« We’ve now been waiting 170 long days for you.  We’ve had enough of an empty AB that is starting to smell musty rather than of beer, sweat and fun. We need our audience and our artists. That’s why we’re throwing our doors wide open again, for a selection of Bubble- and Club-concerts. » – AB.

A number of concerts, that were originally planned for the AB Salon, now have been moved to their Club. Club concerts, that weren’t cancelled, move to the AB Theatre. Of course, you can rest assured that they are able to receive you in a safe and welcoming environment. Purchasers of tickets will be informed personally about the details by mail.  You will also be personally informed of any new postponements/cancellations.

They’re starting off with Blanche on 11/9 in the AB Theatre. Then there are more bubbles with the likes of An Pierlé, High Hi, Mintzkov, Marble Sounds, School Is Cool, Liesa Van der Aa, Razen & Kaboom Karavan, Brihang, Morgan + MEYY, Coca-Cola Sessions with The Radar Station , Ozark Henry & Admiral Freebee.

Discover all their announced shows: https://www.abconcerts.be/en/news/stories/ab-throws-open-its-doors-wide-open-again/3116/

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The community of Ixelles has organized a special evening dedicated to the emergency situation in the Amazon. The documentary will be screened at Cinema Vendôme on October 15th, Tuesday at 20:00.

« The human adventure is at a crossroads. As global warming accelerates, global biodiversity collapses, states seem powerless since the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 to take the necessary action. Terra Libre, both a logbook and an investigation, has been attached to the legendary indigenous leader Raoni Metuktire for almost four years. Accompanying him and discovering the new guard of the sentinels of the planet, it is to perform a shocking immersion at the heart of global issues, from an emblematic Summit from one UN to the other (Rio + 20 and the COP 21) . The vision and call for the Alliance of Amazonian Indigenous Chiefs to protect future generations is an inspiration to humanity. »

The evening will start will the reception at 19:30, and the film will be projected at 20:00. The debate will start at 22:00.

The entrance costs 5 euros.

TERRA LIBRE, un film de Gert-Peter Bruch – teaser FR from Planète Amazone on Vimeo.

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Practical information Marry Me!

Friday 18th October (from 18h to 21h30) & Saturday 19th October (from 10h30 to 19h)

Maison du Bois – Volunteer’s Avenue 2, 1040 Brussels

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Brussels never sleeps, in particular the Saint-Jacques district, the heart of Brussels’ gay scene. This lively neighbourhood is a perfect reflection of the capital’s lively and warm character. Just about everything is an excuse for a celebration.

With 183 nationalities, Brussels is the diversity capital par excellence. Its free spirit is supported by non-discriminatory legislation. Brussels really has everything. The European capital also boasts a wide range of nights and venues. Many revellers go to the capital to enjoy a night of madness in one of the countless events that animate it.

This autumn, between the arrival of The Black Madonna at Bénédiction, the Pink Night or the 30 year anniversary celebrations of La Démence, clubbers will be spoilt for choice. The list of LGBTI+ events and nights is long this season. Here is an overview :

Election of Mister Bear Belgium

The 9th edition of Belgium Bear Pride will be held from 2 to 6 October at several locations in Brussels. The election of Mr Bear Belgium is the highlight of this festival. A jury of professionals and the public will be called upon to vote for this year’s title winner at an evening full of surprises at the Bodega.

Date: 5 October
Venue: La Bodega
More information on Facebook.

C12 x Benediction XIV • The Black Madonna

Benediction shatters the conventions of classic cabaret. It is a place open to creativity where everyone is welcome. Its ambition: to break down the boundary between the stage and the audience in order to create exceptional rituals between them. Launched in 2017 by Juriji Der Klee and located, since October 2018, at C12 – which has been producing all their events since then – Benediction will celebrate its second anniversary on Friday 11 October. To mark this anniversary, Benediction and C12 have the great honour of welcoming The Black Madonna and Mike Servito, 2 icons of the American gay house scene.

Line-up: The Black Madonna, Mike Servito
Date: 11 October
Venue: C12
More information on Facebook.

