What’s on this week: 5 to 11 April

While waiting for its landmark building to open, modern and contemporary art museum Kanal Centre-Pompidou is busy organising exhibitions and events. Its latest is the first Brussels edition of the Dream City festival, hailing from the Maghreb city of Tunis. An independent festival held every two years in the ancient Medina, it serves as an artistic hub between the Arab world, Africa and Europe to address issues such as migration, emancipation, human rights and the climate. This is a chance to discover dance, performances, talks and films from the previous three editions at a variety of venues, including KANAL/K1 and Kaaistudios (Pictured: The Soft Layer performance on 7 April; final free tickets available). 4-13 April, multiple locations

Wolvendael Park welcomes families to an annual Easter egg hunt with a difference. After partnering with a chocolate egg supplier who’s fairtrade and sustainable, children are invited to search for biodegradable discs that can be swapped for real organic chocolate eggs. In addition, there are six bonus eggs – gold, silver and bronze - to track down that can be exchanged at the bar for shopping vouchers. Free entrance, reservation not necessary. 6 April 14.00-18.00, Rue Rouge 47 (Uccle)

Easter fun is not only for little ones. The Nine women’s club is celebrating the season with a Happy Hour and Egg Hunt on Friday evening. Kick off the weekend with a Chandon Garden Spritz (two for one) followed by a search for surprises hidden all around the elegant venue. The event is open to members and public. 5 April from 18.00, Rue Archimède 69

A newcomer to the music scene, the Belgian Jazz Festival takes over the city’s legendary Vaudeville theatre for a weekend of performances. Open to all musicians residing in Belgium who are dedicated to jazz and impro, the festival offers five concerts with some familiar names lined-up. They include the Nathalie Loriers Trio and Igor Gehenot Quintet on Friday evening; Bart Defoort & Victor Da Costa Quartet, Lorenzo Di Maio and Maxime Blésin on Saturday. 5-6 April, Théâtre du Vaudeville, Galerie de La Reine 13-15

A new round of magic tours at the World Of Mind (WOM) is designed to entertain all the family over the spring holiday period. The Maxim Mandrake & Friends Magic Show is even more of a technical feat with its 360-degree experience that places the magician at the centre of the room. 6 & 7, 13 & 14 April; 29 April to 12 May, Tour & Taxis, Avenue du Port 86C

Full Circle House hosts its monthly Singles Apero on Saturday evening. The international ideas and networking club invites the unattached to meet up in its friendly space for a few drinks and fun conversation. Tickets €15; limited places. 6 April 19.00-21.00, Chaussée de Vleurgat 89 (Ixelles)

Young musicians and singers from around the world gather in Brussels to perform two concerts at the royal conservatory and Bozar. For its 10th anniversary, the Orchestres des Lycée français du monde has chosen the Belgian capital for its celebratory performances with 117 students from 45 countries participating. The programme honours the Olympic spirit and Belgium. 7 April 18.00 & 8 April, Rue de Régence 30 & Rue Ravenstein 23

Join one of Brussels’ most fun festivals – the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival – for freaky sci-fi, horror and grind, as well as art exhibitions, a make-up contest, bodypainting showcase, Bloody Date Night, the writing workshop Being Stephen King and the (in)famous Vampire Ball. There are even more activities joining the 100+ films, masterclasses and special guest appearances. Find out why some 50,000 people come to BIFFF, which takes a venue the size of Brussels Expo to contain its extremely lively audience. 9-21 April, Palace 10, Avenue de Miramar 11 (Laeken)

It’s the second edition of the Festival of the New European Bauhaus, where imagination meets sustainability. Held in the spirit of the Bauhaus movement in design and architecture with its emphasis on the perfect marriage between form and function, the free festival brings together workshops, demonstrations, discussions and performances to explore the innovative power of Europe. Learn how to build a common future that beautiful to look at and also promotes our collective well-being. The festival includes events that are accessible online. 9-13 April, Cinquantenaire

The family-orientated Mini D Festival stages dance and circus performances on Wednesdays and weekends. Some 11 shows for children aged four to 12 are presented in seven venues, including the Marni theatre. Dance, circus, a battle, live music an interactive digital installation and free outdoor shows fill the programme, and for the first time, two companies from beyond Belgium’s borders join the festival: Sofiane Chalal (Fr) and Vloeistof (NL). 10-28 April, Marni, Rue de Vergnies 25 (Ixelles)

While biographies and movies make the most of the tumultuous relationships of artists, Anni and Josef Albers are not among them. They only reinforced each other’s pioneering professionalism in the many genres they re-invented, particularly the textile arts, glass design and printmaking. Their global influence cannot be overstated, producing pivotal work, essays and teaching methods that marked the history of 20th-century art. Villa Empain hosts Josef and Anni Albers: Iconic Couple of Modernism, the first exhibition in Belgium dedicated to the German couple. 10 April to 8 September, Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 67 (Ixelles)

