SOS Fall Migration set

August 24, 2012 North Myrtle Beach, SC – The city that is known as the Shag Capital of the World, North Myrtle Beach, officially approved the street closings, vendor permits and staff support necessary to make the second wildest party in South Carolina happen – the SOS Fall Migration.   We say second because the wildest party is SOS’s Spring Safari!

The ten-day event will draw over fourteen thousand from more than 200 clubs devoted to the state dance of the Carolinas confirmed Ron, Whisenant, SOS President.  In 2007, when SOS had around 12,000 members, a Coastal Carolina University (CCU) study concluded that the Spring Safari alone contributed $7.5 million to the local economy.  Whisenant said SOS is updating the study and expects the results in time for the Spring Safari.  Speaking conservatively, Whisenant said it was reasonable to add another 4 to 5 % to the previous numbers pointing out that they have reached the highest point ever for membership – fourteen thousand.  Whisenant has been SOS president continuously since 2001.

Around thirty DJs and twenty bands will descent upon Main Street in North Myrtle Beach to provide SOS members their favorite shag music.
 
The event begins with ‘SOS Fun Sunday’, Sept 16, 2012.  From 1pm to 5 pm, 1st Ave. South between Hillside and Ocean Blvd will be closed.  Beside the OD Arcade a stage will be set up and the Mojo Blues Band and Craig Woolard Band will play.

The Society of Stranders will conduct ‘SOS Fun Monday’ on September 17, 2012.  Main Street will be closed between the hours of 6 am and 7:30 pm  between Hillside Drive and Ocean Boulevard.  A stage will be set up across from Pirate’s Cove. Bands Jim Quick & the Coastline Band, Andy King, Jerry Butler and the Mojo Blues Band will be featured.
 
Main Street between Hillside and Ocean Blvd will be closed between 7pm Saturday, September 22 and 2 am Sunday, Sept 23, 2012 for pedestrian traffic only.

Inside the clubs, Stranders will have some great tough choices to make.

DJ’s like Jon Hoffnagle, Bands like Band of Oz, Carolina Breakers, Wallstreet, Craig Woolard, and The Legacy with Sound Express will appear at the Spanish Galleon.

OD Arcade DJ’s Billy Fanning, Terry McPhail, Murl Augustine, Rodney Still, Butch Metcalf, Larry Calhoun, Richard Connor, Kyle Beam, Mike Swords, Donnie Meadows, and Tootie Brown will entertain shaggers.

Pirate’s Cove will have DJ’s Ken McGee, Fast Eddie, Betty Brown, Terry Hopper, Dick Hamrick, Chuck Clodfelter, Rich Antoncic, Tootie Brown and  Robbie Leggett.

At Fat Harolds’ dancers will move their feet to Sea Cruz, the Groovin Band, Jim Quick and Coastline, the Craig Woolard Band, The Fantastic Shakers, Too Much Sylvia, and  DJ Jason Justice.

Drop in at Ducks Beach Club and expect to hear the Carolina Breakers and Hip Pocket.

The above is just a sampling of DJ’s and bands. It is not a complete list; check the http://shagdance.com/index.htm or the individual club’s web sites for more details.
 
Don’t know what shagging is? The Shag dance step is distinctive, derived from the jitterbug with a six beat count. Its art is formed from the way the upper body and hips hardly stir as the legs do elaborate movements and are accompanied with fancy footwork.  Still don’t understand. View this YouTube video of a Shag Champ.