What's on this week: 1-7 December

The Brussels Vinyl Record Fair was originally an annual affair, but due to its popularity it is now held twice a year in the Galerie Ravenstein. This 17th edition is a vinyl-only market for all genres (from Abba to Zappa) and the dealers are from Belgium but also the rest of Europe and Japan. Some specialise, for example in progressive music, others in soundtracks etc.
3 December 10.00-18.00, free entrance

The 17th edition of the Mediterranean Film festival of Brussels features 67 screenings of films in six categories at three venues - Botanique/Bozar/Flagey. There are also five live concerts, lectures and debates and special student programming. There will be a Mediterranean Market Place in the greenhouses of Botanique, featuring food and products as well as henna and calligraphy. Additionally the Cinema Aventure will be scheduling related movies during the festival.

Also at Botanique is an exhibition of the works of Johan Muyle, a Belgian artist whose effervescent imagination has seduced the world. Sculptor, drawer and photographer, he is famous for his found objects. But not only is the range of objects phenomenal, but what he does with them is what captivates. Using humour he promotes a stern message about society’s abuses and excesses and his many trips through Asia and Africa inform his work and add to his universal relevance.
7 December-28 January, Botanique

The first Sunday of the month means Brussels Vintage Market at Saint-Géry (inside and out) and since it’s the last edition before Christmas it will be a particularly gift-oriented cornucopia of vintage, second-hand and designer clothes, accessories, deco, vinyls, toys and more from 70 sellers. There's also food available to keep your strength up while shopping. 12.00-19.00.

It’s La Semaine de la Frite in Wallonia until 4 December - an initiative of the Walloon Region that spills over into Brussels and West Flanders. Special this year, at old custom houses along the French border at Tournai, Calamine, Zelzate, and De Panne, “custom officials” will be offering free frites to drivers crossing into Belgium. Elsewhere, participating friteries will be offering a free cone of frites upon presentation of a downloadable coupon. All participating friteries must adhere to specific rules such as using only fresh Belgian potatoes.

During Brussels Bijou, amateur artists from Brussels - theatre producers, musicians, choreographers, dancers, and any other people involved on stage - are invited to compete. The jury selected a mix between Dutch, French and English-speaking laureates, young and old, solo artists and companies. This Friday at 19.00 and Saturday at 14.00 you can see the finalists perform followed by the presentation of the winner and a reception, at Bozar.

Ketjes Disco is a workshop for ketjes (kids) and their parents. As part of The Future is Feminist at Beursschouwburg, this is a party for kids in anticipation of Saint Nicolas’ arrival. There will be a lively discussion about the recently controversial assistant to the Saint, Zwarte Piet. The party is called Long Live the Rainbow Piet, an allusion to a possible rethinking of Piet’s color. But the emphasis of the afternoon is a party for kids.
2 December, 14.30-17.00, Beursschouwburg, Brussels

Islam – It’s Also our History! is not a show about the religion and it’s not a show about the Islamic presence in today’s Europe. It’s an overview of how Islam affected Europe over 1,300 years of presence on the continent. The show is articulated around three cultural legacies: the Arab legacy, the Ottoman legacy and the colonial legacy. There is also a section dedicated to the contemporary period.
Until 21 January in the Vanderborght Building

Have you ever wanted to take photos like Diane Arbus? Here’s your chance, with a one-hour course open to all next Thursday at 18.30 taught by Sandrine Lopez at the Ecole d’Art d’Uccle. Open to all.
Rue Rouge 2, Uccle

On Thursday evenings through the winter it’s the Nocturnes de la Galerie Ravenstein - Cosmopolitan Afterwork. The idea is to practise a language in a fun social way. On the agenda is music, food, and drinks but the twist is that each table is devoted to a different language. More info at events@creative-district.be
17.00-21.00, Galerie Ravenstein