The Florist’s Gardens, above Sobieski Park, has been renovated in the last few years, most recently after a competition for designing urban furniture that has left this space with a refreshing blend of innovative design and practical functionality. The layout is a subtle and balanced mixture of traditional patterns [...]]]> Sobieski Park

The Florist’s Gardens, above Sobieski Park, has been renovated in the last few years, most recently after a competition for designing urban furniture that has left this space with a refreshing blend of innovative design and practical functionality. The layout is a subtle and balanced mixture of traditional patterns with a contemporary edge.

One of the world’s most poignant sounds is the Muslim call to prayer. In the Egyptian capital, there are moves to quell the thousands of Muezzin, those who perform the call to prayer and have one official [...]]]> 4 – 5 Mar – Radio Muezzin
20:30, Halles de Schaerbeek, Rue Royale Ste Marie 22b

One of the world’s most poignant sounds is the Muslim call to prayer. In the Egyptian capital, there are moves to quell the thousands of Muezzin, those who perform the call to prayer and have one official voice that will be broadcast over the radio to the thousand mosques of Cairo and beyond. The Muezzin have been around since the time of Mohammed and use their melodious voices to announce to the neighrourhood the five prayer times each day, required by Islam.

Any visitor to the Egyptian capital would be enchanted by the sounds of these voices merging and mingling over a waking city as the sun rises each morning. However, there has been official disquiet over the practice. Once confined to a real person, many mosques not broadcast the call by using recordings and it is not uncommon to hear the clunk of a needle on scratchy vinyl and many of the loudspeakers used nowadays are very poor, giving this beautiful sound all the grace and charm of a railway station announcement.

The Egyptian govenment has had enough and announced that they would choose thirty of the best singers and broadcast them over the radio, for mosques to use. The Minister of Religious Foundations wants to introduce a centralized muezzin next year. The government will broadcast a single muezzins voice live on a radio channel simultaneously to all government mosques. This will abolish the cacophony, but also the diversity of prayer cultures.

This proposal has been delayed after protests. The Muezzin are, in many mosques, government employees and often act as caretakers. Many would lose their employment. Swiss director, Stefan Kaegi uses this timely moment to bring Radio Muezzin to life, bringing four Muezzin to the stage. They are a blind Qu’ran teacher who travels to the mosque in a minibus for two hours every day, who listens to the Qu’ran on his journey, pausing only to get the football results; a farmers’ son and former tank driver from Upper Egypt, who vacuums the carpet in his mosque; an electrician, who began to learn the Qu’ran by heart after a serious accident, and a bodybuilder and runner-up world champion in Qu’ran recitation.

These men tell their stories with simplicity and grace, providing a look into the heart of a mosque and into the rich diversity of their calling.

Despite being such a creative nation, Belgium hasn’t really given exposure to its music scene. There are several reasons for this, including the small size of the nation and the linguistic divide that separates bands into Francophone or Flammand [...]]]> Music Brussels Opening Party
19:00 – till late, Churchills Bar, Rue de L’Ecuyer 29

Despite being such a creative nation, Belgium hasn’t really given exposure to its music scene. There are several reasons for this, including the small size of the nation and the linguistic divide that separates bands into Francophone or Flammand music communities. To counter this, a new venture is being opened, that is to try to publicise all Belgian bands and encourage creativity, regardless of language. It aims to provide a platform for bands to publicise themselves, upload songs and videos etc that could attract the attention of industry players.

The opening party is in Churchills Bar, near de Brouckere Metro. There will be several local bands playing, all who have already built up a reputation for good music and great live performances. The night will feature the band Garner launching their new CD, the Vogues will have their new EP and My TV Is Dead will have their latest video. If that’s not enough, up an coming band, Diplomat will be asking the audience to pick their next single. In the background, three video screens will be showing the best of Belgian music and bands will be there to meet with fans. In addition, sponsors have provided some free booze.

Come and listen to the sound of Belgium!

Here’s a prediction for next December; No body will be wishing for a white Christmas.

When it comes to the never ending bad weather, we’re all feeling a bit like Al Pacino in Godfather III, when he said, “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back [...]]]>

Tram in Brussels snow

Here’s a prediction for next December; No body will be wishing for a white Christmas.

When it comes to the never ending bad weather, we’re all feeling a bit like Al Pacino in Godfather III, when he said, “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.”

Spring seems a long way away.

Born and brought up in the beautiful rolling landscape of Wigan, Nancy Elizabeth is a lover and creator of songs and instrumental music. The first release was an E.P. called ‘The Wheel Turning King’, which came out on Manchester label, Timbreland.

