What’s on 13-19 Feb 2025
⭐ This Week's Top Picks
The Amazons of Africa. A powerhouse Malian collective blending African rhythms with activism for equal rights, delivering an electrifying and melodic performance.
Asian Dub Foundation. The legendary British band Asian Dub Foundation is a genre in itself. Enjoy their unique combination of jungle, dub, heavy guitars and barrage of militant raps.
The Last Beach – Diego Latruwe & 8 Other Artists. A thought-provoking exhibition exploring themes of decay, repetition, and the end of time, inspired by literary greats like H.G. Wells and Borges.
🎨 🎻 🧺 Art, Music & Markets
Haydn, Shostakovich and Elgar. Protest. “How to make a statement without saying a word? Haydn, Shostakovich and Elgar know exactly how. Whether protesting against underpaid musicians, Stalin or the horror of the Great War - these composers dared to make a statement. Cellist Johannes Moser joins Flanders Symphony Orchestra again to bring you Elgar’s cello concerto. Conductor Christoph Koncz will lead the protests in an orderly fashion.” Tickets: €8-46. 13 Feb, 20:00. Concertgebouw, ‘t Zand 34. https://www.symfonieorkest.be/en/concerts/protest
Book presentation: Onwelvaart. Onwelvaart by Steve Marreyt translates as “Unprosperity”. “The lyrical voices in Onwelvaart have a troubled relationship with money: they collide with the myths of redistribution and are swallowed up by the false promises of marketing and banking culture. Despite realizing that there is little choice but to endure it all, they try not to succumb to looming defeatism. The search for a way out may also herald new utopian insights, though not without the necessary cries of despair.” 15 Feb, 15:00. This event is organised by KAAP, a cultural exchange organisation with centres in Bruges & Ostend. To register for this event, email bieke.vanhee@poeziecentrum.be. Suggested contribution: €5. KORF, Naaldenstraat 4. https://www.kaap.be/toont/onwelvaart-door-steve-marreyt
Musical Theatre - Macadam! “In “Macadam! Tutti Fratelli crosses the Boulevard of Broken Dreams. It is a dancing total spectacle full of melancholy. An unorthodox revue that depicts hope and despair in fearful times, in search of beauty, humanity and comfort. The Fratelli were each asked eighty questions about the hope and despair in their lives. Their answers became the breeding ground for this new performance. Macadam! shows the search of lost people for something to hold on to – with something or someone.” Tickets: €7-20. 15 Feb, 20:00. Stadsschouwburg, Vlamingstraat 29. https://www.ccbrugge.be/agenda/4326/tutti-fratelli/macadam
The Amazons of Africa. “Singer Mamani Keita founded this Malian primal force, together with original members Oumou Sangaré and Mariam Doumbia, and is waging a musical battle for equal rights. Les Amazones d'Afrique has played in various line-ups, all imbued with African creativity and melodic energy.” Tickets: €9-26. 19 Feb, 20:00, Stadsschouwburg, Vlamingstraat 29. https://www.ccbrugge.be/agenda/4329//les-amazones-d-afrique
The Last Beach - Diego Latruwe & 8 other artists. “This season, we are once again crowning our resident artist as curator. A fascinating exhibition where his art is confronted with work by other artists. Together with nine other artists with whom he has an affinity, Diego Latruwe is developing an exhibition around themes such as decay, repetition and infinity. They draw inspiration from HG Wells, Michel Houellebecq and Jorge Luis Borges. The Last Beach is an exhibition that reaches towards the end of time. It poses pertinent questions: how do we conserve, fragment and reproduce, while the sea level threatens to rise above our heads and the world is in constant flux?” Until 9 Mar. FREE. Exhibition space Poortersloge - Kraanrei 19. https://www.ccbrugge.be/agenda/4369/the-last-beach/diego-latruwe-en-8-kunstenaars?slash2=
Local art: Kunstkunstig. “Kunst@IRIS has been a fixture in the Bruges region for more than 70 years With a wide variety of art disciplines, its exhibitions are always a fascinating experience for both visitors and artists.” Until 23 Feb, 10:00-18:00. Jan Garemijnzaal, Belfort Markt. https://www.visitbruges.be/en/whats-on/events-calendar/kunstkunstig
Exhibition: 600 Years of Anselm Adornes. Anselm Adornes (1424–1483) was a prominent merchant, diplomat, and knight from Bruges. Of Genoese descent, he played a key role in international trade and politics, serving as an envoy for the Dukes of Burgundy. Adornes is best known for his pilgrimage to Jerusalem and his involvement in religious and cultural projects, including the construction of the Jerusalem Chapel in Bruges, inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. His life reflects the dynamic exchange between commerce, diplomacy, and devotion in medieval Europe. A standard ticket costs €10. Until 1 Mar. Adornesdomein & Jeruzalemkapel (Peperstraat 3). https://www.adornes.org/en-home
James Ensor: 75 years after his death. The Groeningemuseum (Dijver 12) is hosting a collection presentation dedicated to James Ensor, 75 years after the artist's death. The Groeningemuseum is also home to "Ensor: Master on paper". This separate exhibition showcases Ensor's artistic talent through drawings and etchings, highlighting his grotesque and macabre imagery, including masks and skeletons. Museum ticket prices are up to €15, children under 13 go FREE. This Ensor exhibition will run at the Groeninge until 18 Feb. https://www.visitbruges.be/en/whats-on/events-calendar/ensor-master-paper
Weekly markets. The Saturday market (15 Feb) will be on ‘t Zand and the market on Wednesday (19 Feb) will be on the Grote Markt/Burg.
