Brussels performing arts, which have remained in the wings in recent months due to the health crisis, are now more ready than ever to get back on stage. From theatre to dance to jazz, all disciplines are heading back to the stage, to the delight of an audience eager to discover something new.
These last eight months have had a major impact on the cultural milieu. The Brussels stage came to a standstill. Although not totally … Backstage, programmers, artists and set designers were busy concocting an original, diversified and cutting-edge programme. Here is an overview of the major events for autumn.
1. Let’s Get Some Air Festival
Now more than ever we are experiencing a desire to escape! Mission accomplished with the “Let’s Get Some Air” festival at the Château du Karreveld. The programme includes captivating stories, a good dose of humour and a hint of nostalgia.
Dates: until 23 September Venue: Château du Karreveld
More info available here
2. TheaterFestival
The TheaterFestival invariably opens the new theatre season. This year, it is doing so for the 30th time and working twice as hard. The festival
Dates: 3 to 13 September
Venue: Kaaitheater
More info
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3. VKRS #2
Bands very often use music videos to promote their songs. But the videos are much more than a broadcasting medium, they are an art in their own right. Their directors deserve to be showcased and recognised. The video art festival proposes to blow visitors away with viewings of numerous music videos, among other things. The programme includes a film session, an award ceremony, meetings between professionals, concerts, masterclasses and a ‘Speed-Clipping’ challenge (making a video in three days).
Dates: 4 to 5 September
Venue: Théâtre des Riches Claires
More info
4. Every Inside Has an Outside
Every Inside Has an Outside is part of the Kunstenfestivaldesarts and is a five-day festival that presents seven artistic projects and a public programme, designed to reflect on the present and its many overlapping spaces. The festival takes place in several venues, including
Dates: 4 to 8 September
Venue: various locations
More info
5. Unpredictable Saturdays
Surprises are born from the unexpected. The surprise of a next appointment – outside, inside, different. Now, at the very beginning of the season, Les Brigittines will present four casual cocktail evenings entitled Unpredictable Saturdays. Dance, concerts, performances, shows for young audiences, photographic exhibitions and screenings are on the programme, within the intimacy and serenity of the health measures.
Dates: 12 & 26 September
Venue: Les Brigittines
More info
6. Detours festival
The aim of the Detours Festival is to bring theatre to the street and the street to the theatre. To highlight everyone’s qualities, the Detours Cyphers invite the public to join in, daring to perform dance steps and meeting those involved in urban culture. The programme includes a discovery of the new wave of hip-hop creators during works in progress and a preview of the show Abstrkt, which probes the irresistible need for innovation by dancers of a new genre. Unique walking performances at the crossroads of the arts, in the open air of Brussels-City. Dates: 23 to 26 September
Venue: Bruegel Cultural Centre
More info
7. Saint Jazz Festival
Since its creation by the former mayor of Saint-Josse in 1985, the festival has regularly put on new projects, encouraged the mixing of the generations and explored the different jazz movements. The greatest representatives of the Belgian and international scene have performed there, such as Toots Thielemans, Philip Catherine, Aka Moon, Clarck Terry, Rhoda Scott, Melanie De Biasio, Lionel Loueke, Steve Houben and many others. After many years on the Place Saint Josse, the festival is now taking place at the Jazz Station and Le Botanique, two emblematic cultural venues in Brussels.
Dates: 25 to 26 September
Venues: Jazz Station and Le Botanique
More info
8. Les Nuits du Botanique
Ten evenings of concerts to open the festival season. From the unmissable Rotonde and its intimate concerts to the Orangery, not forgetting the cellars of the Witloof Bar and the semi- outdoor marquee; national and international artists will perform on the stages of the Botanique and give their all to an audience eager to see them on stage. What could be more pleasant than having a drink between two concerts and admiring the garden and the sunset from its terrace? Les Nuits du Botanique is offering a simple, musical form of happiness through the discovery of numerous artists who will undoubtedly be the headline acts of future festivals.
Dates: from 29 September to 11 October Venue: Le Botanique
More info
9. FrancoFaune
FrancoFaune is back for its seventh event. Age of reason? We doubt it, as its creative team is always so animated by the desire to offer emerging musical genres an concoct unexpected cartes blanches.
Dates: 29 September to 17 October
Venue: various locations
More info
