What's on this week: 17 February
A Brussels gallery crawl, Canadian writers and Beyoncé: our pick of events in Flanders and Brussels this week
GET TICKETS NOW: Beyoncé
Add to that the announcement of a new world tour, three years after the US pop star hit the road with her superlative Mrs Carter tour, and you begin to understand why the internet pretty much exploded last week. The Brussels show at the mega, 50,000-capacity Koning Boudewijn Stadium will be anything but an intimate affair, but best believe you will be entertained. \ Linda A Thompson
31 July at Koning Boudewijn Stadium, Brussels
VISUAL ARTS: Brussels I Love You
Inspired by the success of the Parisian art walk Paris Je T’Aime, a group of Brussels galleries have joined forces to launch this gallery crawl. Centred around the municipalities of Elsene and Sint-Gillis, it gives audiences the chance to discover their friendly neighbourhood art spaces and the local artists who show there. Some 20 venues are participating, with special performances, conferences, readings and book signings. The centrepiece of this inaugural edition of BILY is a solo exhibition of Brussels-based installation artist Lola Meotti at the Elsene gallery Hangar H18. \ Georgio Valentino
Until 27 February across Brussels
FAMILY: Geluk voor kinderen
Flemish author and motivational speaker Leo Bormans has built a career on positivity. His World Book of Happiness has earned him invitations to preach the gospel of happy to harried working adults the world over. Now kids can get in on the geluk. This interactive exhibition uses colourful bird characters to help children aged six to 12 overcome challenges and know themselves better. The fun and games unfold in the corridors of Ostend’s historic Fort Napoleon, a seaside stronghold built by the eponymous French Emperor himself. \ GV
Until 10 April at Fort Napoleon, Ostend
LITERATURE: Yann Martel
Canadian writer Yann Martel struggled with his early books before finally breaking through in 2001 with the best-selling philosophical novel Life of Pi, which was later adapted for the big screen by Hollywood director Ang Lee. Passa Porta welcomes Martel to discuss his latest novel, The High Mountains of Portugal. Like his previous work, this epic tale mines its author’s experience as a lifelong vagabond. Martel was born the son of a globe-trotting diplomat and spent his early adulthood working odd jobs and travelling far and wide before finally settling in Montreal. \ GV
23 February, 20.00 at Passa Porta, Brussels
More events that deserve your attention
Louis Vanhaverbeke: Kokokito: The young Flemish choreographer/performer talks, thinks and sings his way across the stage in an investigation of the relationship between language and movement (in Dutch and English). 24-25 February 20.30, Campo, Nieuwpoort 31-35
The Light of Sicily: Contemporary works by seven Sicilian painters around the theme “light”, featuring sun-drenched landscapes and turquoise-blue coastal waters. 19 February to 27 March, Francis Maere Fine Arts Gallery, Kouter 172, Ghent
Elton John: The British singer, composer and pianist presents his Wonderful Crazy Night Tour, a combination of new songs and classic hits like “Tiny Dancer” and “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me”. 19 November 20.00, Lotto Arena, Schijnpoortweg 119, Antwerp
Delicatessen 2015: Part one of the festival featuring the best Flemish short films of 2015, including Aller-Retour, Billy the Bully, De Smet and Perdition County. 19 February 14.00 & 20.00, GC de Zandloper, Kaasmarkt 75, Wemmel (Flemish Brabant)
Gin, geschiedenis in een glas (Gin, History in A Glass): Gin expert Kurt Heddebauw tells the exciting and turbulent history of gin, from the spirit’s earliest origins in the middle ages to its overwhelming comeback and popularity in recent years (in Dutch). 23 February 14.00, Stadhuis, Vindictivelaan 1, Ostend
Heritage on Stage: Free exhibition and pop-up show in which various Leuven non-profits showcase the rich variety of cultures and heritage they represent. 20 February 15.00, Het Depot, Martelarenplein 12, Leuven
