Shag Lessons

Shag Lessons Virginia

Cindy and Larry Black 757-202-2004

Monday’s in Hampton VA

at McFadden’s 6:15 – 9:30

Thursday’s in Va Beach

at Acapulco 6:15 – 9:30

757-478-1600 Cindy  757-202-2004 Larry

More info can be found on our website www.shagn4u.com

Brennar Goree

National Junior Shag & Swing Champion available for private lessons

757-675-2364

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Dance Fever Charlotte
www.dancefevercharlotte.com
Owned by Holly & Jason Cagle,

2007 National NonPro

Shag Dance Champions
Weekly Group Lessons held on

Tuesday Nights
Intermediate Workshop @7:30
Beginner 4-week Class @8:30
Cost is $40 per person for 4-week beginner class or $10 per person for the weekly Intermediate Workshop
All classes taught by

Jason Cagle & Susan Pate Funderburk 



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Beginner and Intermediate Shag Lessons Group or Private
Gastonia, Belmont, NC area
Ron or Ann Lineberger -- 704-864-6208

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Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced social or CSA competition instruction
for adult and junior shaggers. 

Group or Private
Charlotte - Concord, NC area
Bill Bateman and Fran Taylor –

704-784-2758

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Beginner and Intermediate
Shag Lessons Group
Charlotte NC area
Mary and T.K. Robinette
704-309-4358
Thursday  Lynn’s

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Beginner and Intermediate
Shag Lessons Group
Lincolnton - Gastonia area 704-813-4783
Ronnie & Amber Moon

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Private and Group lessons also group lessons.  
Where we teach, Siskey YMCS,

Steel Creek YMCA, and
Private lessons can be arranged in Charlotte.

Rick and Suzanne Burchfiel

Phone 704-542-7291

Please visit our web site

http://www.learnshag.com/

The Basic Shag Steps courtesy of Twister’s Shag Club 
http://www.goshagging.com/steps.pdf

The Basic Shag Steps

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 (men starting with your left foot, women starting with your right 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!