What’s on this week: 22 to 28 March

Celebrate alternative rock at the Ways Around Festival, where 12 bands will rock three boss locations over three days. A few bands are coming in from the UK, the US and France, but it’s mostly local, giving you the chance to meet some of the best Belgian soloists and bands in indie rock such as Marcel, Krak (pictured) and Edouard Van Praet. On Saturday there’s also a free Community Village with an indie label market, a documentary screening and activities for all ages. 22-24 March, across Brussels

“Buy from artists when they’re alive. Dead, they won’t care!” Good point Nationa(a)l, an organisation that supports Belgian artists and cultural initiatives. So it’s hosting the Nationa(a)l Artist Market, where artists and organisations gather to exhibit, sell and otherwise introduce the public to their work. You’ll find visual arts, design, fashion, music, books and more. It’s a great chance to immerse yourself in the local arts scene and comes complete with food and music. 23-24 March, The Hoxton Hotel, Square Victoria Régina 1 (Saint-Josse)

La Fête du court métrage has the distinction of being the most accessible film festival in Belgium. Besides screenings taking place in cinemas, libraries, cultural centres and other venues, films are available to stream. The French-language movies are all made by Belgian filmmakers, and there are some terrific programming choices, such as the À Films Ouverts competition of films about identity and racism and Fem’intimités, a group of movies on women’s experience. Until 26 March, across Brussels & Wallonia

Artists dedicated to depicting realistic and expressive pictures of wildlife entertain the public at the 9th edition of Animal Art Bruxelles 2024. The exhibition in the prestigious setting of Cercle Royal Gaulois presents some 30 contemporary painters, sculptors, photographers and artisans. 22-24 March, Rue de la Loi 5

Digital Spring is the capital’s major IT event. The educational showcase of the latest digital technology includes captivating demonstrations, interactive workshops, immersive art, AR and talks. More than 40 exhibitors present their digital wares and know-how. Now in its fourth edition, the event was inspired by Quebec’s famous IT summit. 22-23 March, Tour & Taxis, Avenue du Port 86C

The meditative and enigmatic music of Estonian composer Arvo Pärt takes pride of place in the programme of the Brussels Chamber Choir ‘s church concert. The ensemble also performs choral music by Pavel Chesnokov, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Urmas Sisask, John Tavener and Jonathan Dove, and is conducted by Helen Cassano with Jan Moeyaert at the organ. 23 March 20.15, Eglise Notre-Dame du Sacré Coeur, Rue de Tervaete & Rue de Pervyse (Etterbeek)

Welcome to the inimitable world of Belgian absurdity! This Brussels Puzzles exhibition presents work by David Helbich, founder of the now notorious Belgian Solutions project that records amusing and pragmatic quick-fixes to the local urban environment, and Pierre Lefebvre, an artist who paints and collects images that serve as a background to social life. 22 March to 22 April, Chez Olivia Project Room, Chaussée d’Alsemberg 73 (Saint-Gilles)

The BWC Spring Market on Saturday is an opportunity to browse through a brocante, indulge your sweet tooth with home-made cakes, marmalades and jams, get into the spirit of spring with unique Easter decorations and adorn yourself with hand-made jewellery. Don't forget to refuel at the non-stop café. 23 March,10.00-14.00, Rue au Bois 509 (Woluwe Saint-Pierre)

The final weekend of the Banad Festival explores Art Nouveau and Art Deco treasures in Schaerbeek, Etterbeek, Saint-Josse (swimming pool) and in and around the EU quarter. They include the fabulous Cauchie, Autrique, Saint-Cyr and Van Eetvelde properties as well as the Solvay library and lesser-known buildings. In addition to guided tours and interior visits, an object fair and restoration salon takes place all weekend at Ecole no 13, Avenue de Roodebeek 103. 23-24 March, across Brussels

Live radio, DJ sets, French hip-hop, an exploration of club culture through talks and workshops and an all-night rave in Brussels tunnels. The Listen Festival always gives us plenty to sink our teeth into, with its dedication to urban music and diversity, bringing together some of the most talented artists from Belgium and abroad. 26-31 March, across Brussels

