SOS for SOS!
Many of you have heard about the SOS (Society of Stranders) Spring Safari and Fall Migration and have vowed not to miss them next year! These are 10-day dance events that occur annually in North Myrtle Beach, SC, the epicenter of the Shag dance world. If you're going for the first time, you may have some questions about them. So here is a brief rundown of things you may be wondering…
Main Street
All the action happens on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach (NMB). That's where the dance clubs are and why you want to stay within easy walking distance of it if you can. Main Street is perpendicular to Ocean Drive (OD) which, as the name implies, runs parallel to the beach. Most of the hotels and condos that dancers like to rent are on or around OD, very close to Main Street. Everything near the intersection of Main Street and OD is in close proximity, as this part of NMB has an old beach town feel and look to it. When you arrive, walk up Main Street and get yourself a free Carefree Times newspaper, as it lists everything that's happening in all the clubs during SOS. Many of the shops and clubs along Main Street will have stacks of them right inside their doors.
You will need to purchase a new SOS pass annually (good January-December), either through the SCBC (we receive 50 each year to sell at a $5 discount of $30) or you can buy one in NMB for $35. This pass must be shown at all clubs for free admission, so be sure you always have it with you (many people wear theirs on a lanyard). You can buy one at the SOS Company Store, which is located a block south of Main Street on OD. The SOS Company Store also has the Carefree Times and a nice array of SOS souvenirs. There is also usually a tent selling the passes in front of the OD Beach & Golf Resort at the intersection of OD and Main Street.
Main Street is somewhat limited in amenities, however, there are several restaurants/eateries within walking distance, in addition to a convenience store and a liquor store. These businesses are interspersed among the clubs, beach supply stores, and gift shops located along Main Street. Grocery stores (Kroger) are at the other end of Main St., near Rt. 17 and Walmart is a few streets north on Rte. 17. Restaurants and shopping areas abound both north and south on 17.
Clubs
You’ll find Pittsburghers dancing at all of the clubs. Typically, you’ll find some West Coasters at “Duck’s” since they often play a lot of smoothies; Shaggers and Jitterbuggers at “Fat Harold’s”- (Front & Back Room) - it’s always so packed you can hardly move, but there’s usually room on the dance floor; a mixed crowd at the “OD Beach Club Grill” and the “Spanish Galleon” (housed in the OD Beach and Golf Resort); Shaggers only at the “OD Pavilion”; and a mixed crowd at the “OD Arcade”. You can walk from place to place until you find what you like!
Lessons are offered at all clubs each morning by the best instructors in the Shag world and clubs open for dancing at 1:00 and stay open to wee hours of the night. Many dancers choose to shop or go to the beach during the day and dance at night. Main Street and the clubs get very busy at night and particularly on the weekends when everyone comes to town and it’s packed everywhere. Don’t forget about Fun Sunday and Fun Monday, when there are 2 days of free entertainment in the Main Street area. Bring a chair & cool drinks if you like. Remember that you're on vacation in a beach area, and there are no dress codes. Most people dress nicely, but casually. Many women wear capris or jeans with a cool top and many men wear golf shirts, t-shirts, or tail-less button-front dress shirts with jeans or slacks. Smooth-bottomed, comfortable dance shoes are a must, and if you need a pair, you can shop at Judy's House of Oldies on Main Street or at The Shoe Center a few blocks south on Rt. 17.
Lodging
As far as where to stay, when making reservations, make sure you ask exactly how far you'll be from Main Street. The first three places below seem like the most popular places, but people stay in other places as well. The contact numbers are dated, so you might have to go online to check:
Future Dates
2023: Midwinter Workshop~January 12-15 Spring Safari~April 13-23 Fall Migration ~September 14-24
2024 Midwinter Workshop~ January 11-14 Spring Safari~April 18-29 Fall Migration~ September 12-22
2025 Midwinter Workshop~ January 16-19 Spring Safari~April 24-May 4 Fall Migration~ September 11-21
Many of you have heard about the SOS (Society of Stranders) Spring Safari and Fall Migration and have vowed not to miss them next year! These are 10-day dance events that occur annually in North Myrtle Beach, SC, the epicenter of the Shag dance world. If you're going for the first time, you may have some questions about them. So here is a brief rundown of things you may be wondering…
Main Street
All the action happens on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach (NMB). That's where the dance clubs are and why you want to stay within easy walking distance of it if you can. Main Street is perpendicular to Ocean Drive (OD) which, as the name implies, runs parallel to the beach. Most of the hotels and condos that dancers like to rent are on or around OD, very close to Main Street. Everything near the intersection of Main Street and OD is in close proximity, as this part of NMB has an old beach town feel and look to it. When you arrive, walk up Main Street and get yourself a free Carefree Times newspaper, as it lists everything that's happening in all the clubs during SOS. Many of the shops and clubs along Main Street will have stacks of them right inside their doors.
