A Club With a Bigger Family
On a Tuesday night at the Doghouse Tavern, it can feel as if the whole world of shag dancing is gathered in one room. In a sense, it is. The Eastern North Carolina Shag Club is not a lone club dancing on its own. It is a proud member of the Association of Carolina Shag Clubs, an organization of over one hundred non-profit shag clubs stretching from Baltimore to Miami.
This article explains what that connection means, why it matters to our members and how it enriches the experience of everyone who dances with us.
What the Association Is
The Association of Carolina Shag Clubs is a network of shag clubs that share a love of the music and the dance. Its member clubs are non-profit organizations, and together they number more than one hundred. The association brings these clubs into a common community, so that dancers in one town can feel at home in another.
The reach is remarkable. The association’s clubs stretch from Baltimore in the north to Miami in the south, and the community keeps pushing further west every day as more people discover the fun-filled shagger’s lifestyle.
Where ENCSC Fits In
ENCSC was founded in 1985 as a non-profit dance club, and it is a member of the association. Our club brings its own character to the family: a friendly home base at the Doghouse Tavern in Ayden, a busy calendar of parties and a membership of more than one hundred for the past two years.
Being part of the association does not change who we are. It adds to it. We remain a local club with local traditions while enjoying the benefits of belonging to something much larger.
A Shared Love of the Music
Every club in the association shares a commitment to the same music and dance. Like ENCSC, they enjoy, uphold and perpetuate the traditions of rhythm and blues, beach and shag music, and shag dancing. That shared purpose is the glue that holds the community together.
It also means that wherever you travel, you will find people who love the songs you love. A dancer from Eastern North Carolina can walk into a room of strangers in another state and quickly find friends.
SOS at North Myrtle Beach
One of the most visible ways our club connects with others is through SOS, a joint party with other shag clubs at North Myrtle Beach. It is held in April and September, whenever possible, and is often described as Spring Break for adults.
At SOS, dancers from many clubs gather to enjoy music, dancing and friendship. ENCSC members can save five dollars on the SOS card, making the trip a little more affordable. The weekend is a living example of what the association makes possible.
Meeting Dancers From Other Clubs
The best part of belonging to a large family is meeting relatives. When you attend a joint event, you will meet dancers from other clubs, each with their own stories and styles. You will hear about their home dance nights, their favorite songs and their favorite parties.
Conversations like these spark ideas and friendships. Members often come home from a joint event with new partners for future dances and new ideas for our own club.
Sharing Ideas and Traditions
A network of clubs is also a network of ideas. Each club has its own way of hosting parties, welcoming newcomers and organizing events. Through the association, clubs can learn from one another and adopt the practices that work best.
At the same time, each club preserves its own identity. The association celebrates variety, and ENCSC is glad to contribute its own traditions to the shared pool.
What It Means for Our Members
For ENCSC members, belonging to the association means a wider world of dancing. You are not limited to Tuesday nights in Ayden, wonderful as those are. You can travel, meet other shaggers and feel at home wherever the music plays.
It also provides a sense of pride. Knowing that our club is part of an organization of more than one hundred clubs reminds us that shag is a living tradition with thousands of devoted dancers.
What It Means for Newcomers
If you are new to shag, the association offers reassurance. You are joining a dance with deep roots and a wide community, and that community welcomes beginners. The skills you learn at ENCSC will serve you at any shag club.
Many newcomers are delighted to discover how far the friendships can reach. A new friend from Tuesday night may one day introduce you to dancers from another state.
Non-Profit Spirit
The clubs in the association are non-profit organizations, and that shared status shapes their character. They exist to serve members and communities, not to earn profits. ENCSC shows this spirit through its yearly contribution to the TEDI BEAR foundation in Pitt County, giving a minimum of $1,000 and numerous teddy bears for needy children.
The non-profit model keeps the focus on fun, friendship and giving back, which is exactly what our members want.
Keeping the Tradition Growing
The association’s continued growth is a good sign for the dance. As more people experience the shagger’s lifestyle, more clubs form and more dancers find a home. The community is pushing further west every day.
Growth also means new energy. Fresh dancers bring fresh ideas, and the tradition stays lively. Most of our members belong to the 50+ baby boomer era, and the club encourages dancers of all ages to ensure the dance continues for generations.
Staying Connected at Home
Even when you are not traveling, the association is part of the backdrop of club life. The business meetings held on the second Tuesday of each month at Parker’s Restaurant in Greenville at 6:30pm are one place where members talk about club plans, including participation in larger events.
Members also receive email reminders about upcoming meetings and events, so nobody misses a chance to be part of the wider community.
Our Home Base in Ayden
All of this begins at home. Every Tuesday, the club gathers at the Doghouse Tavern, 506 Second Street, Ayden, NC. Doors open at 5pm, and the DJ, music and dancing run from 6pm to 9pm. Admission is five dollars per person.
The welcome is warm, the music is familiar and the dance floor is full. If you want to see the association’s spirit in action, there is no better place to start.
Parties Throughout the Year
Our own calendar is full of celebrations: New Year’s Eve, a romantic Valentine party in February, an exciting Re-Up party for members in June, an entertaining Fall Fling party in October and a Christmas party in December. Together with the SOS weekends, they make a rich and varied year.
Each event reflects the larger community of shag clubs in its own way, bringing together people who love the same music.
Becoming Part of the Family
Joining ENCSC makes you part of the association family. The membership fee is twenty dollars per year, and the application can be mailed to ENCSC, PO Box 44, Greenville, NC 27835. Members enjoy parties, email reminders, five dollars in savings on the SOS card and the chance to join committees.
Come to a Tuesday dance night first if you like. Once you meet the members, you will understand why so many call the club a family.
Friendships Across the Miles
Some of the warmest stories in the shag world involve friendships that cross state lines. Two dancers meet at a joint party, share a song and stay in touch for years. They plan to meet again at the next SOS, swap favorite songs and cheer each other on. These friendships are a quiet gift of the association.
Our members have the chance to make such friends too, and the club is delighted when they do.
A Note on Community
A club is only as strong as the people who join it. Every new member brings fresh energy, new ideas and another friendly face to the floor, which is why the club is always glad to hear from someone thinking of joining.
Something Bigger Than a Dance Floor
Shag is more than steps and songs. It is a community that stretches across states and generations. The Association of Carolina Shag Clubs is proof that a simple love of music and dance can bring more than one hundred clubs together.
We are proud to be part of it, and we would be delighted to welcome you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Association of Carolina Shag Clubs?
An organization of over 100 non-profit shag clubs stretching from Baltimore to Miami.
Is ENCSC a member?
Yes. ENCSC is a non-profit club founded in 1985 and a member of the association.
What is SOS?
A joint party with other shag clubs at North Myrtle Beach, in April and September whenever possible.
Do members get any SOS savings?
Yes. ENCSC members save five dollars on the SOS card.
Can beginners benefit from the association?
Yes. What you learn at ENCSC will serve you at any shag club.
How do I join?
Mail your membership application to ENCSC, PO Box 44, Greenville, NC 27835. The fee is twenty dollars per year.