Culture beat - July 4

With the month of July predicted to be a scorcher, Brussels’ annual outdoor film festival Bruxelles fait son cinéma is preparing to screen movie favourites under the stars. From July 9 to 19, eleven communes around the city are set to host the annual event. The first film on Tuesday is Camille redouble (pictured) at Auderghem; others include the Egyptian Les femmes du bus 678, Algerian music homage El Gusto and excellent French dramas Omar m’a tuer by Roschdy Zem and François Ozon’s Dans la maison.

If you’re heading downtown for a summer tipple at Place Saint-Géry, look out for this outdoor display of satirical cartoons on the walls of Halles Saint-Géry, on show until the end of August. Postcard Politics is an itinerant exhibition by Cologne-based English artist Alan Mitcham. The bright colourful images tackle social, political, environmental and economic subjects.

July 11 is the Flemish National Day in commemoration of the 1302 Golden Spurs battle. Traditionally aimed at entertaining Dutch-speaking folk, the event is broadening its appeal this year with a dance festival, Let’s Dance! Organised by Muntpunt and Radio Modern it has dance workshops, a beauty corner, DJs and activities for all ages. The two centres of activity are the Grand’Place and Place de la Monnaie with the former also staging concerts by Sarah Ferri, Sarah Ferri, Horses, Johnny Berlin, Lady Linn, Philip Catherine, Annelies Monseré, Yuko and Ialma.

Also hoping for fine weather is Brussels Beach, the city’s urban resort at Quai des Péniches. Transforming itself into a canal-side beach for five weeks, the site comes equipped with sand, parasols, palm trees and a bucket load of activities. In addition to the packed programme of sport, music, family entertainment and global gastronomy, the beach’s 10th anniversary is splashing out on a new set of activities. Opening event Mobil’Oh on Saturday is one example; a giant mobile of eight life-sized boats suspended 50 metres above. The parade starts at 17.00, followed by a show at 19.00 and fireworks at 23.00. Other activities include water sports and clubbing cruises four evenings a week plus beach parties every weekend.

Another diversion if you are stuck in the city is this endearing summer event Midis-Minimes Festival, a lunchtime series of largely classical concerts at the Royal Conservatory. For 35 minutes every week-day let yourself be transported with a diverse programme of music that costs €5 for each concert. This Friday’s serving of Belgian contemporary sounds features one of the best ensembles around, Sturm und Klang. Spin-off festivals in Leuven and Wavre repeat some of the concerts.

Outside Brussels

One of the specialities of the historic Gaasbeek castle in Flemish Brabant, is staging exhibitions that provide a contemporary context to the 13th century site. Opening this Saturday is the latest, as Brussels artist Eric Joris & Crew showcase new pieces in the exhibition aXes, showcasing new pieces, against the backdrop of the castle and its park. The installation art brings together films, holograms and drawings and continues until August 25.