About five years ago, Ben Mouling started Oldskool Belgium, a concept in which he brings back the nightlife from the eighties and nineties. “I noticed that there are fewer and fewer parties and events for people in their forties and fifties,” he says. “In addition, more and more dance cafés and dance halls are disappearing and there is a decline in the range of music on offer. I want to provide some counterbalance through the Oldskool events.”
On Saturday, May 4, the people of Mechelen will once again be flashed back to the eighties and nineties. “We do this in the Rio Club in Sint-Katelijne-Waver, because most of the legendary nightlife in the Dijle city have unfortunately disappeared. The Rio is the oldest dancing in the country. It is therefore the ideal place to party again and make memories. Because that period is an inexhaustible source of stories.”
Tomorrow Land
The poster includes Willy Jacobs himself. The discotheque owner will for once get back behind the turntable and put records on it himself. “And Kurt Verheyen is also there,” says Mouling. “He’s about the longest active one resident DJ of the Rio Club and a permanent fixture at many parties and festivals in the region, but also at Tomorrowland, for example. Anyone who used to party in Mechelen will certainly relive their youth.”
“Anyone who used to party in Mechelen will certainly relive their youth”
Ben Mouling
Organizer Oldskool Classics Mechelen
The other DJs also have to take care of that. “Like Wif Vanpoucke,” it sounds. “He owned several well-known record stores and, among other things, played in the Sotscop, a store that was world famous in Mechelen. He also brought huge names to the Dyle city. Bands like U2 played there thanks to him. We also welcome two more DJs, Erik ‘Djazzy’ Moons and Erik ‘Droppie’ De Rop, who colored Mechelen’s nightlife for years.”
DJ Kurt Verheyen cannot be missed during Oldskool Mechelen. — © Dirk Vertommen
With the Oldskool events, Mouling wants to bring visitors back to their youth in all areas. “The parties used to be the places where you met your loved one,” he says. “Unfortunately, not all those relationships lasted, and so many people in their forties and fifties are also looking for a new partner. Oldskool is primarily a fun event and not a dating agency, but we do encourage it to get to know new people.”
For example, singles receive a different color wristband when they enter. “This way we can give them a boost,” he said. “But even if you don’t have to find a new lover, Oldskool Mechelen is just a fun party where you can go completely crazy to the best music of the time. It is music that has not been played at parties for a long time now, but we are happy to dust it off again.”
Popular
Oldskool Classics Mechelen takes place on Saturday, May 4 in the Rio Club. The event starts at 9 p.m. All information about the programming and ticket sales can be found on the website. “The cash registers are open on the evening itself, but even after five years the Oldskool parties clearly remain popular. So the message is to be fast,” says Mouling.
www.oldskoolbelgium.be
Tags: Nightlife #80s #90s life Oldskool Classics Mechelen Rio Club Relive youth Mechelen
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