Our Mission

Underhill's Swing and Shag Dance Collective's mission is to rekindle the social connection and joy of partner dancing by providing accessible instruction, promoting public dance events, and empowering a network of passionate instructors and ambassadors to bring swing and shag back into the heart of our communities. We envision a future where partner dancing is a thriving and inclusive cultural experience, enriching communities through spontaneous public dance events, fostering intergenerational connection, and instilling a lifelong love of movement.

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Did You Know That the Carolina Shag is a Form of Swing Dance?

The Carolina Shag is a fast-paced, upbeat dance that originated in the Carolinas in the 1940s. It is danced to beach music, which is a mix of country, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll. The Shag is known for its quick footwork and flashy moves.

While the Shag is a unique dance in its own right, it is also rooted in the tradition of swing dancing. Swing dancing is a broad term that encompasses many different styles of dance, including the Shag, Lindy Hop, Charleston, and Balboa. Swing dances are all characterized by their syncopated rhythms and playful movements.

If you are a fan of swing dancing, or if you are looking for a new and exciting dance to learn, then the Carolina Shag is a great option. The Shag is a fun and challenging dance that can be enjoyed by dancers of all skill levels.

Here are some of the benefits of learning the Carolina Shag:

  • It's a great way to get exercise.
  • It's a fun and social dance.
  • It's relatively easy to learn.
  • It's a versatile dance that can be danced to a variety of music.

If you are interested in learning the Carolina Shag, there are many resources available online and in your local community. There are also many Shag clubs and competitions that you can join to get involved in the Shag community.

So what are you waiting for? Give the Carolina Shag and other swing dances a try today!

We are currently offering FREE Shag and Swing dance classes at the Colonial Heights Moose Lodge here in Colonial Heights, VA! Drop us a line and we will do what we can to answer you promptly and get you in on the next series of lessons!

Underhill's Swing and Shag Dance Collective

Friday, December 22, 2023

Feeling the Spark of Collaboration Ignite!

 


Last night's intermediate class was pure magic!
 As we guided our students through building dances in layers and linked patterns, we witnessed something truly special: the seed of collaboration blossoming within our dance community.

It wasn't just about mastering moves (though those footwork combos were on point!), it was about connecting, responding, and building together. Watching them weave improvisations into each other's sequences, supporting each other with encouraging smiles and playful energy, and creating spontaneous moments of shared joy filled our hearts with so much warmth.

This is exactly what we dreamed of when we introduced this teaching approach. We wanted to encourage communication through movement, to break down barriers between dancers, and to spark a sense of shared ownership in the creative process. And last night, we saw it happen right before our eyes! ✨

We're so grateful for every single student who embraced this journey with us. You inspire us to keep pushing the boundaries of dance, to build a community where connection thrives, and to celebrate the joy of co-creation.

Here's to the future of our dance community, where collaboration ignites creativity and where every dancer feels empowered to add their unique spark to the collective flame!

#dancecommunity #collaboration #joyofdance #improvisation #buildingtogether #inspiredbyyou

P.S. Don't forget to share your favorite moments from last night's class in the comments! We'd love to hear all about your #collaborativecreations!

If you would like to experience the joy of swing and Carolina Shag dancing, come on out to our next beginner sessions that start on January 17th, 2024 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Colonial Heights Community Center! 

Dreaming of Swing and Carolina Shag in Our Community: Join the Vision!

Hey everyone, Roger & Denise Underhill here, and we wanted to share something we've been dreaming about: bringing the joy of swing a...