Classical violin meets jazz guitar in the Lea Brückner & Gábor Ladányi Duo. Their unique style also blends East European music, bossa nova and original compositions, appealing to audiences of all ages. After appearances in European festivals, they will be in Belgium, performing concerts in Brussels (Art Base and Liszt Institute) and Antwerp (Love2Arts Gallery). German-Czech-born Brückner is an internationally-reputed violinist while Ladányi is a Hungarian guitar virtuoso. 26 March (Art Base), 27 March (Liszt Institute), 28 March (Love2Arts Gallery)

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Discover a wealth of Belgian photography talent in Foto Knokke-Heist’s annual spring show. The platform for emerging names presents Unknown Masterpieces: 10 young photographers plus a new series by Maroesjka Lavigne. The award-winning Ghent artist’s series Someone, Somewhere, Sometime is a stunning set of images. She travelled to remote places in Namibia, Iceland, Argentina and the US to capture desolate scenes, searching for that fleeting point when colour, light and subject matter all merged into a stand-out moment. 23 March to 12 May, Scharpoord Cultural Centre, Maxim Willemspad 1, Knokke-Heist

Renowned Ostend street art festival The Crystal Ship honours the city’s famous artist James Ensor in its 2024 edition. All year long, exhibitions and event celebrate the Belgian painter and printmaker 75 years after his death. This annual arts event is no exception with over a dozen internationally-reputed artists filling public spaces with murals, sculptures and installations. They include Wayne Horse, whose grotesque style (pictured) shares similarities with Ensor’s satiric caricatures. 25 March to 6 April, across Ostend

If your interest is cinema there’s nowhere quite like Ghent this month, which has four film festivals running at the same time. The Courtisane Festival is dedicated to experimental cinema and audio-visual art, while the Ghent International Short Film Festival offers an excellent selection of movies under 30 minutes, from animation to documentary to comedy and drama. The Afrika Film Festival features four recent movies from different parts of Africa, and the Japan-Square Film Festival showcases cinema from the land of the rising sun. Across the board, most movies are either in English or have English subtitles. Dates vary, across Ghent

Opera Ballet Vlaanderen is indulging us with works by three major local artists this season: Wim Vandekeybus, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker and Alain Platel. This week the company will perform a reworked version of Vandekeybus’s classic Puur. The title refers to the purity of children, who do not fare well in religious contexts when a ruler is threatened. Backed by music by Italian avant-garde composer Fausto Romitelli and American country rock singer David Eugene Edwards, Puur is a timeless story about guilt, responsibility and generational memory. 23-30 March, Opera Gent; 28 June to 7 July, Opera Antwerp

Spring classical music festival Printemps musical de Silly presents 15 concerts under the banner Ode à la joie. The tribute to the last movement of Beethoven’s 9th symphony and a poem by von Schiller is a timely celebration of peace and solidarity. From performances by Queen Elisabeth Music competition winners and new works by young talents to jazz and world music sessions, the festival promises a musical feast. The concerts are hosted by castles, churches and other venues in the region. Individual tickets available as well as a festival pass. 23 March to 23 June, multiple venues in and around Silly, Hainaut

Explore all the aerial activities of Temploux Aerodrome at its Spring Open Day on Saturday. Admire the aircraft, helicopters and gliders (trial flights possible), while watching parachutists land gently on the field, see drone demonstrations, hunt for bargains in the flea market and discover interactive games. A bouncy castle and play area will keep the little ones entertained. Refreshments available. 18 March 11.00-18.00, Aérodrome Namur-Suarlee, Rue du Capitaine Aviateur Jacquet 44 (Namur)

For its 13th edition, the Biennale de l’Image Possible (BIP) takes over the iconic 1970s former Chiroux library in Liège. With its MUTANTX theme, the programme explores various forms of transformation. Some 50 artists, from home and abroad, invite the public to appreciate their eclectic contemporary works in the glass and concrete setting of the vast building. As ever, the biennale also serves as a vibrant platform for other artistic activities and projects. Until 1 June, Ancienne bibliothèque Chiroux, quai Paul Van Hoegaerden 2, Liège

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

Photos: (main image) ©Hotel Van Eetvelde ©Luc Viatour; Puur ©Filip Van Roe; MUTANTX, artist Camille Dufour