What’s on this week: 28 September

The Red Star Line is remembered for its primary function: transporting down-at-heel migrants from Europe to America via the port of Antwerp. But the transatlantic shipping service also offered pleasure cruises for wealthy passengers in the Roaring 20s. The Red Star Line Museum’s forthcoming exhibition Cruise Away is set to explore these voyages through travel diaries and photographs. But before it launches, Ghent’s experimental big band Flat Earth Society offers a preview. Band leader Peter Vermeersch has scored a montage of found film footage from Red Star Line cruise ship SS Belgenland, which will be projected during the performance. 1 October, 20.00, Red Star Line Museum, Antwer

Having sold out Passa Porta in a second, American author Hanya Yanagihara has been moved to the much larger Flagey. She will discuss her short but eventful literary career. After paying her dues as a book publicist and travel journalist, Yanagihara published her first novel, The People in the Trees, in 2013 to encouraging reviews. Her second novel, last year’s A Little Life, was a bona fide bestseller. Hailed as “the great gay novel”, the book made the shortlist of both the National Book Award and the Man Booker Prize. The discussion, in English, is moderated by Flemish radio personality Ruth Joos. 6 October, 20.15, Flagey, Brussels

This second edition of the Brussels Biennale of Modern Architecture, titled Modernisms Are Shaping the City / Modernisms Are Shaking the City, explores the urban landscape of post-war Brussels. The capital underwent a profound transformation after its liberation from German occupation in 1944. Smaller shops and houses were cleared to make way for large-scale infrastructure, office buildings like the Zuidertoren and high-rise apartment blocks. Each Saturday in October, visitors can participate in a different themed tour in Dutch, French and English. The programme also includes one lecture and three film screenings, all held during the week. 1-29 October, across Brussels

Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill: Irish fiddle virtuoso Martin Hayes performs traditional Irish folk with spare yet essential accompaniment from American guitarist Dennis Cahill, resulting in dynamic, toe-tapping music. 1 October 20.15, Handelsbeurs, Kouter 29, Ghent

Vrouwen van de zolder (Women of the Attic): In a heart-warming ode to the late Flemish theatre director Eric De Volder, actors Ineke Nijssen and Gilles De Schrijver of Het Kip explore the inspirational items, drawings and texts he left behind (in Dutch). 30 September 20.15, Waalvest 1, Menen

The Ultimate Burlesque Experience: Showgirls and other performers move to a roaring ’20s theme, featuring sensual, elegant acts, in addition to an absinthe bar, retro beauty salon and “naughty” stands. 30 September 20.00, De Spil, H Spilleboutdreef 1, Roeselare

Belgian-Korean Comics Exhibition: The Songs of Our Families: Five Belgian and Korean comic strip artists show original illustrations, disclosing distinctly individual ways of telling similar stories. Until 22 October, Korean Cultural Center, Regentschapsstraat 4, Brussels

Staminee de Bib: Muntpunt transforms into a cafe for a week, where books and beer, stories and meetings, coffee and cake go hand-in-hand, plus book sales, quiz, debates and more. 7-15 October, Muntpunt, Munt 6, Brussels

Readings on Sundays: Series of talks by professors, curators and art historians on a range of topics, from the works of Rubens and Brueghel to the artistic status of photography in the 19th century. 2 October to 5 March 2017, Thomas More Campus National, Kronenburgstraat 62-66, Antwerp