Flagging dance facts for kids
The art of Flag Dancing, also known as Spin Flagging or Flow Flagging, is a cool way of moving flags in a rhythmic dance with music. People who do this unique dance are often called "Flaggers" or "Flag Dancers."
Even though spinning flags might look a bit like spinning Poi, they are actually different art forms. Poi comes from the Māori people in New Zealand, while Flagging grew out of dance communities in the United States. Both developed on their own.
No one knows exactly how Flagging started or who invented it. But it's believed to have begun in dance clubs in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Flagging developed from using Oriental Hand Fans and handkerchiefs on the dance floor. People combined moves from fan dancing with handkerchiefs that had a small weight, like a coin, sewn into a corner. This led to the creation of Flag Dancing.
This art form was almost lost during a difficult health crisis in the early 1980s, which affected many talented people in the dance community.
However, Flagging started to become popular again in the early 1990s at large dance events and afternoon parties. Today, you can see Flagging at many events, such as Pride Parades, "Flagging in the Park" gatherings, and EDM (Electric Dance Music) festivals. Recently, it has even appeared in some Christian churches, where the flags are called "Worship Flags."
The main difference between Worship Flags and Spin/Flow Flags is how they are weighted. Worship Flags usually have a rod or dowel inside, while Spin/Flow Flags have a weighted cord sewn into them.
Contents
How Flag Dancing Started
Modern Flagging in the United States grew from fan dancing. Fan dancing was very popular in certain dance communities and at large dance events in places like Fire Island and Manhattan in the 1970s.
The Return of Flagging
Many people who performed flag dancing or fan dancing almost disappeared during the health crisis of the 1980s. By 1988, a few skilled artists made sure to teach their traditions to new members of the community. For example, some performers shared their skills in New York. In 1990, three people performed for Heritage of Pride, and by 1996, thirty fan dancers and flaggers from the Northeast were ready to perform at the annual Pride Dance on the Pier.
The city of San Francisco, where this art form first began, was also recovering from its losses. Many who survived had put their flags away due to sadness. However, a benefit event in September 1997 helped bring the dance back to its original home.
Modern Flags
When Flagging first started, people used simple T-shirts on the dance floor or pieces of fabric with a quarter tied in one corner. Today, flags are made by sewing curtain weights onto parts of two sides of the fabric. This allows flaggers to spin their flags through the air in ways similar to fan dancing.
Because flags are simpler to design and carry, it's easier for beginners to start with Flagging. You can even buy ready-made flags from special artisans. The first chance to buy these flags was advertised in a magazine in 1997. These were simple gold flags, about 3 feet by 5 feet, that came with a matching bag. Flags can be made from almost any fabric, but silk, organza, and lamé are most common, with silk being the favorite. Silk flags are often dyed in bright, ultraviolet fluorescent colors, which create a mesmerizing show when spun to music.
Flagging Groups in the U.S.
Groups of flaggers, sometimes called "tribes," formed in cities like New York City, Boston, Columbus, Philadelphia, DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and South Florida in the mid-1990s. These groups often performed as part of the atmosphere at large dance events. Soon after, groups also formed in Minneapolis, Seattle, and Houston in the United States, and in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
It is considered disrespectful to try to make money from this dance art form. Many groups continue to perform at clubs and benefit events around the world.
Flagging in Brazil
Flagging first appeared in Brazil in Belo Horizonte, a city in the state of Minas Gerais, around 1998-1999. Because there were many dance events in the country, the culture quickly spread to Rio de Janeiro and later to São Paulo, Brasília, and Florianópolis. Many people on social media shared photos of themselves with flags to show off and promote the art.
There are also meetings in parks where people can practice Flagging, similar to those in the USA. Some of these events are even supported by the city government. These gatherings are usually organized by experienced flaggers, sometimes called "flag masters," in cities like Belo Horizonte or São Paulo. Florianopolis has also seen more Flagging activities at festivals and parties since 2010. These events help people share their experiences and keep the art and culture of Flagging alive in Brazil.
On July 9, 2011, the fourth Minas Gerais flaggers meeting took place in Belo Horizonte. Many flaggers from across the country attended. It is the second-largest gathering of flaggers in the world, after the community in San Francisco, California. Today, you can see Flagging at electronic music events like Raves in different parts of Brazil. While not all flags are made by Brazilian flag-makers, new flags continue to enter the scene from other sources.
Flagging Events
Performances and workshops have started to happen in various cities, including New York, San Francisco, Palm Springs, and Dallas. These workshops can last for two or three full days and teach how to make flags and different techniques, from beginner to advanced. A few leaders in the Flagging community often travel to many of these events and are known internationally as masters of Flag Dancing.
The Texas Flagger Weekend took place from 2003 to 2009. This event brought together a growing number of flaggers from around the world, with over 80 participants in 2008. The event offered different levels of instruction, from beginners to advanced. In later years, the Weekend also included a large dance event and a showcase of performances called SpinOut, inspired by similar events in San Francisco.
New York hosted the "World Symposium of Fanning and Flagging" in 2005. This event included movement classes, workshops on creating flags, and performances, mostly held at The Center.
Flagging In The Park (FITP), which started in 1997, is a fundraising gathering for flaggers, other flow artists, and their supporters. It takes place in the National AIDS Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park. The event was started to celebrate life and honor those who had passed away. It was later moved to Dolores Park for a few years before returning to the National AIDS Memorial Grove. Since 2014, a group of flaggers from the Bay Area and beyond have organized the event. The basic event includes a live DJ playing music, a time for quiet reflection, and a collection to raise money for charity. The event is open to everyone, and you can see many different types of flow arts there. One of the five annual events happens on the last full weekend of July, on the Saturday before a local street fair. This weekend is advertised as the (Flagger) SF Destination Weekend. It offers a chance to tie-dye flags (create your own flag), attend FITP, and gather with others, with or without flags, fans, hoops, or other props.
With many people from the Flagging community now living in Palm Springs, 2018 was the time to bring some of that magic to the desert. The Flagging in the Desert (FITD) was first held during the PS Pride Weekend and again in March 2019, raising money for local charities. After the November 2019 event, three more FITD events were planned for 2020. However, after the February event, the schedule was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Desert Flaggers then started creating monthly music videos featuring local flaggers and later flaggers from across the country. Their videos are published on their website. The idea was to keep the flagger community strong even when people had to be apart. Locally, they have continued with small, socially-responsible tie-dye classes outdoors.
Another way the flagger community has stayed connected is through a weekly online meeting called the Virtual Flagging Studio. This meeting includes a short presentation, time for open flagging, and several "showcase" flaggers. People from all over the world now participate.