La Démence – 30th Anniversary Party Weekend

La Démence is undoubtedly one of the best gay parties in Europe. It takes place 12 times a year, usually on Friday evenings or on the eve of public holidays and attracts members of the LGBTQ+ community from all over Europe and beyond. Here we speak all languages, and there are no dress-codes: bears, muscle-queens, fetish, latex leather, fashion victims, young and not so young, all are welcome. The evening is generally hosted by Fuse, which is one of the best clubs in Belgium. Make sure you’re ready for a long night, as the party starts at 22:00 and ends around noon the next day!

Line-up: Pagano (UK), Steven Redant (ES), Chris Bekker (DE), Sebastien Triumph (FR), Paul Heron (UK), John Dixon (FR), Ben Manson (FR), Jon Doe (DE), Mister Mola (BE), Dikky Vendetta (NL), Elias (ES), Andrei Stan (RO), Kenne Perry (BE), Bernard Gavilan (BE), Jo (BE), Breizbear (BE)

Date: 31 October – 3 November 2019
Venue: Fuse, Palais 12
More information on Facebook.

18th Pink Night

Bold and subversive, Pink Screens is the only film festival in Belgium to address gender and sexuality issues in a diverse way with openness, humour and curiosity. It’s the festival’s must-attend closing event and showcases the queer music scene to the delight of the party animals present.

Date: 16 November
Venue: La Bodega
More information on Facebook.

Chez Maman celebrates its 25th birthday

Open since 3 December 1994, Chez Maman has become the benchmark Brussels cabaret cafe. Every weekend, Maman and her daughters perform on this now mythical stage. When we say stage, what we really mean is counter. Because at Chez Maman, the stage is actually the main room’s counter. But it’s well-known that size doesn’t matter! This slab of marble has a magic that hundreds of people come to experience every week.

To mark her 25th birthday, Mom is setting up shop at Bloody Louis nightclub for an evening of celebration and shows that will go on until dawn.

Date: 7 December 2019
Venue: Bloody Louis
More information on Facebook.

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The European Week of Regions and Cities is an annual four-day event during which cities and regions showcase their capacity to create growth and jobs, implement European Union cohesion policy, and prove the importance of the local and regional level for good European governance. This year the event will host more than 6000 people and 600 speakers of 70 countries.

The event was created in 2003 when the European Committee of the Regions invited Brussels-based local and regional representations to the European Union to open their doors to visitors simultaneously. One year later the European Commission’s DG for Regional Policy also joined the adventure.

Developing from the initial concept, the event has become a European networking platform for experts in regional and local development. Exchange of good practice in economic development and social inclusion, cross-border cooperation, public-private partnerships, regional innovation and community-led local development have become some of its many topics.

Over the years, the event has grown into the key event on EU Regional Policy. It welcomes some 6.000 participants in October each year (local, regional, national and European decision-makers and experts) for more than 100 workshops and debates, exhibitions and networking opportunities.

In addition to the Brussels-based workshops, local events are run from September to November all over Europe.

The European Week of Regions and Cities and its workshops, debates and networking activities are addressed to:

• members of the European Committee of the Regions, members of the European Parliament and national, regional and local politicians
• European, national, regional and local government officials and experts in the field of managing and evaluating cohesion policy programs
• representatives of private companies, financial institutions and European and national associations
• journalists from European, national, regional and local media outlets
• researchers, PhD or masters students and practitioners in the field of European regional and urban policy

Every year, also a number of side events take place around the event in Brussels. Side event organisers are responsible for their event and its organisation.

Find more information and the whole program of the event here.

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Brussels Fashion Days will propose an ever more complete panorama of the Belgian fashion through four fashion shows, a giant popup store, the presence of Belgian fashion schools, workshops and beauty corners.

A POP-UP STORE, 50 DESIGNERS

The famous pop-up store of the Brussels Fashion Days is expanding again and will host 50 designers ( 30 in 2017 and 40 in 2018). During the whole event, visitors will have the occasion to discover and get the latest trends of the Belgian designers. This year, the designers presented in the pop-up store were selected thanks to 3 criteria : sustainability, entrepreneurship and crafts.

