Two Weekends Worth Waiting For
Ask an Eastern North Carolina shagger about the best weekends of the year and you will often hear the same three letters: SOS. Twice a year, in April and September whenever possible, the Eastern North Carolina Shag Club joins other shag clubs at North Myrtle Beach for a joint party that members describe as Spring Break for adults. It is a weekend of music, dancing, friendship and sunshine, and it is one of the great advantages of belonging to the club.
This article explains what SOS is, why dancers love it, and how you can prepare to enjoy it, whether you are planning your first trip or your twentieth.
What SOS Means for Shag Clubs
SOS is a joint party shared among shag clubs. Instead of one club gathering on its own, dancers from many clubs come together in one place to celebrate the music and dance they love. The result is a large, lively, friendly gathering where familiar faces and new acquaintances mingle on the dance floor.
For ENCSC members, SOS is a chance to represent the club, to see dancers from across the Carolinas and beyond and to enjoy the atmosphere of a beach town. Because our club belongs to the Association of Carolina Shag Clubs, an organization of over one hundred non-profit shag clubs from Baltimore to Miami, the SOS weekends feel like a family reunion on a grand scale.
Why North Myrtle Beach
North Myrtle Beach is deeply tied to the story of shag dancing and beach music. The coastal setting suits the music perfectly. Warm air, ocean views and a relaxed mood make the dance floor feel even more inviting, and the town welcomes visitors who come for the music and the dance.
For many shaggers, returning to the shore is a pilgrimage of sorts. Dancing near the place where beach music grew up gives the weekend a special feeling, and it connects new dancers to the traditions the club exists to enjoy, uphold and perpetuate.
April and September: Two Seasons, Two Moods
The spring SOS in April feels like a celebration of new beginnings. After winter, dancers are eager to get out, meet friends and enjoy the warmer weather. The mood is fresh, energetic and full of anticipation.
The September SOS has a different charm. It arrives at the tail end of summer, when the crowds are easing and the light is golden. Dancers relax, enjoy the last of the beach season and savor the music. Many members attend both weekends and look forward to each for different reasons. Whichever you choose, the welcome is warm.
A Weekend of Music and Dancing
At SOS, the music is the star. You can expect rhythm and blues, beach and shag music, the songs that shag dancers love most, playing for long stretches of dancing. You will hear favorites, meet other dancers who love the same songs and find plenty of opportunities to dance with someone new.
Because so many clubs attend, you will see a wide range of styles, from smooth and traditional to playful and modern. Watching other dancers is part of the pleasure, and learning from them is one of the best ways to grow as a dancer. Bring your best smile and your most comfortable shoes.
The Five Dollar SOS Card Savings
One practical benefit of ENCSC membership is five dollars in savings on the SOS card. It is a small but welcome perk that helps members enjoy the weekend a little more affordably. Members who plan to attend can make use of it when arranging their participation.
This is one of several advantages of belonging to the club, along with email reminders for meetings and events, parties throughout the year and the opportunity to join committees. Membership is twenty dollars per year, so a single SOS weekend can make the cost feel well worthwhile.
Planning Your Trip
A little preparation makes the weekend more enjoyable. Decide early whether you will travel with club friends, since sharing a ride or lodging is easier and more fun. Think about travel time, arrival plans and how many days you wish to stay. Keep an eye on your email, because members receive reminders about upcoming club events.
Pack comfortable clothing, smooth-soled dance shoes and a spare pair in case your first choice pinches. Bring a light layer for cooler evenings and sun protection for daytime. Keep your plans flexible so you can say yes when an invitation appears.
Dancing Well for a Whole Weekend
A full weekend of dancing is wonderful and also tiring. Pace yourself. Drink water, eat well and take breaks between songs. Stretch gently before you go out, and rest when your feet complain. Nobody expects you to dance every song, and a short rest helps you enjoy the next one more.
Smooth, small steps are easier on your body than large, energetic movements, which is one more reason shag suits dancers of all ages. Listen to your body and enjoy the weekend at a comfortable pace.
Meeting Shaggers From Other Clubs
One of the joys of SOS is the people. You will meet dancers from many clubs, each with their own stories and favorite songs. Introduce yourself, ask where they are from and what they enjoy. Shaggers are famously friendly, and conversations often turn into invitations to dance.
Representing ENCSC well means being welcoming, generous and gracious. A warm word, a cheerful dance and a thoughtful attitude make a lasting impression and reflect the good spirit of our club.
Etiquette and Safety at a Big Event
Larger events call for extra awareness. Keep your steps small in crowded areas, share the floor and be patient with people around you. Ask politely, accept kindly and thank your partner after each dance. The same courtesies that make Tuesday dance night pleasant make SOS special.
Safety matters too. Stay with friends, keep track of your belongings and plan a safe ride. If you drink alcohol, do so responsibly and arrange a designated driver. The best weekends end with everyone getting home safely and already planning next time.
How Newcomers Can Get Ready
If you are new to the club, come to a Tuesday dance night first. Doors open at 5pm at the Doghouse Tavern, 506 Second Street, Ayden, NC, and the DJ, music and dancing run from 6pm to 9pm. Admission is five dollars per person. Spending a few weeks dancing with members builds your confidence and your circle of friends, so you arrive at SOS with familiar faces.
Learn the basic eight-count pattern and practice your steps to a few favorite songs. You do not need to be an expert to enjoy the weekend, only willing to smile, try and enjoy yourself.
Making Memories That Last
Members remember SOS for years. They recall a favorite song on the beach, a new friend from another club, a spontaneous dance or simply the feeling of being part of something larger than themselves. These memories are part of why our members return again and again.
The club also gives back to its community. Each year, ENCSC contributes to the TEDI BEAR foundation in Pitt County with a minimum of $1,000 and numerous teddy bears for needy children, a reminder that good times and good deeds can go together.
Why the Tradition Endures
Traditions last when they give people something they cannot easily find elsewhere. SOS offers a chance to dance for a whole weekend with people who love the same music, in a setting that feels like a holiday. It brings together generations, friends old and new and clubs from many towns, and it leaves everyone with stories to share on the next Tuesday night.
For our club, SOS is also a way to celebrate what we have built since 1985. Every member who travels to the shore carries a little of the ENCSC spirit with them, and every dance shared with another club strengthens the larger family of shaggers.
Join Us for the Next SOS
If SOS sounds like your kind of weekend, the best way to join is to become a member. The ENCSC membership fee is twenty dollars per year, and the application can be mailed to ENCSC, PO Box 44, Greenville, NC 27835.
Come to a Tuesday dance night, meet the members and ask about the next SOS. You will be welcomed with open arms, and before long you may be among the dancers who count the days until the next trip to the beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SOS?
A joint party among shag clubs at North Myrtle Beach, often described as Spring Break for adults.
When are the SOS weekends?
In April and September, whenever possible.
Do members get a discount?
Yes. ENCSC members save five dollars on the SOS card.
Do I have to be an expert dancer?
No. Dancers of all skill levels and ages are welcome.
How will I hear about the dates?
Members receive emails reminding them of upcoming club meetings and events.
How do I join the club?
Mail your application with the twenty dollar yearly fee to ENCSC, PO Box 44, Greenville, NC 27835.