What's on this week: 25-31 August

This is the last weekend for BXL Icons, a show at the Halles Saint-Géry. Some 15 artists, from Brussels (Flemings and francophones), Congo, Morocco, Israel, Italy and Scotland, men and women, bring a kaleidoscopic vision of the heritage and singularities of Brussels via installations, photographs, digital works and Belgian vinyl. Also finishing this Sunday in the same location is Raconte-moi Bruxelles, a show of photographs and digital illustrations put on by primary and secondary school students as well as students from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts.

For a completely different view of Brussels, here's another show closing this Saturday. More than 400 years ago, a Florentine artist by the name of Remigio Cantagallina crossed Europe to reach Brussels and the court of the archduke and duchess Albert and Isabella. During his stay in the Southern Netherlands in 1612-1613, he made a number of drawings which are still considered unique representations of the era. These small drawings have been enlarged and put on display in the underground remains of the old Coudenberg Palace.

The Brussels Games Festival is back this weekend around the arch in Cinquantenaire Park. From its modest beginnings four years ago, the festival has mushroomed due to the large avid fan base it has created. Two days of craziness (including 32 hours non-stop) during which people of all ages can play hundreds of games that are free, enjoy wild activities, but also meet various publishers, designers, specialised shops, game libraries, game clubs, a game fair, tournaments, a whole night of gaming, all under the theme: Games and Diversity. The variety of board games alone is extraordinary and every year there are new games to discover, not to mention the ever-addictive Finnish field game Mölkky.

Saturday is the 17th edition of City Parade, the largest outdoor electronic music event. There are the opening and closing parades, three stages and 18 music trucks with more than 100 DJs. It takes place at the foot of the Atomium which provides the perfect wildly lit backdrop to the event. Starts at 15.00, free until 17.00 then lasts until 01.00.

Over an eight-day period, three concerts (Saturday, Wednesday and Saturday) will be presented in Notre Dame de la Chapelle Church as part of Voce et Organo. The early music concerts featuring the church's magnificent organ along with choirs and soloists and occasionally additional instruments highlight the search for perfection of the Renaissance composers and no one epitomises that perfection as much as Mons' Orlando di Lasso whose music will be featured in the first concert. All the concerts are enhanced by remarkable lighting.
26 August-2 September, concerts at 20.00.

The Bois de la Cambre will be vibrating to Latin beats all weekend during the Fiesta Latina which includes a Mayan/Aztec decor, live concerts, DJ sets, lucha libre, mechanical bulls, food trucks, children's activities and much much more. A true fiesta.

Brussels has a new beer event, the BXLBeerFestival which is taking place in Tours et Taxis one week before the very well-established Belgian Beer Weekend. The organisers tell us that they feel that the Belgian beer landscape is dominated by the industry at the expense of artisanal beers. Some 50 brewers from 10 countries will be presenting their products and there will be a popup restaurant by Brussels master chef Dirk Myny (who has been pairing beers with haute cuisine at his Les Brigittines restaurant for quite a while), as well as a number of food trucks. Read more about the festival here...

Neder-Over-Hembeek (Lower Upper Hembeek) is the result of the joining of two villages, one above the other. Now a rather unknown part of the city of Brussels overlooking and fronting the canal, it boasts two very old churches including a massive Norman tower and a peaceful and mysterious park, all that is left of the Château de Meudon. This Saturday and Sunday the Insifon Puppet Festival will be taking place in the park, with 10 of the top Belgian and French puppet troupes presenting a very varied group of shows.
Saturday and Sunday 14.00-18.00, free

Here's a possible late summer excursion - the 16th edition of the Théâtre au Vert Festival which takes place in the village of Thoricourt in the bucolic borough of Silly in Hainaut Province not far from Brussels. The performances take place in the village church, the village barn, under the big top among others. The village is a nature-lover's delight with a 750-acre forest and an 18th century château with elaborate gardens, as well as a number of ancient farms nestled among the rolling hills. The festival's mission is to present a wide variety of spectacles and this year is no exception with children's shows, premieres, improv, tales, circus arts, one person shows and big productions, avant-garde and crowd pleasers, all presented in exceptional or unusual venues.
Until 27 August

If you are 65 or over and if you live in Brussels-City, the city has 1,300 free tickets to a wide variety of cultural events including Bozar, the Opera, the KVS, the National Theatre, and seven other theatres. Each person is allowed two times two tickets. The tickets will be available at the new Manneken Pis Wardrobe museum as of September 1st. ID required. you can pick up tickets for others but you must have all the ID's with you.

The swimming pool and garden of the Art Deco Villa Empain, which now houses a non-profit dedicated to the art and cultures of East and West, is the setting for a summer party with music, food and refreshments. Top international DJs will set the mood.
27 August 11.00-21.00, 67 Franklin Rooseveltlaan, Brussels; free