Teens' impressive footwork during shag routine earns them 1st place at Grand Nationals
When it comes to dance, there are so many different genres. Some like the Waltz are slow and romantic. Others, including Country and Hip-Hop are just downright fun. But even with all the styles people know about, there’s one not everyone’s heard of — the Shag.
Typically, this dance is fast-paced and high-energy. Created during the 1940s in South Carolina, this was what the younger generation loved. They’d head to the beach, put on some great music, and shag late into the nighttime hours. While it was “the dance” of the time, for whatever reason, the Shag slowly faded from the spotlight.
But in recent years, it’s coming back. Usually, you see an older couple who used to shag as teenagers hitting the dance floor at a club. Now, young people are showcasing this incredible style in the form of competition routines. That’s the case for two teenagers, Mack West and Trinity Davis, who blew everyone out of their seats with their Shag performance.
The Grand Nationals
In 2017, this duo signed up to perform in the junior category for this specific dance style. After posting the video of this competition online, it quickly went viral with more than 450,000 views. And, there’s a good reason…they’re fantastic. Especially since they’re not original “shaggers,” the fact they completed every step and trick to perfection is amazing.
Taking the stage
After the announcer introduces them, West and Davis take center stage. Even before doing a single step, the audience goes crazy. It’s easy to tell these two are favorites. While she walks out with a broad smile on her face, her partner looks somewhat more stoic. But don’t that fool you.
The music starts
Once their song of choice begins, West twirls Davis, followed by doing what appears as basic steps. Their moves are slow but perfectly coordinated to the smooth saxophone blaring in the background. While they’re good, it’s nothing compared to what’s about to happen.
West steals the spotlight…but just for a minute
In most dance routines, including the Shag, it’s the female partner who first wows the audience. But not this time. West takes the first lead, doing some carefully planned spins and fancy footwork. You can immediately tell he’s a talented dancer. Every step is firmly planted with precision.
What a great duo
But then, West and Davis start in with traditional Shag moves, kicking their feet and swinging around. Now you see it’s not just West who has skill. Their timing is impeccable. Every placement and kick of their feet are spot on. They stay in rhythm to the music, giving the crowd an incredible performance.
It’s not always at super-sonic speed
The great thing about the Shag is that dancers can perform to both slower and faster music. While some move their feet so quickly it’s hard to keep up, others like West and Davis prefer a sultrier routine. Okay, they might be teenagers, but all their moves are in sync with the Shag that people did back in the 1940s.
The audience loved them
Everyone who attended the competition enjoyed watching this pair dance. In doing such a fantastic Shag routine, you can only imagine it brought up happy memories for some of the older people. No matter the age, West and Davis did this dance style proud.
Whether you’ve ever shagged or simply love watching dance competitions, this is one you don’t want to miss. To see West and Davis in action, check out the video below.
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Source: YouTube