Four Talented Couples Take Collegiate Shag To New Levels

Feb 25, 2021

Life hasn’t been kind enough to allow people to rewind time and enjoy the good old days. It remains impossible to relive a great time in the past, technically. The nostalgia for all the good things bygone comes up now and then, but for the most part, we have to make our peace with the changing tides of time. Sometimes, however, we see a revival happen that makes our hearts jump with joy. It may not be the same as it used to be, but being able to relive the good old days is certainly something to celebrate.

When it comes to dance forms, we are seeing more revivals today of older forms such as swing and shag. This type of dance is super exciting, and we bet that everyone who watches it will want to tap their feet to the music, or if they know a thing or two about dancing, are bound to get up and bust out a few moves themselves! 

This revival has also brought out some of the best dancers of this form, and they are sure to thrill you with their performances. One particular group known as LA Shag was a team of four couples, and they absolutely nailed their dance performance, taking the collegiate shag dance to new heights. In fact, they did so well that they have attracted millions of views of their performance at the Camp Hollywood National Jitterbug Championships, which to this day remains one of their most popular performances. Dance fans are sure to love it as well!

While reviving old-school moves and dances might seem like the newest trend, classic dance styles still get some attention, picking up fans from all across the nation. Firm enthusiasts go all the way to show off their skills through participating in competitions. Thanks to technology at such a time, these performances can be preserved in video form for future reference. For their performance, LA Shag donned old-fashioned attire, and the team of eight people was set to give this breathtaking performance. Unlike most performances, the four couples don't jump right in and drain all of their energy in the moves. The members seem to be deep in slumber-land when they begin, which is what makes their dance so special. An inattentive audience might get worried by this point about the idea of starting the set asleep, but don’t worry, the twists will excite you. 

Each one of the couples starts to rise from their sleep periodically, which gives rise to a remarkable Collegiate shag routine. Spoiler alert! Be ready to get a grasp of the team’s interchanging legs (16 to be exact) that are so appealing to watch. The intricacy of their performance is remarkable! These legs are moving to some great music as well, and if you listen to it attentively, you will notice a jazzy tune called "San" by California Feetwarmers. You may mistake the song and trace its composition to ages ago, but the Feetwarmers from California are a contemporary musical group, all alive and passionate about hot jazz, stompy blues and ragtime. The song is perfect for a shag routine!

The song lifts you in spirit and may even unconsciously have you tapping your foot right along with the songbirds. The LA Shag team is a sight to see, as they have remarkable and unmatched dancing skills. What’s even more impressive is the team’s ability to stay synchronized as a team throughout the performance. 

The team’s moves are in quick succession, and without a doubt, only a handful of people can manage the energy to keep up with them. The site Collegiate Shag states that the dance moves witnessed in the performance can be traced back to the 1930s, demanding a basic jumping routine and high-intensity footwork.

One of the viewers commented, “Wow… 10 seconds into this dance, and I would be on the floor! Bravo to all the dancers!”

The performance was a throwback to some of the viewers' younger days when they had the energy. What makes this performance so special for them isn't necessarily the old-fashioned attire or hairstyles, but the good old dancing moves.

Another viewer stated, “Great dancing - Reminds me of when we were teens” while another wrote, “Oh to be young again…”

You will find it hard batting an eye to miss a moment of the energy-filled, mixing and matching moves from the LA Shag team. They have also incorporated a few humorous mini-sets within the dance, like one where the male members try to steal a kiss from their female counterparts, only to receive a slap as a response. Another one has the dancers positioning themselves in two lines while hopping in large strides. 

One viewer commented, “This is completely and totally awesome. And, it looks like such fun. Great job, dancers!!”

A loud round of applause can be heard among the audience as the team reaches the end of the performance. The audience is left seeming intrigued, excited and satisfied, seeing how they go wild in the end. Camp Hollywood confirmed that the LA Shag team won a prize within the team category in 2014. It’s no wonder they can pull off such a performance with ease, and we totally believe it was deserved. 

Collegiate shag is a form of dance that falls under the large umbrella of swing dance, which includes other forms such as Lindy Hop, Balboa and the Charleston. It is a partner dance that is defined by its very fast-paced step work. It originated in the 1930s among the African American community of the Carolinas, before spreading across the rest of the United States.

There is a reason dancing is such an important part of human traditions across the world. It is almost a human instinct to move your body to the tune of music. Recent studies have also shown that dancing and movement can be therapeutic for many people. Among other benefits, dance therapy can help with stress reduction, disease prevention and mood management, according to goodtherapy.org. When working with a qualified therapist, dance therapy can also promote self-awareness, self-esteem and a safe space for expressing feelings. So if this video makes you want to dance to the tune, it may just be great for your health as well! 

What do you think about this performance? Did it thrill you to see the incredible movements? If it excited you, we are sure your friends would love to see some of this electrifying and mind-blowing performance from LA Shag.