My History
Technically skilled and lyrical. I like to invent new moves and improve current maneuvers. I like to lose myself in the music and let it guide me. I enjoy improvising as I go. I also like to interact with the audience and sometimes get a lil’ goofy (we can’t be serious ALL the time!).
Japanese Anime tends to influence my flagging style (such as the maneuver "Anime Skirt").
The exercise and sport of it, also inspiring others with my performance. Plus the looks on people’s faces when I bust them out from out of nowhere!
I’ve been flagging for about 8 yrs. I consider myself advanced to masterful (I’ve trained others who are quite proficient). My roots go back to raving and glowsticking on langyards. My friend Jodi (Joe-D) taught me how to glowstick. My friend Jerry from Chicago handed me my first set of flags and it came naturally.
I was at Fusion in Chicago (no longer open) during pride of ‘99. I was on the dance floor and I looked up and I saw a woman flagging w/ a pair of white flags. She looked like an angel and it was one of the most inspirational experiences I have ever had.
Flagging at Milwaukee’s Pridefest! My flag baby Berto (check out his profile!) and I were on either side of the DJ on tiered boxes reaching about 10ft in height. I was spinning my Summer Spiral set and Berto had his Fire Fern set. We each had a UV spot on us and our flags glowed! We looked like pillars of liquid fire and it was AMAZING!
I also had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Phillip Bryan, Kris Wagner and my friend Dave Ouano at the IML afterparty at House of Blues. DJ Tony Moran was spinning and when I did my release and catch maneuvers, DJ Tony looked down (2x!) and gave me a big grin. I felt like a lil’ schoolgirl! This was also the first time I met Phillip Bryan. What an honor!
My friend Joe-D taught me the figure 8 movement with glowsticks. Jerry handed me my first set of flags and taught me about sewing in weights. Mainly, I’m self-taught on the finer points of flagging. I noticed that my style is different from other flaggers (although Cory says that my style is NYC based *shrug*). I try to learn something new from each flagger I meet. I’ve studied the SpinOut DVD to see if there is anything I could learn. The amazing thing about this art form as that there is ALWAYS something to learn. Way cool.
Back in the day when I first started having flags made, I used to have fishing weights sewn in a corner. Well, I had my first pair of silk flags made w/ the fishing weights sewn in. I was outside a local club flagging when all of a sudden, *PING PANG PONG!*. The weights blew out of my flags and went flying into the night. Fortunately, no one was hurt and there was very little property damage (I almost shattered a plate glass window).
I have them made by local seamstresses. I can’t sew (yet). I have "banger sets" made. I use denim pouches to contain the string weight. The pouches add xtra weight while making the flags more durable. The xtra weight allows me to spin faster and I feel as tho I have more control (esp in windy environments). I do plan on sewing my own sets and dyeing them 
Where there is good music. Sometimes I practice in the small gym at the local YMCA w/ headphones and it’s awesome to meditate and flag for the joy of flagging. Plus I like to practice alone. Often times at the local club here (Fusion) it’s dead during the week, so I practice on the dancefloor alone w/ mirrors to see how certain maneuvers look. Plus they have blacklights and it makes my silks glow!
I used to adore silver lame. They were easy to control, compact and nice to toss. However, I’m simply in love with my silks. I love the patterns and how they glow. One thing I love about tye dyed flags is that I don’t have to spin as fast as I did with my monochromatic flags. The patterns add movement, so I’m able to go slower (and still keep up with the music), and perform longer. Love it!
"Get your ass on that box!!!" (my mentor Jerry said that as he boosted my butt up onto one of the boxes at Crobar in Chicago).
"Go up there and see if it’s safe!" (Berto encouraging me to climb the 10ft boxed tier to see if I’d tumble to my death).
Omg…I need new friends! *lol*
Play! My friend Jerry handed me flags and I picked them up immedeately (they’re similar to what I do w/ langyard glowsticks and poi). Also watch people and study them. Sometimes it’s easiest to stand behind someone and immitate their arm movements and mechanics. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and don’t be afraid to try new things. Sometimes it’s nice to practice alone so u don’t feel awkward in front of anyone. I spent a lot of time working on moves by myself. Most of all: Have fun. Enjoy the journey and play nice 
Eric's Latest Activity See All →
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ericmcgaughy and kriswagner are now friends 3 years, 12 months ago · View
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ericmcgaughy posted on the forum topic
Help with spinning a proper PINWHEEL in NYC? 4 years, 6 months ago · ViewHey Kevin,
The way I taught myself was to take the underhand cycle, and bring it up over your head.
If you’re right handed, u turn right into it and Taa daa! Pinwheel.
If you’re left-handed, u turn left when you bring the flags up and Taa Daa! Pinwheel.
This is how I teach my flag babies. It takes a lil’ practice, but once you get it, you’ve got it! Even if you don’t get the exact pinwheel, bringing the flags up as ur doing the underhand cycle looks uber cool!
Good luck in SC!
-Eric
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ericmcgaughy posted on the forum topic
Fire poi pix 4 years, 9 months ago · ViewHey everyone! I FINALLY have some good pix of me doing fire poi. I just thought I’d share them for all to enjoy (they really are fun!). I also have a short video or two.
Here are the links:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/endofmorose/sets/72157601475378691/
http://youtube.com/watch?v=WHrpc9KIPwM
Enjoy!
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ericmcgaughy posted on the forum topic
Fire Poi 4 years, 10 months ago · ViewTonight I had the opportunity to spin fire poi. These were double wicked and wicked!! I’ve spun poi and flags for a while, but had never had the chance to spin fire. I did it tonight and I’m hooked! It was exhilerating to hear the fire roar around me and feel it’s heat!
So after getting home, I promptly went to homeofpoi.com to purchase my own set! Don’t worry, I bought a fire blanket as well and the poi came w/ a free safety video.
I’m excited to add this to my performance repetoire! I’ve ordered from homeofpoi b4 and the products and service are excellent!
Anyway, I really don’t have a point in this message. I’m just really excited and wanted to share!
-E
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ericmcgaughy and daveouano are now friends 4 years, 11 months ago · View
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One woman asked me to be in her wedding.