active 2 years, 2 months ago

Base

Name

Ray Messer

Type of Artist

Spins Flags

Region

California

My History

How would you describe yourself as a flagger?

Beginner. Shy. I like to watch people get into the movement.


What is it about flagging that you enjoy the most?

I like loosing myself in it. You can dissappear. I like how your whole body becomes part of the music and the movement.


How long have you been flagging? How did you get started?

I have been flagging on a borrowed set of flags since mid July, 2004. I’m soon to make my first set.

How I started: I met a guy who flaggs regularly in San Francisco. I would sit and watch him flag for hours. One night I introduced myself and asked if he could show me the basic moves. He was very happy to show me and let me play a little bit.

One night I saw him at one of the clubs looking for something on the ground. I asked if I could help and he told me that he had dropped a pair of sunglasses that were very important to him. I looked down and found his glasses on the ground a couple feet away.

We really connected that night. He told me a lot about flagging and what flagging meant to him. The next time I saw him he pulled an extra set of flags out of his bag and handed them to me. He let me borrow them for the rest of the night. I was hooked.


What was your first flagging experience?

Circuit Daze at the San Diego Sports Arena was the first time I took a set of flags to an event and really used them. It was also the first time I stopped thinking about what I was doing and just let my body move.


What was one of your best flagging experiences?

The best experience yet was the San Diego Zoo Party 2004. I went to the back of the dance floor to flag a little bit. After a couple of minutes flaggers started coming out of the wood work to flag with me. Soon we had 6 – 10 sets of flags flying. I was so impressed how friendly everyone was. They were happy to introduce themselves, show you their flags and let you try them, show you interesting techniques and offer advice. That’s where I met Phillip and that’s how I got here. Phillip, thank you for taking the pictures. They are great.


Where do you often like to flag?

I like to flag in the back and out of the way. Although I love watching people flag on stage I find that my flagging is very personal and raw. I’m doing it completely for me right now.


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  • Avatar Image
    Jim Hauck : January 15, 2006

    Ray –

    Nice meeting you at Industry on 1/14/06.

    Hope we can find time to fly some flags together soon – maybe in the park.

    Hit me back.

    Jim


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