What's on this week: 31 August

The founding of the modern Belgian state some 185 years ago coincided with the golden age of press cartoons. Local cartoonists have continued ever since to put pen to paper in order to satirise current events, be it the late 19th-century colonisation of the Congo or the perennial political strife between the linguistic communities. This free exhibition brings together artists from yesterday and today to present an unflinching if irreverent visual account of the past two centuries. Pop historian Gilles Dal curated a selection of historical works and invited living cartoonists to reflect on Belgian history from a contemporary perspective. Until 6 November, BELvue, Brussels

Everyone loves trains, but they are simply too bulky to enjoy indoors. Hence the model train. The collectors and enthusiasts behind Aalst’s Treinland invite families for a weekend open house of 1:48 scale proportion. The voyage begins with Friday night’s Nocturne, during which visitors will watch magical illuminated trains pulling into fairy-tale stations. Treinland reopens for a more traditional open house the following afternoon. Kids will enjoy interactive demonstrations and multimedia train simulations as well as food and drink. Entry to both events is free. 2-3 September, Treinland, Aalst

Nigerian author Wole Soyinka’s political activism earned him a prison sentence and the animosity of a succession of corrupt regimes. It has also fed a steady stream of plays and poems that made him a Nobel laureate in 1986. Now aged 82, the veteran playwright shows no signs of slowing down. He remains a tireless advocate of democracy and human rights around the world but especially in Africa. This Bozar appearance, moderated by MO* Magazine’s Africa correspondent, Stefaan Anrys, focuses not just on Soyinka’s life and career but the future of African activism. (In English) 21 September, 20.00, Bozar, Brussels

Ben Miller Band: The four-piece American blues-rock band performs with an arsenal of instruments: violin, slide guitar, dobro, dulcimer, keyboard, mandolin, banjo, bass and harmonica. 2 September 20.30, De Roma, Turnhoutsebaan 329 (Borgerhout), Antwerp

The Van Jets: The Flemish rock band perform their unique form of groovy glam-rock, right after the fireworks show to close out another edition of Deurne’s annual Bevrijdingsfeesten (Liberation Festival). 2 September 22.30, Openluchttheater Rivierenhof, Turnhoutsebaan 246 (Deurne), Antwerp

Sofia Matsagou: Concert and CD preview from the talented Greek pianist, including works by Bach, Chopin, Ravel and Debussy, among others. 3 September 20.00, Art Base, Zavelstraat 29, Brussels

Lee Kit: A small sound in your head: Installations by the Chinese contemporary artist incorporating ready-made objects such as videos and paintings on kitchen towels, picnic blankets and curtains, all with elements of pop music and language. Until 4 September, Smak, Jan Hoetplein 1, Ghent

Veurne La Fête: Annual music festival in the charming historic centre of this West Flemish town, featuring local bands like hip-hop crew Westflag, fierce rock’n’rollers Helsinki, the ever-humorous Radio Guga and cabaret duo Preuteleute. 2 September, Grote Markt, Veurne

Parklife: Summer bar with cocktails and tapas, plus a free open-air screening of Sergio Leone’s 1966 classic The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, starring Clint Eastwood. 31 August 22.00, De Casino, Stationsstraat 104, Sint-Niklaas