🎬 🎭 Stage, Screen, and Scene
Cinema. Cinema Lumière (Sint-Jakobsstraat 36) will be showing a variety of films over the next week. These include Paddington in Peru,The Brutalist, Maria, Conclave, Babygirl, and The Room Next Door. Ticket prices are up to €12, with a family film option before 16:30 costing €9. Visit the cinema’s website for films, timings and bookings: https://lumiere-brugge.be/agenda-lumiere-brugge/
Kinepolis (Koning Albert l-laan 200) will offer films over the coming week including Captain America: Brave New World, Paddington in Peru, Wicked, Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, and Mufasa: The Lion King. A standard ticket costs €14,10. Visit https://kinepolis.be/nl/nl/movies/overview/ for more information and bookings.
⚽ Game On: Sports & Recreation
Football fans visiting Bruges can watch the city’s two world famous clubs, Brugge KSV (“Club Brugge”) and Cercle Brugge KSV (“Cercle Brugge”) play during the season at the city’s Jan Breydel stadium (Koning Leopold III-laan 50). Cercle will play KVC Westerlo on 16 Feb, 19:15 in the Jupiler Pro League. https://cerclebrugge.be/news/articles/cerwesinfo
🍻🎶 Bruges After Dark: Nightlife
Asian Dub Foundation. “The legendary British band Asian Dub Foundation is a genre in itself. With their unique combination of jungle, dub, heavy guitars and barrage of militant raps, the group broke through in the mid-1990s. Their exciting music and social activism soon put Asian Dub Foundation on the radar of acts like Rage Against The Machine, Radiohead and Beastie Boys. ADF also collaborated with the likes of Sinead O'Connor, Iggy Pop, Chuck D. and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.” Tickets: €24-30. 14 Feb, 19:30. Cactus Music Centre, Bargeweg 10. https://www.cactusmusic.be/NL/Concerten/Kalender/asian-dub-foundation
Erol Alkan. Erol Alkan is a DJ. He is also a producer, artist, radio host, and label head. Some call him a musical wizard, while others regard him as one of the most unique figures in electronic and alternative culture of the past few decades. Tickets: €18-24. 15 Feb, 22:00. Cactus Music Centre, Bargeweg 10. https://www.cactusmusic.be/EN/Concerts/Calendar/erol-alkan
🌈 Family Fun: Events & Adventures
Musical Theatre - NAAF. “NAFF is about a special friendship in a crazy world. NAAF tells the story of the Wielingers. With the Wielingers, everything has to roll: wheels, words and money. The fishermen exchanged fishing for 'steel stallions'. The cycling fever on the island finally puts bread on the table again. But the silent Naaf can't find his way. Fortunately, there is Boets, an old net knotter who diligently 'continues to knot' against her better judgment. She is the only one who really understands little Naaf - who doesn't speak a word. Puppets, music, light and animation take you to a sparkling world.” In NAAF, strobe light is used. Ages 5+. Tickets: €7-14. 16 Feb, 15:00. Stadsschouwburg, Vlamingstraat 29. https://www.ccbrugge.be/agenda/4328/tal-en-thee/naaf
Circus - Mystica. “Mystica by MOVEDBYMATTER and Muziektheater Transparant, is a ritual that combines the language of circus, musical theatre and female mystical figures from world history into a contemporary whole. The performance explores the lost undercurrent of mystical energy in our society by rewriting the traditional texts of eight female mystics from the 8th to the 16th century to the present. Floating hair hangers and choir members bring them to life through song. Together, the performers search for a worldly, spiritual microcosm in which everything and everyone is connected.” Tickets: €11-22. Ages 12+. 15 & 16 Feb, 20:00. MaZ - Magdalenastraat 27. https://www.ccbrugge.be/agenda/4327/movedbymatter-en-muziektheater-transparant/mystica
Expo Culinair - Handmade in Brugge. “Culinary creators from Handmade in Brugge will share insights into their craft and showcase what sets them apart. The focus is on the production process, with objects from their workshops, kitchens, or studios taking center stage.In addition to the exhibition, you’ll also have the chance to dive deeper into their craft through studio visits, tastings, and demo workshops.” FREE. Until 29 Mar, 10:30-17:30. Sashuis - Handmade in Brugge Shop, Wijngaardplein 14. https://www.handmadeinbrugge.be/agenda/expo-culinair
Expo Bodyworlds. Visit this award-winning exhibition showcasing real, plasticised human bodies. Explore the functions, development, and resilience of the human body while learning about the effects of diseases and lifestyle choices. Tickets: €15-19. Until 25 Mar. Site Oud Sint Jan, Mariastraat 38. https://bodyworlds.be
Atelier Matinée", Concertgebouw (Concert hall). The entrance hall of the Concertgebouw transforms into a play, craft, and discovery zone on (almost) every Sunday morning. FREE, next on 16 Feb, 09:30. https://www.concertgebouw.be/nl/atelier-matinee-en-workshops
Concertgebouw tours. The concert hall also offers tours of its architecture and (sound) art exhibition. https://www.concertgebouw.be/nl/concertgebouw-circuit Guided tours are available on some days. Tickets: €6-12, FREE for children under 6. Concertgebouw ('t Zand 34.) https://ticketshop.ticketmatic.com/concertgebouw/shop
🌤️🌧️ Weather
Expect chilly weather over the coming week, with highs of 4–7°C and lows between -2°C and 2°C. It will be mostly cloudy with some sunshine, especially early next week.
Find latest forecasts covering Bruges at: https://www.meteo.be/en/belgium