Culture beat – August 8

Family fun first and the second edition of a free puppet festival Insifon at Théâtre de Verdure in Osseghem Park on August 9 and 10, from 14.00-20.00. The green park at the foot of the Atomium is the setting for performances by a dozen French and Belgian companies. Discover the tricks of the puppetry trade plus a workshop for children.

Brussels Summer Festival

One highlight of stay-vacationing in the city is the Brussels Summer festival, August 8 to 17. Ten days of music, street theatre and entertainment for all ages, transforms the city centre into a giant urban party. Outdoor concerts in squares (Place des Palais, Magic Mirrors, Mont des Arts, BIP/Place Royale), access to museums and after parties in downtown haunts. Among the exclusive names performing this year are: Patti Smith, Texas, Suede, IAM, FRONT 242, James Arthur plus Belgian performers Axelle Red and Ozark Henry are as well as dozens of lesser-known acts from all over Europe. The programme is diverse, ranging from rock, hip-hop, to pop and jazz, while BSF also incorporates Classissimo, a classical music festival staged at Bozar. Themed evenings include Electrocity on August 8 & 9 at Mont des Arts, The Music Village Night at Magic Mirrors, August 8 & 9, and Atomium Party at Mont des Arts on August 12. The festival pass is priced at €50 for ten days; a one-day pass costs €15-25, free for children under 10. Plus access to selected museums for €1-2. See the programme for full details.

Meyboom

One of the oldest folklore events in Brussels is the annual tree planting Meyboom on August 9. The Unesco-recognised ceremony dates from the 13th century as a celebration of the city’s victory over the city of Leuven. The tree is part of a procession which leaves from outside the Comic Strip Centre, Rue des Sables at 14.00. It also includes the Giants of Brussels, a wheel of fortune and a cavalcade headed by Charles V. They march into the Grand‘Place before returning to the corner where the Rue des Sables meets the Rue des Marais. The golden rule for the ceremony is that the tree must be planted before 17.00. Then the Meyboom festivities can continue late into the night.

Adolphe Sax

He ranks in the top ten of famous Belgians, but if your knowledge of Adolphe Sax is limited to his musical invention, this is the year to discover the man behind the ubiquitous instrument. Born 200 years ago in the Walloon town of Dinant, there are parties and events celebrating the anniversary in Brussels and Wallonia. In the capital, the flagship exhibition is Sax200 at the Music Instruments Museum. The entire floor of MIM has been cleared to make space for Sax paraphernalia, originating from the museum’s archive and loans from private and public collections. Dinant itself is also proudly hosting events until the end of 2014. Details from sax.dinant.be.

Food

Supper club Bookalokal has spare places for the following culinary evenings: Indian Kadai Chicken Cravy / Curry with Khushboo, Brussels, August 8; Balkan Dinner with Dana, Leuven, August 9; Indian Sindhi Biryani with Kiran, Brussels, August 15;  Bake & taste your gluten-free, organic cookies, waffles and pancakes Cooking Workshop with Catherine, Brussels, August 24. Guests can also request a private or a shared dinner with any of the hosts for a date of their own choosing at the bottom of the events list More information in the Bulletin’s article http://www.xpats.com/street-food-dining-locals-few-suggestions-meals-remember-belgium

Outside Brussels

Another regular on the summer calendar is Nuit des Choeurs in the atmospheric ruins of Villers-la-Ville Abbey in Brabant Walloon. Staged on August 29 and 30, it’s a chance to discover six choirs with performances ranging from classical to gospel, jazz to pop. This year’s edition features Sister Act and the James Brown Choir, with the St Petersburg Choir also in attendance. The groups repeat their sets many time during the course of the night to allow the audience to enjoy the music at their own pace. The event culminates in a firework display and impressive finale concert.