On a Sunday afternoon in Brooklyn’s Industry City--a 6-million square foot warehouse space on the water in Sunset Park--you can hear the echo of bass from deep disco and funk, smell the decedent scent of pastries from Colson Patisserie and feel the sweat of hundreds of dancers having the time of their lives, hidden away from all inhibitions. This, of course, happens every Sunday, by way of Justin Carter and Eamon Harkin's dance party, Mister Sunday.
Under the strung lights and disco ball, there is a safe haven of happy people who follow strict rules inside the speakers: no smoking, no taking pictures, no texting or calling, and lastly, make sure to get down. These dancers are of all ages, all shapes and sizes, sexuality preferences, even species; they come together faithfully just about every week because Mister Sunday maintains a “no jerks allowed” policy.
Rotating through the day’s soundtrack, Harkin and Carter handpick classic boogie down tracks like “Spiritual Massage” by Tom Grabe (featuring Blood and Tears), crescendo into “Whip It!” by Michael Hendersen and finish with “Jam The Mace” by House Syndicate. While spinning, a barefoot Harkin answers questions about the tracks to eager dancers, leaning into the turntables to hear a bit of magic and see the LP cover in question. Met with cheers, jumps and claps from the crowd, Mister Sunday douses the scenery with Candi Staton’s “Young Hearts Run Free (John Morales Mix).” And anyone who remembers the 1997 Romeo and Juliet soundtrack exulted a satisfied “Y-E-S!” into the air.
The set list continues with classic joints like “Pagliacci” by Maynard Fergurson and “It’s Alright, I Feel It” by Nuyorican Soul to the scene of hula hoop dancing and a bocce ball court full of players swaying their hips to the beat.
At 9 on the dot, as promised, the party comes to a close with “Nova” by Burial and Four Tet. Cries of “one more song” and praise for the music gods that be Mister Sunday commence, and Sunset Park turns back into a quaint neighborhood.
What’s more? The DJ duo just released their first full-length, Brothers And Sisters, on their label Mister Saturday Night Records and will be on tour in Europe come November. Bottom line on this party: abundant positive vibes.
