Carolina Shag
Learn to dance the Carolina Shag by taking our free dance lessons:
Classes are held every Thursday night with 7:00 - 10:00 PM in the main ballroom at the Arlington-Fairfax Elks Lodge. Beginning Level classes are FREE.
There is a $10/members - $11/guests (no charge if under 21) cover charge to pay the DJ. Before and after the lesson there is general dancing to beach music by our team of Carolina Shag deejays from 6:30-7:30 PM and from 8:15-10:30 PM. A buffet dinner () is available in the ballroom from .
Shag Dance Lessons are temporarily suspended.
Rotating Dance Lesson Schedule
Our instruction program progresses in a 4-week cycle for the Beginner Course and an 8-week cycle for the Intermediate course. New students are strongly encouraged to start the Beginner course on week 1 of the 4-week cycle, which occurs on the first Wednesday of each month.
After you have mastered the material in the Beginner Course, you must become a member of NVSC to take the Intermediate Course. Good beginner skills are recommended to enter the Intermediate Classes. Here is a list of steps taught in each course:
The lessons in blue will be taught at
our next dance on Thursday November 30th.
| Week 7:30PM |
Beginner (Free) |
Intermediate-A (odd months) (Free for members) |
Intermediate-B (even months) (Free for members) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shag Basic, Female Turn | Crossover Basic & Applejack | Hug Pivot, Pivot |
| 2 | Shag Basic, Shag Start | Behind Sailor Shuffle, Side Pass | Pivot with Tuck Turn |
| 3 | Shag Basic, Male Turn | Stutter Basic, Kick Basic | Pivot with Belly Roll |
| 4 | Shag Basic, Half Turn, Triple Basic | Side-to-Side Basic & Front Walk Up | Sugarfoot, including Front Prep and Back Prep |
| 5 | A review or special lesson will be taught on the 5th Wednesday | ||
| Weeks 2 through 4 will begin with a review of steps taught the previous week. | |||
Please note that you must be a member of the Northern Virginia Shag Club to take the Intermediate Classes. Membership costs $25, and lasts for one full year from the day you join. Membership includes an online subscription to the Shag Rag (our club's monthly newsletter), discounted admission to NVSC events, access to our instructional video library, and other benefits too numerous to list. We hope you enjoy the Carolina Shag as much as we do! See you on the dance floor!