What’s on this week: 4-10 June

Art et Marges shakes up the art brut scene with its new exhibition Love Song, a collection of music and sound art created by outsider artists. Through the medium of the love song, including recordings, text and album covers, the museum offers an intimate view of what has long remained underground music. Until 26 September, Rue Haute 314

Another Banksy show is upon us. Banksy: Genius or Vandal? asks a question most of us already know the answer to, and it is unauthorised, as most Banksy exhibitions are. Still, it offers thorough insight into the work and endless moral and artistic complexities surrounding the world’s most famous street artist. 10 June to 28 August, Grand Place 5

As you know, 9 June heralds the return of the culture sector. Cinematek re-opens with a fully restored version of Belgian filmmaker André Delvaux’s 1965 debut feature De man die zijn haar kort liet knippen (The Man Who Had His Hair Cut Short). The film won several national and international awards, kicking off Delvaux’s long and illustrious career. The film archive also opens an exhibition dedicated film music composer Fernand Schirren. Oh, and Cinematek has a new website to boot. 9 June, exhibition until 31 August Rue Ravenstein 3

Théâtre Les Tanneurs and Les Brigittines join forces for Festival TB2, a new contemporary dance festival. The performances spaces are a hop and a skip from each other, so you can flit between the two every evening. There’s also an installation by local residents, and outdoor performances. 4-19 June, Marolles

Perfectionism, pleasing and procrastination all go hand-in-hand, and the workshop The Three Ps of Shame will tackle them all. Hosted by the Brussels Imagination Club, it is their first in-person event since corona hit. (In English) 9 June 18.45-21.00, Co-operative Kreativa, Rue Volta 8 (Ixelles)

Ever thought maths could be beautiful? Check out Order of Operations: Mathematics Through Art, which explores the connection between art and science. 4 June to 11 November, Bozar, Rue Ravenstein 23

The Brussels Women’s Club hosts an online session of laughter yoga with Brussels expat Gabriela Spencer, creator of The Laughter Room. Laughing is credited with easing stress and strengthening the immune system. Join the session for yoga, breathing exercises, guided relaxation and, naturally, laughing. (In English) 9 June 18:50-20:30

Before its stop in the European parliament and the UN headquarters in New York, the Boghossian Foundation presents Trees for Memories, an exhibition dedicated to peace and non-violent solutions to conflicts. More than 30 international artists all started with the same size block of wood, salvaged from dead oak trees along the First World War frontline, all of which were witnesses to the savagery of war. 4 June to 24 October, Villa Empain, Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 67 (Ixelles)

Book now: Tosca by La Monnaie  The passionate love story and instantly recognisable arias of Tosca have made Puccini’s opera an audience favourite for more than 100 years. This new production by Spanish director Rafael Villalobos is La Monnaie’s first opportunity to perform an opera live onstage in months. Grab a ticket while you still can. 11 June to 2 July, Rue Léopold 23

Sign up now: The Bridge Academy Summer Theatre Workshop  Remember when we told you about The Bridge? The would-be English-language theatre in Brussels is hosting its first series of classes in August. The Bridge Academy Summer Theatre Workshop is open to children and teenager aged 10 to 18, who will study acting, singing and dancing using the movie The Greatest Showman, and its theme of inclusion, as a springboard. Theatre creatives are coming over from the UK to help with the academy as well as teach masterclasses in puppetry and in stage combat. Places are limited, so sign up now.

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Wallonia is awash in castles with all manner of glorious gardens attached. Whether they specialise in perfectly shaped shrubbery, spring bloomers or fruit orchards, many of them will be open for Parks & Gardens Weekend. The event takes place in many green public spaces as well as those that are usually closed to visitors. They all host activities, such as themed tours, plant markets or workshops. 5-6 June, across Wallonia

Belgium’s first fully live film festival since last autumn has arrived! Docville offers up some of the most memorable documentary films from the last couple of years. In the national section, check out Even Ants Have Wings by Belgian director Jawad Rhalib. He follows events in a tiny Moroccan village as women stop cooking meals until their husbands agree to take on domestic duties. A highlight of the international section is Taming the Garden, which documents an astonishing process happening in Georgia: Former prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili is digging up centuries-old trees along the country’s coastal villages to transport to his own private island. The pittance he pays the landowners is dividing communities and raising questions about the ownership of nature. These are just two options, of course – there are more than 70 movies on the Docville programme, as well as interviews and discussions. 9-19 June, across Leuven

Photos, from top: ©Lotte Brouwers/Art et Marges, courtesy Ayelen Parolin Dance, ©Frederik Vanhoutte/Bozar, ©Santiago Ydanez/La Monnaie, ©Jeannick Piron