The return of the Nocturnes programme in the city’s museum is a welcome spring celebration. Every Thursday, a different set of institutions open their doors in the evening on a rota system. From workshops on tattoos, tango and fanzines to film screenings and torchlit walks, it’s an opportunity to dive into the capital’s rich cultural offering. Participate in guided tours and other multilingual activities as well as workshops. It all kicks off on 11 April with an opening event in the courtyard of the Brussels City Hall, which offers free tours and activities. 11 April to 23 May, Thursdasy 17.00-22.00, museums across the city

The Latin American Cinema festival KINOLATINO brings colour and conviviality to cinemas in Brussels, Liège, Antwerp, Namur and Nivelles. It’s an initiative supported by filmmakers from the diaspora in Belgium, notably César Diaz, winner of the Caméra d’Or for Nuestras Madres. For the second edition, 14 feature, 13 short fiction, documentaries and animated films are all in competition, while talks, concerts and of course fiestas ensure a lively atmosphere. The opening ceremony on Friday at the Palace cinema screens Chilean movie Los Colonos (pictured). 11-20 April, venues in Brussels, Antwerp, Nivelles, Namur and Liège

Get tickets now UNCONDITIONAL is an award-winning film about caregiving and mental health screened at the European Parliament. Reserve complimentary tickets to see the film and participate in a discussion on caregiving and mental health followed by a cocktail reception with award-winning director Richard Lui (NBC News, xCNN Worldwide anchor). The event is hosted by MEP Jan Zahradil. 16 April 17.00, European Parliament, Room Spaak 1A2

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Where can you meet Marina Sirtis (aka Deanna Troi), Teri Hatcher (aka Lois Lane) and Joseph Quinn (aka Eddie Munson) all at once? Only at Facts Comic Con, the biggest event dedicated to comics and pop culture in Belgium. Take a deep dive into fantasy, superhero and sci-fi series and movies, as well as video games, board games, cosplay and of course graphic novels and comics at this major fandom festival. 6-7 April, Flanders Expo, Maaltekouter 1, Ghent

The weather is shaping up just in time for Floralia Brussels, the annual eye-popping floral extravaganza at Groot-Bijgaarden Castle. More than one million bulbs were planted and have emerged to create lovely designs and fields of spring bloomers. Special attention is paid to tulips, with nearly 400 varieties, as well as hyacinths and daffodils. The greenhouse is open, too, which is where you’ll find food & drink. 5 April to 2 May, Isidoor Van Beverenstraat 5, Groot-Bijgaarden

Stroll among the lush orchards at twilight at Alden-Biesen Castle for Lumineus, a celebration of Limburg’s famous fruit blossoms. Perfect for the whole family, the event features light art, live music, storytelling, silent disco, fire performers and acrobatics among the treetops. Food trucks will make sure you don’t miss dinner. 6 April, 19.00-23.00, Kasteelstraat 6, Bilzen

Ostend street art festival The Crystal Ship finally unveils all its colourful and creative works to the public on Saturday. Over a dozen internationally-reputed artists have been beavering away for the past week or two to fill public spaces with murals, sculptures and installations. They include Canadian Katie Green, who makes interactive works that highlight hidden emotions and struggles, and Brussels-based Jaune (painting from previous edition, pictured), who has graced the festival since its beginning. This year he joins in the event’s tribute to Ostend painter and printmaker James - who passed away 75 years ago - by creating a modern impression of the artist’s The Baths at Ostend. From 6 April, across Ostend

Some 100 portraits from La Louvière’s exceptionally rich artistic collection are on show at the MiLL. Temps de pause is an invitation to visitors to slow down, explore the museum and contemplate the art treasures with the help of texts written by around 20 authors. A variety of techniques are on display – photography, painting, drawing, sculpture and print – and they include works from 1860 to the present day. Anna Boch, Marie Howet, Taf Wallet (pictured) and Cédric Gerbehaye are among the selected artists. Until 15 September, Place Communale 21, La Louvière

Book now François Hollande is among a high-profile line-up of speakers addressing the international colloque L’Occident: pourquoi tant de haine? The 5th edition of Bastogne War Museum’s Rendez-Vous debates invites a bevy of Belgian and foreign politicians, academics, journalists and specialists to discuss why the West attracts so much hatred. Belgium’s former prime minister Guy Verhofstadt and foreign reporter Colette Braeckman are also among the speakers. 19 April, Bastogne Convention Center, Colline de Mardasson 5, Bastogne

Discover more upcoming events at The Bulletin's events page.

Photos: (main image) The Soft Layer ©Jozef Wouters; WOM magic show ©tempora; Josef & Anni Albers circa 1935 ©The Josef and Anni Albers Foundation; Nocturnes ©Sewer Museum; Floralia ©Visit Flanders; Jaune and Oak Oak The Crystal Ship 2018 Photo © Henrik haven