What’s on this week: 7 to 13 November

The Art Deco centenary celebration in Brussels continues with a stylish exhibition revealing the evolution of silhouettes and accessories during the ‘golden age’ of the 20th century. 1925: Fashion in the Age of Art Deco is a collaboration between the Fashion & Lace Museum and the Van Buuren Museum & Gardens, which is staging the show. It showcases the contrasting styles of masculine-influenced attire adopted during the day and the glamour and abstract embroidery of evening wear. Emblematic objects of the era include handbags, vanity cases, and perfume bottles from an exceptional Belgian collection. 7 November to 2 February, Avenue Léo Errera 41 (Uccle)

If you are a theatre lover, don’t miss the EXPORT/IMPORT FESTIVAL. Aimed at an audience of all ages and languages, theatres BRONKS and La Montagne Magique offer diverse performances over five days that include improvisations, circus, dance, puppet theatre and more. Bring your whole family or go alone to appreciate theatre in all its multiplicity. Workshops, conferences and themed events are also available for theatre professionals. Ticket prices are set on a pay-what-you-can basis, making the festival highly accessible. 7-11 November, across Brussels

Hangar Gallery’s new show All the places and the places between presents Antoine De Winter’s latest experimental series. Created during a residency in Cadaqués, Spain, the Brussels visual artist and photographer explores photographic apparition as a retinal persistence of the sun “an echo turning into a murmur, a memory that shatters”. De Winter leads a guided tour of the show on 8 November at 16.00. Hangar’s ongoing exhibitions include work by Charlote Abramow and Nick Brandt. 7 November to 21 December, Place du Châtelain 18 (Ixelles)

The exhibition Prix Gaston Bertrand – Lauréat Michel Mouffe inaugurates a new space dedicated to the Belgian pioneer of abstract art who died in 1994. On the eve of its 40th anniversary, the Gaston Bertrand Foundation has moved from the painter and engraver’s former home to this new space to show his prolific and influential work to the public. It also continues awarding prizes to Belgian painters, including the artist Michel Mouffe, who is the winner of its 10th edition. 7 November to 21 December, Rue du Filleul 18 bte 1 (Forest)

The studio of Isabelle de Borchgrave continues to create works inspired by the late Brussels artist’s distinctive pleated technique. A new show, Koi et Kimono, exhibits bronze pieces, paper sculptures and full-length works evoking nature. The latter include water lily chandeliers, flowers, imaginary trees and a pond located in the garden of the Ixelles studio. De Borchgrave particularly adored the koi that inhabited this urban watery space. 7 November to 18 December, Wednesday to Sunday, Chaussée de Vleurgat 73 (Ixelles)

With Derroll Adam’s hundredth birthday approaching this November, Derroll 100 presents a series of concerts to celebrate the American folk musician’s legacy. Head to the Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) to enjoy a free performance each Wednesday lunchtime until the end of the month, where four different artists will reimagine Adam’s music. Also check out the accompanying exhibitions in Brussels at the MIM and Antwerp at the Museum Vleeshuis, where an account of the banjo player’s life, personal philosophy and influence are presented in a tribute shared by his widow, Danny Levy. Until 26 November, Rue Montagne de la Cour 2

You can make some fascinating discoveries at the Brussels Art Film Festival, which screens 33 Belgian and international documentaries exploring a variety of artistic practices. The opening film, in a Spanish focus for Europalia Espana, is a premiere of La Guitarra flamenca de Yerai Cortés (pictured), a moving debut by the rapper C. Tangana. Another highly-anticipated screening is The Magic City: Birmingham according to Sun Ra by Pablo Guarise and Guillaume Maupin in 13 November. The festival is an opportunity to discover new films on photography, dance, architecture, music and painting and to meet artists and filmmakers. There are also screenings in Mons, Antwerp and Mechelen. 12-16 November, Palace, Bozar, Cinematek and Iselp

