2008 Junior SOS Dates:

This Page Last Updated On: 04/14/2008

July 15-20, 2008

Place: North Myrtle Beach, SC

Participating Lounges:  Boulevard Grill, Ducks, Fat Harold's and the OD Arcade.

2007 Junior SOS Schedule

Click To View 2007 Junior SOS Photos

Click To View More 2007 Junior SOS Photos

Congratulations To The 2007 Junior SOS Mixed Doubles Winners

My First Junior SOS

By: Kody Brown

July 30, 2007  

I had been shagging for about 4 months when I was asked if I had ever been to Jr. SOS at a shag party. I had not heard of the JSA so I said no, then I heard about Jr. SOS. This was in August 2006, I had to wait almost whole year to go to my first Jr. SOS. Finally, on July 18, 2007 it was time for my first Jr. SOS. I went to Duck’s Too for the Battle of the Sexes Line Dance Contest. In the practice we put together moves such as “the cheerleader” with cartwheels and lifts, “the chorus line” with can-can kicks, “the robot war” in which Brennar Goree lost a robot dance off to a junior about 10 years younger than he was, and the “the worm race”.  We also made up the “bowling ball” in which I bowled the “ball” (which was really my friend Jeremy Webb doing summersaults) and knocked down the “pins” (which was really the rest of the guys standing in the form of a triangle) and made a “strike” (which was everyone holding there arms in an X above their heads). The guys won the contest that night in their matching JSA shirts when the girls did not dress alike. I also learned the Jr. SOS 2007 step “the freeze” that night.  

          The next day I learned some steps called “the trail” and “the Ducks”. Brennar Goree and Autumn Jones taught both of the steps. That night I was walking off the floor after dancing “the tush push” and I saw two women talking and one of them pointed to me and said “He’s good, get him.” So of course, I wanted to know what they where doing and so I asked them, they were from Carolina TV Now, a Myrtle Beach Area news show. They asked me to dance for them to tape and put on the news. I was looking for a good dancer to dance with for them and I ran into Autumn Jones and asked her if she would dance with me for the news, she said yes. This was the most exciting moment of the entire weekend for me because Autumn Jones is the National Junior Shag Champion and I was able to dance with her on the news. When I was dancing with Autumn I asked her to do the Duck’s when she told me she didn’t remember it. I asked why not and she said her and Brennar had just made it up before the workshop that day and she had forgotten it. Afterwards, they wanted us to say their slogan for the camera. So we went outside and in front of Ducks and I had to say “My name is Kody Brown and you’re watching the South Carolina State Dance the Carolina Shag.” Autumn’s line was “My name is Autumn Jones and you’re watching Carolina TV Now.” Afterwards Jeremy and his partner Kayla Granger said the same lines for the camera. This was the most exciting moment of the week for me.  

          Friday morning I went to the beach activities where we played volleyball, had water balloon tosses, and played in the ocean. Then I went to the Boulevard Grill where they were giving out free hot dogs. That night I went to the pizza party and social dancing at Duck’s. Ms. Goree announced that they had already ran out of JSA t-shirts for the year. She said that that was proof that the spirit of the dance is growing. That night was the Pro-Am Mixed Doubles where the amateurs danced with the professionals in an exhibition. A mixed Doubles is when you dance with someone who isn’t you’re usual partner and you don’t get to pick your partner either. There where 83 juniors in the exhibition.         

Saturday morning was the Mixed Doubles Amateur and Novice divisions. I was placed in the novice division so I didn’t place but I had a lot of fun. 3 of my good friends placed in the amateur division. Later, I went to some of the workshops and to the social dancing that night at Ducks. The dj announced that Ducks had never so crowded except for an SOS since it has been open. The professional mixed doubles was that night and I had tons of fun watching all the experienced dancers compete with someone they didn’t usually dance with. I was really excited when I got to dance with three girls at once that night.  

Years ago, there was an effort to put on an SOS type event for those who were not old enough to attend the adult SOS events at North Myrtle Beach. (See www. shagdance.com for more about SOS.) The idea was to give the Juniors that already danced a chance to have fun, and a chance to help others learn to shag in a safe environment. It was hoped that the event would increase interest in shag dancing, and encourage new young people and their parents to participate.

The first "Junior SOS" was held one afternoon at a lounge named "Smiley's" in Charlotte, NC. There were about 30 or 40 young people that first year. It was a one day event with hamburgers and hot-dogs on the back deck (it rained) and dancing inside. Everyone had a ball and knew right away that we had to have one every year.

The event is now held in the Ocean Drive area of North Myrtle Beach, SC. Several of the adult lounges open their doors and hearts to the Juniors for that weekend and always work with the JSA to make the weekend great for the kids. If you are not familiar with North Myrtle Beach, the participating lounges are within about 200 yards of each other and the beach.

Junior SOS exposes a lot of youngsters and their parents to the dance for the first time. So, the entire event is planned to make sure the first time Shagger's have every opportunity to learn to dance, and have a lot of fun doing it. The weekend is crammed with activities such as:

Registration Desk

We set up a desk to sign up JSA members for the new membership year which begins on July 1. There is no charge to attend any Junior SOS event. It is not required that anyone join JSA to participate in Junior SOS , but we encourage you to do so in order to keep in touch with what is happening during the year and to become involved. It only costs $5 a year for Junior Members and $10 a year for Adult Members. We also have $25 a year Corporate Memberships and $1000 a year Sponsor Memberships. We will provide free T-Shirts for those that join during Junior SOS and you get them at the registration desk.