You will need to purchase a new SOS pass annually (good January-December), either through the SCBC (we receive 50 each year to sell at a $5 discount of $30) or you can buy one in NMB for $35. This pass must be shown at all clubs for free admission, so be sure you always have it with you (many people wear theirs on a lanyard). You can buy one at the SOS Company Store, which is located a block south of Main Street on OD. The SOS Company Store also has the Carefree Times and a nice array of SOS souvenirs. There is also usually a tent selling the passes in front of the OD Beach & Golf Resort at the intersection of OD and Main Street.
Main Street is somewhat limited in amenities, however, there are several restaurants/eateries within walking distance, in addition to a convenience store and a liquor store. These businesses are interspersed among the clubs, beach supply stores, and gift shops located along Main Street. Grocery stores (Kroger) are at the other end of Main St., near Rt. 17 and Walmart is a few streets north on Rte. 17. Restaurants and shopping areas abound both north and south on 17.
Clubs
You’ll find Pittsburghers dancing at all of the clubs. Typically, you’ll find some West Coasters at “Duck’s” since they often play a lot of smoothies; Shaggers and Jitterbuggers at “Fat Harold’s”- (Front & Back Room) - it’s always so packed you can hardly move, but there’s usually room on the dance floor; a mixed crowd at the “OD Beach Club Grill” and the “Spanish Galleon” (housed in the OD Beach and Golf Resort); Shaggers only at the “OD Pavilion”; and a mixed crowd at the “OD Arcade”. You can walk from place to place until you find what you like!
Lessons are offered at all clubs each morning by the best instructors in the Shag world and clubs open for dancing at 1:00 and stay open to wee hours of the night. Many dancers choose to shop or go to the beach during the day and dance at night. Main Street and the clubs get very busy at night and particularly on the weekends when everyone comes to town and it’s packed everywhere. Don’t forget about Fun Sunday and Fun Monday, when there are 2 days of free entertainment in the Main Street area. Bring a chair & cool drinks if you like. Remember that you're on vacation in a beach area, and there are no dress codes. Most people dress nicely, but casually. Many women wear capris or jeans with a cool top and many men wear golf shirts, t-shirts, or tail-less button-front dress shirts with jeans or slacks. Smooth-bottomed, comfortable dance shoes are a must, and if you need a pair, you can shop at Judy's House of Oldies on Main Street or at The Shoe Center a few blocks south on Rt. 17.
Lodging
As far as where to stay, when making reservations, make sure you ask exactly how far you'll be from Main Street. The first three places below seem like the most popular places, but people stay in other places as well. The contact numbers are dated, so you might have to go online to check:
- The Ashworth Resort~ www.Ashworthcondos.com ~843-272-4171; 1-800-367-6515
- The Avista Resort~ www.Avistaresort.com/sos ~855-710-4941
- The Ocean Drive Beach & Golf Resort (The Spanish Galleon and OD Beach Club are here)~ www.oceandriveresort.com ~1-800-438-9590.
- Elliot Beach Rentals (realtor)~ [email protected] ~ 888-669-7853
- Grand Strand Resorts (realtor)[email protected]~800-367-6515
- The Ocean Bay Resort~ www.oceanbayclub.com ~ 888-617-1143
- The Mar Vista Grande and Wyndham at Ocean Blvd. are also in the vicinity.
- Ocean Keyes is an enormous complex of relatively new condos within easy walking distance of Main Street and the beach & some are rented weekly. The above-mentioned realtors may be rental agents for some of these condos.
Future Dates
2023: Midwinter Workshop~January 12-15 Spring Safari~April 13-23 Fall Migration ~September 14-24
2024 Midwinter Workshop~ January 11-14 Spring Safari~April 18-29 Fall Migration~ September 12-22
2025 Midwinter Workshop~ January 16-19 Spring Safari~April 24-May 4 Fall Migration~ September 11-21
