Culture beat – May 28

The Bulletin’s arts contributor Georgio ‘The Dove’ Valentino is flying off on a two-month promotional tour of his double LP Mille Plateaux. Before he soars, meet the singer songwriter and listen to his latest album tomorrow evening (May 29) at Brasserie Verschueren, Parvis de Saint-Gilles at 17.00. Entrance is free. For all tour dates see http://georgiothedovevalentino.com/

School’s not yet out, but there’s already entertainment for little ones in the Royal Park. Guignolet dans le Parc is an outdoor puppet show that runs until August 31. In May and June the shows are on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 15.30; July and August, Wednesday to Sunday at 15.30. The theatre is between the children’s playground and the Folon sculpture.

In celebration of Ascension Day tomorrow (May 29), The Saint Cecilia Chorus of London is performing  for free at 12.00 in the Anglican Pro-Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Ixelles. Take advantage of free parking in the city. Telephone 02.511.71.38 for information.

Cultural misunderstandings between Asians and Europeans are the subject of local author Des Collins’ book Sushi and Fries: How cultural differences hinder the progress of Japanese companies in Europe. The book is based on Collins personal experience of working for a Japanese company for 30 years. He introduces his book at Waterstone’s book shop on Sunday (June 1).

The second edition of the festival for small screen fans Are you series? returns to Bozar this weekend, May 28 to June 1. Featuring some of the best TV series of the year (Belgium, Europe, worldwide), it has special guests Agnieszka Holland (Burning Bush), Michael Roskam and Nico Hofmann (Unsere Mütter, Unsere Väter).

For a diverse display of international contemporary dance call in at the D Festival, June 3 to 14 at Théâtre Marni and Théâtre les Tanneurs. The opening evening presents a new work by Brussels choreographer Fanny Brouyaux, Un Bruit. Parcours au fil d’une rumeur dansée, followed by Hérétiques+ Lands by Ayelen Parolin and Eléonore Valère-Lachky. It concludes with a concert at the bar by Cie Ah Mon Amour. The fourth edition of the festival showcases new works, reprisals, a children’s show and is a rare occasion to meet local talents.

One of Belgiums’s most respected choreographers is Thierry Smits of Compagnie Thor. Cocktails is the title of latest work Théâtre Varia from June 4 to 21. The contemporary cabaret for five dancers promises to be an explosive and subversive extravaganza.

As soon a hint of balminess returns to Brussels, the Bulletin office is decamping to the rooftop terrace of Beursschouwburg in the city centre for the annual music and film festival Out Loud! It kicks off on June 4 and continues until June 28, so there is some room for some optimism on the weather front. In addition to the splendid views over Brussels, there are lunch-time picnics and 1970s-themed evening concerts and musical films. And it’s all free!

Outside Brussels

The Walloon capital of Namur transforms into an outdoor fairground of yesteryear this weekend, May 28 to June 1. The 19th edition of Namur in May welcomes 200 artists from home and abroad for a fiesta of street theatre. Festival hub is Place Maurice Servais, which also hosts a musical programme every evening.  About half the acts are free, the remainder are priced at around €3. One of the many activities for all the family is a Big Wheel in Place de l’Ange.