Things to do in Belgium this week: a home exhibition in Brussels, a film festival in Ostend, and much more. See you there!

Apartment exhibition: The Ideal at Middlemarch

Wednesday, 10 September, 17h00-21h00 Brussels

If you’re a bit tired of the usual White Cube exhibitions, Middlemarch is a great alternative. Together with artist Jean-Baptiste Bernadet, Virginie Devillez, former curator at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium, invites you into her home. In the cozy atmosphere of her living room you can discover works of Graham Anderson, James Ensor, Paul Gabrielli, Romain Poussin, Richard Tinkler and Jules Van Paemel.

Concert: Beck at Forest National

Wednesday, 10 September, 20h00 Brussels

Despite the big-sized Forest National not being one of our favorite music venues, we have to make an exception for this fellow. American musician Beck is just one of a kind, whose 12th and latest record „Morning Phase“ has been one of this year’s best releases with its magical, symphonic folk rock tunes. Don’t miss the chance to see the musical shape-shifter live on stage this Wednesday.

Cinema: Ostend Film Festival

Until 20 September Ostend

In Belgian coastal town Ostend it’s all about movies these days. Since 2007 the film festival takes over the city once a year, inviting cinema lovers to discover films from all over the world as well as television productions and video games. One of the highlights is definitely the preview of British espionage-thriller “A Most Wanted Man”, one of the last works of the deceased Philip Seymour Hoffman. You can find the full program here.

Exhibition night: Borger

Friday, 12 September, 18h00 Antwerp

Under the name of “Borger”, Antwerp neighbourhoods Borgerhout, Zurenborg and Berchem invite you three times a year to discover local exhibitions at joint, late-night opening hours. This Friday you have once again the chance for some serious gallery hopping when 19 art spaces open their doors until 23h00. Make sure to check out Stilll Gallery’s “Champagne Dreams on a Beer Budget” with the captivating works by Belgian photographer Charlotte Lybeer!

Birthday bash: FÖR turns 1

Friday, 12 September, 18h00 Brussels

It’s only been a year but lovely little concept store FÖR is already turning one! It quickly established itself as one of our Brussels favorites with its collection of Icelandic, natural cosmetic products, simple, stylish clothes and frequent exhibitions. This Friday FÖR, also part of Design September, is throwing quite a birthday bash. Stop by the shop first to check out the expo of CNBM Studio and then dance the night away at the very cool Dillens Bar. Happy Birthday!

Gallery hopping: Brussels Art Days

From 13 to 14 September Brussels

Brussels has been getting a lot of love for its burgeoning art scene as of late and this coming weekend art fans will get another chance to experience it to its fullest when the 7th edition of the Brussels Art Days takes over the city. After the usual summer closedown this is the perfect start into the new season, offering an exciting and eclectic program by established galleries as well as a bunch of newer kids on the block. Exhibitions, talks, screenings and more are scattered all over town with 29 galleries opening their doors from 12h00 to 19h00 on Saturday and Sunday. To guide you through the vast line-up we’ve picked a few favorites.

How to Paint at Super Dakota

Super Dakota, located in the Chatelain neighbourhood, is one of the younger galleries on the circuit and specializes in putting young talents on the map. “How to Paint” features works by contemporary painters Hugo Pernet and Baptiste Caccia who have rather opposing approaches. “The show came from a much earlier idea of depicting the varied forms that contemporary painting can take, and in the end we chose to simplify and to focus on two contemporary painters who have strong, independent practices,” founder Damien recently told artsy.

Office Baroque’s Nuit Américaine

For this major group exhibition Office Baroque leaves its gallery premises to take over the Art Deco warehouse Entrepots Gerard Konicx Frères, the former Atelier Coppens on Nieuwe Graanmarkt. “Nuit Américaine”, referencing a cinematographic technique used to simulate night scenes while filming in daylight, brings together the works of 22 different artists whose practices in one way or the other deal with the blurry boundaries of private and public. Featuring works from Leigh Ledare (remember his provocative show at Wiels two years ago?), Michel Auder, Christopher Knowles or Catharine Ahearn.

Brussels Art Days Party

It’s not all work but also a but of play: if you still have enough energy after all this gallery hopping, then there’s the official Brussels Art Days After Party at the Dexia Art Center waiting for you. A collaboration by Catclub and NICC, it’s the perfect place to dance the night away and maybe even do some networking over a gin tonic.

Nestor Sanmiguel Diest & Dan Shaw-Town at Christopher Crescent

Here’s another indication for Brussels buzzing art scene: not only galleries from Antwerp are making the move to the Belgian capital, but even art folks from London: Christopher Crescent Gallery left the Big Smoke earlier this year to open up a space in the Chatelain neighbourhood. This Saturday there’s the opening of a duo exhibition featuring works by Dan Shaw-Town from the UK and Spanish artist Nestor Sanmiguel Diest.

John Roebas and Spencer Logo at Levy.Delval

Elaine Levy Project is moving on to new adventures: under the name of Levy.Delval  it invites you to discover its redesigned space with two fascinating solo exhibitions: John Roebas and Spencer Longo. While the Honduras-born artist Roebas makes large-scale paintings with a big focus on the process including hand dying, folding, painting, and bleaching, LA-based Spencer Logo examines the narratives behind current artifacts and services such as Vita Coco or Amazon.

Closing party: Forest Fever at Abbaye de Forest

Sunday, 14 September, 14h00 Brussels

The sunny season is clearly coming to an end, and this Sunday you’ll get the chance to properly wish it farewell at the last edition of Forest Fever, one of our favorite new summer parties. Food trucks, badminton fields, music and more located on the beautiful greeneries at Abbaye de Forest make for a great afternoon to enjoy these last sunrays.

Opening: Lara Gasparotto at CC Hasselt

Sunday, 14 September, 15h00 Hasselt

Lara Gasparotto, one of Belgium’s youngest rising photography stars, now shows her intimate, spontaneous and mesmerizing images at Hasselt’s cultural center. The up-and-comer from Liège has already turned quite some heads at this year’s Art Brussels and, despite her young age, is represented by one of Belgium’s top photography galleries. Not to miss.