By: Lasley Cash, Staff Writer
Although traditional shag dancing is rare on college campuses today, Furman University’s Swing and Shag club strives to bring back a similar form of dance called swing dancing. The Shag, the state dance of South Carolina, is a six-count step danced in a slot, primarily to the tunes of beach music. Over time, it has evolved into the more up-tempo dance adopted by today’s youth. The collegiate culture has incorporated hops, leaps, kicks, stomps, break-away movements, and shuffling steps into the dance distinguishing it from their parents’ generation.
Freshman Jackson Pearce, began the club at the beginning of this semester when several of his friends wanted to learn how to swing dance. The club now has 56 student members and an executive board. The group convenes on the first Monday of every month and the students take lessons throughout the course of the evening. The teachers give specific instruction on particular moves and the basic step, and then the students have time to practice the dance with a partner.
“There are always new moves to learn, and there is always room for improvement, so we encourage [people of] all ranges of ability to come out and have fun dancing,” Pearce said.
The club has adopted the slogan, “Come to learn, improve, or show off,” which captures the essence of many of the members’ goals.
The club aims to promote swing dancing across the campus and to shatter the misconception that swing dance has to involve aerial stunts and blindingly fast-paced techniques. As swing dancing is a versatile dance, participants have the freedom to choose whatever style suits them best.
“My goal is to portray swing dancing as an inclusive style of relaxed dancing that anyone can do”, Pearce said.
Ultimately, swing dancing has been characterized across college campuses as a trendy, upbeat dance with an energetic flow. Although it does move at a faster pace than many traditional dances, the dance can be individualized to the dancers’ skill levels.
Swing dancing is especially popular in Greek life at furman and at service organization events; it allows students to enjoy sharing their dance moves and coming up with new tricks together.
If you want to learn to swing dance before you ask that girl to your fraternity function or just to get exercise and let off some steam, contact Jackson Pearce at jackson.pearce@furman.edu for more information.