What’s on this week: 7 to 13 June

Even daily fashionistas know when to pull out all the stops and that’s when they go clubbing. It’s a place to see and be seen, but there is an extra dimension … can you dance in it? Beauty and function combine at Fashion Moves, an exhibition devoted to the multifaceted relationship between fashion and dance. Its focus is on how dance productions have influenced how and what we wear – and vice versa. Free entrance. 7 June to 31 August, MAD Brussels, Place du Nouveau Marché aux Grains 10

Strip creators and graphic novelists have long been inspired by jazz, from its legendary figures and smoke-filled clubs to its place in music history. The exhibition Jazz & Comics shows visitors just how much work has been concentrated on the subject, including Brussels artists Jean Bourguignon and Sisca Locca. But especially Louis Joos – also a musician – who has made a career of his trademark black & white illustrations and biographies of masters such as John Coltrane and Charles Mingus. 10 June to 8 September, Comics Art Museum, Rue des Sables 20

English Comedy Brussels’ upcoming serving of live stand-up is Ric Diez & Friends. The Spanish one-liner comedian has created quite a buzz on the circuit since winning the golden ticket at the ‘Kill Tony’ podcast in the US. For his first solo show in the capital, the razor-sharp funny man takes to the stage with James Elwa, Nikos Pentalis and Giorgio Slagveer. 11 June 20.00 (doors 19.00), Chaussée de Boondael 8 (Ixelles)

The JEM International Puppet Festival continues to entertain audiences at the Théâtre Royal du Peruchet. For its final weekend, guest country Korea is in action this weekend. Among its shows are the glove puppet story of Hong Dongii & Isimi - FFWang Art Bakery Culture, which combines both traditional Korean and Italian puppetry styles. Until 9 June, Avenue de la Fôret 50 (Ixelles)

Brussels theatre and culture hubs Les Brigittines and Les Tanneurs join forces to present the third edition of their contemporary dance bonanza Festival TB². On the programme are some outstanding performances:  Landfall by Erika Zueneli (pictured), Vanishing Act by Thierry Smits/Cie Thor, Paysage by Julien Carlier/Cie Abis and Same Same by Temporary Collective & Dame de Pic/Cie Karine Ponties. Individual and combination tickets available. 7-14 June, Petite Rue des Brigittines 1/Rue des Tanneurs 75-77

Brussels’ unique festival dedicated to clip art is becoming more of an international affair. For its 6th edition, Festival VKRS#6 (Video Killed the Radio Star) has launched a competition for international video artists. Discover them and some of the best music videos from Belgium and abroad. Until 8 June, Rue des Riches Claires 24

Pride month in Brussels is a wrap, but we don’t have to say goodbye to the celebration of LGBTQ diversity thanks to Festival Expressions Mixtes. An extension of the documentary series highlighting the lives of queers of different ethnic backgrounds living in Belgium, the festival features workshops, debates, theatre, concerts and exhibitions. 13-16 June, CC Bruegel, Rue des Renards 1F

Book now Hangar and Tale Of Us  Following its sellout show on 14 August, tickets are now on sale for a second date for this electro dance party in front of the Royal Palace of Brussels. German DJ, producer and techno legend Boris Brejcha will be gracing the stage. 15 August, Place des Palais, Brussels Park

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Is it time to clear out your bookshelves or stock up with reading material? Bookworms can do both at Serve the City’s Second Hand English Book Sale at Stonemanor on Saturday. Browse fiction titles, non-fiction and children’s books. There’s also live music and other entertainment in the carpark of the British grocery store. 8 June 10.00-15.30 (book donations from 10.00 to 13.00), Steenhofstraat 28, Everberg

Whatever the season, embrace the outdoors and experience the enchantment of Tervuren’s Arboretum in a Homeward Bound Forest Therapy session. George Biesmans, a trained guide, leads groups in the woodlands to help people reconnect with the natural world. Forest therapy is the practice of slowing down, awakening the senses and listening to your body. 7 & 9 June, 9.00-12.00, Tervuren

Can humans ever take the point of view of an animal? The exhibition The Lives of Animals in Antwerp’s contemporary art museum combines literature, philosophy and art to question conventional ideas about our furred, scaled and feathered friends. Don’t miss the immersive auditory room, where amplified sound introduces you to the laughter of rats and the inaudible frequencies of the Amazon rainforest. M HKA also hosts family workshops this summer, and a rooftop terrace – home to Keith Haring’s only public artwork in Belgium. 8 June to 22 September, Leuvenstraat 32

Skip breakfast to get the most out of Barrio Cantina, Bruges’s food truck festival. Some 40 different cuisines from around the world gather to fill your bellies, while the kids take part in all kinds of activities. DJs spin until after dark, when a party atmosphere takes over. 7-9 June, Koning Albert I-Park, Koning Albert I-laan 118, Bruges

A trip to Antwerp’s Fine Arts Museum means Rubens, Ensor and Jordaens, but it also hosts temporary exhibitions dedicated to modern and contemporary artists. On show now is the work of Jef Verheyen, considered one of the last modernist painters of the 20th century. He worked with the visualisation of colour and light to explore purity in forms and landscapes. With bright blues and mottled whites he managed to capture the sense of a horizon that makes you wish it went far further than the canvas allows. It’s the first solo show dedicated to the ceramicist and painter in his hometown since his death exactly 40 years ago. Until 18 August, Leopold de Waelplaats 1, Antwerp

Ten castles and historic sites in the province of Namur open their doors every weekend during the month of June for a festival showcasing Walloon heritage. Usually off-limits to the public, they include Evrehailles, Crupet, Beaurieux, Vêves and Corroy-le-Château (pictured: Folk Nevermind - Nirvana) with the first weekend staged in the abbeys of Godinne and Malonne. There are also concerts of world, ancient and medieval music by internationally renowned artists, exhibitions, street entertainment and puppet theatre for children. Non-profit Bleu Horizon is organising the event. Check out the full programme here. Until 30 June, Saturday & Sunday, multiple locations, Namur province

La Boverie is showing a selection of 100 exceptional abstract works of art in new exhibition Abstrait. Highlighting the city of Liège’s art collection, it’s an opportunity to discover some excellent Belgian artists who contributed to the movement alongside a handful of international names, including Kandinsky. The show traces the history of the artistic endeavour to create a new visual language to convey experience and emotion. In parallel, the art museum’s second exhibition is dedicated to Belgian Cécile Miguel, a 20th century artist and writer whose singular and highly personal works are a revelation. Until 18 August, Parc de la Boverie, Liège

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

Photos: (main image) Fashion Moves ©Stef Kwinten; LANDFall ©Dominique Libert; The Lives of Animals ©Estate Lin May Saeed, Jacky Strenz, Frankfurt-Main; Jef Verheyen ©Fille Roelants; Abstrait ©Ville de Liege