Dear Readers,
Some stories wrap themselves around your heart slowly—like a whispered confession echoing through time. The Dressing Drink is one of those stories.
At first glance, you might think it's mainly about alcohol. It's not. It delves into something far more complex: legacy, control, grief, silence, and the invisible wounds passed down through generations. It tells the tale of a daughter raised to fear her own father, passing down the same fear on to me. This memoir is a gilded world of privilege masking deep pain, and the quiet unraveling of identity under the weight of appearances.
My memoir has been years in the making, and it unfolds like an old photograph found in the attic—beautiful, tragic, and utterly human.
A rare photo of me with my father, Jack Goode, a musical comedy performer and actor.
For more on my father’s acting career click HERE
My mother was not just a daughter of society—she's was a young woman searching for something real in a world made of velvet lies. She endured loss, manipulation, and betrayal with a grace that broke my heart.
A Glimpse Inside
Mother and Father separated when I was two years old, and I only met him after she was dead. While she lived, she scrupulously eradicated any trace of him from our lives as surely as she plucked the occasional maverick hair from beneath her arched brows. She nurtured her hatred of him and passed it on to me as a special legacy laced with fear and mingled with mistrust.
Awash in diamonds, swathed in furs, pictured on the cover of Life, walking her quartet of poodles down Park Avenue, Mother was afraid that Father would kidnap her little darling and land us all smack dab in the middle of the Herald Tribune's gossip columns. For my protection, she had one of the servants take me to and from school. I never understood why this was necessary, but I assumed that children were always shepherded by their maids. It wasn't until I was older that I connected it to my father.
One night, when we were visiting my godmother, so-called Aunt Pat Roebling, I was too scared to sleep alone in a strange room, even with all the lights on. So, Mother had allowed me to sleep in her double bed. The phone rang in the night, and I picked up to answer. After a pause, an unfamiliar voice said, "This is your father speaking."
Mother must have suspected something, because she snatched the phone away. I remember her exact words:
"You son of a bitch. You've got nerve calling. Don't you ever call again, or I'll have the cops after you so fast, it'll make your head spin."
Mother was afraid that Father would kidnap her little darling… She nurtured her hatred and passed it on to me like a special legacy."
The Drink:
Read my recollections of growing up with the echoes of my father—an elite dancer and old Hollywood comic turned ghost—The Dressing Drink is a cocktail that you will need to experience. It’s a captivating blend of old money, classic Hollywood, and my families’ secrets that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It's my reconciliation with the past, and a drink that will leave you wanting more!
Mother walking her poodles on Park Avenue, E 72 Street, New York City.
Other News
We're thrilled to announce the upcoming podcast series featuring Thomas King Flagg himself, sharing all things dance and the stories behind the pages that never made it into the manuscript. American Spectacle Podcast explores the rise—and reckoning—of America's global influence in the performing arts, with a sharp focus on dance. From the Jazz Age to today's shifting cultural landscape, host Thomas K. Flagg engages in candid conversations with leading voices in the field, including Alexandra Wells (former head of the Juilliard Ballet), acclaimed choreographer Jamal Story, and world-renowned hip-hop artist Raphael Xavier. Where have we come from—and where are we headed? For more on this, go to Flaggdance.com.
What have I been up to?
- Artistically Engaged at Springboard Danse
- This June, I attended Springboard Danse at Point Park University in Pittsburgh—an acclaimed platform for contemporary dance that brings together emerging talent and established creators. His participation reinforced his commitment to supporting the next generation of dance artists.
- Launching a Major New Festival with Cultural Impact
- In collaboration with the Palm Bay Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, I'm currently developing an International Dance Festival aimed at celebrating global dance traditions, building cross-cultural bridges, and enriching the local arts scene on Florida's Space Coast.
- Introducing 'Prove Your Groove' Dance Competition
- A fresh and exciting new venture, Prove Your Groove is a dance competition in development that challenges dancers not only to perform but to showcase individuality, authenticity, and personal style. It promises to be an empowering and innovative experience for participants.
- Powerful Collaborations with Industry Leaders
- This summer has also brought meaningful partnerships. I'm working on projects with Christopher King, creator of the King's Course for young gentlemen, and Elaine Gainor of Classical Movements, a leader in global arts exchange. These collaborations aim to merge dance, leadership, and international cultural diplomacy.
Read It Today
The Dressing Drink is available now in Kindle and paperback, with hardback and audio versions to be released shortly. Please leave an honest review. I would greatly appreciate it!
No matter what happens, part of me will always be nursing the ghost of a dressing drink.
Yours Truly,
Thomas King Flagg
