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What’s on this week: 5-11 August

12:19 05/08/2022
Theatre, dance, art, outdoor shows and festivals … culture beats on!

For the final weekend of Summer Pop, the colourful caravans set up in the neighbourhood of Haren for a packed programme of free cultural, sporting and artistic activities. The pop-up village offers interactive entertainment - in association with local initiatives - for all ages, including multisports and a giant kicker. Until 7 August, Rue Cortenbach (Haren)

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Dscover the burlesque and subversive comedy Musée haut, Musée bas by Jean-Michel Ribes in the Brussels performances of Tournée au Châteaux by Théâtre royal des Galéries. The summer theatrical tour is staged in castles and other historic buildings in Wallonia as well as these two dates in the capital. 7 August, Château du Karreveld (Ave Jean de la Hoese 3, Molenbeek); 11 August at Wolubilis (Ave Paul Hymans 251, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert)

Perpetuum Mobile

Shake your groove thing at Perpetuum Mobile, an international dance festival featuring performances, exhibitions and film screenings, but also workshops. While there are master classes for people who are amateur or pro dancers, anyone can take part in several others: Keep your eye on ‘psychosomatic techniques’ and “weekend workshops” in the programme. Or just come to the jam session or closing night party and wing it. 12-28 August, CC Bruegel, Rue des Renards 1F

(c)Fine Arts Museum of Belgium

Escape the heat in the blissful climate controlled rooms of the Fine Arts Museum. There are tours this month aimed at both kids and adults. Individual visitors are welcome to the guided tour in French of the Christian Dotremont exhibition and for a discussion on the famous painting “The Death of Marat” (detail pictured), or to The ABCs of Painting, a guided tour in Dutch of techniques employed by master painters. The family tours are also in Dutch or French. 6-24 August, Rue de la Régence 3

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Knokke Art Fair

The art world flocks to the Belgian coast in the summer with Knokke Art Fair one of the highlights of the seasonal calendar. The modern and contemporary art and design fair is an independent event that’s focused on quality exhibits. It’s centred on four different worlds that offer visitors an international window on the current scene. There’s also solo shows, a tribute to Magritte and a Flemish salon filled with unique objects (pictured: Tornado III by Ronald Westerhuis courtesy Gallery Ysebaert). 6-15 August, Grand Casino Knokke, Zeedijk-Albertstrand 509

TDS_2020_Annevoie_images_01

As the sun sets on another warm evening, marvel at a video mapping show that unfolds with the château of Annevoie as a fairytale backdrop. As its name suggests, L’Homme à la source is a 40-minute sound and light spectacle that draws on the estate’s famous water gardens for inspiration. The 18th-century gardens, situated on the banks of the river Meuse, combine English and Italian styles with various elaborate water features, including waterfalls and fountains. 6-28 August, 22.00 (doors open 19.00), Rue des Jardins 37 Annevoie, (Namur province)

Open-air cinema (c)Courtesy Zomerfilms

You don’t have to go far to find an open-air film screening this summer, with the Wolubilis cultural centre in Brussels showing movies in its garden, Zomerfilms taking to spots across Leuven and to the Kiewit domain in Hasselt, and the Walloon Brabant Cultural Centre staging cinema in squares, gardens and castle courtyards all across the province. All of these series are free, as are most open-air screenings in Belgium. Until mid-September, across Belgium

Rivierenhof (c)Denée Segall

The amphitheatre at OLT Rivierenhof in Antwerp is a terrific place to catch a summer concert. In the midst of the beautiful Rivierenhof provincial park you’ll find rock, pop, reggae and more. Coming up this month are Ty Segall and the Freedom Band (pictured), Dez Mona and Arsenal. Friday night concerts are free. Until 11 September, Turnhoutsebaan 246, Deurne (Antwerp)

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Fans of Japanese manga and video games can dress up as their favourite superhero and gain free entrance to the wildly popular exhibition I Love Japan thanks to a special Cosplay day (online reservation necessary). The show at the Guillemins train station reveals numerous aspects of Japanese life, from its culture to its history and gastronomy (until 30 September). 12 August, Guillemins train station (Liège)

Les Baladins du Miroir-Namur citadel

The theatrical and acrobatic troupe Baladins de Miroir has set up colourful caravans and a big tent for its annual outdoor summer show atop the historic citadel. La porteuse de souffle by Jean-Pierre Dopagne looks to the future and recounts how small moments in our lives can change the course of our existence. The group also lays on a mini juggling and acrobatic show at the Terra Nova daily at 16.00.  Until 10 August, Esplanade of the citadel (Namur)

dranouter_ccourtesy_portland

Dranouter is a folk festival for the rest of us, with rocky, poppy inflections through and through. Go from chill with Belgian duo Portland (pictured) to thrill with German brass band Querbeat, checking out Americana and roots in-between. 5-7 August, Dranouter (West Flanders)

Gouvy Jazz

Brilliant musicians of varying stripes gather for a chill weekend in rural Ferme Madelonne for Gouvy Jazz & Blues Festival . Located near the Luxembourg border, the festival hosts Belgian and international jazz musicians on Saturday, blues and rock on Sunday. The 42nd edition – under the banner Gouvy is groovy - includes the Sly Johnson Trio and the Antonio Farao ‘Border’ Quartet. As usual, the site offers free campsite and parking, plus local speciality beers and food. 5-7 August, Gouvy (Luxembourg province)

Written by Sarah Crew and Lisa Bradshaw