The Shag is the official dance of South Carolina. It’s more than just a dance though; it’s a culture. Every year thousands flock to North Myrtle Beach for SOS. SOS is the Society of Stranders – those immersed in the shag dance and culture. These dancers and friends migrate here three times each year during the Fall Migration (September), Mid Winter Migration (the third weekend in January) and the Spring Safari (April). Spring Safari is the longest of these escapes lasting eleven days.
So what is the shag? It’s a partner dance typically performed to Beach Music. To an observer, it looks a bit like the old fashioned Swing style of dance. The Shag is a recognized dance in national and international dance competitions held across the United States, but it is primarily done in North and South Carolina in the many shag clubs.
For 10 days from April 25-May 4, 2019 the biggest grown-up party on the East Coast migrates into North Myrtle Beach with a wide array of activities including parties, shag dancing, live music, hanging out with friends and a huge parade. Most of the activity takes place among the shag clubs or lounges on Main Street and Ocean Avenue here in North Myrtle Beach.
As the sun goes down, all the local lounges light up with activity and spots like Duck’s, Fat Harold’s, Pirate’s Cove and the OD Lounge become the center of nightlife and fun. The last Saturday of the event is parade day! Different shag clubs plan, design, and build parade floats for a chance to win one of the coveted awards.
Boulineau’s Foods Plus would like to extend a warm welcome to all of the Shaggers visiting this spring (and throughout the year). We invite you to stop in and browse our aisles or sample our tasty homemade food. Like the Shag, we’ve been a tradition in Cherry Grove and North Myrtle Beach for many, many years!
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