The 29th Art Brussels - Contemporary Art Fair

Now in its 29th year, the Art Brussels art fair, which will run from Thursday 28 April to Sunday 1 May 2011 is already being heralded as a must-see event for all lovers of contemporary art. Art Brussels is a global player in the contemporary art field and manages, now more than ever, to maintain itself at the top of the major international art fairs. More than 400 galleries from 33 countries have submitted an application in the hope of being selected for the exhibition. The international selection committee selected 170 art galleries. Roughly one quarter of the galleries are Belgian, the remainder are from Europe and all over the world. They present a variety of works by young and established talent and guarantee an interesting mix of conceptual art, contemporary painting, sculpture, photography, video, installations and performances. The emphasis, as always, is on quality. Every year, Art Brussels gains in importance. This art fair is widely considered to be one of the major European contemporary art fairs and is gaining in importance every year. Thirty thousand professionals, collectors and art lovers are expected to travel to Brussels from across Europe and even beyond. Every year in April, Brussels is rightfully considered the European centre for contemporary art. The 1,500 artists represented at the fair includes young, emerging talent, but also established names show a selection of their best paintings, sculptures, photographs, video and other installations.

Art Brussels Thursday, 28 April – Sunday, 1 May 2011
Opening hours Preview Wed 27/04: 12 – 4 pm (by invitation only)
Vernissage Wed 27/04 4 pm – 10 pm (by invitation only)
Fair Thu 28/04 – Sun 01/05: 12 am till 7 pm
Venue Brussels Expo - Halls 1 & 3
Place de Belgique, 1 BE-1020 Brussels

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Its the start of the Carnival Weekend in Belgium..and that means Binche

There are tons of great festivals and events that take place throughout the year in Belgium, but few can rival the tradition and exuberance of the Carnival of Binche. Every February on the three days leading up to Lent, the town of Binche puts on its world-famous carnival, which is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Binche, is found in the Walloon region of the country, which is predominantly French-speaking. It is a small Medieval town with just over 30,000 residents, but this small town knows how to throw a party.

On Fat Monday, the Gilles dance in the streets of Binche to music that is supplied by barrel organ players. There is a confetti battle on Fat Monday as well, and the highlights also feature the circle of friendship that is formed by members from various youth groups.

Monday ends in fireworks, which helps to continue the fanfare, but no day is bigger than Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras. Fat Tuesday is the only day in which the famed Gilles wear their costumes all day long, from sunup to sundown.

In addition to the Gilles, harlequins, Pierrots, and peasant characters help to make Fat Tuesday even more special, and you’ll want to pay attention to the fancy footwork that some of the dancers put on. The last procession on Mardi Gras takes place at around 3 p.m., and it is when the Gilles are known to toss oranges to and at crowd members, so keep your eyes peeled.

After the last procession, folks generally mill about the town center, enjoying further celebrations. The evening is capped off with the week’s best fireworks show.


Some other Carnivals around Belgium worth checking out:

Carvaval de Malmedy March 5-8

Carnaval de Amay March 6

Carnaval de la Grosse Biesse Marche en Famenne March 5 and 6

Carnaval de Aalst March 6

CANTILLION BREWERY TOUR Saturday March 5th

Cantillon Brewery is a small, family-owned brewery but since 1978, it has run primarily as the Brussel’s Gueze Museum. Having seen few changes since it opened in 1900, the brewery is working museum exhibit of late 19th-century brewery technology.

It is operated by the Van Roy-Cantillon family as a brewery for lambic, gueuze, faro, and kriek – all beers that are made with wild strains of yeast and undergo spontaneous fermentation. When it was founded, it was just one of many gueuze breweries in Brussels, but today it is the last.

Walking into Cantillon for a tour is like stepping back in time.

From 6h30 to 17h, the Master brewer, his family and friends invite you to the great brewering fair and propose you to experience the various steps in the traditional production of the Lambic and Gueuze.

ITINERARY: SATURDAY MARCH 5TH
In a 19th Century brewery with its original equipment

from 7.00 to 9.00 Brewing process
from 9 to 13.00 Filtration and hopping
from 12.00 to 15.00 Cooking
at 15.30 Pumping of wort into the cooling tun
from 7.00 to 12.00 Barrel cleaning "ancient method"

Guided tours every 2 hours as from 7.00

Admission fee: EUR 6 per person - this includes guided tour and one drink of your choice

Croissants and coffee are proposed until 8.30, free of charge

56 rue Gheude
1070 Brussels
5' from the Gare du Midi

Area map

2010 charity book sale

SAVE THE DATE!!

