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The First Coast Shag Club began in 1991 at Flashback Lounge in a bowling center by a group of dancers dedicated to having fun and learning the Carolina Shag dance under the instruction of Kelly Cordell.  The club was officially formed on February 7, 1993, with 28 members.  Its first officers were:  Kelly Cordell, President/Director; Fred Carter, Vice President/Director; Anne Jernigan [Henry] Secretary/Treasurer/Director. David King was the first Sergeant-at-Arms.  When FCSC outgrew the bowling center lounge, it moved to the Bimini Lounge at the Marriott Hotel Lounge at Southpoint.  When Marriott closed the lounge, and after a few stops along the way, the club currently dances at River City Brewing Company on Wednesdays.  The club also expanded to Sliders at Fernandina Beach on Sundays.  The membership continues to grow (now over 200) and the shag is alive in Jacksonville. 

 In September 1993, FCSC applied for membership in the Association of Carolina Shag Clubs (ACSC) and voted in on January 15, 1994.  The First Coast Shag Club website was established in 2002 and its current website is www.firstcoastshagclub.com.   

In May 1993, the first newsletter, “The Shag Rag” was created and current issues are now available on the club’s website.

In 1997, FCSC sponsored the building of the first FCSC float to enter the annual SOS parade.

We are proud to have three members recognized with an ACSC Shagging Icon Award – Butch Berrey, Allen Henry, and Anne Henry.  Current members in the Florida Shaggers Hall of Fame include Kelly Cordell, Shirley Cordell, Anne Henry, Starling Jones (deceased), Jane Harrington, David King, Dee York, Vickie Hyde, Tony Gonzalez, Roger Reynolds, Doug Harrington, and Paul Spaulding.

FCSC is primarily for “promoting and preserving the shag dance” and funds are used for benefit of the members.  The club also donates funding, time and effort into supporting charitable events.  The club’s designated charity is the American Cancer Society. The club also extends support to the ACSC and SOS by contributing to the Junior Shaggers Association, the Ellen Taylor Foundation for Junior Shaggers, and SOS events, including sponsoring a hole in their charity Golf event and selling raffle tickets for Fun Monday.

FCSC has many talented dancers who have competed in the Competitive Shaggers Association (CSA) and the Shag Preservation Association (SPA) dance contests throughout South and North Carolina.

The club established a precision dance team named “The Pivoteers” and performed club exhibitions for events throughout the State.  FCSC also sponsored the “Fabulous Fossils” band which performed at the 2008 and 2009 Anniversary Parties, and the 2009 ACSC Summer Workshop.

FCSC’s first DJ was Hershel Maddox.  Since that time, FCSC has been fortunate to foster many other Shag DJs.

The club provides free shag lessons to members and guests.  A shag DVD was developed to provide additional instruction and revenue for the Club.

On July 9-12, 2009, FCSC hosted the first ACSC workshop ever held in the State of Florida, and another is planned for 2012. 

Past Presidents of FCSC: 
Kelly Cordell –           1993-1997
Wayne Pierce –           1997-1999
LaVerne Horton -       1999-2001
Paul Spaulding –         2001-2003
Vickie Hyde -             2003-2005
Pat Gonzalez –            2005-2006
Janis Mylod -              2006-2008
Tony Gonzalez –         2008-2010
Anne Henry -              2011-

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