Ancienne Belgique is bringing to light new and emerging artists in this year’s Fifty Lab Music Festival. Discover artists from around the world of all genres by attending their performances, spread over three days in venues across Brussels. Buy a single-day pass or a three-day pass for access to all concerts in all venues, or indulge in a professional pass to access all concerts plus exclusive Fifty Lab shows, panel talks, masterclasses, and more. 12-14 November, across Brussels

Book now Brussels Festival of Ideas. Join Full Circle for three days of thought-provoking talks, conversations and events themed ‘Resist’. The call to action in the face of threats from all corners of society encompasses talks, live music, film, gong bath, art show and creative writing. While all events are in English, participants are invited to speak their own language in conversations and workshops. Among the speakers are David Farrier, Rachel Shabi, Robert Skidelsky and Kimberly Nicholas. The festival is also running a writing contest for new writers. Weekend and day passes available as well as single event ticket. 28-30 November, Full Circle House, Chaussée de Vleurgat 89 (Ixelles)

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Titanic: An Immersive Voyage tells the story of the ill-fated ocean liner that sank in the northern Atlantic in 1912.  More than 150 artifacts, dramatic reconstructions of rooms, never-before-seen 3D images, video animations and other hi-tech special effects transport audiences to the ship’s final journey at the bottom of the icy northern Atlantic. The show includes an unprecedented VR tour of the wreck more than 2.5 miles below the sea. Until 31 December, DIVE, Carnotstraat 90, Antwerp

An autumn highlight, the prestigious Antica Namur Fine Art Fair  showcases fine objects and masterpieces of ancient, modern and contemporary art. Some 115 international exhibitors have been selected for the quality of their wares. For this 48th edition, 16 items on show have been highlighted for their exceptional artistry, including an Art Nouveau lamp by Viennese artist Gustav Gurschner, a painting by a young James Ensor, a contemporary work by Australian Abie Loy Kemarre and an original drawing by local pioneering artist Félicien Rops. Visitors can also discover decorative arts from the 18th and 19th centuries and furniture from varying periods. 9-17 November, Namur Expo, Avenue Sergent Vrithoff 2, Namur

This year’s edition of the Festival de l’Horreur at Théâtre de Namur and Centre culturel de Namur (CCN) dives into the world of strange things and experiences with a programme straddling theatre, magic and sulphurous cabaret. There’s performances for kids - ‘Week-end en famille’ – as well as for older audiences. Don’t miss the Zombie Parade in city streets on 9 November. Until 15 November, locations in Namur

As kids, a playground is a place that brings our bodies into contact with fun structures. The same is true for the Playground festival, an experimental event which features artists working at the intersection of performances and visual arts. Film, choreography, installations, guided tours and occasionally song cross paths in all kinds of ways. Falling Reversely (pictured) by Isaac Chong Wai is one example; a reinterpretation of the act of falling, based on real footage of aggression against Asian individuals that serves as an act of solidarity and resistance. 13-16 November, across Leuven

The 18th edition of the NEXT Festival presents 30 dance, theatre and performance shows in venues spread across Flanders and northern France. The cross-border multidisciplinary event stars 29 international artists who challenge boundaries and labels,  immersing audiences in contemporary creation. Check out the full programme and join the road trip! 8-29 November, multiple locations (Flanders & France)

Book now British vocal ensemble The Mancunium Consort performs a programme of choral music at the Domaine de la Bataille 1815 in Waterloo. The ensemble from Manchester blends the best of the British vocal tradition with contemporary expression. Pre-reservation via guy.geron7022@gmail.com. Entry: 30€ (inc. admission to the museum and concert plus meet and greet with the singers). The ensemble’s Belgian tour also includes concerts at Korsele (Audenaerde) on 5 December and Nouvelles (Mons) on 6 December. 4 December 19.00-20.45, Route du Lion 1815 (Braine L’Alleud)

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

Photos: (main image) ©Robe du soir, 1932-33 © Musée Mode & Dentelle; from the serie All the places and the places between ©Antoine De Winter; courtesy Isabelle de Borchgrave studio; courtesy Deroll 100; Isaac Chong Wai ©Falling Reversely, photo Andrea-Avezzù, courtesy La Biennale di Venezia