What's on this week: 26 November

Lynn-Maree Milburn and Richard Lowenstein’s 2011 documentary Autoluminescent celebrates the life and art of cult musician Rowland S Howard. The late Australian guitarist never cared to leverage the early underground success of his punk outfit The Birthday Party into a mainstream career, as did singer Nick Cave. But Howard nevertheless influenced a generation of musicians with his distinctive style, borrowing its gritty, industrial modernity from West German krautrock and its melancholy twang from American country-and-western. In his presentation, too, Howard was oft-imitated but never surpassed. He was the archetypal sombre dandy of the 1980s, a German expressionist film come to life.
3 December, 20.00 at Ancienne Belgique, Brussels
www.abconcerts.be

Brussels’ holiday market is a force to be reckoned with. Winter Wonders stretches from the Grote Markt past the Beurs and Opera, across the Anspachlaan and Sint-Katelijneplein, all the way to the towering Ferris wheel at the far end of the Vismarkt. The market’s centrepiece is a massive Christmas fir given to Brussels by the City of Riga, Latvia as a gesture of friendship. Another highlight is the luminous installation integrated into the facade of the church, as well as the nightly light show Electrabel Nights just in front.
28 November to 4 January across Brussels city centre
www.winterwonders.be 

East Flanders’ favourite family-friendly pop-up design market is back and just in time to give you a head start on your holiday shopping. Prêt-a-Marché is a forum for local and independent producers, so don’t expect to find standardised or mass-produced commodities. Backstitched Design (pictured) embodies the spirit of the event. The Belgo-American DIY brand takes discarded leather and lovingly transforms it into original, hand-crafted bags and accessories. Dozens more producers show off their wares, including fashion, food and health and beauty products. There’s also face-painting and games for the kids.
30 November, 10.00-18.00 at Seven, Eeklo
www.pretamarche.be

Michael Paouris: The fastest bouzouki player on Planet Earth (according to legendary guitarist Al Di Meola) is in Brussels to perform Django Reinhardt meets Manolis Chiotis, a combination of Belgian gypsy jazz and Greek bouzouki.
28 November 20.00, Art Base, Zandstraat 29, Brussels
www.art-base.be

Libres et Libertines: Expressionist paintings by Paris artist Chantal Kakal, featuring funny, colourful caricatures inspired by Coco Chanel.
29 November to 20 December, Ludwig Trossaert Gallery, Museumstraat 29, Antwerp
www.galerieludwigtrossaert.com

Fashion Film Festival: The annual international travelling film Festival founded by American-born, Paris-based fashion blogger and critic Diane Pernet, featuring shorts, features, documentaries, conferences, performances and installations.
2-3 December, AMUZ, Kammenstraat 81, Antwerp
www.ashadedviewonfashionfilm.com

Winter Moments with Flowers: Inspiration for a cosy holiday season, with azaleas from Ghent, poinsettias, table decorations and inspired creations by renowned florists and interior designers, plus demonstrations and workshops around festive decor and do-it-yourself flower and wreath arrangements.
Until 30 November, Oud Sint-Jan, Zonnekemeers, Bruges
www.happenings.be

Happy Thanksgiving: Feast for those in Brussels missing “turkey day” in the United States, featuring a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings, pumpkin pie and special drinks.
27 November noon until late, Hard Rock Cafe Brussels, Grote Markt 12a, Brussels
www.hardrock.com/cafes/brussels

Hindu Nights: Annual New Year’s Eve party that sells out quickly every year for its laid-back atmosphere and eclectic mix of rock’n’roll and DJ sets, featuring a winter terrace (Frank Sinatra, John Lennon…), soul café (Etta James, Aretha Franklin…) and indie ballroom (Oasis, Arctic Monkeys…).
31 December 22.30-6.00, Vooruit, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 23, Ghent
www.hindunights.be