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What’s on this week: 3 to 9 January

Endless Goodbye - final programme of MIMA museum Brussels
11:44 02/01/2025
Kick off the New Year with an uplifting cultural outing, boost your look by picking up some vintage threads or brace the chill and join the annual dunk in the North Sea!

The Mima museum may sadly be closing but is marking the occasion with an Endless Goodbye celebratory programme. This is your last chance to visit the Multitude exhibition, including a festive nocturnal opening with DJ sets on Thursday from 18.00 to 22.00. Over the weekend, there’s a clearance sale of stock (50% off everything) plus a guided tour of the show at 11.30 with co-founder and curator Raphaël Cruyt (included in admission ticket). 2 January 10.00-22.00; 3 January 10.00-18.00; 4 & 5 January 11.00-19.00, 39-41 Quai du Hainaut (Molenbeek)

croon

Relive the golden age of crooner signers in the company of The New Yorkers at The Music Village. The international quartet performs jazz standards by crooners Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Andy Williams, Frank Sinatra and Johnny Hartman, among others. Directed by acclaimed pianist Mathieu De Wit, the jazz quartet features bassist Ramon van Merkenstein, drummer Lieven Venken and Broadway vocalist Tom McGuire, who promises to croon in true New York style. 4 January 20.30, Rue des Pierres 50

design

The Brussels Vintage Market hosts its first edition of the new year, featuring mostly clothes and shoes – but also vinyl, dishes, toys, jewellery and design – from decades past. It is also rather a party, with food trucks, drinks and DJs. Book VIP entrance from 10.00 to snap up bargains. Find it the first Sunday of every month at Reset. 5 January 11.00-18.00, Rue de Ligne 8

halles

Delivering a healthy dose of humour during the dark season, comedy festival Hahalles is packed with stand-up, workshops and subversive drag shows. Belgian-Iranian queer comedian Dena has curated a colourful programme with Lolla Wesh, Lisa Delmoitiez, Camille Lorente and Laurène Marx all taking to the stage at Les Halles. 9-11 January, Rue Royale Sainte-Marie 22a (Schaerbeek)

Adam  Justin 2017 Photo_BW

Tickets are selling fast for the Brussels Jazz Festival which is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a top-flight programme at Flagey. Among the eclectic mix of emerging and established artists from Belgium and abroad are David Murray, Immanuel Wilkins, Bram De Looze, the Craig Taborn Quartet and the Brussels Philharmonic orchestra. Renowned London-based label Jazz re:freshed curates the final evening that is filled with young British talent, including a double DJ set by Adam Moses and Justin McKenzie (pictured). 9-18 January, Place Sainte-Croix (Ixelles)

julius

Book now The Brussels Shakespeare Society presents Julius Caesar, one of the bard’s greatest historical tragedies. The drama, which raises timeless questions about the nature of power and ambition, is set in 21st century Italy as a cautionary tale against the dangers of populism and polarisation. “The audience can expect abstract representations of politics through movement as well as some audience interaction,” says director Emily Bowles. 21-25 January 20.00; 25 January 14.00, Centre Culturel Jacques Franck, Chaussée de Waterloo 94 (Saint-Gilles)

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

ostend

Kick off the New Year with an icy challenge by joining thousands in taking a quick dip in the North Sea at Ostend beach. Since 1987, the coastal resort organises a plunge in the chill waters on the first Saturday of the year. Participants are invited to dress up for the occasion and are treated to some warming soup and a nip of local jenever after their brisk plunge. Sign up for the experience here. 4 January 15.00, Ostend beach (Drie Gapers), West Flanders

MACS_Daniel Turner_Compresseur

An abandoned Brussels prison is the starting point for American artist Daniel Turner’s first museum exhibition Compresseur at MAC’s in Grand Hornu. Various objects from the former prison in Forest, such as sleeping pads, door handles and curtains have been transformed to evoke the spirit of the evocative carceral site. The New York-based artist, specialised in salvaging infrastructures, raises questions about how environments shape our experiences. It’s a pertinent topic for the contemporary art museum housed in a once industrial colliery. Until 6 April, Rue Sainte-Louise 82, Hornu (Hainaut)

moon

The second edition of the Euro Space Center’s Mystery Moon celebration is an immersive journey into the fascinating universe of the Earth’s satellite that is suitable for all ages. Combining art, science and magic, it offers artistic and interactive shows, fun and educational workshops and a tour of the site with a magician. Tickets also provide access to 10 of the center’s Spationaut Day activities. 3 January 18.30-23.30, Rue devant les Hêtres, Transinne (Luxembourg province)

2425NOR-Anna-Princeva-©Tania-Bonnet-DSC07473-OBV

Book now: Norma Bellini’s lyrical tragedy is a crowning jewel in the bel canto repertoire with its famous aria Casta Diva. Opera Ballet Vlaanderen’s production is directed by Alejo Perez and stars Russian-Italian soprano Anna Princeva in the title role. It’s a demanding and complex part for the heroine who juggles multiple identities as priestess, lover and mother. 26, 28 & 30 January, Opera Antwerpen, Van Ertbornstraat 8, Antwerp

Discover more upcoming events at The Bulletin's events page and check our guide to winter holiday exhibitions.

Photo: Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, Anna Princeva ©Tania-Bonnet

Written by Sarah Crew