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TO CELEBRATE THAT UNIQUE AMERICAN DANCE FORM CALLED THE SHAG, SINCE 1984 THE OFFICIAL STATE DANCE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TO DECLARE 2015 THE "YEAR OF THE SHAG DANCE" IN THE PALMETTO STATE.
Whereas, the official state dance of the Palmetto State is the shag, approved and adopted by Act 329 of the South Carolina Legislature in 1984; and
Whereas, the shag is a unique form in American dance culture, combining West European upper body posture and footwork with music known as rhythm and blues, "rock 'n' roll" or beach music; and
Whereas, in 1943, the Carolina shag dance rightfully may be said to have been conceived when musical recordings now called rhythm and blues were regularly carried from black gatherings to gatherings of the white population along the South Carolina coast, the latter being frequented by mostly teenaged dance enthusiasts. These white teens called the new sound "beach music," for the beach was the only place they heard it; and
Whereas, shag dancing motivates significant travel and tourism along the South Carolina coast, generating millions of dollars annually in revenue to business and tax dollars to the State; and
Whereas, dancing is good exercise and promotes beneficial community interaction; and
Whereas, a growing number of young people under the age of eighteen in recent years have devoted themselves to learning the modern shag, such that the skills and traditions of shag dancing today appear secure; and
Whereas, the year 2015 will mark the seventy-second anniversary of the conception of the shag. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, celebrate that unique American dance form called the shag, since 1984 the official state dance of South Carolina, and declare 2015 the "Year of the Shag Dance" in the Palmetto State.
This web page was last updated on January 22, 2015 at 10:56 AM