4 MAJOR FASHION SHOWS

The Opening Fashion Show of Friday night will feature 13 designers from all over Belgium. Visitors will discover the latest creations of ARIANE LESPIRE, CONNI KAMINSKI, DASCHA LEMECHTCHOUK, EMSE STUDIO, HELDER ANTWERP, JOAN DE RIJCK, NC BY NC NZOGANG, RECTO VERSO, SARA ROCES BUELGA, STEPHANIE RENS, TUTU CHIC, VALERIE BERCKMANS

Saturday from 17:30, AKASO, ALICE ET MAMAN, APA_INTEMPORAL, DESIGNERS AGAINST AIDS, IMPREVU, LNKNITS, MARIE MERO, NOEMIE MAKBOULIAN, RUMBL, SIGNE ZOE and TONI CAPTAIN will invade the catwalk to offer the public the most dynamic and surprising 100% Belgian fashion show.

The International Fashion Show will take place Saturday night at 21:30. Belgian and foreign designers will take the visitors on a travel through their most gorgeous and prestigious creations. CATALINA J, DESIGNERS AGAINST AIDS, ERIYA MIURA, FEMME DE MARS, LOLA ANTOINE, MONOKROME, OLIVER FIELD, TALABAYA, TINY INK, VALENTINA TSITIRIDIS, VERA ROAD will propose a tour over Vietnam, Andorre, Italy, Bangladesh, Cambodge, and many other as original as unexpected destinations.

The weekend will end with a big and colorful fashion show of the best students from Belgian fashion schools on Sunday at 17:00. Participating schools : Haute Ecole Francisco Ferrer, Ecole Supérieur des Arts de Saint-Luc Tournai, Helmo Mode, Château Massart, EPS Saint-Luc de Bruxelles, SASK, KASK, Syntra Brussel, la Maison de Couture, Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp. The schools will also be present through the Schools’ Street during the whole event.

WORKSHOPS & BEAUTY BARS

Thanks to our beauty partners “Kevin Murphy” and “Make Up For Ever”, visitors will benefit from precious hair and makeup tips while enjoying a pleasant beauty treatment.

Other activities will also be proposed for the public to dive into the fashion universe and its many facets: a couture workshop with Bernina; two Fashion Talks (Future of Retail by Lightspeed, Sustainable Fashion by Jaante); a workshop offered by the brand FREYWILLE that will help visitors to choose their jewelry according to their morphology.

Finally, live demonstrations and a textile printing workshop will also be offered to the visitors thanks to the Japanese company Epson. For the party-animals, the venue dedicated to the fashion show will turn into a club and the catwalk into a dance floor. See you at 22:30 for the Fashion Afterparty !

Program:

FRIDAY 11th October 2019
18.00: Opening
21.30: Opening Fashion Show
23.00: Fashion Drink

SATURDAY 12th October 2019
14.00: Opening
15.00: Fashion Talk by Lightspeed:
Future of retail
17.30: Fashion Show
21.30: International Fashion Show
23.00 – 4.00: Fashion Party

SUNDAY 13th October 2019
12.00: Opening
15.00: Fashion Talk by Jaante :
Sustainable Fashion
17.00: Schools Fashion Show

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7 days dedicated to mixology, food & cocktail pairings, in 40+ places with plenty of bartenders from the city & beyond!

What’s more a competition will be held to pick the best cocktail and of course the best bartender.

Opening Day:

Sunday, September 15, 2019 at 3 PM – 12 AM at Tour & Taxis

BLEND IS BACK! Mark you calendars, and see you on Sunday 15th September for the official Opening Day of #BCW19!

• 20 bars invited
• 40 original cocktail recipes
• A brand new location in Tour & Taxis
• The coolest DJ’S
• Free entrance
• And most importantly: plenty of great bartenders all located in one place!

You may consult the participating bars through this interactive map.

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Since it was founded in 2010, the Comic Strip Festival has evolved into an unmissable event for all comic fans. Whether you’re old, young, an enthusiast or a comics expert, everyone has the same passion and comes together each year to get an autograph or enjoy the many activities on offer.

As there are no borders for comics, the International Pavilion will be showcasing gems from far-flung corners of the world to the most adventurous visitors. And, as is traditional, on Sunday 15 September, the Balloon’s Day Parade will take over the streets of the capital and take you on a journey into the world of famous comic characters. You won’t be able to escape it by the middle of the afternoon.

