World-renowned independent film studio Troma is coming to Ridgewood with the debut of Kunstfest, a celebration of B movies, beer and art, at local heavy metal hofbrau Bierleichen (582 Seneca Ave.) on Sunday, Sept. 6, from 4 to 10 p.m.
Troma Entertainment Inc. recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, making it the longest-running independent movie studio in North America. Troma studios first gained notoriety in the 1980s with the debut of their cult classic sci-fi comedy “The Toxic Avenger,” followed by other underground hits such as “Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead” and “Return to Nuke ‘Em High: Vol. 1.”
The upcoming Kunstfest will feature a screening of Troma’s latest Blu-ray release, “Extreme Jukebox.” The Italian horror comedy follows the misadventures of rock ‘n’ roll couple Jessie and Chloe after the young lovers unleash the murderous spirit of the Killer in the Woods, once contained in an LP found in the derelict estate of fictitious rock star David Crystal. Troma describes the film as “’Lords of Salem’ by way of ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll High School,’ with a side of spaghetti!”
Sunday’s festival kicks off with German food and beer specials from heavy metal German bar Bierleichen, along with a barbecue in the beer hall’s garden. “Extreme Jukebox” premiers at 5 p.m., followed by a special reading of Troma Entertainment president Lloyd Kaufman’s sci-fi satire novel “Pests” by Ridgewood resident and Troma studios’ own Jordan Young at 6:30 p.m.
Glendale-based Finback Brewery will be on hand to celebrate the release of Oscillation, its first-ever IPA in a can. Finback will be joined by Craft Beer New York, a mobile beer application, to celebrate Bierleichen’s addition to the app.
At 7 p.m., New York City-based indie rock trio The Shook Ones will take the stage for a live musical performance. The all-female band’s unique sound is an eclectic mix of 1960s girl groups, 1990s riot-girl punk, surf rock and funk. The band made its debut performance at 5Pointz in Queens and The Branded Saloon in Brooklyn during the 2013 Make Music New York Festival.
Kunstfest is derived from “Kunst,” which is German for art. To celebrate the festival’s mix of metal, art and German culture, Ridgewood Social will curate a small market of artists working in the horror and gore genres.
Admission to Kunstfest is free and open to the public. Festivalgoers will also be treated to a special secret surprise guest appearance at 8:30 p.m.
For more information, visit Bierleichen on Facebook.
