMB LIVE! This family-friendly event on Sept 26 includes a full day of live music, food trucks, artists, makers and more.
Music on Main Every Thursday through September, this outdoor concert series fills Main Street with bands striking up beach music hits.
For more info, visit explorenorthmyrtlebeach.com
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Destinations: North Myrtle Beach, birthplace of the Carolina Shag