Saturday Night: Backdoor Bamby's Fourth of July Party

Backdoor Bamby's Fourth of July Party
Featuring DJ Shannon and Shameless Burlesque
July 4, 2009
The Vagabond, Miami

Better Than: Sitting at home and watching the fireworks on TV   

The Review: After watching the fireworks in Miami Beach, the perfect place to do some Fourth of July dancing was the always-naughty Backdoor Bamby. That is, of course, the perennial cool soirée for laid-back locals, now held on Saturday nights at the Vagabond.

Choice beats came courtesy of longtime resident DJ Shannon, and the customary midnight Bamby mini-revue featured performances by the Shameless Burlesque troupe, soundtracked by swinging big-band numbers. Bamby's resident performance artist Jose "El Negro" Ramirez did an outstanding number lip-syncing the lyrics to the Guess Who's "American Woman," while surrounded by large American flags and go-go dancers in resplendent white suits. 
With Shannon in the main room playing classic club music and the front room crowd getting down to indie and assorted vintage classics, the outside lounge was all about laid back hip-hop beats. The crowd, as always, was sundry and laid back. With the many cool personalities who make Back Door Bamby their weekly spot, this was definitely the place to meet, greet, and of course, get some serious dancing done.

Critic's Notebook:

Personal Bias: The front room was swinging to James Brown, Blur and the Ramones, and was -- and is always -- a great place to let loose some moves.  

Random Detail: Back Door Bamby's Shameless Burlesque takes place once a month