Balloon’s Day Parade

On Sunday 15 September, the Balloon’s Day Parade will process through the streets of Brussels for nearly three hours. As part of this year’s parade, a new balloon featuring the design of Toto and the famous Citroën 2CV belonging to Boule’s parents will have the great honour of being part of the procession.

From 10 am, the amazing spectacle of the balloons being inflated on Place des Palais will begin. During the afternoon, the balloons will be inflated on Place des Palais and will depart from there. Spirou, Tintin, the Cat, the Smurf, Boule, Blurk, Gaston and their new friend will set off on their route along the main streets of Brussels.

Delights await comic fans in Brussels Park, where they will be able to enjoy many special events being put on for the Comic Strip Festival there.

If you are interested in being a balloon handler, the Balloon’s Day Parade is currently looking for volunteers to take part in the parade between 3 pm and 6 pm. Volunteers can send an email to white@beegroupe.be for more information.

The International Pavilion

While Belgium is particularly proud of its comics heritage, many other countries have an impressive track record too. Many foreign cultural representations from these countries are on display in the International Pavilion, giving visitors the opportunity to discover their works and enjoy a wonderful cultural exchange.

Algiers-Brussels- Havana-Moscow (Maison Autrique)

Maison Autrique is putting on an exhibition on the theme of its new publication “Kronikas 3” and signing sessions by Brussels, Algerian, Cuban and Russian authors (Etienne Schréder, Jeroen Janssen, Nawel Louerrad, Aleksei Kapninskii, Izquierdo, Lysbeth Daumont-Robles and more). The exhibition gives you an imaginary detailed picture of the heritage of the cities where the invited authors live.

The Kronikas experience is supported by the Brussels-Capital Region / Brussels International. This imaginary detailed picture of Brussels, Algiers, Havana and Moscow has been a great success. Maison Autrique brings you the third phase of this project, joined by a growing number of comic authors from far-flung countries for you to discover in the International Pavilion at the Comic Strip Festival.

Egypt (TokTok Mag)

The first edition of TokTok magazine was published in January 2011, during a time of social uprising. The quarterly magazine reflects everyday life in Egypt, from comic to tragic. TokTok Mag showcases original pictures, limited-edition posters, magazines in Arabic and “bests of” in French.

Colombia – (IFA LABORATORY-ARTS LAB BRUSSELS)

The Colombian-Belgian production brings together two groups of teenagers, one from Molenbeek-St-Jean in Belgium and another from Ciudad Bolivar in Colombia, as well as the illustrators Xavier Löwenthal and Sindy Elefante. These districts from both sides of the Atlantic have both similarities and differences, and both are affected by stigmatisation. They set out to encourage collective reflection on perception, new perspectives and a demand for a new narrative.

Italy (Lucca Comics & Games by LUCCA CREA srl & the Italian Institute of Culture)

Lucca Comics & Games returns to the Comic Strip Festival to bring you a range of talented Italian artists. Add some Italian comics to your collection too, with the collaboration with the Brussels bookshop Piola Libri.

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

What’s the added value of the EU? What are the advantages of the European Union? These are the types of questions that the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom asks during the Animate Europe international comic competition. Come and discover the work of the five finalists, whose works are as diverse in their artistic style as they are in their approach and story.

South Korea (The Brussels Korean Cultural Centre)

Over the weekend, you will be able to enjoy an exhibition of Korean comics by the authors LEE Doo-Ho, KIM Hanjo, CHOI Jae-Hoon and LEE Yoon-Hee. These authors will be holding signing sessions. You will also be able to watch a video clip for the group BTS, made with illustrations by the author CHOI Jae-Hoon.

Webtoon workshops will also be put on for you. Webtoons (a portmanteau of the words ‘web’ and ‘cartoon’) are a new form of digital comic. Visitors will be able to make an episode of their own online comic at these webtoon workshops.

Alifbata (Arabic comic)

ALIFBATA is a Marseille-based publisher which specialises in translating and publishing comics from the Arab world. This year, it welcomes the author Barrack Rima and Art for Ness to its stand and displays original illustrations by artists from the Maghreb and the Middle East, which are available for sale signed and numbered.

