The Society of Stranders (SOS) is a group that celebrates the “Shag” not only as a dance, but as a way of life. The Shag is a partner dance, formally known as the Carolina Shag, done primarily to beach music. It is thought to have originated between Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Wilmington, North Carolina. Friends come together to shag and celebrate the beach culture of the Carolinas at many annual events in North Myrtle Beach.
The SOS puts together events that keep folks coming back every year. There are midwinter events in January, a fall migration every September, and the ever popular Spring Safari – the highly anticipated, ten day long event, from April 4th through the 13th, 2014; where shaggers kick off the last of the winter ice and head to the beach to warm up.
At the Spring Safari, you will find popular bands playing shows along Main Street in North Myrtle Beach, shag instructors offering classes, lounges scheduling “tea parties” for SOS club members, and of course the biggest attraction – the nightlife. Safari-goers flock to Fat Harold’s, Duck’s, the OD Arcade, and many other local SOS lounges to dance the night away with friends, old and new.
The last Saturday of the Spring Safari features a parade hosted by the Association of Carolina Shag Clubs (ACSC). The ACSC members design and build floats for the parade, which draws a huge crowd. Locals and non-shagging visitors show up at this parade to check out the incredible amount of effort put into the floats and to learn more about the shag lifestyle.
To learn more about the SOS and the shag lifestyle, visit www.shagdance.com. Here you can find information on clubs, venues, lessons, and much more.