What’s on this week: 3 to 9 July

Convivial and family-friendly friendly Brosella is one of Brussels’ favourite music events. Set in the shadow of the landmark Atomium, the immersive experience offers a diverse mix of urban ethno and jazz music with Joel Ross’ Good Vibes, Bamako Express and Jaune Toujours all among the mix. DJ sets, a kids village, workshops and local and sustainable food all add to the festival vibe. Ticketing is based on the ‘pay-what-you-can’ system. 3-5 July, Osseghem Park, Heysel (Laeken)

Instead of shooing the public out at the end of the day this Saturday, three major cultural institutions in Mont des Arts open their doors for the second edition of Arts at Night. The Royal Library (KBR), Bozar and the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium are joining forces for the event, entitled Shifting Gazes, that features art shows (including Art x Gender above and Bozar's Picture Perfect), performances, DJ sets, live music and sunset views from rooftops. Access to all three venues is via one entrance ticket. 3 July 18.00-23.00, multiple venues

Escape the bustle of city life with a brief musical interlude in the city’s museum quarter. Musicorum stages classical concerts every lunchtime until the end of the summer and boasts a varied and original programme with soloists, orchestras, chamber ensembles, instrumentalists and singers. They include international artists, both seasoned and rising talents. Although the concerts are free, participation to financial costs is welcomed. Until 28 August 12.15-13.00, Tuesday-Friday, Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Rue de la Régence 3

Les Escales Estivales is Anderlecht cultural centre’s summer programme of live music staged in its green jungle of a garden. Every Thursday evening, a world, folk or country music concert entertains audiences at Escale du Nord. Launching the season is Zinne Kabar (pictured) performing Maloya, traditional music from the island of Réunion. Entrance €4; children under 12 free. 2 July to 20 August, Thursdays 18.00-22.00 (concert at 19.00), Rue du Chapelain 1 (Anderlecht)

An immersive sensory experience awaits visitors to Bozar’s Horta Hall this summer thanks to internationally renowned Colombian artist Delcy Morelos’s new installation for the arts centre’s Monumental series. Drawing upon indigenous knowledge from her native country, including wattle-and-daub techniques, this trapezoidal structure is built with the intricate, protective complexity of a bird’s nest. Layered onto a structure hazel panels is a mixture of red clay from Wallonia, sand, hay, and spices such as cinnamon and cloves. “I want people to reconnect with soil, with plants and their uses,” says Morelos. Until 30 August, Rue Ravenstein 23

In addition to its habitual screenings, the Palace cinema presents the special summer programme Sun Screens. The opening weekend sets the tone for the 5th edition’s main themes of undermining of the bourgeoisie and reflecting on the mechanisms of power and manipulation with Claude Chabrol's La Cérémonie, a classic drama starring Isabelle Huppert. It also marks the launch of the focus dedicated to Ingmar Bergman, with two iconic works, Monika and Persona. Young and old alike can also (re)discover Charles Chaplin's timeless masterpiece The Great Dictator. Until 23 August, Boulevard d’Anspach 85

Nayad street theatre festival is a new event that fills outdoor spaces in Ixelles with some 20 performances designed to entertain all ages. Alongside free shows, there are two spectacles, Oyez and Nour, which can be booked through the festival’s Pay What You Can system. The festival hub is Place Flagey, but shows are also staged at venues around the municipality. 3-5 July, multiple venues (Ixelles)

For great family entertainment this summer, join Ladybug and Chat Noir in Miraculous Experience, based on the popular French animated Netflix series Miraculous. In MOIR’s seven-room, multi-media, interactive, one-hour tour, the aim is to “Explore, play, and discover if you have what it takes to be a hero.” Guided by kwamis (divine beings) Tikki and Plagg, through games, quizzes and myriad challenges, even dance, you will discover the superhero’s essential qualities of Quick Thinking, Kindness, Courage, Creativity, and Emotional Balance. From age 5. Museum of Infinite Realities, Rue du Marché aux Poulets 30

Jette’s King Baudouin Park is the setting for an open-air exhibition marking World Water Day. The Magic of Water by Urbacréatives invites the public to discover a dozen banners created by schools and cultural centres in the municipality in collaboration with local artists. Playful activities related to the themes of the artworks are attached to each banner. Until 30 August, Parc Roi Baudouin (Jette)

The Royal Palace reopens its doors to visitors this summer following a major two-year renovation project. Visitors can view the art and architectural splendours of the Throne Room (pictured above), the Great Gallery, the Empire Room, the imposing main stairway and vestibule designed by Alphonse Balat for King Leopold II, as well as palace gardens. Tickets cost €10 although access is free for children under 13. Book here. 3 July to 16 August, Place Royale

Bursting back onto the capital’s summer cultural scene with around 25 shows is the annual Bruxellons! festival with some of the best French-language productions of the past season. Its big draw is a French-language version of the new musical comedy Kinky Boots from 11 July to 30 August, while a second musical, John & Jen, is staged in the intimate setting of the grange. The festival, now in its 28th year, offers a perfect evening out, complete with a pre-show buffet to enjoy in a wonderful water-side setting. 9 July to 20 September, Château du Karreveld (Molenbeek-Saint-Jean)

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Although some of the big-name concerts are already sold out, you can still enjoy plenty of musical action at Gent Jazz this year. Tickets are currently available for Angus & Julia Stone & José Gonzalez, Marcus Miller, Jon Legend, Snarky Puppy & Darkside and Asaf Avidan & Warhaus. The final evening is dedicated to young jazz talent. The festival and its two stages are sited in the garden of the historical Bijloke campus, offering an atmospheric and intimate setting for live music. It is just a 15-minute walk from the train station. 2-18 July, Godshuizenlaan 2, Ghent

The fun never stops at Rampage Open Air, “the biggest drum&bass and dubstep festival in the universe” with literally hundreds of DJs and performers, including Hedex & Eksman, Slander B2B Nightmare and Sub Focus. Rampage stands out for its amusement park rides, body painting and the biggest skate ram p in Europe. Note: the fabulous campsite is sold out and the festival is cashless. 2-5 July, Kristalpark, Balendijk, Lommel (Limburg)

Final tickets are one sale for the number one rendezvous for fans of rap and hip-hop, Les Ardentes in Liége. The biggest urban music festival in Europe hosts 150 artists on five stages, mixing international stars and francophone headliners with emerging artists. Black Eyed Peas, Future, DJ Charlotte de Witte, Esdeekid, Ebony and DJ Bea are among the line-up. 2-5 July, Rue de l’Arbre Courte-Joie, Rocourt (Liège)

Namur fills its public spaces with art once for its Sculptures in the City annual event. Some 10 fantastical creatures by Ghent artist Dirk De Keyzer are on display in a free urban trail. Six of the sculptures can be seen in four key locations: Place de l'Ange, Place Maurice Servais, Place d'Armes, and the Confluence, while Les Bateliers museum’s chapel hosts eight smaller works. De Keyzer works in bronze and is inspired by foreign travel, principally Africa and India. Until 31 August, city centre, Namur

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

Photos: (main image) Alune/Brosella ©Shamrockraver Photography; Art x Gender ©mrbab-kmskb ©Clement Simon; DELCYMORELOS ©Iskaria Romane; Miraculous Experience ©MOIR; Jette King Baudouin Park: Aquamagic box restitution phrases sur baches; Throne Room ©Karin Borghouts/Belgian Monarchy; courtesy Bruxellons; courtesy Gent Jazz; Rampage Open Air tagdlux photography