Fabulous experience. Very much a highlight of our short stay in Bruges. Luc is a genius and a mad…read morescientist of all things harp. You will leave with a smile.

Wow! This harp concert was so freaking amazing and definitely worth checking out if you have an…read morehour to spare. Follow the signs at Site Oud Sint-Jan. Luc plays at 3:00PM, 5:00PM, and 6:30PM. Please show up on time and stay for the entire performance (total, it's about 50 minutes). Don't be rude and ruin the experience for everyone. If you do come in slightly late, please take a seat during the short pause between songs. It's in a small room that seats about 40 people, and Luc does a quick 2-minute introduction, plays for the majority of the time, and gives a 5-7 minute explanation about the instruments he played after he's done. It truly is "Harps around the World," a one-man show. He only plays his own compositions, which are amazing. He controls the lighting (including different colored lights), and he's not offended when you fall asleep. He knows his music can be relaxing, but just don't snore!! The music is soothing and beautiful. I definitely fell asleep...because the concert was so great!!! Luc is a harp master, passionate about his craft. He switches between multiple harps, including Grand Concert Harp, Celtic Harp, Harmonic Sound Harp (a self-made contraption made of sound harps usually only used for music therapy!), traditional harps from China, Japan, India, cymbals from Tibet, Nepal, and Japan, gongs from China, a steel harp, and a Lyre de Ur. The last one is a replica of an ancient instrument from 200BC that was excavated, and one that he spent 2 years making! And he only finished it a couple months ago, so check it out now. Nothing like it. He even shows you a video of the process. Finally, this concert is free, as in donation-based, but you can purchase CDs as support as well. Please support him if you have the means to do so. Luc himself keeps it free because he believes that $$$ should not be a barrier to cultural and arts enrichment. I obviously loved the performance, and hope you choose to check it out!

It took me a bit to work out what this place is, but when I first laid eyes on it, and in…read moreparticular the statues of all the famous playwrights, artitsts, and composers that rimmed the roof I was literally left speechless. In fact I spent a but of time simply walking around the building simply admiring its architecture. The Schouwberg is actually the Antwerp Opera House, and while it would have been good to go inside, and possibly even see a show, unfortunately time was at a premium. Still, even if you don't get to go to the Opera, or even have the opporunity to step inside, it is still worth checking out, even if it is simply o check out the building itself - it is absolutely magnificent.

Most beautiful theatre in Belgium; ofcourse not much to do here if you don't understand Dutch.read more

People living in Antwerp are pretty spoiled when it comes to concert halls. From the top 10…read morebest-selling concert hall worldwide to the smaller venues, in Antwerp there's plenty of room for a wide variety of music. The concert venue Music centre TRIX is located just outside the heart of the city and is only a 15 minutes tram ride away from Antwerpen - Centraal railway station (tram 10 Wijnegem and get off at "Borgerhout Hof ter Lo"). U won't find any top-billed artists on the stage. The TRIX is known for its alternative music profile and with a standing capacity of 1100, it brings u face-to-face with the entertaining live shows starring Amanda Palmer or Emilie Autumn's fantasy rock. The American pop rock band OneRepublic, the rap metal band Limp Bizkit and the Belgium singer Stromae all performed sold out shows at TRIX!

What an epic experience to see Fleet Foxes here! This is a…read morehistoric location and venue! This place is known for its exceptional acoustics. The Kings of Leon recorded a live EP here. There are 3 levels and if you arrive early you can get seats in the rear, otherwise you are standing the entire show. Go here to see a live show!

Only a very lucky human being gets to see one of her favorite electronic groups while traveling…read moreoverseas. Just think of all the factors that must fall into place - the band's tour dates, availability of tickets, and proximity to the venue. It's pretty much the ultimate trifecta of coincidence. As it turns out, I am that lucky person - someone who was gifted a Hot Chip ticket to a sold-out Saturday night show in Brussels! Because I wanted to live like a local, I took the metro instead of a cab. And then walked. And walked some more. Gosh, Belgian maps are difficult to read. Of course, I found it. Ancienne Belgique is this beautiful, contemporary music venue that feels spacious with its soaring ceilings but in actuality, the capacity makes it quite intimate. In fact, I didn't think I'd have a shot at running into some new friends who were also going to the show but alas, I found them by the first bar I set my thirsty sights on. Luck strikes yet again! The sound quality is superb. If you prefer to drink while watching your favorite band take the stage (yes!), then angle for a space on the floor near one of the doors. That's how the savvy Belgian boys do it anyway, and I was right there to capitalize. If you'd rather take a seat, there's 'romantic' seating in the back and then there's also two levels of terrace. The bars work on a token system so make sure to head there first. And if you have a coat or anything else you'd prefer to dump during the show, head downstairs and grab a locker for €1. So convenient! Hopefully sooner than later, I'll be back.

