On a wet but warm Sunday afternoon in St. Nicholas Park in Harlem, the Minster of Music, DJ Stormin’ Norman delivered a different type of Sundae Sermon. It was the gospel according to house and we went to “church”. There was singing, dancing and even a few amens! Sundae Sermon is a free mini-festival in Harlem and it is the brainchild of DJ Stormin’ Norman. It’s a house music revival for the faithful but also a celebration of community and family. Sundae Sermon’s mission is to strengthen the community of Harlem through the arts. The party attracts people of all ages, backgrounds and even few celebs. The Minster of Music got the afternoon started with some vintage soulful house. His parties are like an annual pilgrimage for old school house heads and when I closed my eyes I imagined that I was on the dance floor during the halcyon days of Paradise Garage. The crowd sang along with the classics and dance with exuberance. Sundae Sermon coincided with Pride weekend making it an especially jubilant affair. Not content to rest on nostalgia, artists mixed older tracks with the new. DJ Kevin Hedge blended old school gospel-like belters seamlessly with minimal modern tracks. A highlight to his set was a perfectly timed cloudburst that seemed to sync with the thunderous drumbeat emanating from the decks. . Sundae Sermon isn’t just a dance party but a family reunion of sorts. Attendees made their place long the hillside just above the dance floor. They setup picnics, visited with old friends some even barbecued. Children played games on the lawn while parents grooved to the tunes below. A pair of live performances by Louie Vega artists Adeva and Nomsa Mazwai finished up the afternoon. Adeva performed her newest song “I Deserve to Breathe” and shouts of amen rained down upon her as she finished her house rendition of Aretha Franklin’s “Respect!” . Where Adeva was classic soulful diva, South African artist Nomsa Mazwai was modern world music chanteuse. She sung her hit “Traveller” an afro-deep house stunner. During the party you could hear shouts of “church” and the Sundae Sermon experience is a bit like it. When African Americans use “church” , it means telling the truth or hearing the gospel. Music can be a type of gospel and you go to church to replenish your soul. For those of us who love house music, dancing replenishes our
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