Big Apple Art Event

1. The dancer counts a 6 count while they are dancing the Carolina shag.

2.

You can tell by first glance that the Big Apple is an older building, and that it was built to be something other than a dance club. There is slight Greek revival that you can see, such as the peaked top of the building and the doric columns right outside the front door. The Big Apple was originally the House of Peace Synagogue, which was later converted into a "juke joint" called the Big Apple Night Club. Three students from the University of South Carolina were interested in the music they heard when driving by one night, and repeatedly brought their friends to the club, even though they were not allowed to participate and had to sit on the balcony. The club was later transformed into a hall that now hosts all sorts of occasions such as dance lessons, weddings, rehersals, and other functions.

3. The shag is a dance in which the upper body and arms remain relatively still while the legs do fancy kicks and footwork. It is similar to the Carolina jitterbug, which as an 8 count, but it relatively slower, with the shag using a 6 count. The shag originated in cities throughout North and South Carolina, with the term shag actually being coined at Carolina Beach, North Carolina. It is a descendent of the "Little Apple", which was started in Columbia by the same 3 boys that were interested in the music at the Big Apple Club. The shag is extememly relevant to South Carolina, because without the Little Apple that was started in Columbia, and the Carolina Jitterbug, the shag may not have even developed. Shagging is still popular in South Carolina not only for adults, but also for young adults. I know in my sorority here at USC, we shag dance at all of our functions, because it is so much fun!