From the owner: SKVR is de basisvoorziening voor cultuureducatie en amateurkunst van Rotterdam. In samenwerking met…read morepartners in de stad zet SKVR zich in voor culturele vorming en talentontwikkeling van Rotterdammers. Ons aanbod is toegankelijk voor alle Rotterdammers. We zijn er voor jong en oud! Doel is persoonlijke ontwikkeling voor een betekenisvolle deelname aan de Rotterdamse samenleving. Wij bieden cursussen, workshops en evenementen in de kunstdisciplines: muziek, dans, theater, beeldende kunst, mode & design, fotografie & media en schrijven. Dat doen we voor kinderen, jongeren, volwassen en senioren. Wij zijn actief in de vrije tijdsmarkt én in het onderwijs en bieden maatwerk aan bedrijven. Ook verzorgen we laagdrempelige sociale programma's in verschillende Rotterdamse wijken. Vrije tijd SKVR biedt cursussen, workshops en evenementen in de vrije tijd in zeven verschillende kunstdisciplines op diverse locaties in Rotterdam. Wij zijn er voor alle Rotterdammers, voor iedere leeftijd en ieder niveau. Het actief beoefenen van kunst in de vrije tijd draagt bij aan het algemene welzijn van mensen, aan creatieve en persoonlijke ontwikkeling en zorgt voor ontmoeting en verbinding. Ook het presenteren op het podium of exposeren is een belangrijk onderdeel van het leerproces. SKVR Onderwijs SKVR stimuleert brede ontwikkeling in en door kunst...

I used my Brugge Museum Pass (purchased online and most cost effective when visiting 3 or more…read moremuseums/activities in 72 hours) and had the QR code scanned for admittance. If you have any backpacks or bags then you must store them in the free lockers due to the tight confines on the staircase. The climb was up 366 steps that first started with stone but later turned into narrower wooden steps making a tight staircase with two way traffic. If timed correctly then you may see and hear the carillon in action for a few minutes. That was the highlight of my visit but there are scheduled carillon "concerts" to enjoy when in Brugge. The views were nice as could be on that cloudy morning. Wire screens on all opening impacted some photos but one can capture most of the city. On the way down I took my time and finally stopped to view the exhibits on the bells, drum (programming for ringing the bells), carillon, the tower history, etc. Before exiting the staff will rescan your ticket. There was a small gift shop after the turnstiles.

I told myself that I am going to the top of Belfort even if it kills me…read more This is the center of Bruges. U just have to do this if u r here. From the outside looks like a medieval castle but it is a bell tower built in the 13th century, actually Bruges is a medieval city. It has 366 steps but felt like 1,000. Going up my heart felt like it was going to explode, on the way down does not affect ur cardio but hard on the knees. There is a thick rope on the right side to hold on too. Right of way goes to people going down. There are three levels u can take a break. One rest has the mechanical carillon which controls the music box, I was fortunate to be there when it was activated. This was physically brutal but I felt like I accomplished something big. I am physically strong however I realize I need to work on my cardio. Additionally, there was a Christmas Market in front of Belfort as well as others within walking distance. So much delicious food at the Christmas Markets. Belgian waffles are delicious, but they don't put syrup on them, they uses strawberries and bananas, powdered sugar or nutella. Hot wine is a thing, probably because it is about 40 degrees. The streets and businesses have lights and Christmas decorations, so festive. There was a celebrity chef Kurt Mortier there making delicious bratwurst, the line was long, he was very friendly, sausages are a big deal here. My favorite food discovery was chicken in mushroom cream sauce, where has this dish been all my life? This is the Christmas magic I felt as a child. There is a Santa Claus.

From the owner: L'équipe de Au Marché National propose une cuisine sincère et gourmande faite de produits de…read morequalité issus de l'agriculture locale à taille humaine.