Culture beat - January 16

Popular Schuman afterwork haunt Piola Libri returns after the holidays with an opening concert  by indie singer songwriter Il Cile on Friday (January 16). The Italian café/bookshop in Rue Franklin, hosts regular concerts, talks and events.

Are you ready to barter for an original work at Art Truc Troc & Design from Friday until Sunday at Bozar? The contemporary art exchange brings together 300 artists from various disciplines in the 11th edition of the event. For the first time, art schools will be joining in an ‘off exhibition’. And the 2014 innovation of a design section returns thanks to a collaboration with Mad Brussels. Libertine Supersport provides DJ entertainment for a party atmosphere. If you want to discover contemporary art in a very relaxed setting, this is the fair to visit. Entrance €8, pre-sale €5 (including drink); free for under 12s.

World music venue Muziekpublique hosts Syrian ensemble Ramel Aleppo for an evening of Sufi music on Saturday (January 17). As the name suggests, the group originates from the country’s second city and cultural hub Aleppo, while Ramel refers to a meter in Arabic poetry and a type of lute or oud. The group specialises in Sufi music from the Levant.

Satirical comedian Al Murray  performs his Pub Landlord: One Man, One Guvnor in Stand Up Brussels’ next comedy outing at Théâtre 140 on January 24. The UK entertainer celebrates the 20th anniversary of his iconic character in this full-length solo show. Murray combines current affairs with male pomposity and according to The Telegraph delivers “one man, two hours of ingenious, silly, near-the knuckle bliss”. Tickets €31; pre-show Indian buffet available for €12.

What I Heard About the World is an English-language contemporary performance exploring human experience and storytelling at Théâtre 140 January 21 and 22. Presented by UK company Third Angel and Mala Voadora from Portugal, it is a thought-provoking and entertaining drama made up of extraordinary yet true stories. The play is written by Jorge Andrade, Alexander Kelly and Chris Thorpe. Established in Sheffield in 1995, Third Angel performs strong dramas based on real life and popular culture, incorporating live music, film and video art and installations.

For a humourous race around American history, the American Theatre Company’s 44 Plays for 44 Presidents on January 22 to 24, 28 to 31, is a supersize theatre project. The show at Warehouse Studio Theatre in Schaerbeek presents 44 different tales about each US President, from George Washington to Barack Obama. By Andy Bayiates, Sean Benjamin, Genevra Gallo, Chloe Johnston and Karen Weinberg, directed by Steve Challens. Tickets €15.

Tournai

Belgium revels in film festivals of all stripes. The Ramdam Festival (January 20 to 27) in the city of Tournai (Hainaut province), defines itself as a festival that disturbs, in the sense of questioning and provoking thought. It opens with a European premiere of Dark Horse, a New Zealand film by James Napier Robertson about the true story of a Maori former chess champion who is also bi-polar. Many of the films screened are in English and includes classics such as Trainspotting, Funny Games and They Kill Horses, Don’t They? Screenings at Imagix, Tournai.