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What’s on this week: 29 May-4 June
Perfectly timed for the magical combination of long weekends and sunny weather, Gaufres & Waffles opened a new takeaway chalet in Bois de la Cambre on 21 May. To celebrate the inauguration of its third location – after Galeries du Roi and Wolf Food Market - celebrity chef Yves Mattagne has created four new savoury and sweet recipes that reflect the season: asparagus, tomato, lemon meringue and strawberry marscapone. From 8 June, the outlet hopes to welcome customers onto its terrace. Open on sunny days, from 12.00-20.00, opposite Jeux d’Hiver, Chemin du Croquet 1
Let the music play on! During what would have been the final week of Belgium’s famed Queen Elisabeth piano competition (postponed to 2021), you can tune into RTBF and VRT radio stations for a feast of piano performances. The project Queen Elisabeth Competition @ Home focuses on highlights of past competitions and offers broadcasts of an evening of live music at Bozar on 29 May. More information in French and Dutch. Until 31 May
Urban art museum MIMA re-opens its doors on 3 June with the colourful and family-friendly exhibition ZOO. Discover a selection of works and in-situ installations by 11 artists from a variety of backgrounds, all showing anthropomorphic characters and figures. Artists include American Steven Harrington (pictured) and Lithuanian Egle Zvirblyte. The canalside institution limits visitors to 40 an hour. Book your tickets online here. Until 30 August, Quai du Hainaut 39-41
Art Brussels had to cancel its 2020 edition in April (it’s rescheduled for 2021), but the world-renowned contemporary art fair launches an online platform today (28 May) to benefit its loyal community of galleries and artists. The live gallery viewer shows new works every Thursday, featuring art galleries confirmed for the 2021 event. Browse through more than 1,500 artworks by gallery, price, country or medium. Until 15 June
Belgian jazz is alive and kicking and you don’t have to venture from the comfort of your own sofa to enjoy the first festival of 2020. Bel Jaz Fest is an online event and virtual tickets can be purchased for €15 for each evening (recordings are available up to week after the festival). A collaboration between 11 of the country’s top jazz festivals, including Gent Jazz, Brosella, Jazz Middelheim and Gaume Jazz Festival, the 24 concerts will be streamed from Flagey. A diverse and quality line-up is guaranteed. And at least there is no risk of it selling out! 29 & 30 May
Fans of francophone cinema can sit back and watch the first streaming edition of the French short-film festival and competition Le Court en dit long. Thanks to an online platform set up by the Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles in Paris, 34 films are being screened over six days. The festival throws a retrospective spotlight on Namur company Benzine Production, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The extensive catalogue of comedies by Xavier Diskeuve, Damien Chemin and François Paquay are an inimitable showcase of Wallonia’s self-derision and humour. 1 to 6 June
OUTSIDE BRUSSELS
The Groeningemuseum in Bruges opens its doors once again and has extended the date of its major exhibition Van Eyck in Bruges. Discover the life and world of the Flemish master in the 15th century thanks to new technology revealing some of his painting techniques. The exhibition includes some of Jan Van Eyck’s most famous works: Madonna with Canon Joris van der Paele (pictured); Portrait of Margareta van Eyck; Virgin with Child in an Interior. Security measures are naturally in place and prior online reservation is recommended. Don’t forget to bring your own smartphone or tablet complete with headphones or ear buds as audio guides are temporarily not available. The exhibition is part of the Van Eyck year – a series of events running until 31 December. Until 6 September, Dijver 12
Photos: Gaufres & Waffles, Bois de la Cambre; MIMA museum 2020 StevenHarrington ZOO; Bel Jazz Fest Urbex Electric © Stefaan Temmermans; Jan Van Eyck, Madonna van Joris van der Paele. Musea Brugge © Lukas -Art in Flanders vzw. Photo: Dominique Provost