Watching Stephen Sayer and Chandrae Roettig dance the shag will make you believe you are watching dancers from another era.
Stephen and Chandrae not only are professional shag dancers but they make sure to dress the part too. Stephen and Chandrae are shag dancing with a full band behind them that resembles the age of big band and swing dances in all the night clubs. This video is not only fun to watch for dance moves but for the entire ambiance.
Stephen Sayer and Chandrae Roetting are an award-winning swing dancing duo.
Stephen Sayer “is a dancer/instructor who is dedicated to preserving the great American partner jazz dances of the 1920s–1950s … In 2011, Steve and his partner Chandrae Roettig won first place at the National Jitterbug Championships and the US Open Strictly Lindy Hop divisions. In 2012 he was inducted into the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame.”
Chandrae Roetting started in gymnastics and did not find her love for swing dancing until 2007. Along with dancing her partner, Stephen, she has also found a love for teaching dance. Chandrae and Stephen have also contributed their talents to film, such as dancing in Gangster Squad.
Stephen and Chandrae start their dance at the Munich Balboa and Shag Weekend off with a bang.
There is no taking it slow for this shag performance. Stephen and Chandrae are ready to dance and give the audience what they have been waiting for, a traditional shag performance. The smiles never leave their faces as they swing around the dance floor. The shag was created to have fun after all and Stephen and Chandrae are embodying that fun creativity.
“Shag is one of the three main forms of swing dances (Shag, Lindy Hop, Balboa). Shag was danced all over America long before Lindy Hop became popular. It consists of many hops and kicks and was mostly danced in a closed position, but also has a variety of open elements. Shag can be danced to music at a medium and fast tempo,” World of Swing explains.
The shag is based on six beats, like the Boogie Woogie. The shag includes the Slow, Slow, Quick, Quick movement that many dancers already know. Therefore, it is an easy form to learn. The shag became popular with young adults during the 1930s for its quick and fun pace.
Watching Stephen and Chandrae perform, you will quickly understand why the dance became so popular.
Chandrae and Stephen’s feet never stop moving throughout their entire dance. If they are not spinning each other around or kicking into the air, then their feet are swinging it out on the floor. Watching the duo have so much fun on the dance floor will make you smile from ear to ear with them.
Chandrae and Stephen’s happiness is contagious.
The viewers of Chandrae and Stephen’s dance love the dance too. Some commented,
“Absolutely love watching this couple dance! They look like they’re having fun which makes it more enjoyable to watch!”
“If S&C aren’t the best “Collegiate Shaggers” in the world, the others must be hiding… Their precision and isolations are wonderful. When Chanzie [Chandrae] lost footing towards the end, the way she compensated, and he reacted is a great display of partnership in dance. Fantastic.”
“One million thumbs up.”
Watch the fun shag routine right below and prepare to start smiling.
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