What’s on this week: 1 to 6 March

“An uprising of dreams” – how good does that sound? It’s the theme for this year’s Afropolitan Festival, an exploration of arts, culture, politics and power in the African diaspora. Join the late-night opening as the Envahisseurs collective take over every inch of Bozar with film, dance, debate, spoken word and music. Reflect on the representation of black lives in the Bozar Arcade or chat with filmmaker Rosine Mbakam (Les prières de Delphine). The programme is further packed with theatre, talks and concerts. 29 February to 3 March, Bozar, Rue Ravenstein 23

Autoworld honours the most successful car in Europe with its new exhibition 50 years of the Volkswagen Golf. Now in its 8th generation, the ubiquitous model – 37m and counting - has received yet another facelift this year. Find out why it continues to be so popular and admire early models such as the Giugiaro-designed 1974 front-drive car that replaced the beloved VW Beetle. A date for the diary: Hundreds of Golfs and vintage cars join a parade in the esplanade on 24 March for a Cars & Coffee gathering. 1 March to 28 April, Autoworld Museum, Cinquantenaire Park 11

Manga, anime, gaming, YouTubers and cosplay – you’ll find it all at Made in Asia, a celebration of pop culture from China, Korea and especially Japan. Even those with a casual interest will find there’s fun to be had watching a race among manga-decorated remote-controlled cars, learning how to wield a sword, creating calligraphy and eliminating your friends from a labyrinthine laser game. Of course there’s also a market as well as special guests. 1-3 March, Brussels Expo, Place de Belgique 1

Perfect for the school holidays, Kidzik is a children’s music festival for one to 10-year-olds. The month-long spring edition of the French-language event is packed with concerts, performances, films and workshops. Accompanying adults also require tickets for each concert/show. 1-31 March, locations across the city

Immerse yourself in Korean traditional culture at this special exhibition organised by Korean Cultural Center Brussels. Three distinct ‘boxes’ are themed around the Hanok, a traditional Korean house composed of various spaces and rooms. Resembling ‘kits’, these boxes are replicas of traditional elements from Korean life, offering visitors a glimpse into the life of a man, a woman and a general insight into culture. For the opening, dress up in traditional clothing for a special photo opportunity (first come first served). 4 March (opening, 14.00-17.00) to 31 May, Rue de la Régence 4

Avant-garde, cult, camp, trash and just downright non-conformist, the Offscreen Film Festival has become an unmissable event on the Brussels calendar. It is a rich programme of old and new for fans of B-movies and underground cinema. Check out, for instance, classic Scandinavian sexploitation such as Maid In Sweden or Without a Stitch, or Embryo Larva Butterfly, a sci-fi romance in the style of the Greek Weird Wave (yes, that’s a thing). Special screenings also take place in cinemas across Belgium. 6-24 March, across Brussels

It’s probably the most famous silent film. Sit back and enjoy the 1925 US horror classic The Phantom of the Opera at a film concert at Bozar performed by The Belgian National Orchestra. It’s conducted by German Frank Strobel, a pioneer of the genre who will be directing the famous score composed by Carl Davis in 1996. Expect to be thrilled, entertained and seriously spooked by the atmospheric entertainment. 7 March, Rue de Ravenstein 23

For its 2nd edition, Brosella Spring Festival sets up home in cultural  hub LaVallée. The former laundry in the canal district hosts four days of lively music by the organiser of the popular summer festival in Brussels. Here the focus is on young and mid-career artists, from local nu-jazz band KAU (pictured) and world-class drummers Eric Thielemans to innovation fusion experts Dré Pallemaers and Frank Deruytter. Urban etno band Merope feat. Pakistani multi-instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily is another highlight. The system of pay-what-you can applies for tickets. 7-10 March, Rue A LaVallée 39 (Molenbeek)

Discover the depth of the capital’s contemporary dance talent at the In Movement Festival. The biennial event boasts nine shows, including four new works by artists and companies living or working in Brussels. Plus, a conference and round-table invites cultural leaders from major city institutions to discuss the climate crisis and contemporary dance issues in Brussels. Pictured: Blue Moon Spring, musical choreography by Anneleen Keppens. 7-23 March, Les Brigittines, 1 Rue des Brigittines

The House of European History delves into how it addresses colonialism in its next lunchtime tour.  From the 15th to the 20th century, countries across the continent set up colonies around the world, enriching their own economies while inflicting inequality and racism on other nations. The museum runs free tours every Tuesday; no registration required. 5 March 12.15-13.00, Rue Belliard 135

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Flanders’ museum dedicated to outsider art is joining forces with the world famous Collection de l’Art Brut in Lausanne, Switzerland for Off-Comics, an extraordinary history of the comic strip. Like all art brut, the works were created by those from outside the traditional art world, whether by artists in psychiatric institutions, prisons or at home. They rework the comics genre’s images and codes, integrating them into their own unique imagination. 2 March to 23 June, Museum Dr Guislain, Jozef Guislainstraat 43, Ghent

While all music is sound, the Kraak Festival features musicians who are unconcerned with whether you can dance to it. Screeching, scorched amps, whispers, electronics, noise guitar and just plain otherworldly sounds emanate from all manner of music-making devices – and straight from the mouths of those who dare. 2 March, Het Bos, Ankerrui 5, Antwerp

Family-friendly exhibition EXTRAordinary Creatures explores iconic and mythological animals to educate and fire the imagination of young and not so young minds. The temporary show at Liège university’s Aquarium Museum reveals the myths and realities of the animal world; visitors can create their own extraordinary creature and hear incredible stories from all around the world. Until 12 May, Quai Edouard Van Beneden 22, Liège

Book now: Ombra “Never was a shade of a tree so lovely...”, goes Händel’s famous aria “Ombra mai fu”. Famed Belgian choreographer Alain Platel was inspired by the words in creating Ombra, an opera-ballet that envisions the tree as a meeting place, where people everywhere and throughout history have come to meet, to rest or to discuss the problems of the world. The Belgian artist Berlinde De Bruyckere – renowned for her larger-than-life rendering of twisted trunks and darkened branches – has created the set, which is reason enough to catch this new production. 30 March to 8 May, Antwerp & Ghent opera

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

Photos: (main image) ©Afropolitan ©Chiara Steemans; The phantom of the opera ©universal pictures; Blue Moon Spring ©TineDECLERCK; Off Comics ©Galerie Atelier Herenplaats, Rotterdam; Ombra ©Courtesy Opera Ballet Vlaanderen