It is called “floguing,” it is a mix between voguing and fanning, and nightlife chronicler Mike Diamond wants us to believe it’s a blowing up trend. I tend to disagree, but then I again I refused to believe Twitter would blow up, so what do I know? This activity looks like it requires more eye-hand coordination than club kids can usually get away with by framing their face with their fingers as they do their best Madonna, so I’m going to leave it to the experts.
trend spotting
How Long Until Brooklyn’s Gay Party GUMBO Is Taken Over By Floguing?
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TONYD
Madonna stole vogue from drag queens, refer to “Paris is Burning” for further reference. I wonder which pop hack will thief this idea? Lady CaCa? Clonetina Aguleira?
alex
oh god. all i know about flaggers is that they’ve got the worst meth.
Chip
Flagging. It’s about as artistic as watching bearded drag queens rhythmically jiggle their tits, and about as safe as dancing with an armload of glassware. Noone wants to see flagging, except for the contrary a-hole who will comment after me here. Seriously, if you own flags and simply must travel the world to every bar, every color party and tea party, to provide the enthusiastic little show which you seem to think everyone looks forward to, just stop. I swear, the next time i’m having fun dancing the night away, and some shaven-headed idiot skips onto the floor and starts ripping up the air next to my face with his damned nylon cape, presenting his little ass left, then wiggling it back to the right, and another flourish of his flag with his pinkies sticking out, 1-2-3 KICK, i’m going to enthusiastically feed the damned thing to him. There’s not a court in the world that would convict me.
Cassandra
Everything old is new again.
RW in LGB
Oh Jesus H. Christ….
Is this Mike Diamond a COMPLETE retard?!? Or has he been in a coma for the last, oh, thirty years?!
Flagging was cool for a hot 45 seconds in 1990. Then it hung around annoying circuit party-goers for the next fucking fifteen years.
Someone tell this tired queen (and I bet she’s from New York City, too!) that she’s full of shit, please?
TONYD
@Chip: They’re the egomaniacs that push you out the way and take their shirts off, weather you want them to or not. If the music wasn’t so loud, I’d tell lots of these people, “I paid the same cover and put your shirt back on. Your pits stink!”
Qjersey
Fanning and Voguing should be banned from the dancefloor. You want attention, then get booked to work the stage.
How many times can some idiot with fan or some “I’m too fierce” clubkid hit you in the face and then stare at you like it’s your fault?
Sam
@ No. 5 · ‘RW in LGB’
You sir, are an idiot. Clearly this report is tongue in cheek. He’s not tired or retarded, his snarky sense of humor is just clearly beyond your limited scope. And yeah, he’s probably from NYC…jealous much?
“Is this Mike Diamond a COMPLETE retard?!? Or has he been in a coma for the last, oh, thirty years?!
Flagging was cool for a hot 45 seconds in 1990. Then it hung around annoying circuit party-goers for the next fucking fifteen years.
Someone tell this tired queen (and I bet she’s from New York City, too!) that she’s full of shit, please?”
Chip
@tonyd: yep, I’ve been both recklessly AND deliberately shoved and struck by flaggers, but even if I hadn’t, I’d still feel the same way about them. Ranting and venting aside, I guess I just wish club staff would, for once, take a nice medieval position against flaggers, drinks and cigarettes on the dance floor.
Wolf
Flagging, Fanning, Voguing and Floguing originated in the LGBT community and we need to treasure and respect our artistic dance creations.
From reading some of the responses here, no matter how trend setting and artistic we are, they don’t seem to appreciate or don’t have the proper education to understand what comes out artistically from our community.
I hope people reading this blog know better than that and won’t pay any attention to those with distorted minds trying to divide us as a community rather than uniting us.
From watching the video by Mike Diamond I get the feeling of a wonderful fundraiser that brought together members from different artistic communities gay and straight celebrating life and our art. It doesn’t get better than that.
artistically yours.
Wolf
No-guing
I’m skeptical…but could be fun
RW in LGB
And look kids– two MORE tired queens who are full of shit!
If dumbasses flew, Queerty would look like an airport today.
God. Flaggers, hypocritical fundie Christians caught with rentboys– when will it STOP?!?!?
Chip
@wolf: how about NO? The stereotypically artistic and illustrious “LGBTQZPX community” originated all kinds of annoying sh1t. We don’t need to treasure, adore, worship, appreciate, hail, respect, salute or otherwise elevate a damn bit of it. Even if it puts that queer hippie who sews flags out of business, I say it’s a sacrifice we must make in the name of safety and good taste.
Kevin B
@TONYD: Why do jaded queens always need to say that Madonna stole vogueing? Stealing would imply that it was taken without permission. Trust me, the queens of the day were all too happy to teach it to her, appear in her video and tour the world with her. The “stealing” rap is beyond lame.
