The management of this cultural site has experienced some turmoil on the legal and political grounds since the City of Brussels undertook it in 2014 to terminate the concession with the Botanique and award it to Brussels Expo, an ASBL dependent on it and chaired by Mayor Philippe Close.

According to the mayor of the City of Brussels Philippe Close (PS), the alderman in charge of the Land Board Khalid Zian (PS), and the director of the Royal Circus, Denis Gerardy, there are 160 to 165 dates for the season 2019-2020, a record since the creation of the room. The program includes, among others, television program recordings, six to ten shows, six to eight private shows, and two to three movie shows.

According to Philippe Close, also the financial results exceeded the expectations. The theater has a significant impact on employment. The days of performances, it gives direct employment to forty people, not to mention its impact on nearby businesses. Within a year, the former stables located under the room should be redeveloped into a multipurpose room with 320 seats for show-case, rehearsals, concerts, receptions and much more.

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Last weekend the third edition of Nuits Sonores & European Lab Brussels took place at Bozar. This is an urban festival born of the joint forces of BOZAR and Arty Farty. Four days (from Thursday to Sunday) of non-stop beat with a top-notch local and international line-up, numerous debates and plenty more.

The focal point of the festival was undoubtedly the BOZAR Takeover, on Friday evening. A combination of live performances, concerts and DJ sets in the beautiful and unique location of the Centre for Fine Arts. The evening brought more than twenty artists from all over the world together on three stages, turning BOZAR into Belgium’s biggest club for one night.

Every room of the labyrinthine Centre for Fine Arts was filled with beats and amazing light games. The main venue was the spectacular art deco concert hall (Henry Le Bœuf Hall) that for the occasion was converted into a huge dance floor. Between the names of the DJs spinning above the crowd in the royal box, there were: ڭليثر Glitter ٥٥, Dasha Rush, Octave One Live, and Paula Temple.

Henry Le Bœuf Hall during BOZAR takeover  – Credit Video: Simone Vespa

However, the Nuits Sonores were not just about partying, but also about talking and thinking. Club owners, artists and even philosophers had the chance to exchange ideas about club culture, activism and more. Also the artist-researcher Bogomir Doringer participated. After studying and filming dance floors all over the world and presenting his exhibition “Dance of Urgency” at Q21 in Vienna, the artist decided to continue his work at European Lab Brussels.

His project looks at the dance floor as a space for socio-political expression. According to him, the “Dance of Urgency” is a dance born of emotions that emerge at times of personal and collective crisis. It is a dance that empowers individuals and groups. The artist first moderated a debate on the topic and then he pointed his camera to the dance floor at BOZAR to integrate the Brussels party crowd in a live artwork.

The Nuits Sonores continued on Saturday night with The Loop, one of Nuits Sonores’ most impressive historical programmes. It is an exclusive musical journey in three locations in the vicinity of Brussels’ Canal: Kanal – Centre Pompidou, LaVallée & Be-Here. Local cultural operators collaborated with Nuits Sonores to give each venue its own individual musical atmosphere.

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Three passionate young music lovers make their dream a reality.

HANGAR celebrates its first anniversary on Saturday 28 September at Key West in Anderlecht. The three young Brussels organisers, Cameron Heal, Marvin Weymeersch and Thibaut Ickx, behind the evening present a spectacular line‐up with, among others, Apparat, Floating Points and a live performance by Agents of Time. During this festive edition, HANGAR will also be the backdrop to a world premiere, the brand new concept « Cymatiks ».

Brussels concept party HANGAR offers the best of techno with local and international DJs, an exceptional venue and a quality catering offer. The first edition took place in the Key West industrial warehouse in Anderlecht just over a year ago. This impressive launch was followed by four other successful editions, with DJs such as Agoria, Kiasmos, Henrik Schwarz, Jennifer Cardini and Mathew Jonson, hostings at festivals such as Extrema Outdoor and WECANDANCE and guest performances with Hangar Soundsystem, including at Tomorrowland.

Today, a year later, HANGAR will be celebrating its first anniversary at Key West, where it all began, on Saturday 28 September. Once again, the three young organisers present a superb line‐up and a world premiere. HANGAR will present its brand new concept « Cymatiks ». Derived from the term « cymatic », the science that makes sound visible, the show defies the imagination. DJs like Italian trio Agents of Time use a combination of digital and analog musical instruments to create their own beats. These are then animated by impressive visuals and immersive experiences, with an equally stunning result.