 We also use the Registration Desk to sign up for the various contests and activities that will be taking place during Junior SOS . You can pick up schedules and other useful information at the desk. The desk is staffed by two volunteers (three during rush times) usually working in one or two hour shifts. If the JSA is selling or giving away any promotional items, you can get them at the Registration Desk

Kick-Off Party

The first official night of Junior SOS starts in the back room of Fat Harold’s. The Registration Desk will be open; soft drinks, snacks, and music are provided. There will be a workshop from 7:00 to 8:00 . The Kick-off Party only lasts from 7:00 to 9:30 and gives the Juniors that just arrived a chance to meet up for the first time. It is followed by the Battle of the Sexes Line Dance Challenge on Fat Harold’s main dance floor.

A Battle of the Sexes Line Dance Contest

This fun contest is on Wednesday night and is one of the most fun events of the weekend. The girls and boys team up against each other in a line dance competition different than any you have ever seen before! They usually get together earlier in the day to work out a routine and practice. Check the schedule for posted practice time. This is open to all kids that want to participate. When the contest starts the DJ calls both teams out on the floor and the girls dance for about 60 seconds while the guys stand and watch then the guys come out and do the same thing. They go through this routine a few times and then the crowd applause determines the winners. The guys have ruled this in the past.

Free Junior Dance Workshops

We usually have 20 to 25 shag workshops during Junior SOS . They are for the Juniors only and are all free. We make sure we offer plenty of workshops for beginner and inexperienced dancers and this year we are more workshops for the experienced dancers that have been coming to Junior SOS over the years and need more than the basics. We use a mix of instructors that includes well know professional shag instructors, CSA competitive dancers and the older competitive Junior Dancers. Please check the Workshop Schedule for time and place. Make sure you get a new schedule when you arrive because we some time add workshops at the last minute. Also check the website and registration desk for a Description of Workshops to help you understand what each workshop will offer.

A Junior Mixed Doubles Contest

This is a regular mixed doubles contest where the dancers draw their partners name after they get on the dance floor and they dance to music selected by the DJ. We have Amateur and Novice divisions on Saturday afternoon at the OD Arcade . The Pro division is in the evening at  DUCKS . The Amateur division is for first time competitors and is where most of the current competitive dancers got their start. We usually have around 50 dancers compete in the Mixed Doubles each year.

A Junior Pro-Am Mixed Doubles Contest

We are at DUCKS again on Friday night. The night starts with social dancing. Later we have the Junior Pro – Am Mixed Doubles. It is really an exhibition instead of a contest since we do not judge and place the dancers. They are all winners and it is just for fun!!  This event is special because we take the older competitive dancers and intentionally pair them up with the beginner inexperienced dancers. We only have them dancer for about 60 seconds to make it easy on the beginners. We also have two or three couples on the floor at the same time to minimize the pressure and stress on the beginners. The young ones faces light up when they get a chance to dance with the older dancers in front of everyone. They remember this dance for years to come. We had 49 kids dance in this last year.

A Junior Visit and Exhibition At a Retirement Home

For several years a group of Junior Shagger's have gone to the Myrtle Beach Manor in Myrtle Beach to put on a dance exhibition for the residents at the assisted living home. The residents love it and look forward to it each year. The Juniors seem to have a lot of fun doing it.

 Everyone meets at the Boulevard Grill and they car pool down to Myrtle Beach Manor (less than 30 minutes away). We encourage as few cars as possible and adult drivers are preferred. A few parents with vans or large vehicles are all that is required. The group often agrees before leaving to stop somewhere on the way back for lunch. Without lunch, the trip down, the exhibition and the trip back usually takes less than two hours.

Organized Beach Activities!

We have organized beach activities planned this year for Friday and encourage all Juniors that are going on the beach that day to gather behind the Boulevard Grill and the City Park . It is a place for all Juniors to meet and just do the things kids do while on the beach!  This location is close to hot food and dance floors at the Boulevard Grill and the OD Arcade . Public rest rooms are available at the City Park . Dance workshops are just across the street at the OD Arcade .

Ducks Dance Night

We are at DUCKS on Thursday for social dancing and fun. This is the time all the Juniors just dance and have a big time. We take a little time during the evening for special exhibitions. Soft drinks and water are provided for all Juniors. Food is available for purchase next door at DUCKS TOO . We will have the registration desk set-up the first part of the evening.

A Sunday Gospel Hour and Farewell Brunch

This is a special event to bring the weekend to a close and give everyone a chance to see their old and new friends off and say goodbye. It is at Fat Harold’s and the OD Shag Club provides brunch. We have a guest speaker provide a devotional tailored for the young people. A couple of Juniors also sing or play Gospel music for us and the DJ plays gospel music.   

Junior SOS is organized and put on by the Junior Shag Association. The primary financial sponsors are Allegheny Products - Anqet Natural Spring Water, Association Of Carolina Shag Clubs and Twister's Shag Club. But, the event would not be possible without the adult shag clubs, dance club (lounge) owners, shag DJs, dance instructors, parents, and other individuals making generous donations of money, time, prizes, and services.

If you still have questions about the Junior Shag Association, please contact us!