What’s on this week: 20-26 August

As the name implies, the Hide & Seek Festival takes you to little-known spaces or simply unorthodox venues in which to hold a concert (an old ice cellar, costume atelier, etc). While most of the concerts in this popular festival are sold out, there are still a couple of gems available, like Congolese Rumba on an ice-skating rink and Refugees for Refugees (pictured above) playing in a former veterinary school. There are also tickets available for the guided bike tours, which include three concerts along the way. 22-28 August, across Brussels

There are still day and combi tickets available to Gate, the alternative to Couleur Café this summer. Gate is happening at the StudioCity Gate in Anderlecht and blends the normal festival’s soul, roots and world beats we hold dear with a bit of rap and jazz rock. Headliners like Brihang and L’Or Du Commun are followed up nightly by Belgium’s best electronic music-makers. 26-29 August & 2-5 September, Petite-île 1A (Anderlecht)

Free of charge as always, Ancienne Belgique’s eclectic summer concert series Feeërieën is moving from Brussels Park, which is undergoing some restructuring works, to the Gare Maritime at Tour & Taxis. It kicks off with the formidable talent Stef Kamil Carlens (pictured above), moves on to Dez Mona and Holden & Zimpel and ends with Turkish psychedelia by Gaye Su Akyol. Feeërieën’s lunchtime sister series, Boterhammen in het Park – also free – is also moving here, too, and has been redubbed Boterhammen in de Stad. 23-27 August, Rue Picard 9

Auderghem is holding a second edition of its summer party Parasol, this time in Seny Park. Live music, workshops, a bar and activities for the whole family. 22 August 14.00-17.00, Rue Charles Lemaire

 
We realise that every week is beer week in Belgium, but this week it’s official: Belgium Beer Week takes place across the country, with special events in bars and breweries, including tap takeovers, games, food pairings and beer cocktails. 23-29 August, across Belgium

The Brussels Imagination Club hosts Deep Conversations Dinner, a way to get past the small talk and have meaningful conversations with new people. It’s a one-on-one experience, with questions provided to get you started. 26 August 18.45-21.00, The Sister Café, Rue Chair et Pain 3

 
A fun 20 minutes is yours for the taking in Gare Maritime at Tour & Taxis. Don the headphones that come with the free participatory sound experience ‘Monolith #’ (pictured) and become the main actor in a piece that looks at the consequences of social media algorithms. 21-22 & 28-29 August 13.00-18.00, Rue Picard 9

Popular family exhibition Dino World has been extended for a final time to the end of the autumn half-time break. New attractions are to be added to the current collection of 60 animated, life-size creatures. Until 7 November, Brussels Expo, Place de Belgique 1

Register now: Musical theatre auditions  The Bridge, a new English-language theatre in Brussels, is holding auditions for All Together Now!, a musical theatre show that is taking place during the same November weekend all over the world. Everyone selected will follow more than 60 hours of rehearsals and master classes with professionals. There is a fee involved for that, so check all the info on the website. Auditions: 12 September

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Summer family favourite Chassepierre makes a welcome return with its colourul and energetic mix of street theatre, comedy and circus. The festival may have less of an international flavour than usual with the majority of artists hailing from Belgium and France, but the beautifully bucolic village in the Gaume region provides as perfect a backdrop as ever. Some 20 companies will be performing in the 47th edition, which adapts to Covid regulations with festivalgoers separated into three different zones and six performances per zone. 21 & 22 August, Chassepierre, Luxembourg province

Allow yourself a little escapism at the contemporary art triennial Paradise in the West Flanders city of Kortrijk. The international art project focuses on the utopian dream of paradise with a wide range of interpretations inspired by and reflecting the current environment. The urban and interactive exhibition features internationally-renowned artists, including Kendell Geers, Jeremy Deller, Toshiko Horiuchi MacAdam (pictured above), William Forsythe, Yoko Ono, Berlinde de Bruckere, Victor&Rolf and Michelangelo Pistoletto. Free entrance; museum locations require prior booking. Pick up a map at the info point at the Belfry in the Grote Markt. Until 24 October, Tues-Fri & Sun, 10.00-17.00, across Kortrijk

Namur welcomes a new multigenerational theatre event this season. Festival doux mois d’août mixes music, slam and theatre – including performances for younger audiences – in a convivial and largely covered outdoor setting. At least two performances will be staged each day. A food truck is standing by to serve up street food showcasing local Walloon produce and a mobile bar will be pouring home-made cocktails. 21 August-5 September, Notre-Dame school courtyard (behind Théâtre Royal de Namur)

Book now: In a busy season for the Walloon capital, Namur hosts music festival Les Nuits Solidarités (pictured) and literary event L’intime Festival on the last weekend of August. 26-29 August: Les Nuits Solidarités (Citadel esplanade); L’intime Festival (Théâtre Royal de Namur and Notre-Dame school courtyard)

Photos: Hide & Seek Festival (main image) © Refa; Feeërieën, Stef Kamil Carlens; Belgium Beer Weekend; Monolith; Paradise Kortrijk/Harmonic Motion II - Toshiko Horiuchi MacAdam | @kinkortrijk; Les Solidarités (previous edition)