Music and art in Brussels, literature in Charleroi, photography in Antwerp, and more. See you there!
Concert: Allah-Las at Ancienne Belgique
Wednesday, 26 October Brussels
Hailing from California, LA quartet Allah-Las is known for its sun-soaked, melodic, psychedelic garage rock. This year they released their third record “Calico Review”, recorded with vintage equipment in a room with a lot of recording history – quite fitting for an album that takes you a bit on a trip down memory lane. As Paste Magazine writes: “There are more than a few bands hell-bent on exhuming and reinventing the past. Few are as adept as the Allah-Las.” So if you’re up for a bit of a 60s vibe Californian rock revival, this is for you.
Literature festival: Livresse #18 at Le Vecteur
From 26 to 29 October Charleroi
Livresse is a bit of a veteran in the Belgian cultural scene: since 1996 it has been bringing together book nerds and other culture vultures for a multifaceted literature festival that wants to create an equal exchange between writers and readers. Its 18th edition, again hosted by Charleroi’s Vecteur, offers four days of debates, exhibitions, lectures, concerts, guided city walks, and a closing party at La Manufacture Urbaine together with urban art biennale Asphalte.
Exhibition opening: Time Lines at Independent Régence
Thursday, 27 October, 18h00 Brussels
The Brussels branch of New York’s Independent Art Fair puts on another must-see group exhibition in its premises at Brussels gallery hub Régence. “Time Lines” brings together Ryan Gander, Mark Geffriaud and Cally Spooner whose work emerges from a common use of concepts by associations of ideas or varied readings, with time playing an essential role in the creative processes of all three artists.
Photography: Saul Leiter at FOMU
Opens Thursday, 27 October, 20h00 Antwerp
Famed American photographer Saul Leiter, a pioneer of color photography, is the subject of a fascinating exhibition opening this Thursday at Antwerp’s FOMU. Leiter used color film already in 1946, at a time when only black and white photography was accepted as an artistic medium, and long before Stephen Shore and William Eggleston, who were both part of the New Color Photography movement emerging in the 70s. The comprehensive show not only presents Leiter’s innovative photography work, but also a number of paintings and other pieces never shown before.
Shopping: MAD Fashion sales at De Markten
From 28 to 29 October Brussels
Twice a year MAD throws a special stock sale giving fashionistas the opportunity to get their hands on some trendy designer must-haves at reasonable prices. It’s once more hosted at De Markten where shoppers can rummage through a mix of pieces by established designers as well as younger up-and-comers. Featuring Roxane Baines, Christian Wijnants, Conni Kaminski, Gioia Seghers (who we interviewed here) and many others.
Music: Bruxelles mon amourrr at Brussels Kart Expo
Saturday, 29 October Brussels
Belgian Dour festival (see Lisa Lapierre’s photo series about it here) has established itself as the alternative music festival of the country, attracting a massive cult following each summer. The 28th edition in July drew a record of 235.000 music fans to the Wallonian village. To make the wait till next year a little shorter, the Dour team puts on a brand new music night in Brussels this weekend with ten DJs, two stages, bars, food trucks and the usual unique Dour spirit. If you want to check out this exciting debut edition, we have 2 duo tickets to give away for our lucky readers! Just write an email to sarah@seeyouthere.be stating why you love Brussels.
Fashion festival: MOOI at De Studio
Saturday, 29 October Antwerp
More fashion: MOOI, a brand new two-day festival curated by renowned Antwerp-based fashion designer Bruno Pieters, invites you to an intriguing mix of exhibitions, talks, and workshops at multidisciplinary Antwerp art center De Studio, exploring questions about the future of fashion, sustainability, and much more. A sure highlight: an interview with fashion icon, Antwerp Six member and head of The Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp Fashion Department Walter Van Beirendonck about fashion education and new technologies.
Night out: Catclub season kickoff at VOLTA
Saturday, 29 October Brussels
Catclub is back! After the summer break the legendary kitty party series returns with a night to remember at Volta, a former power station and dazzling architectural gem built back in 1912. Behind the decks: Mexican-born Daniel Maloso, Massimiliano Pagliara, and Catclub residents Kong and Fais Le Beau.