TONYD
@Kevin B: Stealing would imply she gave nothing back- have you looked at her tax records? Seen any prior support of LGBTQ issues, pre 90s? She’s donated NOTHING, or supported the LGBTQ community until the mid 90’s, when she decided she was bisexual, even that was to her advantage. Call it jaded if you like. =)
Kevin B
@TONYD: Please link to Madonna’s tax records.
Kthnx.
Latebrosus
Loïe Fuller. 1896.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIrnFrDXjlk
alex
@Wolf: Wolf,
I have much appreciation for the arts and all the creativity that the gays have contributed to the world. I love watching voguettes on the dance floor, I liked the guy in the video with the fan, I love anyone that’s pouring their heart into their little show on the dance floor.
I have met flaggers. They are not creative, they are not pouring their hearts out on the dance floor, they are not even in tune with the music. My experience has been that they’re a bunch of meth heads with no clue what to do on a dance floor without a prop they can wave around. They are annoying clueless f*ckwads. Note that in the video, they don’t actually show so much flagging. BECAUSE IT’S BORING AND LIFELESS, THE PEOPLE THAT DO IT ARE LEMMINGS.
Mike Diamond was funny. He made it watchable.
Michael vdB
o.O
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Put those queens on airport runways, would make flying so much more fabulous!! :-p
Joshua
Insert WTF face here
vistamix
Sounds like a lot of sheltered people and haters out there. I have met and know numerous flaggers and have never had incidence where they are in the way. And they are not all meth heads as has been insinuated. Yes, their dance takes up more space and can be troublesome in a packed club, but otherwise there’s little to have issue with.
Dishing hate and throwing false accusations is precisely what keeps oppressed groups and people from achieving the full rights they deserve.
People should spend more time concentrating on fighting for rights we all deserve and less time on who or what to rant at on a dance floor when the drunks cause way more problems than anyone with a flag or a fan.
Rick Brannon
@Chip: Rage On!
Arturo
Wow, there are certainly some bitter, judgmental, obnoxious individuals commenting on this thread. Personally, I find a dance space in which people are being playful, expressive, and joyous to be a beautiful thing, and I think flaggers can be all of those things.
Of course, anyone in the dance space should be aware of their surroundings and considerate of others. Flaggers must be particularly careful because of the nature of what they are doing. That said, I have danced all over the world for more than 20 years and never encountered a flagger with the kind of personality Chip is complaining about.
To be frank, I think that the negative, intolerant attitudes and personalities displayed on this thread are far more poisonous and degrading to the dance experience than people having fun flagging in a responsible fashion ever could be.
LEENYC
I am one of the original fan/flag dancers from 12 West days (mid – late 1970’s). It actually started way before Voguing. I do think it is rude if flaggers/fan dancers dance on the dance floor. Almost all the flaggers/fan dancers I know, either dance either on: stage, banquets or a space away from the crowd. It is fromt the day when hot men danced other guys would dance with “instrucments” (i.e. castanets, tamberines and other precution instruments). It takes more than eye hand cordination, but rythem and dancing ability (more than just rocking in one place, like so many men do).
At most dance clubs in the City or out on the “Island” these artist individuals are usually watched with admiration. why else would this start with only a few individuals from the days of 12 West, Flamingo, Les Mouches, The Underground, Roxy, Garage to a growing interest by a multitude of artistic individuals and groups. BTW it also not only builds up the legs from dancing, but the arms and upper body, so it is also a form of gymnastic dancing.
I never saw Voguing on “So You Think You Can Dance”. One of the judges, (wearing a mask and went on stage as if he was audtioning for the show) got on stage and dance with a couple of fans a few seasons ago. He got a standing ovation. When he was finished and unmasked himself, he described how difficult to utilize the fans while dancing (not just standing in one spot or rocking or bouncing).
The best fan/flagging dancers are true artistic dancers.
alex
So I read back on my last comment and it looks like I did get a little carried away with the flagger-hating. Sorry for that. My exposure to flaggers has been pretty negative (no i’ve never dated one), but that doesn’t mean there aren’t flaggers out there that have some real skill and who do feel the music.
To anyone that thinks flagging is great, feel free to post a URL to a youtube video of a flagger doing something inspiring with their dancing. That’s what would change my tune.
CesarJeep
I feel, again I feel. That the people writing all these nasty things about flaggers.
Are a group of several bitter people that can not contribute
any love or life to this world as we know it.
One comment I read was how some guy or girl said a Flagger shoved and struck her.
You know people do have bad trips when they are drinking to much or
doing drugs they should not be doing.Which means change ur drug of choice or
don’t do them.. Got it
Maybe all these people have some deep down resentment towards us………….. United Flaggers for Love and Happiness for being able to go up in a large crowd or small.
And Make Flag Magic… They are maybe to shy to bitter to awkward to be sociable
and to socialize.
I don’t know unless someone hurts me in some way shape or form.
I was taught I should have nothing to say bad about them.
Maybe WE flaggers did hurt them… Cause we are so God Dam Fabulous.
No matter how old, fat , skinny, short , tall, ugly or cute we are….Love and Happiness
WE DO ENJOY LIFE… unlike these sadly bitter people that want us banned from clubs.
