NVSC History - 1998

RELAX INTO BEING HERE TO STAY

• Vesta Jones, President
• David Rodgers, Vice President
• Beverly Sgroi, Secretary
• Dennis Gehley, Treasurer
• Members-at-Large:
  • Betty Abshire
  • Audrey Borja
  • Janis Grimes
  • Craig Jennings
  • Dave Shipp
• Committee Chairpersons:
  • Capital Shag Classic – Valerie Swiger
  • Charity – Dave Shipp
  • Communications – Dennis Gehley
  • Dance – Janis Grimes
  • Historian – Valerie Swiger
  • Hospitality –Betty Abshire
  • Membership – Valerie Swiger
  • Music – Craig Jennings
  • Newsletter – Janis Grimes
  • Public Relations – Beverly Sgroi

President Vesta Jones started the year with gracious praise for all that the Club had accomplished in four years; growing in size and reputation and becoming known as a warm, friendly group of shaggers who love to learn and practice and welcome strangers to shag. As she put it, “This culture continues to draw me forward into it…like finding extra chapters when I’ve finished reading a favorite book.” Her appreciation and love of shag were evident when she wrote in the President’s Column… “The (shag) moves are graceful, the rhythms are so upbeat and enticing, and the dancers’ respect is mutual – when the man is doing one of his male lead moves, the woman holds her basic and does not compete. The mirror steps are done as a flowing team. The woman complements the process with graceful, subtle additions in her own moves. The result is fun to watch, complex, interesting and – well – graceful.”

National Living Legends of Dance and National Shag Competitors, John and Joan English presented workshops in basics, intermediate and advanced Shag on January 10, 1998, at Blackie’s with a dance that night at Kenwood Country Club. It was a lovely event, with light hors d’oeuvres catered by Kenwood.

Just two months later, Charlie Womble and Jackie McGee, 1996 U.S. Open Champions and 9 times National Shag Champions, presented workshops in beginner, intermediate and advanced Shag on March 7th at Blackie’s with a dance that night at the Army-Navy Country Club in Arlington. Jerry Canada and Craig Jennings were the deejays. It was a deluxe event with lavish catered food and dessert tables. 100 people attended.

IF I DIDN’T CARE (Troy Shondell)

In May, for the very first time, NVSC participated in the SOS Spring Parade and WON FIRST PLACE in the Marching Troop category. Pauline Easby-Smith masterminded the theme: a marching jukebox (Dennis Gehley) surrounded by 15 dancing NVSC members holding large records made from cardboard with classic shag song titles. Kathryn Quattrone drove her red Saab convertible at the front of the procession sporting the club’s banner, while Nancy Gehley rode in the passenger seat videotaping the crowd.

Around this same time, club members sought more opportunities to be together in social exchange and so they began gathering on Friday evenings and occasionally on Sunday afternoons at Oldies Music Legends in Manassas. The atmosphere was friendly and casual with much laughter and camaraderie. The deejay willingly played the beach music the shaggers provided him. This was another chance to show Shag as the dance of choice and Legends soon became the choice place to be on Friday night!

Vesta Jones created “Go On Record For Charity” as a club fundraiser for Hospice. NVSC members donated old records. The old 45s and 33s were decorated and used as table or wall decorations for club parties. Members could sign their name on the record, in glitter, for a donation of only $5 for a 45rpm and $8 for a 33rpm.

Janis Grimes and Joan McKinney began an earnest search for young juniors to participate in the NVSC-sponsored Junior Shagger’s Association, offering free shag lessons to anyone under the age of 21. The policy of free lessons and free admission to shag dance events for juniors less than 21 years of age continued into the year 2000 and beyond.

WHEW! THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA SHAG CLUB IS ON FIRE AND BURNING WITH LOVE-IN-ACTION!

The membership fee remained at $15 and the cover charge at Blackie’s Déjà vu, now being referred to as Lulu’s, was a mere $2.

IF EVER I HAD A GOOD THING (Johnny Adams)

Third Annual Capital Shag Classic, 1998 – Valerie Swiger coordinated the Third Annual Capital Shag Classic, June 26-28 at Howard Johnson’s in Alexandria. Featured were out-of-town deejay Joanne Johnson, and locals Larry Jones and Craig Jennings. Free shag workshops were taught: beginner by Larry and Shirley Jones, and intermediate and advanced by Norman Aldredge and Leslie Melton, upcoming junior champions featured on the music video “SHAGGIN’ ON THE BOULEVARD (Alabama). 200 tickets sold.