Catholic Roads Goes Shagging on the Grand Strand

Discover how the Carolina Shag began along the Grand Strand — where beach music, Catholic roots, and South Carolina charm meet! And visit Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church too.

VIDEOSPARISHES

Rom Webster

Catholic Roads Goes Shagging!

Down along the Grand Strand — where sunshine meets salt water and the breeze carries the sound of beach music — something magical happened. It was called The Shag.

Jitterbug Roots

Born from the jitterbug and slowed to a smooth coastal glide, the Shag became the heartbeat of Myrtle Beach nights. Some say it all started at Fat Harold’s in North Myrtle Beach. Others swear it was the Pavilion. Either way, young folks with sandy feet and sunburned smiles made it their own — and six or seven decades later, it’s still the official dance of South Carolina.

From a Catholic point of view, great music has always had friends in the faith. Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin — all Catholic crooners who knew the joy of rhythm, romance, and redemption. And here’s a fun thought: wherever the Shag found its first steps, it was probably inside what’s now the parish of Our Lady Star of the Sea in North Myrtle Beach. Every inch of the Palmetto State — even the dance floor — is part of a Catholic parish!

So kick off your shoes, turn up the beach music, and enjoy watching the Shag the way it was meant to be — with sunshine, friendship, and a little holy joy mixed in.

Our Story

We’re heading back over to North Myrtle Beach later this month (November)—God willing. We’re planning to do some caricatures of people and places while we’re there. And of course, we will visit Our Lady Star of the Sea, enjoy some good German food down at Horst Gasthaus, and attend mass too.

Be sure to check out the Shag places the next time you visit the Grand Strand. And for sure, stop my Our Lady Star of the Sea for mass and the Blessed Sacrament. And don’t forget to say hello to Fr. John Zimmerman for E.B, Opa, and the crew at Catholic Roads.

That’s our story, and we’re sticking to it!

South Carolina’s Official State Dance

If you don’t know anything about the Shag yet, you will after you’ve seen these videos. There’s some sweet music, lots of fun, and great memories for many!