GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2005

SESSION LAW 2005-218

SENATE BILL 128

AN ACT adopting official state dances.

Whereas, clogging and shagging are popular dances that have entertained both participants and spectators in this State for decades; and

Whereas, clogging is a traditional American folk dance that developed during the Colonial period in the Southern Appalachian mountains of the United States; and

Whereas, clogging has been influenced by European, African-American, and Native American folk dance traditions; and

Whereas, clogging is characterized by distinct, dignified, and beautiful footwork performed by individuals, couples, and groups; and

Whereas, a number of clogging events and competitions are held across the State each year; and

Whereas, the shag is a form of swing dancing that evolved from the jitterbug and jump blues of the big band jazz era and originated at Carolina Beach during the 1940s; and

Whereas, the shag is most often associated with beach music, which refers to songs that are rhythm and blues based and, according to Bo Bryan, a noted shag historian and resident of Beaufort County, is a term that was coined at Carolina Beach; and

Whereas, rhythm and blues groups, such as Jimmy Cavallo and the Houserockers, bolstered the popularity of the shag during the 1940s when they performed in Fayetteville, White Lake, and other areas around the State; and

Whereas, today, the shag is a recognized dance in national and international dance competitions held across the United States; and

Whereas, North Carolina is home to some of the most successful national shag champions, including multiple championship title winners, including Charlie Womble, Jackie McGee, Michael Norris, LeAnn Best, and Sam and Sarah West; and

Whereas, North Carolina natives Clarice Reavis of Fayetteville and Harry Driver of Dunn are recognized as Queen of Shag and Father of Shag respectively; and

Whereas, numerous North Carolinians have been inducted into the Shaggers Hall of Fame; and

Whereas, North Carolina has the most beach music clubs in the nation and has a number of radio stations that depend solely upon the listenership of shag enthusiasts; and

Whereas, it is fitting to adopt clogging and shagging as official State dances; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Chapter 145 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 145-24. Official State dances.

(a) Clogging is adopted as the official folk dance of North Carolina.

(b) Shagging is adopted as the official popular dance of North Carolina."

SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 13^th day of July, 2005.

                                                                    s/ Beverly E. Perdue

                                                                         President of the Senate

                                                                    s/ James B. Black

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives

                                                                    s/ Michael F. Easley

                                                                         Governor

Approved 2:06 p.m. this 20^th day of July, 2005