The family of shagNational championships are under way in Myrtle Beach
For The Sun News Photo gallery Local stars take the floor with dancers. It was only 7:15 p.m. on a Friday night, but already the joint was jumpin'. It wasn't just any Friday evening, however, but the first of two nights of preliminary competition at the 24th annual National Shag Dance Championships at Studebaker's in Myrtle Beach Jan. 26-27.
There was excitement in the air as the shaggers - ranging in age from the Junior Division I (ages 14 and under) to the Masters Division (females ages 49 and over and males ages 50 and over) - took to the floor. Many came from surrounding states to compete, making a weekend of it. Others came simply to watch. Shortly after 8 p.m., when the official program started, Studebaker's was standing room only.
What is it about the shag, adopted in 1984 as South Carolina's state dance, that gets so many people so fired up?
Barry Thigpen, founder and chairman of the event, said the shag's appeal lies in the fact that anyone of any age can participate in it. "It's something that you can do, like tennis or golf, and continue throughout your life," he said. The evening's youngest competitor was only 7.
Jenna Pummill, 14, of Winston-Salem, N.C., and her 16-year-old partner, Sammy Clelland of Troy, N.C., were gearing up to dance in the Junior II Division. Although her partner has participated in the National Shag Dance Championships before, this was Pummill's first time.
The couple has been dancing together for two years. Pummill said her interest in learning to shag was piqued by the fact that her mother shags and in watching the older juniors perform. She also enjoys the social aspect. "I think it's fun to get out and entertain people," Pummill said. "It's also kind of a stress reliever."
Her partner agreed. "It's really fun," Clelland said. "It's something I'm good at, and you get to go to the beach a lot."
For Susan and Don Evers of Durham, N.C., the shag brings back memories of earlier years. "We grew up with this music," Susan said. Although the two had been familiar with the dance for a long time, they didn't start taking lessons until about four years ago. This was the second year they've come to participate in the competition.
Susan said that learning to shag has affected their lives in a very positive way. "It's something we enjoy doing together," she said. "It's also good exercise. The greatest benefit is meeting lots of great people." She appreciates the fact that the shag is not only for the young, but also the young at heart.
Don said he thinks events like this are important. "It keeps the dance alive," he said. "We do it because it's fun. If you can't have fun doing it, you shouldn't do it."
The shag isn't just a pleasant diversion for Holly and Jason Cagle of Charlotte, N.C., but also a livelihood. The two own a dance studio where they offer the shag, in addition to standards such as tap and ballet. This was the couple's second trip to the competition.
Jason, who has been shagging since the age of 13, said, "The shag definitely gets in your blood. I'm a banker by day and a frustrated dancer. I think it's a combination of the people, the music and the dance. I think the music is really unique."
Holly enjoys teaching people to shag because it's appropriate for all age groups and brings people closer together. She values the time she and Jason spend on the dance floor. "It's our together sport," she said.
The couple's time spent practicing paid off in a big way. They were one of eight nonprofessional couples who qualified to compete in the finals in March, which also will be held at Studebaker's.
Chris and Carrie Hoskins of Greenville were the top winners in last year's nonpro division. This year, they're part of the National Shag Dance Championships Dance Team. Carrie, who grew up in Greenville, began dancing the shag recreationally as a teenager. Christopher was not familiar with the dance at all before being exposed to it by his wife. Now, the two give lessons one night a week.
Making the dance a part of their lives has helped them achieve balance in their personal lives and build a network of new friends. "It's good to spend time together, something besides focusing on work and our child," said Carrie. "It's like a big family outside your own family. People in the shag world are the nicest people."
Chris, a dentist who opened his own practice just days before the preliminaries, said he has definitely enjoyed getting involved in shagging. "We love it, so we do it," he said. "Everyone in the shag community helps you."
Although Angus and Susan Wittschen of Myrtle Beach do shag, they came Friday night merely to watch.
"We grew up with it," said Angus, who moved to the area as a teenager. "It's our pastime."
Susan, a Myrtle Beach native, was happy just to sit back and enjoy the show. "The shaggers are happy people," she said. "It's nice to see the young generations carrying on with it."
Like the swallows return to Capistrano each year, the shaggers will continue to flock to Myrtle Beach.
The final stage of the competition will be held at Studebaker's March 8-10.
For more information, go to http://www.shagnationals.com/.
There's just too many jokes here for my small brain to cope with!
Jim x