If I didn’t know any better I’d say these people were Bush Chaney supporting right wing freaks…
Dancer Texas
I have been flagging and fanning for 17 years. I have been hit, shoved, and knocked around by more by non-flaggers than flaggers. Anyone can be an ass on the dance floor flags or not. To generalize all flaggers as no talent rude attention getting drug addicts says more about the problems you are unfortunately dealing with and nothing about flagging.
Flagging is a cultural folkdance of the gay community. You should at least respect that and be proud that something so beautifully expressive came from a people you identify with. You should rejoice that people are brave enough so share the beauty in their souls with others. Especially when beauty is lacking in this world. Just look at the ugly comments
posted here. Flagging is not going anywhere. It’s becoming more mainstream as it’s gaining popularity in the straight community. Put some energy in expressing your inner beauty and hating on other peoples efforts.
Love and Light
Dancer Texas
@Dancer Texas: That should of read,” than hateing on…” at the end there. 🙂
Civatateo
I agree with Dancer Texas. As a flagger, I will admit I’ve hit people before and I’ve immediately apologized. Accidents do happen and will continue to happen. Some clubs in our larger cities have places for dancers that express themselves via flags, fans, or poi and smaller cities do not. I think that generalizing one incident to cover the broad spectrum of an entire group is certainly an injustice to not only the group but to oneself as well. I consider myself very creative and expressive with my flags and fans and I wont even touch a joint or poppers let alone meth! To all of you that posted here I offer you my thanks for sharing your opinion of me. Now I ask that you get know one of us. Where ever you are, befriend one of my brothers or sisters and see if your opinion changes. I’m sure I don’t need to remind you that what you see on the dance floor hardly reflects who that individual is–get to know us before you call us deragatory names or catagorize us in superficial camps. I can think of a certain WWII tyrant who did the same thing–now do you really want to associated with that camp?
DrK
Flagging is an inner and personal dance that is expressed outwardly and boldly. To me it’s pure joy; it’s meditation. But just like any other bold form of dancing it requires setting and space. As the Chip and Alex note it can become a very public nuisance. Dedicated flaggers – who am absolutely certain they’ve never encountered – teach each other to keep the following rules of etiquette in mind:
(1) Dancers – those who aren’t flagging – have the right of way; (2) Know your space and know your flags in that space (3) Others who don’t flag or understand flagging are often made uncomfortable by it; (4) Even if there’s enough space and the groove feels good, if it is not in synch with what is going on around you, fold them up and wait for the time and space where it will be enjoyed by those around you as well.
Many a night – and day – of dancing I’ve brought flags along and have never once taken them out for a spin because there was not an appropriate setting to flag responsibly and enjoyably. That can be a bit of a disappointment, but if the event wasn’t expected to accommodate flagging in the first place, then I refuse to complain. I just enjoy the event for what the promoter/organizer meant it to be (Or not, if they don’t deliver on their promise).
It is very disappointing, however, to hear anyone in the gay community spew hateful judgement on anyone else who is on the dance floor expressing themselves in their own unique way. Our Queer legacy is in making the dance floor a sanctuary to work out our troubles and draw together in community and healing. Leave your self-hatred at home, check it at the door or better yet – RID yourself of it altogether. You’ll love yourself for it. And you might develop a deeper appreciation for the multitude of styles of dancing that surround us all. 😉
Love, Peace, and Dance as if No one is Watching!
ronn
@DrK: Good thing I had a light lunch. Less to throw up.
Antonio
@alex: Here’s a clip of something in flagging that was an actual composition on a major stage. But, the flagging does not start in the clip until 2 mins into the video, so fast forward. Its starts slows, then picks up. See if this improves your opinion.
http://www.houstonflyboys.com/flyboys_illuminations_project_2008.htm
alex
wow, thanks for sharing that video, let’s see if i can get this:
twirl really fast
twirl to the left
twirl to the right
kneel and twirl
twirl really slow
repeat again and again and again until we hit someone in the face and then whine to the other flaggers about how there’s no room on the dance floor.
i could never.
Antonio
Actually Alex, I would be willing to bet you $500 that you could not do that routine in it’s entirety without falling flat on your face. Flagging looks easier than it is, and add to that jumps and turns, and you get some real hard work. Here’s my challenge to the (strangely angry) naysayers: I will post a full length video of the whole 12 minute routine, and will pay $500 to the first naysayer of the above who can post an unedited video of himself/herself performing the same moves, beginning to end, to the music, without mistakes, let alone falling or stumbling. It’s so easy, right Alex, that you could earn $500 for 12 minutes of work, right? Two additional conditions: the video reply must be made within 24 hours of posting the intial video (because it is so easy, after all, it should not require anymore prep time); and it must be performed by one of the above naysayers, NOT some trained flagger, and not some other trained dancer not involved in this discussion. I look forward to anyone of the above flagging-haters taking me up on this challenge.