What’s on this week: 1 to 7 August

Music festival Classissimo maintains its mission of staging a gloriously varied classical programme. Under the theme ‘Y’a d’la vois!’, the 19th edition presents timeless works by renowned composers and singular voices from around the world in eight evening concerts and one family-orientated afternoon show. Emerging and seasoned artists include Logan Lopez Gonzalez, Elodie Vignon, Ronald Van Spaendonck, Céline Scheen, Adrien Thyberghien, Christophe Delporte and Joëlle Strauss. The final evening honours the people of Ukraine with a programme combining opera airs with traditional songs. Pictured: I Virtuoso Couleur. 7-13 August, Rue de la Loi

Les Cœurs de Bois welcomes families to its annual summer season of theatrical adventures. Guignolet dans le parc stages a variety of shows (in French) in the open air with shelter in case of rain. Free entrance and suitable for ages 3+. Until 24 August, Wednesday-Sunday 15.00 (gate opens at 14.45), Chemin de l’Ombre, Bois de la Cambre

La Centrale contemporary art space hosts free creative workshops for children and adults every Wednesday afternoon this summer. Led by Ecuadoran visual artist Alejandra Bedón, participantsexplores the print technique of monotype watercolours. It’s also an opportunity to visit the institution’s current exhibition Wait and See by Mitja Tušek & Bertille Bak. Until 24 August, Wednesdays 14.00-17.00, Place Sainte-Catherine 45

The Botanique contemporary art space is currently showing a highly original and pertinent project exploring climate issues by the French visual artist Pierre Jean Giloux. Biomimetic Stories Part II is a new cycle of augmented reality fictional films set in four Indian cities. Positioned at the crossroads of documentary and science fiction, they imagine the unprecedented connections that could emerge in the near future between cities, nature and biotechnology. The multi-screen presentation of real and virtual images, accompanied by a sound installation, form an immersive and atmospheric experience. Until 17 August, Rue Royale 236

Belgian contemporary artist Berlinde De Bruyckere creates raw, visceral sculptures that embody death, life, passion, and vulnerability. This first solo exhibition at Bozar, Khorós, shows over 50 works from the past 25 years, in dialogue with art by historical and contemporary artists. De Bruyckere (born 1964) has achieved international as well as national recognition for her unique artistic universe and use of unconventional materials such as wax, animal skins, hair, textiles and lead. Until 31 August, Rue Ravenstein 23

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Bach lovers are well catered for at Bruges’s MA Festival this summer with cantatas, cello suites and other pieces by the Baroque composer. From the impressive Ensemble Correspondances on the main stage, the virtuoso Víctor García García in an intimate hospital chapel, to multi performances by contemporary violinist Elisabeth Klinck and a musical and culinary journey with the ensemble Quatuor Bel Ayre, there's something for every Bach lover at this year’s edition. Listen out for a free carillon concert at the city’s historic belfry is on 2 August at 11.00. 1-10 August, in and around Bruges

Just a week after the end of the Gentse Feesten, the city throws another free party. The neighbourhood Bermuda Festival is spread along the canal in Keizer Park, a lovely green space. Two stages – pop and urban – take care of the chill vibes, and there are also numerous food trucks, bars and a Kids Zone, filled with bouncy castles, storytellers, workshops and other attractions on Saturday and Sunday from 14.00. 1-3 August, Vlaamsekaai & Brusselsesteenweg, Ghent

The sugar-producing town of Tienen hosts a music festival each summer inevitably called Suikerrock (Sugar Rock). Despite the name, it offers a varied music programme by local and international artists. Among the latter’s headliners this year are Snow Patrol, Dizee Rascal, Kaiser Chiefs and Nelly Furtado. Festivalgoers can also enjoy fun-fair attractions. Day tickets and three-day festival pass still available. 1-3 August, Industriepark 51, Tienen (Flemish Brabant)

Listen to beautiful music in idyllic surroundings thanks to the Intra Muros Festival at Alden-Biesen castle. A full day of Belgian and international soloists and ensembles perform a diverse programme on lute, violin, harp and other early music instruments. Guests are also invited to explore the historic grounds and indulge in on-site food and drink. Free entry for under-16s. 2 August, Kasteelstraat 6, Bilzen (Limburg)

If you’re looking for an all-star line-up on a more human scale, don’t miss Lokerse Feesten. Once the summer’s best-kept secret, it is now on any serious festival-goer’s list, with this year’s bill featuring a mix of classic rock and hip-hop acts, including Kygo, Electric Callboy, Gojira, Air, dEUS, The Smashing Pumpkins, Sean Paul and the Pet Shop Boys. A solidly urban festival, it takes place in the heart of Lokeren, near Ghent. 1-10 August, Grote Kaai, Lokeren (East Flanders)

Belgium’s other big pride event is in the port city, where official and fringe events and activities take to the streets, culture centres and clubs for five days in August. Antwerp Pride’s theme this year is ‘Do Not Just March. Listen. Act. Commit’ aimed at helping to protect the rights gained over the past decades, while taking collective steps toward the future. The big Pride Parade and Love United Festival are on 9 August. 6-10 August, across Antwerp

Do you like folk and acoustic music? If so Festival Dranouter will be right up your street with an array of international musicians such as Balkan Paradise Orchestra and Sam Kelly and The Lost Boys. There’s also plenty of local talent, including Jasper Steverlinck (pictured), Jaune Toujours and Bamako Express. In addition, there are literally dozens of food options as well as three separate camping zones, all set in this quiet corner of Flanders, near the French border. 1-3 August, Dikkebusstraat 234, Dranouter (West Flanders)

Jazz and Blues musicians from around the world gather in rural Ferme Madelonne for the annual Gouvy Jazz & Blues Festival. Located near the Luxembourg border, the festival hosts Jazz on Saturday, Blues and Rock on Sunday. The 45th edition kicks off on Friday with an international line-up, including the Ina Forsman Sextet from Finland, the Elio Coppola Trio with Wayne Escoffery (US/It), the Ana Carla Maza Trio from Cuba and the Naomi Maza Trio (Cam/Fr). The site offers free campsite and parking, and enticingly, local speciality beers and food. 1-3 August, Sterpigny 4, Gouvy (Luxembourg)

The Royal Festival of Spa attracts tourists as well as locals to its showcase of some of the best Belgian French-language theatrical performances of the past season, complemented by an array of international performances. For its 66th edition, the programme includes Le Dragon by Evgueni Schwaertz, staged by Axel de Booseré and Maggy Jacot and a new work by Philippe Sireuil and Jean-Marie Piemme. There’s also circus shows, storytelling and concerts. 1-17 August, across Spa (Liège province)

Book now: Villers Abbey is transformed into a choral festival in the traditional end-of-summer event Nuits des Choeurs. Six different choirs, each with a distinctive style and from countries including Scotland, Bulgaria and Ukraine, perform in various atmospheric nooks and crannies of the ruins of the Cistercian abbey. The evening shows are brought to a close with a spectacular finale as all of the Belgian and international ensembles take to the stage before a firework display lights up the skies above the heritage site. Booking necessary. 29-30 August, Rue de l’Abbaye 55, Villers-la-Ville (Brabant Walloon)

Discover more upcoming events at The Bulletin's events page.

Photos: (main image) I Virtuoso Couleur ©Classissimo; Botanique ©Pierre Jean Giloux; ©Bozar Berlinde De Bruyckere-Peter Buggenhout courtesy the artists, -photo Mirjam Devriendt; SPA23©Spa Royal Festival/Indie-Studio; courtesy Nuit des Choeurs