Seven things to do in Belgium this week from Japanese music nights in Brussels to nights out in Antwerp. See you there!

Festival I: Japanese New Music at Magasin 4

Friday, 26 May Brussels

If you want to get to know Japan’s experimental music scene, this is for you. Magasin 4 brings together eccentric poly-rhythmic a cappella ensemble Zubi Zuva X, punky Akaten, psychedelic acid folk outfit Zoffy, and others.

Summer bar: Jazz à la Guingette at Parc de Forest

Friday, 26 May Brussels

Located in the middle of Parc de Forest, la Guingette is one of our very favorite summer bars during the sunny season, offering delicious bio and local food creations but also concerts, yoga, markets, and more. This Friday you can kick off your weekend under the evening sun to the jazzy sounds of DJ Arnie.

Last days: (Dys)-Tropism at Super Dakota

Until 27 May Brussels

If you haven’t checked out Super Dakota’s current exhibition “(DYS)-TROPISM” yet, then this week is your last chance to do so. The captivating group show unites works by Saudi-Arabian artist Sarah Abu Abdallah, Juliette Bonneviot from France, Canadian Chris Dorland, Belgian-born Celine Gillain, and others. The exhibition revolves around the notion that we’re living in a dystopian order, where technology is not a means of liberation but becoming a tool for captivity and imprisonment. Highly interesting.

Festival II: Delta Wave at Het Bos

From 26 to 28 May Antwerp

Antwerp’s Delta Wave festival brings you three days of rather underground art and music, described buy its makers as “trance-dimensional surface rubbings of new music, installation, sound sculpting, graphic and video art”. The carefully curated line-up ranges from Germany’s Autistic Argonauts to Finnish Tomutonttu. See the full program here.

Opening party: Richard Deacon at Middelheim Museum

Saturday, 27 May, 10-23h00 Antwerp

Antwerp’s Middelheim Museum is one of the oldest open air museums in the world. This weekend sees the opening of its annual summer exhibition, which is celebrated with an all-day opening party in the museum park. The exhibited artist, Britain’s Richard Deacon, will give a talk about his fascinating work, and there’ll be food trucks, music, and workshops for kids. Deacon, known for his abstract sculptures, won the renowned Turner Prize in 1987 and represented Wales in the Venice Biennale  in 2007.

Night out: Wiels Birthday bash & Kunstenfestivaldesarts closing party

Saturday, 27 May, 11-4h00 Brussels

An all-day and all-night party is going down at Wiels this Saturday, which not only celebrates its 10th birthday but also the closing of Kunstenfestivaldesarts. Come by for screenings,  the inauguration of a permanent picnic table at the Wiels Garden, arty workshops for children, cocktails on the rooftop terrace, and much more.

Concert: Broken Social Scene at Trix

Sunday, 28 May Antwerp

Canadian indie rock collective Broken Social Scene play Antwerp’s Trix this Sunday. They’re set to release “Hug of Thunder” this July, their fifth studio album and first record in seven years. Check out the first single featuring Leslie Feist here.

Cover photo Miles Fischler