Fellow Stranders and Friends,

Just wanted to give you all an update about ACSC/SOS Functions. Currently as many of you know many restaurants and bars, etc. at N. Myrtle Beach are closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic. I know that some of you were planning on still going to the beach during the 10 days of SOS even though it still remains cancelled, however there is so much uncertainty about the virus and the longevity of it, that no one knows for sure how long this will go on. You may want to re-consider your travel plans, condo rentals, hotel rentals, etc.

The Board is currently working on plans for Fall Migration, with DETAILS to follow as they are known. We have been in contact with the City of N. Myrtle Beach about POSSIBLY having the parade at Fall Migration. Nothing has been confirmed at this time, but as Ron said “we are keeping our fingers crossed” and hoping for the best. Ron has been working tirelessly for SOS, with the city, all our club partners, and all of our supporters.
We will keep you posted as things develop and hoping things start to turn around for all of us.
It remains important right now that we all remain safe and abide by the rules of the CDC concerning this pandemic. We remain confident that we will get past this and we can return to the lifestyle that we all love and live our life for.

Respectfully,

Ron Whisenant, SOS President (803-371-4731)

Ronnie Gregory, SOS Board Chair (336-213-7053)

Robin Morley, ACSC Chairman (828-443-5995)
 

Sam and Lisa West are trying to bring some normalcy to the shag community during the COVID-19 pandemic. They offered free shag lessons on Thursday, March 19, 2020 and with the feedback received they've decided to continue this on Sundays and Thursdays following the same format which includes the following: 

7:00 Music and Warm-up
7:10 Beginner Class
7:50 Music and Break
8:00 Intermediate Class

If you'd like to make a donation you can do so at Venmo, Cash App, or PayPal by using the email: lisaswing@aol.com - Be sure to send them a note thanking them for doing this. We think it's great and we wanted to share this with all of you. If you'd like to join in the fun, visit their Facebook page. 

See the video below from the March 19th lesson. Awesome job Sam and Lisa!

We're excited to announce our newest feature on our platform, "Flip Flop Live Radio". Our debut show will feature host DJ Andy Lucy (co-owner of Flip Flop Live) for the Flip Flop Live Saturday Night House Party. The show will air from 7-11PM on Friday, March 21, 2020 on the radio page. You can also listen via the Live365 Radio App and on their website. We have a new dedicated website that will be launched in the coming weeks and another special surprise currently in the works. We hope you will join us for the debut show and as always we appreciate your support.

March 17, 2020

The Beach Music Community has been heavily affected by the Covid-19 outbreak in the recent weeks and from the looks of things this will be the norm for quite some time. The industry has seen events both postponed and canceled and this will have an impact on everyone from the venues, DJ's, bands, shag clubs, venues, charity organizations and events. This is our time to shine as a community and we can still enjoy everything about Beach Music and support those who keep the industry alive.
 

• DJ's and Beach Radio
  Tune in and call your favorite DJ's and stations and request your favorite songs. Most do it for the love of the music but operating a station and/or show can become costly and they rely on their sponsors to keep things going. The sponsors want listeners to hear their ads so the more we can increase their numbers the more it can help. Show them love on their social media pages and keep in touch as you can always find the greatest music on earth playing on one of the great stations available to us. If you haven't tried streaming shows outside of your normal listening area, try it on apps such as Tune-In, IHeartRadio and Live365. Several stations also have apps you can download specifically for their broadcast.
   
• Bands and Artists
  The many artists and bands will see a huge impact from the Covid-19 outbreak with attendance becoming limited in an attempt to control the spread. Shows have been canceled or postponed from Virginia to South Carolina and for many bands and artists this is their only source of income. Interact with the bands online to keep their social media pages active and let them know how much you appreciate what they do everyday. You can also purchase their music from outlets such as BuyBeachMusic, Judy's House of Oldies and other streaming sources such as iTunes, Amazon Music, GooglePlay and more. What a great time to go through your phones and upload some of the videos and photos and tag the bands and even invite your friends to like their page. They're just as eager as you to get back on the road and let's do what we can to help promote their brand and music.
   
• Shag Clubs
  Although we may not be able to come together and our way of life has come to a screeching hault, that doesn't mean we can't still enjoy sharing and fellowship online. Working on new moves at home? Share it online! Check out the many shag groups available online, meet new friends and invite others to join in the lifestyle. The world may stop but the music never does and anything we can do to promote it will keep things going during this difficult time while putting a smile on our faces.
   
• The Industry
  If you haven't renewed your membership for the Carolina Beach Music Academy, take the time now to download and print the forms and/or pay online. With everything being affected, we assume the United States Postal Service could also see a decrease in speed so it's best to get your CBMA forms in the mail today instead of waiting. Don't forget, you can also purchase your CBMA Award show tickets on the Alabama Theatre website. We know many wait until the last minute but we encourage you to secure your seats because after this hiatus, everyone will be ready for some fun in N. Myrtle Beach.
   
