Lesson: Beginner Collegiate Shag w Dance Champs Nathalie & Minn

Get a Taster of Collegiate Shag with International Dance Champions Nathalie Gomes Adams & Minn Vo!
^{No partner required!}

ABOUT YOUR TEACHERS

NATHALIE GOMES ADAMS

MINN VO

ABOUT THE DANCE STYLES
Collegiate Shag (or “Shag”) is a partner dance done primarily to uptempo swing and pre-swing jazz music (185-250+ beats per min) belonging to the swing family of American vernacular dances that arose in the 1920s and 30s. It is believed that the dance originated within the African American community of the Carolinas in the 1920s, later spreading across the United States during the 1930s.

“Shag” itself (when used in reference to American social dances) is a very broad term used to denote a number dances that originated in the first half of the 20th century. Today, the term “collegiate shag” is often used interchangeably with “shag” to refer to a particular style of dance that was popular amongst American youth during the swing era of the 1930s and 40s. To call the dance “collegiate shag” was not as common during the swing era as it is today, but when the “collegiate” portion was tacked on, it was meant to indicate the style of the dance that was popular amongst the college crowd.¹

The shag is still danced today by swing dance enthusiasts worldwide.
[1 Wikipedia]

* In addition to this class, don’t miss the mini-lessons and entertainment between jazz band breaks!