The Cosmopolitans were an American band known for their unique blend of new wave, garage rock, and burlesque dance, formed by Jamie K. Sims and Nel Moore. Active primarily in New York City from 1979 to 1982, the band released two singles in the United States and the UK and toured extensively along the East Coast. Their live performances were characterized by quirky and provocative elements, including go-go dancing, baton routines, and humorous acts, establishing a distinctive crossover between neo-cabaret styles and the raw energy of pre-Riot grrrl punk. The group reunited in the mid-2000s, producing two retrospective compilations and staging a comeback concert in August 2009 at Cat's Cradle in Carrboro, North Carolina.

The origins of The Cosmopolitans trace back to the "North Carolina Progressive Dance Troop" at UNC-Chapel Hill. In 1977, Sims and Moore moved to New York City, rebranding themselves as the "Cosmopolitan Dance Troop" while navigating the competitive theatrical scene. They occasionally participated in go-go dancing lessons at Club 57 and began performing alongside local bands, including notable acts such as The B-52's and Bobby Pickett. Inspired by their success, Sims transitioned from choreography to performing. By the spring of 1979, The Cosmopolitans began playing in local rock clubs, featuring original songs by Sims and popular covers, supported by pre-recorded instrumental tracks. They briefly expanded to a trio with the addition of Leslie Levinson for a few months.

In the summer of 1980, Sims and Moore returned to North Carolina to record a demo with friend Mitch Easter at Drive-In Studio in Winston-Salem. They enlisted Chris Stamey for guitar and Will Rigby on drums. The band distributed demo tapes in New York City, leading to the release of their 7" single on Alan Betrock's Shake Records in November 1980. The title track referenced an eponymous fitness album by Debbie Drake, which Sims recalled from her mother's record collection, while the B-side, "Wild Moose Party," was dedicated to her pet cat. Both tracks gained popularity in local New York dance clubs and received airplay on WNEW-FM radio. In 1981, Albion Records reissued the single in the UK, coupled with a new song, "Chevy Baby," and the band also appeared on a compilation LP co-produced by Albion and Shake Records.

Following the release of their debut single, Sims and Moore expanded the lineup to include drummer Evan "Funk" Davies, guitarist David Itch, and keyboardist Jeff Dedrick, allowing for full live performances without backing tapes. The Cosmopolitans played at several prestigious venues in New York, such as Hurrah, Max's Kansas City, Mudd Club, CBGB, The Ritz, The Peppermint Lounge, and Irving Plaza, while touring along the East Coast. Despite their initial success, the band disbanded in November 1982 due to Sims' diagnosis of Epstein–Barr disease.

In November 2003, Lee Joseph from Dionysus Records proposed a retrospective compilation featuring original Shake recordings and unreleased studio and live tracks. This effort culminated in the release of the CD Wild Moose Party – New Wave Pom Pom Girls Gone Go-Go, NYC 1980-1981 on the Bacchus Archives imprint in 2006. The Cosmopolitans reunited for their first live performance in 27 years in August 2009 at Cat's Cradle, featuring original members Sims, Moore, Easter, and Davies, along with Don Dixon on bass. In June 2022, the Chicago-based boutique label Beloved released the Party Boy EP, which included two previously unreleased songs.

The Cosmopolitans line-up: - Jamie K. Sims — vocals, keyboards, harmonica, tambourine, sticks, woodblock - Nel Moore — vocals, harmonica, sticks, pan - Mitch Easter — guitar, drums, backing vocals - Faye Hunter, Lib Easter — backing vocals

Live/guest & intermittent members: - Leslie Levinson — vocals - Evan "Funk" Davies, Robert Crenshaw, Will Rigby, Neil Winograd — drums - Chris Stamey, David Itch, Judy Monteleone — guitar - Cathy Harrington — keyboards, vocals - Jeff Dedrick — organ, piano - Corey Sims — trumpet, horns