State Symbols USA home page

Google

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
USA (national)

North Carolina State Popular Dance:

Photo of North Carolina shag dance club
North Carolina beach shag dance club
photo © Melissa J. Gilpin on Flickr - used by permission

Shag

North Carolina designated the shag as the official state popular dance in 2005 (clogging was also named at this time as the state folk dance). The Shag is a type of swing dance that developed during the 1930's and 40's combining nimble footwork with upbeat rhythm and blues (known as beach music). Shagging originated at open-air beach parties on the North and South Carolina coasts. South Carolina also recognizes the shag as a state symbol.

Photo of jitterbug dance in 1939
Jitterbug dancers at a juke joint in 1939 - one of the dances that
shaped west coast swing dancing - photo from Library of Congress
Prints and Photographs Division
(believed to be public domain)

The Carolina Shag is a form of swing dance, or jitterbug. There are many other styles of swing dancing such as: Lindy Hop, New Yorker, Dallas Push, Houston Whip, Imperial Swing, East Coast Swing, and West Coast Swing. Swing is dancing competitions are held nationally and internationally.

Condensed from Wikipedia - Swing Dance:

The term swing dance refers to a group of dances that developed with the swing style of jazz music in the 1920's, 30's and 40's (although the earliest of these dance forms predate swing jazz music). The most well-known of these dances is the Lindy Hop, a popular partner-dance that originated in Harlem, NY.

While the majority of swing dances began in African-American communities, a number of forms (Balboa, for example) developed within Anglo-American or other ethnic group communities.

Jitterbug is often associated with one form of swing dance, but it is in fact a general term for all swing dances and is more appropriately used to describe a swing dancer than a specific swing dance.

Source:
Dances, Clogging; the Shag: North Carolina State Library
Links:
Cultural Symbols - 50 states

Google

Great gifts for teachers - travelers - students!
State Symbols USA is a nonprofit organization promoting
appreciation for our natural treasures and cultural heritage.

What are your State Symbols?

North Carolina Symbols:

mammal - dog
bird - reptile
flower - plant
insect - shell
fish 1 - 2
tree 1 - 2
wildflower - soil
rock - stone
fruit - vegetable
berries: red blue

flag - seal
quarter - motto
colors- language
name - nickname
pottery - boat
song - theater
dance 1 - 2
tartan - beverage
academy
festivals - toast
 

Share |

 State Symbols USA on Facebook