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 Photographed by Tess Parks. * [](https://facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.squarespace-cdn.com%2Fcontent%2Fv1%2F56c346b607eaa09d9189a870%2F1580779082095-UHOBZ99LFKZIRSC0ZV3M%2F000017000015.jpg&t=Flaunt%20Magazine%20-%20Photographed+by+Tess+Parks.) * [](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.squarespace-cdn.com%2Fcontent%2Fv1%2F56c346b607eaa09d9189a870%2F1580779082095-UHOBZ99LFKZIRSC0ZV3M%2F000017000015.jpg&text=Flaunt%20Magazine%20-%20Photographed+by+Tess+Parks.) * [](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.squarespace-cdn.com%2Fcontent%2Fv1%2F56c346b607eaa09d9189a870%2F1580779082095-UHOBZ99LFKZIRSC0ZV3M%2F000017000015.jpg&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.squarespace-cdn.com%2Fcontent%2Fv1%2F56c346b607eaa09d9189a870%2F1580779082095-UHOBZ99LFKZIRSC0ZV3M%2F000017000015.jpg&description=Flaunt%20Magazine%20-%20Photographed+by+Tess+Parks.)  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If it were any given Sunday night, at any church anywhere in the world, you might think you know what to expect.  From the pews to the candlelit features to the intricately woven stained glass. You might glance over well-dressed individuals, catch the church band during sound checking all while moving about the space anticipating what’s to come. This might continue until you notice things are a little off. In fact, almost everything has been slightly obscured as you realize this isn’t your typical Christmas Eve mass.   Perhaps, the only difference is people actually seem to be enjoying themselves. Eyeing the room you catch folks full of laughter, brush shoulders with clowns and check out men bearded men in Gucci suits, women in their 70s in tight leather fits, and young people of every shape, size, orientation and conscious dimension.   Suddenly you're in the line waiting for the blood of Christ but realize that it's actually the blood of agave, Yola Mezcal to be specific and that though you're in a space reserved for the reserved, you are amongst the wild and free.  You are amongst a community. And even though it's your first time, you are now a part of the community.  You see that though everyone is seeking something they seem familiar with, no one has a clue what's going on.   And that's the magic. Walking into the unknown is what makes you and everyone else alike.  Unexpectedly, you find camaraderie in accepting that you're in for the ride.   The band begins to play and a man walks out in a suit who's intention is to guide you through the unknown. Though no night is designed to be unlike the one before, there is usually some explosive entrance.  From then on, the night cascades into itself and quite possibly so do your thoughts. Questions arise, "how long has this been going on?" and "what is going on?" finally, resigning to the fact that whatever is going on is at minimal interesting. To add context, "Sundays" could be described as a family of underground poets, musicians, clowns taking back sacred space breeding rich poetic spontaneity and community not felt since the 1970s Venice Beach era. Large acts have come through, often on the low, giving some of the most unique, intimate and raw performances of their careers. This is what Sundays offer plus one of the most ambitious improvised bands scoring the entire event. In just a little over a year, the night has previously held residence at La Poubelle, Tenants of the Trees, and the Standard Hollywood. This year, Sundays will call the registered historical landmark The York Manor, a Tudor-style church built in 1913 it’s home.  This last Sunday proved one of the most memorable. Proceeds went towards Australian bushfire relief, regular Sunday attendees and newcomers welcomed a bill that read like Day 1 of a music festival for both prominent and promising acts. Pearl Charles, Z Berg, Michael Rault, Bob Villain, Mr. Johnathan Rice and Alexander Greenwald are just a few names worth a mention. The host, Joseph Matick led attendees through a hilarious and heartfelt trip that is at once difficult to describe and effortless to identify with.   Though the night has been going on for more than a year, it carries the spirit of an old lineage.  The antics of the beats and the tender rebellion of the transcendentalists are meeting on "Sundays".  The dim-lit revelations of a poetry reading in a dingy bar you may stumble upon on the Lower East Side are now in full spotlight. In a city that can at times seem fractured and disjointed, we are finding community in "Sundays" and maybe now it’s what we need. "Sundays" are happening every other Sunday at The York Manor from 7-10 PM, with the next one, February 9, 2020. A screening of the Oscars as hosted by Joseph Matick within is all to expect, however, nothing should be expected. In a city where nightlife tends to become predictable, "Sundays" feel like a breath of fresh air.  Stay tuned to updates and programming on their official website: [sundaysundaysunday.org](http://sundaysundaysunday.org/) and check @josephmatick on Instagram. * * * Photographed by Tess Parks.