What’s on this week: 7-13 August

The free Brosella festival has hung in there in the face of changing corona measures. Having had to limit tickets to 200 people per show at the open-air Théâtre de Verdure in Parc d’Osseghem, all tickets for evening performances have been snapped up. But that still leaves afternoon sessions of jazz and folk with space, including special line-ups for kids at the weekend. Reserve your ticket online now. Until 9 August, Parc d’Osseghem

As the Musée d’Ixelles remains closed for a major renovation project, its collection is doing a bit of sightseeing in and around the capital. The latest outing is .IMG at See U, an intriguing show in which works from the museum are paired with microscopic images from science labs at ULB. The parallels between art and science will become apparent, and might allow you to see something new entirely. Check out the opening of .IMG on 12 August. 12-25 August, Rue Fritz Toussaint 8 (Ixelles)

The 14th edition of classical music festival Classissimo will be recorded and aired at the end of the month on radio stations Musiq3 and BX1. But you can also get tickets to attend the concerts live this weekend at the historical Théâtre Royal du Parc. Tickets are still available for morning and afternoon concerts, such as Fanny & Felix, a storytelling musical performance about the famous Mendelssohn siblings, and the Amadeus trio, featuring harp, flute and glass harmonica. Until 8 August, Rue de la Loi 3

If you can’t go to the sweating beats of a rock and pop concert, the rock and pop concert will come to you. Kinepolis presents CineMusicFestival, in which you can relive some memorable live performances on the big screen. This week, for instance, see Amy Winehouse’s 2007 show at Eurockeennes, and later Belgium’s own Angèle when she performed solo with just her piano to an intimate crowd of 200 in Paris last year. Until 21 August, across Belgium

Some summer festivities simply cannot be cancelled. In upholding the honour of the people of Brussels, the Meyboom ceremony will take place on 9 August as it has for more than 700 years. Though more than one story is told as to why folklore groups gather every St Lawrence Day eve to plant the tree, all of them point to a rivalry with Leuven. If a beech tree is not planted at the corner of Rue des Sables and Rue du Marais on 9 August before 17.00, the people of Leuven will be able to steal the tree and plant it every year instead. Oh no! So, despite the corona crisis, the ceremony will take place – though the public will only be able to attend online. The livestream starts at 14.00.

Aretha Franklin passed away two years ago this month. The Music Village is honouring the American queen of soul with two concerts: While the outstanding gospel singer Gala James will concentrate on Franklin’s memorable numbers in that genre, R&B singer Rosa Carnier will pick and choose hits from her long, illustrious career. 9 August Gala James, 12-13 August Rosa Carnier, Rue des Pierres 50

The Detours Festival introduces hip-hop and other urban dance to the masses. While it officially takes place next month, the lead up, Detours Cyphers, is happening now. The open-air dance battles can be found every Wednesday evening on Mont des Arts. Cheer on your favourite before learning a few moves yourself from the pros. Next month the party moves indoors for Detours Festival performances. Cyphers: Until 19 August 18.00-20.00, Mont des Arts

The multi-disciplinary Werkplaats Walter arts space in the heart of Anderlecht is hosting the cleverly titles Safe ‘N Sounddays, in which solo and duo artists offer jazz, free improv or classical on Sunday afternoons and evenings. This weekend check out the ‘naked maximal-minimal music’ of experimental guitarist Eric Thielemans and singer Chantal Acda – partners onstage and off. Sundays until 30 August 17.00 & 20.00, Rue Van Lint 43 (Anderlecht)

Book now: Hide & Seek Festival  Tough to get tickets to anytime, the more popular options of the Hide & Seek Festival will sell out even faster than usual as space is limited due to you-know-what. So check out the programme this very minute to see unique performances in quirky spaces across Brussels. A Moroccan folk band on the roof of the KBR or, say, Arabic electro-rock groove in a 100-year-old enamel factory. 23-29 August, across Brussels

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

It’s the turn of Liège to host Public Art Triennial, a terrific art parcours staged every three years somewhere in Wallonia. Emerging artists have been invited to create work that responds to the urban environment, taking into account the human aspect of various public spaces. These locations have been selected for their social or historical significance, with the ensuing free art trail aimed at highlighting the city’s heritage and geography. It’s also the final moments before some of the spaces are forever transformed by a new tram network. A map is available online, and a free visitor’s guide can be had at the Liège Centre counter in Galeries Saint-Lambert or at the Guillemins train station. Until 31 October, across Liège

Bijloke and LOD, two Ghent cultural institutions, are joining forces to present a magical musical experience in their atmospheric courtyard. Bijloke Wonderland is a collection of jazz, classical and new music, musical theatre, family performances and literary events that will see you through the rest of the summer. Some events require tickets, but musical evenings at the festival’s open-air Summer Bar are free. Tapas and cocktails optional. Until 13 September, Bijlokekaai 7, Ghent

Photos, from top: Courtesy Brosella, ©Rama/Wikipedia, courtesy Bozar, ‘Sister’ by Charlotte Baudry/photo ©Guy Focant