Shag (Collegiate)

The Collegiate Shag is a couple dance that can be danced with fast rhythms of Swing music. It is part of those known as American swing vernacular dances. This dance was very popular in the 20s, 30s and 40s of the last century.

The term shag when used in reference to American social dances is very broad. It refers to several dances that were born in the first part of the 20th century in the United States. The famous dance teacher, Arthur Murray, mentions in his book Let’s Dance, from 1937, an article saying that the shag was danced and was known throughout the country under different names, such as Flea Hop.