 

 

Cymatics: When electronic music comes to life

For their anniversary edition, the HANGAR’s organisers are presenting their new « Cymatiks » concept. Derived from the term « cymatic », the science that makes sound « visible » in the form of vibrations or waves, the show defies the imagination. During the spectacular live acts, DJs like the headliners Agents of Time use digital and analog musical instruments to create their own beats. In combination with impressive visuals and dance performances, the sound produced comes to life.

Tickets available here (€24 per person)

Line-up of the event:

Agents Of Time (IT) //

Floating Points (UK) //

Apparat (DE) //

Michael Mayer (DE) //

Red Axes (ISR) //

Fideles (IT) //

Anna Nova (DE) //

Amato b2b Adriani (IT) //

Danny Daze (USA) //

Etapp Kyle (UKR) //

Tijana T (SRB)

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Seven years after her death, Whitney Houston will appear again on the stage, this time as a hologram. BASE Hologram, which has already organized similar events for Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly and Maria Callas, has announced the dates of the tour “An Evening with Whitney Houston: The Whitney Houston Hologram Tour.” In Brussels, the show is scheduled for March 12th at BOZAR.

The tour has been conceived in collaboration with the heirs of Whitney and it was staged by the choreographer Fatima Robinson, well known for her collaborations with Rihanna, Kanye West and Mary J. Blige.

On the stage, a band, a chorus and dancers will accompany all the biggest success of the star, in a remastered version.

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Summer is coming to an end in a few days. Soon, we’ll have to say goodbye to the open air cafés and the guinguettes in the parks of Brussels. But we’ve still got some sunny days left to enjoy a round of cocktails and appetizers at our favorite park terrasse.

At Bois de la Cambre, the guinguette at Le Kiosque isn’t closing without a bang. This September, jazz artists and bands are performing live every Tuesday from 7:30 to 10:30 in the evening at the kiosk located just around the central lake of the 122-hectare park. The concerts are free of charge.

Tonight, the show features guitarist Thomas Maillet playing soul jazz. Every week, the repertoire highlights a different style of jazz music from classic to contemporary. Aside from the Tuesday concerts, Le Kiosque also invites dance aficionados to a night of salsa and bachata every Thursday.

Don’t miss out on all the fun. Le Kiosque is along Avenue des Genêts at Bois de la Cambre. The guinguette will remain open every day until September 30.

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The queen of diversity with 183 nationalities, Brussels can also boast about its many nightlife options. From tech house to dance, by way of hip hop, you can find every musical style there. Dozens of party-animals get together in the capital at night to see the DJ of the moment and surrender themselves to a crazy night at one of the numerous events on offer.

At this time of year, new events organised by the big names in Brussels’ nightlife pop up in the capital, much to the delight of night owls.

With the historic reopening of the legendary Mirano, the 12-hour DJ party at Rave Rebels Fuse x Kompass, the now unmissable Nuits Sonores festival at BOZAR, the new concept parties at Hangar, the appearance of The Black Madonna at the Bénédiction party and many more to choose from, clubbers won’t know where to start partying.

The list of events and venues for clubbers this season has never been longer. Here’s a selection, in chronological order:

Reopening of the Mirano

A former cinema that was converted into a nightclub in 1981, the Mirano has a legendary status in Brussels’ nightlife. For nearly 40 years, the Mirano has played an active part in creating and producing all the music, fashion and clubbing trends in Belgium. For the past year and a half, preparations have been under way, in strict compliance with the building’s art déco architecture. In September, the Mirano will reopen its doors to delight and surprise a crowd that’s eager to rediscover it. In honour of its reopening, the venue is offering two original party concepts: “Moskow Diskow,” an electro experience with an international guest DJ every Friday, and “More”, a new urban experience to create a great atmosphere with Hip Hop, Afro and Rnb rhythms every Saturday.

Dates: every Friday and Saturday from 20 September 2019
For more information visit their Facebook page.

The parties

Catclub

On 7 September, Catclub comes to Brussels city centre, in the former Shell building, to be more precise. A modernist building with art déco influences, it was built by Alexis Dumont and Marcel Goethem, who’s also known for the Citroën building and Ravenstein Gallery.

Line-up: Manfredas, Roi Perez, Disconsole

Date: 07 September 2019
Location: Former Shell building (Central Gate)
For more information visit their Facebook page.

Love – LOVE NEW DIMENSION

An exceptional line-up and venue for this new edition of la Love. The party will take place in the awe-inspiring surroundings of the Beyond Bruegel exhibition, within the Palais de la Dynastie. An extraordinary setting which will transport the public to another dimension thanks to a clever play of light across the exhibition’s screens.

Line-up: INNELLEA / LIVE (DE), TERR (DE), ATTARI (BE), M.O.S (BE), BLOSSOM CULTURE (BE), TOUZANI (BE)

Date: 13 September 2019
Location: Palais de la Dynastie
For more information visit their Facebook page.

