Our purpose is to promote and preserve the heritage of beach music and shag dancing; educate and teach others the art of shag dancing; provide its members and guests with dance opportunities; inform its members of beach music and shag dancing activities; and support charities designated by the Board of Directors and/or club members.
HISTORY
In 1989, David Ballance of Manteo advertised an invitation in an Outer Banks newspaper, urging people interested in shag dancing to meet at Fast Eddie's at the Market Place in Southern Shores. Twenty people came to that meeting, and in May 1990 the Outer Banks Shag Club was officially formed. There were 15 charter members.
Two years later the Club moved its weekly dances to the Sea Ranch Resort in Kill Devil Hills. The Club stayed there for nearly six years, and during that time the membership rose to over 100 members.
The Club's next move was to Madeline's at the Holiday Inn on the beach road. During that stay of about six years the membership reached 240.
In 2005, the Club moved to Peppercorns at the Ramada Plaza Nags Head where we enjoyed a six-year run.
In 2011, we moved to Kelly’s Restaurant and Tavern, where we met until the end of January, 2017. We currently meet on the first and third Mondays of each month from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Duck Woods Country Club for fellowship and great shag dancing. These socials are open to all who enjoy "the dance."
For much of our history, we were fortunate to have Jack Bohne as our president. He remained president until 2011, when he resigned the club because of health reasons. Jack Myers, the vice president, assumed the presidency.
Jack Bohne was also the Club’s DJ, along with David Jones. David would tape Charlie Byrd's Beach Blast program from the radio and provide selections from those tapes for the weekly dance music. His knowledge of shag music is quite remarkable. David received numerous invitations to perform as a DJ for groups all along the east coast. His abilities, expertise, professionalism and charm earned him the prestigious National Shag Icon designation in 2007.
Sharon Jones, David’s wife, performed many roles. She was the Club's special events planner, social organizer, membership chair, newsletter editor in chief, club treasurer and unofficial "first lady" for many years. She has been seated on state and national shag boards and committees and, with David, taught shag and line dancing to hundreds of people here on the Outer Banks and as invited instructors up and down the east coast.
It is likely that Sharon has never met a person she didn't like. Sharon's dancing and teaching abilities, her dedication to the Club and to shag, her support of local charities and her winning smile earned her the honor of National Shag Icon in 2001. Today, many affectionately think of David and Sharon Jones as the King and Queen of OBX Shag. They shared their talents, their time, and their lives with us, all with such class!
In 2011, Jack Myers was elected president. He and his wife, Sally who served as social chair and unofficial first lady, were instrumental in taking the club to a new location, Kelly’s Restaurant and Tavern, and continued the traditions and leadership of the Joneses. Sally is a skillful organizer and was instrumental in leading the Event Committee. Through Jack and Sally’s leadership, our members enjoyed many successful social events including Pig Roasts, Fish Frys, and the annual New Year’s Eve Gala. Their dedication and leadership resulted in the club’s raising over $10,000 for local charities at our annual Harvest Benefit Dances.
Jack’s eye for detail brought many benefits. Through his efforts, the bylaws were updated, and standing committees were formed for the first time. He was persistent and meticulous in working with the IRS to obtain official nonprofit status for the Club.
After serving as vice president for many years and president from 2011 through 2015, Jack decided it was time to hand over the reins. Bill Broaddus was elected president in January 2016. Bill carried on the great work that Jack undertook while concentrating on driving the Club forward in support of its stated purposes.