Culture beat - May 3

Kunstenfestivaldesarts, running until May 25, opens with the intriguing installation/performance Zoological Institute for Recently Extinct Species by Jozef Wouters. The Flemish artist presents his ecological work within a temporary wing of the Museum of Natural Sciences, linked via a footbridge. Among the many KFDA highlights are Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker and Boris Charmatz’s (pictured) world dance premiere Partita 2 at Kaaitheater; Sad Sam Lucky, a solo performance by Croatian Matija Ferlin at Kaaistudio's; and musical theatre H, An Incident by Kris Verdonck and A Two Dogs Company, also at Kaaitheater. Wouter’s exhibition also forms part of the Toc Toc Knock Festival, which runs parallel to KFDA. The third and final part of KVS's urban festival is centred this time on the European quarter; the meeting point is in Léopold Park.

The city centre and EU area are also buzzing this weekend with the annual Iris Day festivities. It's a sure sign that the spring/summer entertainment season is under way when the scaffolding starts going up in public squares. In Place des Palais the stages are set for concerts by The AnnArbor and Hooverphonic on Saturday evening, while Sunday sees Lange Jojo and Mister Cover entertain the crowds. On Sunday, too, the European institutions open their doors to the public for a peek inside the hallowed corridors plus a host of activities including street parties. A free miniature train shuttles between the various buildings.

BBC Europe editor Gavin Hewitt is a familiar figure on our TV screens, presenting the latest EU bulletins from Schuman. The award-winning journalist has also written a book, The Lost Continent, that recounts how the flawed vision of a unified Europe ended in the current economic crisis. Hewitt talks at Waterstone’s on Thursday with an introduction by former Bulletin editor Derek Blyth. Register at events@brussels.waterstones.com

It's never too early to introduce youngsters to arts and crafts. Contemporary art centre Wiels is holding a Baby Day on Sunday with workshops and sensory discoveries for babies and toddlers (aged six months to three years): veggie veejaying, audiovisual experiences and short screenings.

Outside Brussels

A summer of jazz across the country kicks off this weekend with Jazz à Liège, an annual meeting of Belgian and international stars. The 23rd edition presents numerous home-grown talents and plenty of crossover styles. We like Mélanie de Biasio, Ravi Coltrane and the Rosario Giuliani Quintet.

Time to head outdoors again with the annual international street theatre extravaganza Namur in May, from May 8 to 12. The popular event for all the family takes over the city centre with jugglers, acrobats, mime artists and musicians of all stripes ready to entertain for free. Other shows, many in indoor venues (useful if the fine weather doesn’t hold), have an entrance fee. The ticket office and festival hub is in Place Maurice Servais, near the river Sambre. You can pay in euros or with the festival money, the sou. The square is also the setting for evening musical cabarets - atmosphere guaranteed!