What’s on this week: 10-17 November

Blending advanced technologies with a dive into the history of the city, Fantastic Brussels transports visitors into the capital’s evolutionary past. Staged in the Hotel Métropôle, the 45-minute show employs actors, lasers, video mapping and holograms to create a 360° realistic immersive environment. Discover the city’s evolution from the belle époque to today’s society; the hotel’s own history, dating from 1895, is also featured. Tickets start at €15 and are free for children under the age of five. Until 28 February, Hotel Métropôle, Boulevard Anspach

Wander around the grand chambers of Brussels’ city hall taking in hip-hop, funk and jazz concerts during the Music City Hall Festival. Eight 30-minute concerts are scheduled multiple times, so you can create your own programme at this fun day-long event that’s good for the whole family. Entry is free with advance reservation. 13 November 14.00-20.00, Grand Place 1

Delve into the vibrant art scene of DRC capital Kinshasa in the documentary System K by Renaud Barret. The Belgian premiere recounts the story of a group of people taking their political message to the street. The free screening is part of KANAL-Centre Pompidou’s multidisciplinary exhibition Kinshasa (N)tonga: Between Future and Dust exploring urban development in the over-populated African city. A Q&A with Barret follows Thursday’s screening. Registration necessary. 17 & 18 November 20.00-21.30, Cinéma RITCS, Rue Antoine Dansaert 70

When you think ‘wildlife’, what country springs to mind? If it’s not Belgium, then Notre Nature will surprise you. An ambitious nature documentary dedicated to the wild animals in our own backyard, it features creatures that you didn’t know existed – from opportunists to predators to fighters to the highly intelligent. Notre Nature reached the coveted 100,000 ticket sale mark in cinemas last month and is now screening in Bozar accompanied by a live orchestra. The Dutch version is sold out, but there are still tickets for the French version. 12 November 16.00, Rue Ravenstein 23

Aren’t you sometimes jealous of people who can do all sorts of things like make their own pottery, bake sourdough bread or turn old wooden chairs into colourful showpieces? Envy them no more as you join one of the activities during Brussels Artisanal Workshops. In a few short hours, you too, can create your own perfume and learn bookbinding. The options are just endless. 11 November to 4 December, across the city

Jewellery, sculpture, ceramic and chocolate designs are on display alongside other craft skills in Artisanart, which showcases a variety of projects from talented Belgian craftsmen. Visitors are also invited to attend conferences, workshops and discussions to learn and create projects of their own. All in all, this is the perfect chance for anyone interested in developing their own handy skills. 12 November, Tour & Taxis, Avenue du Port 86C

Born in Rio but at home in Belgium, Victor Da Costa joins long-time collaborator Bart Defoort for Atomium Jazz, one of a series of jazz concerts in Brussels’ best-know monument. The Defoort & Da Costa Quartet play original and adapted compositions, from to bop to modal. They provide just the right atmosphere for the Atomium’s Ilya Prigogine room, housed in a sphere with a fantastic view of Brussels. Your evening continues if you purchase the three-course meal following the concert. 12 November 19.30-20.45, Place de l’Atomium 1

The Big Plant Sale returns to Brussels, filled with around 150 varieties of plants at a starting price of €2. They’re all categorised in order to make it as easy as possible to find what you’re looking for, with lots of tools also on sale for budding gardeners. You’re advised to arrive early as the sale operates on a first come first served basis, which could see most of the cheaper plants being snapped up quickly. 11-13 November, Halles Saint-Géry

Charity spotlight Among the American Women’s Club of Brussels’ many charitable activities, Angel Tree is an annual fundraiser that provides Saint Nicholas presents for hundreds of underprivileged children in the Brussels area. In addition to the charities, Nos Pilifs, Oasis, Alsemberg and La Cite Joyeuse, the AWCB supports a new one this year, Project Lina's. The club is collecting donations until the end of November. More information from hope@awcb.org

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

The English-language theatre troupe Trivial Muffins is performing a little-known 19th-century play about one of the world’s most famous figures: Mozart. Franz von Suppé wrote the music, which provides a kind of soundtrack to the play. Starting off in 1777 Salzburg, Mozart lays out the highlights of the legendary composer’s life, with all the drama – but also humour – it entailed. 11 November to 3 December, across Belgium

Take to the streets, galleries and museums of Antwerp for the art trail Finis Terrae: The End, A Beginning. Fifty Belgian artists contributed work according to their own interpretation of the theme – our planet. It is a veritable who’s who of the country’s best artists, including Cindy Wright, Luc Tuymans, Philip Aguirre y Otegui and Berlinde De Bruyckere. Finis Terrae aims to contemplate our world today, highlighting humankind’s resilience and the power of art. 17 November 2022 to 26 February 2023, across Antwerp

Belgian and international contemporary circus companies come together to entertain with a series of magical shows in Festival En L’air. The 11th edition of the popular family event explores subjects that reflect society today over two weekends. First, Cie Singulière presents AmalgameS, followed by La Porteuse de Souffle by Les Baladins du Miroir. The festival also features an off programme, entitled Les Extras de L’En Air, in other venues in the region.  11-13 & 18-20 November, PAMexpo, Court-Saint-Etienne, Walloon Brabant

Missing Halloween already? Fear not, Namur’s magnificent city-centre theatre is staging its very first Horror Festival, with performances, storytelling, cabaret and a horror film music concert that are designed for all ages. The Italian-style theatre house is transformed into a haunted house for the weekend with a family day on 11 November offering facepainting, costumes and a workshop on making skull necklaces, as well as four shows (including Big Bears Cry too, pictured).  Until 12 November, Théâtre Royal, Place du Théâtre, Namur

Photos: Music City Hall © Eric Danhier; Brussels Artisanal Workshops (c) Courtesy WeCanDoo; Atomium Jazz (c) Courtesy Atomium; Mozart (c) Courtesy Trivial Muffins; Finis Terrae (c) Work by Villavicencio Pizango, photo by David Samyn; Festival de L'En Air © Thibault Cordonnier