There are half-naked women dancing behind screens, ladies and gentlemen. It’s a shadow box. And the girls dancing in the shadow boxes are called shadow dancers. And the bar is called the Shadow bar. Its sort of like shadow puppets. Instead of making a dog or a turkey out of their hands, they are dancing like…you know.
You can’t see any real details, like the face. You can tell that they don’t have a top on. They are curvy, sexually charged, dark silhouettes, dancing in chorographic tandem. They are in two pink-lit boxes with a female DJ in the middle. There is a dance floor spanning between benches with tables. Essentially, you can sit across from the shadow boxes and watch them work, with a waitress coming by every few minutes to see if you need anything. The menus calls booze, “Social Lubricates.” Why does that sound so gross?
“You know,” a friend says, sitting beside me. “Its not as bad as I thought it would be.”
He’s right. That bothers me even more. The objectification of women. It is as American as the shotgun and traffic jams. Sadly. I don’t have the best track record when it comes to the better sex. One of my exes told me she pretends like our relationship never happened. It helps her cope. I do have sisters. And I wouldn’t ever want to see them dancing in a back lit box so they can make the rent. We are seated next to a group of women. They seem just fine with the booty shaking. The lady DJ seems altogether uninterested. A little disgusted, even. When we connect eyes, I get the feeling that she thinks I’m sort of sad. An old man feeding pigeons.
Shadowbar used to be Fibber Mcgee’s, a Wrightsville Beach nightlife staple. Now the pool tables are gone. Now there is a rentable VIP lounge, colored lighting in the back and front rooms, female bartenders wearing micro-shorts. And, you know, the shadow dancing. A group of young men walk up to the shadow boxes, the girls dancing, the boys being the physical definition of vulgarity. Was Sodom and Gomorra destroyed by earthquake or fire?
“It is a bit controversial,” Justin Smith tells me. He’s one of the owners. Like all bar owners, he is both concerned and defensive about his new project. That’s understandable. Running a bar is a tumultuous occupation. He talks about the Shadowbar without pause or contemplation. One of the shadow dancers just pressed her butt against the screen.
“I picture the dancers as backdrop,” Justin says. “Once people get use to it, they’ll be fine. Wilmington has never seen anything like this before.”
Hey. Wait. Is it that different? I remember a bar here years ago that had cage dancers. I just went to an art show a few weeks ago with male waiters only wearing white teeny-tiny speedos. Girl Bartenders hardly ever wear that much clothing. Bars have no choice but to be constantly innovative, constantly pushing the envelope to attract patrons. Sex makes people buy stuff. I tend to trust my feelings. This new level of sexuality makes me slightly uncomfortable. There are cups next to the shadow boxes for tips. The next level up from Shadowbar would be a strip club.
The lit boxes go dark. A door opens and the girls walk out fully clothed. The veil has been lifted. That moment when the Wizard turns out to be this grey-haired goof with a microphone. The girls sit next to us.
“Nice to meet you,” she says, shaking my hand. What am I suppose to say? Nice job. Good form and timing. I especially enjoyed when you bent down and bounced on your knees. Very creative. One of the dancers hugs her boyfriend, kisses him, gets a drink. Shadowbar is crammed with the exuberantly young. The happy and joyous of civilization. With their colorful shirts and the plucked eyebrows. All the guys have that damn “product” in their hair and all the girls do the face-hug. The music is the same exhausting crap they play on the radio. A guy waves to a group of girls. He waves by holding his hand up and wiggling his fingers. My heart is too dark for this place.
Shadowbar looks amazing and impressive. The wait staff is responsive and there is plenty of security. This place will do extremely well. You should investigate for yourselves, dear reader. It can almost be an adventure. Yes, the dancing might put you off. I won’t be surprised if someone becomes offended, takes an issue. Once a month there will be a ladies night when dudes can dance in the shadow boxes. If that makes you feel any better.
Also: Don’t forget to send in those category suggestions for the 2008 Amazingly Pretigious Awards. Send all category suggestions to Jayslacks@gmail.com .The Deadline is June 27th. I’ll announce the categories next week.
fibber mcgee’s is no more? damn, they had the best radio commercials