• The Venues
  Venue owners and management probably don't have a lot of time during their normal business hours to respond to emails and inquiries but now would be a good time to thank them for supporting live music, dance events and of course Beach Music. Maybe there's a band you'd like to see at their club that hasn't been included in their lineup. Why not let them know? The venues which also includes restaurants and bars will also be hit pretty hard with this along with their employees. If they're able to still offer curb-side and carryout, please support these local people who support the lifestyle we enjoy. Without the venues where will we go to continue the tradition?

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire country and we hope that each of you and your families will remain safe. There's no other community like ours and this is the time we need to come together, support one another until this storm has passed.

Andy Lucy & Jonathan "JJ" Sharpe
Flip Flop Live

March 15, 2020

The CDC updated their recommendation for large gatherings earlier this evening. See the information below that was found on their website. 

Guidance as of 3/15/2020
Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States via travelers who attend these events and introduce the virus to new communities. Examples of large events and mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies. These events can be planned not only by organizations and communities but also by individuals.

Therefore, CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.

Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing.  When feasible, organizers could modify events to be virtual.

This recommendation does not apply to the day to day operation of organizations such as schools, institutes of higher learning, or businesses. This recommendation is made in an attempt to reduce introduction of the virus into new communities and to slow the spread of infection in communities already affected by the virus.  This recommendation is not intended to supersede the advice of local public health officials.

March 14, 2020

Hip Pocket announced on their Facebook page earlier today that Jaron Bradley “Breeze” (Drummer) is no longer with the band. We wish Breeze the best of luck on his future endeavor and we look forward to hearing what's next from him and Hip Pocket. 

From WBTV

(WBTV) - Gov. Roy Cooper issued an executive order to halt mass gatherings in North Carolina for an indefinite period of time to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). Cooper identifies a mass gathering of 100 or more people.

For everyone venturing out, be sure to follow the recommended guidelines to keep yourself safe. 

How would you like to win a pair of tickets to the first annual "Shaggin' for a Cause" event
in South Hill, Virginia? If you know the answer to the following question, click the link below
to the contest page. 

What does the acronym "C.B.M.A." stand for?  **Hint** You can find a link with the answer
somewhere on our homepage.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR ANSWER!

North Carolina

Tues. March 10^th
Shag Class
BrioLive Ballroom – Concord

Wed. March 11^th – Live Music
ACC Men’s Basketball Tailgate
The Embers feat. Craig Woolard
Greensboro Coliseum Complex
Greensboro

Thurs. March 12^th – Live Music
RAYz Deck Party
Steve Owens and Summertime
TJ’S Night Life – Raleigh

Sat. March 14^th – Live Music
St. Paddy’s Day Weekend Party
Cat5 Band
Copperhead Road – Ronda

Sat. March 14^th
Sandhills Shag Club Monthly Party
DJ Gene Sistare
Hamlet

Sat. March 14^th – Live Music
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Cory Luetjen & the TBB
Raleigh

Sun., March 15^th
- Shagging Sundays
Garage Tavern – Greensboro

Sun. March 15^th – Live Music
Celebration Free Concert
Steve Owens and Summertime
E-Club – Emerald Isle

South Carolina

Thurs. March 12^th
2020 National Shag Dance Champ.
Ocean Drive Beach and Golf Resort
N. Myrtle Beach

Fri. March 13^th
Riptide Radio Deck Party
Deckerz Bar & Grill
N. Myrtle Beach

Fri. March 13^th  – Live Music
Beach Music Shaggers Revue
Band of Oz w/ DJ Butch Davidson
American Legion Post 7
Lexington

Fri. March 13^th – Live Music
Lucky Shamrock Street Festival
Blackwater Band
Florence

Fri. March 13^th – Live Music
Cat5 Band
Deckerz – N. Myrtle Beach

Sat. March 14^th – Live Music
St. Patty’s Beach Blast
Blackwater Band
Too Much Sylvia
HOTO’s – N. Myrtle Beach

Sat. March 14^th – Live Music
Funky Leroy Harper Jr’s All Starz
Wild Wing Cafe – N. Myrtle Beach

Sun. March 15^th – Live Music
South Strand Shag Club Event
The Embers feat. Craig Woolard
Murrels Inlet


Virginia

Wed. March 11^th
Carolina Shag Dance Lessons
Northern Virginia Shag Club
Arlington—Fairfax Elks Lodge 2188
Arlington

Thurs. March 12^th
Free Beginner Lessons
by the Richmond Shag Club
Visions – Richmond

Thurs. March 12^th – Live Music
Aubrey’s Concert Series
Jim Quick and Coastline
Old Towne Civic Center
Petersburg

Friday. March 13^th
Boogie on the Bay Shag Club Social
Big Woody’s – Chesapeake

Friday. March 13^th - Live Music
The Embers feat. Craig Woolard
Club Midway – Mechanicsville

Sat. March 14^th – Live Music
Shaggin’ for a Cause
Konnection Band
The Castaways
JB & the Get Down Browns
DJ Ray Melton and more…
The Exchange – South Hill

Sat. March 14^th – Live Band
The Ocean Breeze Band
Aragona Moose Lodge
Virginia Beach

Sat. March 14^th – Live Band
The Embers feat. Craig Woolard
N. Street Press Club - Farmville