The days are slowly but surely getting longer, and so is the list of activities on in Brussels. From classical music concerts and a night of discovering fresh European talent to a whole fair dedicated to making contemporary art accessible to everyone, here's what's on in Brussels this weekend.
Music to my ears
Flagey Piano Days, Flagey, until Sunday 11 February
Throughout five intense days, exceptional pianists from all over the world descend onto Flagey to push their artistic boundaries. The 11th edition of Flagey Piano Day was c0-curated by Anna Vinnitskaya, the winner of the Queen Elisabeth Competition 2007, and will focus on the future and new discoveries.
For the first time, an external artist was invited to co-curate the Flagey Piano Days. Credit: Flagey
We recommend getting tickets to see (and hear) Evgeni Koroliov, known as one of the best Bach interpreters of all time, who will bring Bach's famous Goldberg Variations, and Vinnitskaya's solo performance, juxtaposing Schumann's Carnival Op. 9 with Zirkustänze by contemporary composer Jörg Widmann.
Find more information here.
Europavox Festival Brussels 2024, Botanique, until Friday 9 February
Legendary concert venue Botanique has once again teamed up with Europavox, which aims to help European music talents travel and spread their songs all over the continent. Together, they will bring the brightest new European acts across all genres to Brussels for a two-day festival.
Credit: Botanique
Friday will be devoted to pop, R'n'B and hip-hop, featuring the ever-evolving sounds of rapper Benjamin Epps (France) and Ona Mafalda (Spain), the futuristic Finnish dream pop of Pearly Drops and the raw energy of Italian-Colombian Maripo$a, as well as a more intimate atmosphere brought by JFDR (Iceland).
Find more information here.
Chouette Festival, various places in Brussels, until Sunday 11 February
More than 20 names have been added to the line-up for the ninth edition of this festival, organised by the artists’ collective Chouette, consisting of over 60 musicians and a dozen bands who all share the same passion for live music.
Credit: Chouette
On Friday, the party will start at the Centre Culturel Jacques Franck in Saint-Gilles, where you can expect an eclectic and international line-up, before heading to the afterparty at Brasserie Illegaal where a live show and several DJ sets will get you moving. On Sunday, expect conviviality in the comfort of cosy venues in Saint-Gilles, where several intimate concerts will be organised.
Find more information here.
Arts and Culture
Affordable Art Fair, Tour & Taxis, until Sunday 11 February
Back for its 15th edition, the Affordable Art Fair will once again allow 85 Belgian and international galleries to showcase thousands of affordable contemporary artworks. What makes this fair unique is that it offers something for every space, taste and budget, to make contemporary art accessible to everyone.
Credit: Affordable Art Fair
Whether you are looking to buy or are simply in for an artistic adventure to explore new art forms, there are few better ways to spend these rainy days.
Find more information here.
Mariana: The Art of Resistance, Galerie D’Art Montgomery, until Saturday 10 February
This free photo exhibition by renowned Brazilian photojournalist Francisco Proner recounts the harrowing tale of the Mariana Dam disaster, considered the largest environmental catastrophe in his country's history.
Credit: Francisco Proner
The collapse of the Fundao Dam just over eight years ago claimed 19 lives and unleashed a toxic sludge that contaminated rivers and natural water springs, ultimately reaching the ocean. Through his photography, Proner explores the resilience, adaptation, and solidarity exhibited by the affected communities.
Find more information here.
Superbowl: The Big Game, Hard Rock Cafe Brussels, Sunday 11 February
The main event this weekend for sports lovers and American expats will be this year's Super Bowl, concluding the 2023 season. The action will take place at the home of the Las Vegas Raiders, Allegiant Stadium, where the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers will meet. Usher will perform at halftime.
While the game will start at a half hour past midnight (on the night of Sunday to Monday) in Belgium, the party will start much sooner at Hard Rock Cafe in Brussels, where the Big Game will be shown live on its big screens. Tuck into some real game-day food including Jumbo Soft Pretzels and loaded Tater tots for the full experience.
Find more information here.