The 2010 charity book sale will be held on
Sunday 24 October 14:00-16:00

119 rue Franklin,

1000 Brussels

STUDS (Spouses Trailing Under Duress Successsfully) have very kindly donated their muscle power to shift books from our attic to the basement - and back again! They will also be present at the sale to help out, and answer any questions you may have about their organisation

2010 year is the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion so proceeds will be donated to NASCI, a charity based in Brussels dedicated to helping needy children, pregnant women and mothers.

If you wish your name to be removed from this mailing list please reply now with remove in the subject line.

Belgium STUDS: (Spouses Trailing Under Duress Successfully) is a casual, multinational group of males who are in Belgium because of their wives' jobs, although there are some who are working, and others who live here permanently but are just looking to meet like-minded friends in a new environment. There are even a few women from time to time who just enjoy the laid back, casual atmosphere. http://www.belgiumstuds.com/

Studs Going away party for the Fab Five.

Dave presents the departing STUDS president mug to Ed

We had a wonderful evening for five of our members who are repatriating back to their home countries. Rather bittersweet as I didn't get the feeling that any of them were truly excited about leaving as they had acclimated to Belgium well and developed some good friendships. I will be sad to see all of them go as they are a truly great bunch of guys.

Chalks Coriette hosted a dinner for us at Espace 53 in the Cinquantinaire, a venue I am sure we will be taking advantage of again in the future. Dave Hutcheson did all the planning and preperation.....kudos for the great evening.


Warren wasn't as bored with us as he looks, and although he was here only a short time, and actually did do a rather unstudly deed of getting a "real" job, they are going back to Toronto.

Cathal was here a real short time, but was really getting into the hang of it, as far as living the STUD life.....if that means learning how to drink with Kjeld. Actually I don't think anyone has to teach an Irishman to drink, but I know he's not real eager to go back to Dublin.

Ray's wife looks on in horror as Ray passes the 1 hour mark of his going away speech. Ray's tour got cut short also, and I will have to say that I have never seen anyone jump into Belgian culture and people the way Ray has. He did his best to learn both languages and showed up at STUDS with many native Belgians, and really immersed himself in the experience. They are going back to Philadelphia.

Ed, our departing president is headed back to Memphis and has been here for about 5 years I believe. He was one of our more active members over the years, and I'm sure this was a very emotional experience for him as he has developed some good friendships with a lot of us and really feels like he is leaving family. Thanks for all the work and participation you've done with STUDS over the years Ed, you'll be missed.

Mehul is another one who got very active with STUDS, and the International School and probably put more effort into those things than most people do with a real job. They are going back to London, but we actually hope to still see more of him in the future as it's not far away. He was president material too......damn!

Ed turns over the presidency to Andy....our first Aussie pres!

Andy made the mistake of getting up to go the restroom, and while he was away....we elected him president. Better hold it next time.

MANY MORE PICTURES OF THE NIGHT

A Blatant Push for more Belgium STUDS members

As companies are cutting back on their expat assignments due to these difficult financial times, we have had a number of quality people leaving STUDS as they repatriate to their home countries.
If you are new to Belgium, or even if you've been here for awhile and are looking to make some new friends, please come on by to our weekly lunch on Fridays and meet some of the group.
Read more about what STUDS is, in the "What Is Belgium STUDS" column on the right hand side, or visit the STUDS website for more details and pictures.

Please keep in mind, you do not have to fit the generic profile listed to be a member of STUDS. If you can drink a beer, and manage to spew a little conversation or bullshit, at the same time...you pretty much qualify.

We intend to keep this blog updated with upcoming events in and around Belgium, and personal articles written by our members. It will also be used to update any STUDS events upcoming.
We will take submissions also, if we feel it would be of expat or group interest.

If you desire a little daily news, humour, politics and debate, check out our STUDSBLOG which is updated several times a day. Please keep in mind this is a little boys club and some of the material can be a bit cheeky and not always safe for work. You have been warned!