We had told our neighbors about the “SHAG DANCE” and how we ventured into a dance club while living for nine months in North Myrtle Beach, S.C.
You walk through the “JUKE BOX DOORS” into the past – the 40s – 50s – 60s – 70s – 80s – 90s and still going strong in the 2000s!!!!
Over 80 years – a dance was born in this area – from rhythm and blues – swing – jitterbug and rock and roll all wrapped up in one called “THE SHAG”!
You look up at the water tower and a couple is dancing – and “FAR HAROLDS” is THE CLUB!
The past 80 years are on the walls in pictures – plaques – trophies – name plates on the bar top –
a dance floor with one wall covered with ceiling-to-floor mirrors!
And – we arrived at 6:30pm. thinking we could just walk in and get a table!
It was STANDING ROOM only!
A small portion of the people in the club – and another back room and bar was closed!
6:30 pm. WEDNESDAY night and dozens of folks were dancing the night away –
you could not walk on the dance floor!
I took this picture between songs and a break – if you look toward the right side back of the room –
you can see the control room of the DJ and this was being broadcast live on 94.9 THE SURF –
the classics and beach music station on NMB!
We brought our neighbors Bill and Marcea –
and before we left – it was can we come back and take dance lessons!!!!
Papa – Bill – Marcea – Sherry at “FAT HAROLDS”! Note the pictures on the wall – Shag competitions over the years – they have a week of Shag Dancing every four months all over the town –
Live music in all the clubs.
Stay tuned for DANCE LESSONS – learning how to do the”SHAG DANCE at FAT HAROLDS BEACH CLUB”
PAPA’S WORLD – SOMEWHERE NEAR THE BEACH IS A CLUB – FAT HAROLDS!!!!!!
She has been in practice for six months – she played a Starfish and a Swan – in all the performances.
She did not try out for a speaking roll as she still is shy but has a beautiful voice.
Cassidy as a Starfish – she danced on stage and did a cartwheel in both directions and sang.
We were amazed at the costumes and the skills of the 6-7 and 8th. grade cast members.
Cassidy is on the right dancing and singing – once she gets over being shy – she will shine – she sings in front of the congregation in the choir and does vocals in a youth group band.
Cassidy as a swan between her sister Taylor and mother Tammy.
As a swan she danced and sang – she was very graceful.
Our shy little Cassidy – getting more brave to perform in front of a audience.
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Our granddaughter – Cassidy – Starfish and Swan in The Little Mermaid – 2 1/2 hour production.
It was here or close to here that THE SHAG started!
It was a beach dance created in the ’40’s along this beach.
The first I believe was in Cherry Grove – but that club was wiped out
by a hurricane in the ’50’s!
Other clubs had formed over the years and along main street
in North Myrtle Beach was the hot spot for SHAGGING!
It grew so popular it spread all across the country and became the state dance!
Clubs were formed and it went worldwide.
Competitions were held and champions crowned!
It reminds me of the Jitter bug – Strolling – Swing – Dirty dancing – all rolled into one –
where you have contact almost 100 % of the time with your dance partner!
And – from what I could see – the age group was 40 to 80 years plus old!
CUTTING THE RUG!
It did not matter how old you were – they still danced and they were good!Sherry and I have walked by this building dozens of times – it was closed up – deserted looking!
Wondering what it was and if it was empty?
Then – listening to the radio station – 94.9 THE SURF – we found out!
On TV we found out!
FAT HAROLDS was reopening after being closed of over a year –
because of Covid19 and the Pandemic.
Which I found out hit this establishment really hard.
I was told that early on – a half dozen people passed away – having caught the virus here.
And – I could see why as it was the older generations who were dancing.
It caught them by surprise and they -the owners – shut it down.
But now it was back after the state reopened – and it was I learned a national landmark.
This is the third location – and has been here for twenty plus years – since the ’40’s!
World competitions – nationwide competitions – local – all held here or across main street
on the beach in a big stage and dance floor.
A view of one of two dance floors – four bars – one at the entrance – one on the main dance floor and two on the second dance floor in the rear.
There are hundreds of these signs of dance shag clubs all over the nation. And a tribute to the man who brought it to the forefront – FAT HAROLD! Who sadly passed away in 2015.The main bar on the dance floor number one – Fat Harold – was known all over the country and many pictures of him and famous performers hang from the walls. This was the spot where you came to dance for all these years!
On this single wall – dozens of pictures dedicated over the many – many years to DJ’s – radio – who spun the records to the SHAG! And radio hosts still do to this day.
It is a true living museum to the past 80 plus years!
Pictures – a Hollywood walk of fame throughout the sidewalks of main street honoring dancers from the past 60 years! With there names and year of dancing!
Fat Harold – known to the music world – and now the tradition continues with the reopening!
PAPA’S WORLD: livinglifedoingitmyway fitztdf@aol.com A day to remember – a visit to the reopening
OF FAT HAROLDS on Main Street – North Myrtle beach!
Sherry – Cindy and Buck sitting near the dance floor of Fat Harold’s – the first few Shagger’s starting to dance.
We had eaten dinner at HOTO’s ( Harold’s On The Beach) and then walked through the OD Arcade ( Ocean Drive)Seeing all the pictures and people were dancing there already.
Even saw a picture of all people the Pro Golfer Sam Snead who had been there
Within a half hour – it picked up and became more and more crowded with very good dancers!
We then walked over to Fat Harold’s Dance Club!
And found this table beside the wall of mirrors so we could watch the dancing!
Cindy and Buck loved it just as we had when we first came here!
Retirement – one of the benefits – going on eight years for me and nine years for Sherry!
Watching the dance floor of the Shag!
Best friends for 35 years!
Now it was getting really crowed and there is a second dance floor and bar that had the same number of people dancing!
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