Unsuspecting tourists shocked by ground trembling beats coming from the cathedral-like Oude Kerk in the middle of the Red Light District in Amsterdam.

It’s Monday evening, 31 October, and whilst the kids in America are trick ‘n’ treating their way to a sugar overdose, the good folf of Amsterdam are preparing for a quiet night’s sleep at the beginning of the working week. Little do they know what dangers await them as darkness falls and the neon lights go on and the curtain opens on another night of business as usual in the Red Light area.

Written by Angela Tabak

Halloween. The eve of the Dia des Muertes. All around the world people are ‘celebrating’ it in their own way, a tradition that has been long lost in Western culture and only recently re-interpreted as a fun-loving excuse to dress up and get scary.

But meanwhile, down in the catacombs of the Oude Kerk, someting evil is stirring. The pulsating rhythm of a giant heartbeat begins to reverberate through the gravestone-paved floor and ancient walls. The monster is awake! Fay Wray screams as King Kong breaks loose from his shackles and beats his chest to the techno beats of local heroes Homework.

Relax – it’s not as sinister as it sounds. The Oude Kerk is the stunning location for a unique event during the Rocket Cinema Festival – Amsterdam Adventures.

The original version of King Kong from 1933 will be screened in the church and the soundtrack will be reworked by Amsterdam-based DJ-duo Homework. Support acts include Trippin’ Angels and DVJs The Scopi-Tonics.

Keeping with the Halloween theme, visitors wearing a gorilla suit get in for free (and it keeps your toes warm in the Oude Kerk!), but all sorts of witches and wizards are welcome in the church for this Halloween special.

De Oude Kerk
Oudekerksplein 23
Amsterdam

Open 7.30 – 11.30pm
Tickets 16,50 euro
Concessions for students/cjp 13.50 euro
Free entrance in gorilla suit!

Angela Tabak is Assistent Producer for Paradiso. For the coming weeks she will report on the events around Rocket Cinema Festival. A Movie festival celebrating old classics in a new style, starting October 28th in Amsterdam.

visit the website:
Rocket Cinema