What’s on this week: 23-29 July

Enjoy alfresco concerts in the city thanks to Arena 5 (mural pictured above), a new outdoor venue that promises festival vibes to liven up the season’s current musical offering. Located in Place de Belgique, Heysel, the inaugural concert by Véronique Sanson on July 22 kicks off a summer programme featuring Feu! Chatterton, Ibrahim Maalouf, Morcheeba, Suarez + Raphael, Hooverphonic, Jasper Steverlinck, Trixie Whitley and Caetano Veloso, among others. Current safety guidelines allow for a maximum seated audience of 2,500. Until 30 August, Brussels Expo.

The Grand Place is the hub this summer for the second edition of Enjoy the City with a diverse line-up of cultural activities designed to boost city-centre business, especially restaurant terraces and shops. Each weekend, the medieval square hosts a different theme with urban entertainment on the programme this Saturday and Sunday, including BMX bike demonstrations, live panting and hip-hop. The downtown event is part of the city’s Hello Summer seasonal event. 24 & 25 July; 31 July & 1 August; 7 & 8 August, 12.00-22.00, Grand Place

The popular worldwide series Concerts Candlelight is staging outdoor performances of The Phantom of the Opera in an intimate two-night event illuminating the outside space of BluePoint in Schaerbeek, near Cinquantenaire Park. Candlelight Open-Air transforms the celebrated musical into a magical experience with a trio of flute, harp and soprano. Tickets €25-35. Check the full programme for other outdoor experiences plus indoor concerts at multiple venues in the capital. 30 & 31 July, 20.30 & 22.30, Boulevard Reyers 80

Discover one of Brussels-Central station’s best kept secrets thanks to a new art installation Journey to the Edge of the World on show in the station’s Royal Salon. Inaugurated in 1952, this heritage VIP space (pictured above) was used during the 1958 World Fair to receive foreign dignitaries. The installation in glass and marble by artist Myriam Louyest is a special project by Train World, moving out of its Schaerbeek location for the first time. July 23 to September 19, Brussels-Central station

Whether you are a culinary enthusiast, a fan of culture or more of a sporty type, discover more about the green province of Flemish Brabant. The Brussels Women's Club is hosting a 30-minute interactive presentation talk on tourism in Flemish Brabant, followed by a Q&A at its Woluwe-Saint-Pierre clubhouse. Everyone is welcome and the club is offering complimentary coffee, tea and cakes plus two beautiful books full of practical tips for trips. 28 July, 14:00-14:30, Rue au Bois 509

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

In an intimate and idyllic garden setting in the Flemish Brabant village of Kampenhout, Applause 2021 offers a series of outdoor concerts (under tents) over the next two weekends. They’re organised by an enthusiastic and multilingual team who have been running music and theatre impro in a private location for the past few years. Guest artists performing the retro-themed programme include The Starlings, Ht Roberts, Motown Supremacy, El Nuevo Tumbao Cubana, Kaisan Norris, The Cherry Pops and Olivier & Crooniek, plus emerging talents Tara and Roman. Visitor numbers are limited and Covid safety measures are in place. 23-25 July & 29 July-1 August, GO! School Spectrum, Tiendeschuurstraat 17, 1910 Kampenhout

To celebrate the Belgian national holiday, the Mudia Festival sets up camp in book village Redu (Luxembourg province) for three days of events around Belgian comics. An exhibition in the village church is accompanied by book signings, workshops and much more. Artists and designers paying tribute to their country of origin include Franquin, François Schuiten, Didier Comes, Tibet, Servais, Merho, Marc Sleen, Olivier Shrauven and Brecht Evens. 23 to 25 July, Redu

An additional attraction to the Belgian coast over the next couple of weeks is the annual multidisciplinary arts festival TAZ#2021 in Ostend. Showcasing premieres and new works, it stages theatre, music, literature and kids’ shows in offbeat locations around the town. Don’t miss out on the neighbourhood parties Quartiers d’O in three of the resort’s squares with music and food organised by local residents and associations. 23 July to 8 August, multiple venues

Anglo-French artist Anne Curry currently has 15 monumental sculptures on display at Annevoie Water Gardens (pictured above), south of Namur. Her nature-inspired works, The Curves of Life, are the perfect match for the aquatic site’s beautiful walking routes. Located in the Meuse valley, the gardens date from the 18th century and are one of Wallonia’s outstanding heritage sites. Until 30 September, Rue des Jardins 37, 5537 Annevoie

And finally … don’t forget to check The Bulletin’s ultimate guide to summer music festivals and summer travel guide agenda!

Photos: Arena 5 mural (main image); Concerts Candlelight (around the world);  Brussels-Central station’s Salon Royal © Alexander Dumarey The Vlooybergtoren staircase in Flemish Brabant ©Lander Loeckx; Mudia Festival comic strip poster; Annevoie Water Gardens