Xavier Caylor

I have had several noteworthy flagging experiences that vary due to my perspective. As an individual flagger, as a group member, as a community builder, and as a artist creating for Burning Man. My ultimate experience as a sole flagger in a club had to be during the Miami White Party Weekend, 1998. It was my first weekend immersion with the Tribe. The group took over a floor of a small motel in South Beach. The whole weekend was magical, the beach was amazing by day and the parties were awesome by night. We stayed through Tuesday knowing that leaving the loving space that was created with all of our friends wouldn?t be easy. I had introduced myself to Warren Gluck earlier in the summer when he was spinning in San Francisco, the ReUnion Party, and again in San Diego, the Zoo Party. This weekend, however, I had the chance to hang out with the legend and came to the realization that he was a real bundle of joy. Warren was spinning a Monday tea at Warsaw. He had given me a casual invitation to come see him and I decided I couldn?t not take him up on it. It was the last party of the weekend and I hadn?t budgeted properly. I was out of every thing and pennyless. Still floating on the buzz of being with my brothers over such a weekend I went out alone. The cover charge was to much and, ouch, my name wasn?t on the list. Standing across the street waiting to see if any one I knew would come along and help me out, I watched as people walked in and a few minutes later walked out. Finally the door man invited me in, I guess figuring that I would stay? The club was empty, there was nothing going on except magical music. Warren introduced me to the lighting guy whom was nice enough to set up a place for me to flag, after all I was the only one there two hours into the party. Dino had found a chartreuse flourescent dye that he infused into a magical set of silk flags. The flags had been busy all weekend on the beach and at a few of the evening parties. But, at Warsaw, with black lights and a rotating set of green eye-beams shining from behind me out onto the dance floor, a dash of fog, and amazing music, they came to life. I remember getting up on the stage and starting to flag. I noticed a few people walking in the door looking my way, mesmerized. I wasn?t sure how comfortable I would be at first giving the few people in the club eye candy. Then I was gone, Warren?s set transported me to another plane. Describing the place I went is difficult but I?m sure if you?re reading this you?ve probably touched upon it yourself. I attributed it at the time to the flags and the dance, now I would describe it as a place of meditation. I became one with the music, the flags, my heart and my soul. Several songs and layers of sweat later I came out of the trance. Exhausted, I let my flags drop and looked out into the club- it was packed. My only regret: I wish I had the energy to stay and dance more because the crowd was on fire.