C12 – Detroit love

Detroit love is a party concept from Carl Craig, designed to bring together and support the unique sounds of the mythical town of Detroit. This event, celebrating the richness of Detroit’s musical culture, has been held all over the world, from Amsterdam, to Ibiza, to Chicago, to London. Now it’s finally coming to Brussels.

Line-up: Carl Craig (US), Kyle Hall (US), Jay Daniel (US)

Date: 13 September 2019
Location: C 12
For more information visit their Facebook page.

Fuse presents : Richie Hawtin

After the fanfare of Fuse’s 25th anniversary this year, the time has come for the mythical Brussels club to start a new chapter. September has a very special air… Included in the programme are two parties, on 20 and 21 September, to celebrate the reopening of the club’s new layout! Fuse has taken advantage of the summer to transform itself, so it will offer its clients a new experience and keep its status as the most important night club in the capital.

Line-up:
20 September: Richie Hawtin (CA), Fabio Florido (DE), A. Brehme (BE), Karla Böhm (BE)
21 September: Âme (live) (DE), Alinka (DE), etc.

Dates: 20 – 21 September
Location: Fuse
For more information visit their Facebook page.

‘Hangar – Electronic Music Experience’ x ‘Cymatiks – Sound Made Visible’

Hangar, Brussels’ indoor techno event launched in September 2018, is celebrating its first anniversary, on Saturday 28 September in Brussels, with an amazing line-up. For its first anniversary, it has a very special edition – a collaboration with a new concept of Italian DJs, ‘Agents of Time’ called ‘Cymatiks’. This is a concept that mixes music and visual experiences to engage the senses, fire up the imagination and create links between art, the viewer and music.

Line-up: Agents Of Time (IT), Floating Points (UK), Apparat (DE), Michael Mayer (DE), Red Axes (ISR), Fideles (IT), Anna Nova (DE), Amato b2b Adriani (IT), Danny Daze, Etapp Kyle, Tijana T, etc.

Date: 28 September 2019
Location: TBC
For more information visit their Facebook page.

Nuits Sonores & European Lab Brussels

BOZAR and Arty Farty join forces for the third edition of Nuits Sonores & European Lab Brussels. On the programme: an urban festival that’s both challenging and innovative, with big names from the local and international electronic scene, debates and loads more!

Line-up: Paula Temple Hybrid live, Laurent Garnier, Dasha Rush: Territoires Éphémères, AZF, Or:la, Octave One Live, Lotic: Endless Power, Andy Stott Live, Bjärki Live, Leon Vynehall, رثيلڭ Glitter ٥٥, Jazar Crew, Onipa Live, Zuli live, Mono Junk, RRUCCULLA, A z e r t y klavierwerke, December, Chris Ferreira, Prince Off, & more!

Dates: 3 – 6 October 2019
Location: BOZAR and various places around Brussels
For more information visit their website.

C12 x Benediction XIV • The Black Madonna

Benediction breaks the codes of classical cabaret without declaring itself either. It’s a place that’s open to creativity and everyone is welcome. It’s aims: to break the distance between the scene and the public to create exceptional rituals together. Launched in 2017 by Juriji Der Klee and housed since October 2018 in C12, which now produces all its events, Benediction celebrates its second anniversary on Friday 11 October.

To celebrate, Benediction and C12 are hugely honoured to welcome The Black Madonna and Mike Servito, 2 icons of the gay American house scene.

Line-up: The Black Madonna, Mike Servito

Date: 11 October
Location: C12
For more information visit their Facebook page.

Fuse x Kompass – Rave Rebels

The two biggest players in the Belgian techno scene join forces and present a new concept at Palais 12: Rave Rebels. Following on from the 25-year success of Fuse in Brussels and its exceptional line-up, the story continues with Ghent’s Kompass Klub on 12 October 2019, with a mega rave of 12 hours. This was how Rave Rebels was born: the product of this beautiful union between Fuse and Kompass creates a space where people can meet to celebrate electronic music. The term “rave” means more than simple, illicit gatherings under a bridge. It refers to the determination to bring the rave experience up to a higher level with a powerful production and incredible artists.

Line-up: Solomun (DE), Maceo Plex (US), Pan-Pot (DE), Joris Voorn (NL) et le duo Adana Twins (US)

Date: 12 October 2019
Location: Palais 12
For more information visit their Facebook page.

