Las Vegas Weekly

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If you tend to spike your coffee on the day of rest, Sunday Sermon is probably for you. The open-mic night—hosted by the Gingerbread Boys, a.k.a. “Padre” Ryan Pardey and “Brother” Bryan Todd—is a weekly local music revival of sorts. The Royal Resort’s intimate setting might seem oddly familiar to those who remember the good ol’ days at long-defunct Cafe Roma.

Last Sunday, the event brought in a handful of well-known local acts—Wyatt McKenzie, The Big Friendly Corporation, Kid Meets Cougar—all playing stripped-down versions of their usual songs. “People who have never performed in their lives feel comfortable enough to go up and do it,” Todd says. “It’s a warm room … like Prince’s living room.”

The analogy isn’t far off. The Royal is full of bizarre artwork in gaudy frames, dark lighting and a circular red couch that could have been taken from the Purple One’s abode. Plus, there’s coffee and donuts for the congregation. “[It’s] an outlet where you can have a good time and listen to some of the best people in Las Vegas,” Todd says. “There’s nothing wrong with a little sac-religion.” Amen.