UNION — Those who don’t know the South Carolina state dance will have the perfect opportunity to learn it in October.

The USC Union Continuing Education Department will host a weekly course — open to the public — in which students will learn to shag.

“Shag for Beginners” will run 6:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday from Oct. 9-30 in the USC Union Auditorium.

The class will be taught by Amanda Leigh and Tony Gregory. Gregory said he first learned to shag just out of high school and took additional lessons over the years to further his knowledge of the dance.

“I like the music,” Gregory said and smiled. “It’s just a feel-good kind of music. When you hear it, all you think about is being at the beach.”

Gregory said the class will cover the basics — learning the steps, putting it into the starting position and moving into the dance itself.

“Hopefully the students will be interested and want to move on to a more intermediate class later,” he said. “We want the community to get involved. Whether you’re a dancer now or a beginner, we would love to have you here and be a part of South Carolina’s history.”

Brittany Moss — an employee of USC Union Continuing Education — said she and her fiancee have already signed up for the course.

“I’ve always wanted to learn to shag,” Moss said. “We’re always looking to offer new classes people would be interested in. I asked around campus, and students said they would be interested.”

Classes cost $40 per person and are open to everyone — couples and singles.

For more information or to register, contact USC Union Continuing Education at (864) 429-8728 ext. 7742 or email mossb@mailbox.sc.edu.

Staff Writer Derik Vanderford can be reached at 864-427-1234, ext. 29, or by email at dvanderford@heartlandpublications.com.