FFORMATT – STORY NIGHT – Pender Street Steppers

FFORMATT is a new venue that focuses on music and culture. FFORMATT is a platform, a laboratory measuring 1000m2 in Brussels. It’s located in an underground car park (-1) in the old Actiris building on Boulevard Anspach in Brussels, opposite the stock exchange. The project began in April 2019 and will last 2 years. On 12 October, FFORMATT is organising its first STORY NIGHTS party, presenting a holistic approach to musical selection, connecting it with the story of an artist. An immersion into the world of Pender Street Steppers, from start to finish.

Line-up: Pender Street Steppers

Date: 12 October 2019
Location: FFORMAT
For more information their Facebook page.

La Démence – 30th Anniversary Party Weekend

La Démence is without doubt one of the best gay parties in Europe. Parties take place 12 times a year, mainly on Friday nights or the nights before public holidays, and attract gays from all over Europe and beyond. Here all languages are spoken and there’s no dress code: bears, muscle-queens, fetish, leather latex, fashion victims, body builders or not, young and old. The party generally takes place at Fuse, one of Belgium’s best clubs. Gather your strength: the party starts at 10pm and goes on till 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
Location: Fuse, Palais 12
For more information their Facebook page.

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The festival took place at the Grand Place in Leuven,

Aside from their hits, the group also played the song « Did not Knock », which was debated to address a bill concerning home visits when Theo Francken was in power.

Theo Francken, Former Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration, commented on Twitter and Facebook after their performance. He stated: « According to these ladies, who are paid by the City of Leuven for a free concert at Groot Verlof,  I’m an ‘asshole’, and that’s why they dedicate a song to me … Ah yes, this band is called Juicy or something like that. »

The two singers responded quickly.  « This morning our dedication to Theo Francken was heard. First we would like to remind him that if we were paid by the city of Leuven to play at the festival « Het Groot Verlof », it’s because it’s our job. And it is not because we are paid with public money that we are in agreement with the policies implemented. Our song « Did not knock » dedicated to Theo Francken denounces the cruelty of the bill to allow searches without arrest warrant. We want to denounce all the initiatives of the state and Mr. Francken to prevent mutual assistance. We will continue to write and sing our disagreements with the policies by which we do not feel represented. »

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For its fourth edition, the Hide & Seek Festival is once again looking for the most unusual and unexpected places in the capital to organize world music concerts.

Featuring 10 different concerts over the course of the festival, Muziekpublique offers new musical experiences in places as crazy as a textile sorting factory, a former libertine club, one of the biggest STIB depots, the summit of the Arcades du Cinquantenaire, the mythical Gaulish royal circle, the circle of crossbowmen and many others… Muziekpublique, world music specialist, sets the bar high and promises as many new places and musicians of great talent as last year!

If you want to buy tickets for the Hide & Seek festival (available from July 8 onwards), please call to make sure that the office is open: 02 / 217.26.00.

Here’s a selection of events drawn from each day of the festival:

Les Taupes qui boivent du lait @ Brass in the tram – 18:30
Hide & Seek Festival 2019
Monday 19 August 2019 – 18h30 MUSEE DU TRAM – Avenue de Tervueren 367, 1150 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre

Myrddin & Imre De Cauter (Flamenco) @ Elisabeth Foundation Library
Hide & Seek Festival 2019
Tuesday 20 August 2019 – 20h00 BIBLIOTHEQUE DE LA FONDATION ELISABETH – Avenue J.J. Crocq 3, 1020 Laken

Antsa (Madagascar) @ Marconi Tram Depot (STIB/MIVB)
Hide & Seek Festival 2019
Wednesday 21 August 2019 – 20h00 MARCONI TRAM DEPOT – Chaussée de Ruisbroek 52, 1180 Forest

Rabasa (Cape Verde) @ Textile Recycling Factory Les Petits Riens
Hide & Seek Festival 2019
Thursday 22 August 2019 – 20h00 TEXTILE RECYCLING FACTORY LES PETITS RIENS – 69 Rue du Zuen, 1070 Anderlecht

Gjini Ensemble (Albania) @ CIRCLE OF CROSSBOWMEN
Hide & Seek Festival 2019
Friday 23 August 2019 – 14h00 CIRCLE OF CROSSBOWMEN – Impasse du Borgendael, 7 Place Royale, 1000 Bruxelles

Guitarpa Duo (Venezuela) @ Museum Van Buuren
Hide & Seek Festival 2019
Saturday 24 August 2019 – 11h00 VAN BUUREN MUSEUM – Avenue Léo Errera 41, 1180 Uccle

More information about the festival can be found on the festival’s website or on its Facebook page.

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Vinyls, CDs and other collectible records abound in this well-known music shop on rue de la Bourse.

The retiring store manager took over the business in 1982 from his mother, who originally founded the shop. 24,000 of the store’s vinyl records have yet to be sold.

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