Now the winter holidays are well and truly over, beating the January blues is becoming increasingly challenging. Luckily, Brussels' cultural scene has got your back. Whether a good laugh, some old-fashioned escapism, or a night of dancing is your medicine, this weekend will be sure to lift your spirits!
Arts, music and culture
Brahms Festival, Bozar, until Sunday 19 January
Through five very different concerts, Bozar explores the opus of Johannes Brahms, the German composer and pianist of the Romantic period widely known in the musical world as the eternal perfectionist.
Illustration image of concert in June 2024. Credit: Bozar
From a rendition of his Second Piano Concerto – separated by a gap of 22 years from his first piano concerto – brought by the Belgian National Orchestra, and chamber music with the Leonkoro Quartet and Simply Quartet, to his Third Symphony with the Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège, choosing just one event will be a challenge.
Find more information here.
On Stage - Off Stage - Next, Flagey, until Sunday 19 January
This free photo exhibition follows on from the one presented at the Brussels Jazz Festival 2023 – of which this year's edition will close this weekend. Photographer Patrick Van Vlerken specialises in portraits of artists and concerts and has been working on the On Stage - Off Stage project for several years.
Credit: Patrick Van Vlerken
This new series of double portraits combines concert photos alongside a portrait of the artist taken just before or after the concert. This combination aims to lend a unique depth to the musician's image.
Find more information here.
Trio Janela- Rio de Janeiro Brazil, Art Base, Friday 17 January
Another thrilling night of world music at Brussels' cosiest venue; Art Base. The Trio Janela band, consisting of a mandolin, saxophone, flute and percussion players, aims to reproduce the chilled-out sounds of bossa nova and samba, combined with jazz.
Credit: Art Base
The group's repertoire consists of Brazilian composers from the '60s who were inspired by landscapes of beaches and palm trees. The trio performs in all the capitals of Europe, bringing the sun to urban places. Just what we need in the run-up to Blue Monday!
Find more information here.
Out and about
Reclaim, Centre Culturel d'Uccle, until Saturday 18 January
Reclaim marks a return to the circus of its origins, characterised by savagery, circles, strangeness, sometimes monstrosity, hyper proximity and fear.
Credit: Christophe Raynaud De Lage
The award-winning latest creation by Théâtre d'Un Jour is inspired by the Ko'ch ritual in Central Asia. In the imaginary ritual, women try to build an egalitarian relationship with men. The lyric singer, two cellists and five circus performers in acrobatic lifts are surrounded by the stands and the audience, in almost disturbing proximity.
Find more information here.
Comedy nights, various locations in Brussels
This weekend is serving a double dose of English-language comedy. Head to Kamilou in the European Quarter on Friday for its first Funny Women Open Mic night of the year Laughs are guaranteed in this comedy space created by women for women (however, men are of course welcome to laugh along!).
Credit: Funny Women Brussels
Meanwhile at L'Os à Moelle - Cabaret in Schaerbeek's Plasky district, a stand-up comedy night is being organised for jokers whose French is more advanced. Head along to discover the new generation of comedy in Brussels' oldest cabaret.
Find more information here (Funny Women) and here.