Democratic Republic of Congo

A number of Congolese authors have made the journey to come and discuss Congolese comics and their evolution since the socio-political crisis. This is an opportunity to come and meet these artists, talk to them and discover their work.

Réunion Island (publications from Bulles dans l’Océan)

Bulles dans l’Océan is an independent publisher founded 9 years ago which is committed to promoting promising young authors from the Indian Ocean. Come and discover the works of these artists who have come straight from these little corners of paradise and meet them during signing sessions. Their series will also be available in Flemish for the first time.

Goethe-Institut Brüssel

For the 10th Comic Strip Festival, the Goethe-Institut Brüssel German language school brings you the German comic creator Flix, who is a big fan of Spirou, and his album Spirou in Berlin. He is the first German artist to draw an issue of this legendary Belgian series. He will make appearances in order to showcase Spirou in Berlin on Friday 13 September and Saturday 14 September.

Czech Republic (Brussels Czech Centre)

Visitors are invited to discover the history of Czech comics. Behind the Iron Curtain, authors spent a lot of time developing their own particular style there. In this exhibition, “A Century of Czech Comics”, the public will discover improbable sci-fi heroes, former presidents who have become carnivorous dinosaurs and even scouts in search of adventure.

Sterling Books

Sterling Books, the independent English bookshop in Brussels, brings you a selection of their wide range of English-language comics as part of the Comic Strip Festival, such as Daniel Clowes, Alan Moore, Joe Sacco and Posy Simmonds, The Walking Dead, DC, Marvel and more.

EUNIC (The European National Institutes for Culture) Brussels members: Portugal, Estonia, the Basque Country, Hungary, Poland, Finland, Lithuania and Israel

EUNIC member states invite the public to discover the comic heritage of their countries. In addition to a joint exhibition, talks and signing sessions, each country will put on workshops.

Camões, Portugal (The Institute of Cooperation and Language, I.P. – Portugal)

Meet Asisko Urmeneta, an incredibly talented and funny artist. Humour is at the heart of his work, which is written in Basque and its dialects.

Lithuania (The Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in the Kingdom of Belgium)

Lithuanian artist Akvilė Magicdust describes her work as a reflection of Northern Europe’s restrained mood with shades of tropical colours. She will be at the festival, just like Lina Itagaki and Jurga Vilé, who will come and exhibit their work. They have both collaborated, among others, on the graphic novel “Siberian Haiku”, which tells the story of Jurga Vilé’s father and his deportation to Siberia when he was a child.

Poland (The Polish Institute)

Discover the depth of talent found in Polish artists over the entire weekend by coming to meet as many as four different artists, whose work is just as varied as it is rich in content! One of them is Marek Oleksicki, who has worked on a number of video projects and story-boards, as well as adverts, magazine covers and posters.

Hungary (The Balassi Institute – Cultural Service of the Hungarian Embassy)

The Hungarian artists at the festival are real standard-bearers in their country. Between the work of Attila Futaki, the author of graphic novels which have become New-York Times bestsellers, and the appearance by Levente Németh, who will come to showcase his new historic comic, visitors will not be disappointed. Visitors will also be able to meet János Mészáros, winner of the Napút Publishing prize in 2018, or the multi-talented author Lajos Farkas.

Estonia (The Permanent Representation of Estonia to the EU)

Many Estonian artists will make appearances at the festival in order to showcase their work. Whether it’s an animated-film maker, a cartoonist, a blogger or someone else, they’ll have many things for you to discover.

The Basque Country (The Etxepare Basque Institute)

The public will be able to discover the work of the artist Asisko Urmeneta, which features comics, illustrations and caricature. This talented artist won the Basque Country Creativity Prize for the quality of his artwork, his commitment to the Basque Country and his work to promote culture.

Finland (The Finnish Cultural Institute for Benelux)

The Finnish artists H-P Lehkonen and Eelis « Nilukka » Torvinen will make appearances in order to showcase their projects and work. It’s a great excuse to immerse yourself in the world of these two talented professionals!

Israel (The Embassy of Israel in Belgium and Luxembourg)

Didier Pasamonik will be at the festival.. This Belgian editor, journalist and curator has also written a number of essays on caricature, comics and popular culture. In addition to all of his activities, he also teaches at the Shoah Memorial in Paris.

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