That [...]]]> 16 Feb – Nancy Elizabeth
20:30,Sazz n Jazz, 241 Rue Royale

Born and brought up in the beautiful rolling landscape of Wigan, Nancy Elizabeth is a lover and creator of songs and instrumental music. The first release was an E.P. called ‘The Wheel Turning King’, which came out on Manchester label, Timbreland.

That led to her hiring a cottage in the middle of nowhere, where she created her first album ‘Battle and Victory’. This was released by The Leaf Label in October 2007. She has toured across Europe (and Mexico), laden with instruments, playing her music.

Recently, North Wales saw her recording her second album, which is due out in September. In between touring and working on her own music, she has played with James Yorkston on a few albums, as well as collaborating with Japanese sound artist Susuma Yokota on his recent release ‘Mother’, along with other things.

The Annual Worldwide Security Conference has become one of the largest and most prestigious events mobilizing global cooperation in the fight against international terrorism, violent extremism and organized crime.

Since 2001, more than 450 leaders from around the [...]]]> The 7th Worldwide Security Conference
18 Feb, World Customs Organization Headquarters, Rue du Marché, 30

The Annual Worldwide Security Conference has become one of the largest and most prestigious events mobilizing global cooperation in the fight against international terrorism, violent extremism and organized crime.

Since 2001, more than 450 leaders from around the world participate in our annual Conference to examine achievements, failures and challenges in the fight against terrorism, extremism and organized crime. Each year, the Worldwide Security Conference is hosted by the World Customs Organization. This year, the conference is also co-sponsored by the Canadian Government in its capacity as Chair of the G-8, the Financial Times, Dell and Deloitte. It is organized in association with the Oxford Analytica, Mind-Alliance Systems, New Europe and SGS S.A. This year, the keynote speaker is H.E. Mr. Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Foreign Minister of Pakistan.

The conference will hear from expert speakers and high level participants from policy and business discuss a number of vital issues, including combating extremism in S.E. Asia,  cyber threats, financial risk and economic security amongst many other issues.

The aim of the conference is to foster debate and discussion between the speakers and participants. Speakers include; General K. Khodaidad, Former Minister of Counter Narcotics, Afghanistan, General Ehsan Ul Haq, Former Chairman, Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Gilles de Kerchove, Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, Council of the European Union, Christopher M.E. Painter, Director for Cybersecurity, National Security Council, Executive Office of the President, Zeeshan Amin, Political Affairs Officer, UN Counterterrorism Implementation Task Force and Sean K. Moon, Senior Policy Advisor U. S. Department of Homeland Security.

Anvil! – The Story of Anvil DVD

The world of film hasn’t been kind to Heavy Metal music, but this has changed with a remarkable documentary that will appeal to even those with no interest in the music.

The [...]]]>

Anvil co-founders Robb Reiner (L) and Steve “Lips” Ludlow contemplate their band’s future. Photo: Brent J. Craig

Anvil! – The Story of Anvil
DVD

The world of film hasn’t been kind to Heavy Metal music, but this has changed with a remarkable documentary that will appeal to even those with no interest in the music.

The Story of Anvil chronicles the lifelong friendship between the groups co-founders, Steve “Lips” Ludlow and Robb Reiner as they try to follow their dream of fame and fortune. They had some early success in the 80’s alongside Bon Jovi, the Scorpions and Whitesnake, but although they have the respect of their peers, they never made it to the big time. What makes them different is that they never gave up and are still playing today. The film also marks the debut of its director, Sacha Gervasi. He was an early fan and worked on a couple of their tours in the 80’s. Wondering what had happened to his old friends, he set out to find them.

As the film opens, they were in dire straits, almost broke and worn down by 30 years of not getting very far. But this isn’t a depressing tale, it covers a European tour that descends into farce, with venues refusing to pay them, missed connections until they are reduced to sleeping in railway stations. It all sounds very Spinal Tap – the legendary satire on life on the road, but this film has something very special at its core, the two band members. Their dedication and an optimism that is impervious to the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune are inspirational. They also come over as genuinely good hearted people who chase dreams but keep their feet firmly on the ground. Taking a last shot at success, they track down an old producer and begin work on their 17th album and then try to get record companies interested. They fail and are selling the CD’s themselves to their fans through their website.

The film is a lot more than this. It is a portrait of a lifelong friendship, one that withstands stress and pressure, it is also about the love of family, for both men are not products of an arrested development, but they love and are loved by their families. Their essential decency is shown in one key scene. Lips has taken on a job as a telemarketer, desperate to raise thousands of dollars to fund recording a CD. As the rest of the marketers shout, blandish and cajole people on the other ends of the phone to but sunglasses, Lips is unable to make a  single sale. Not out of adolescent rebellion, but because he just feels painfully unable to trick or pressure someone into buying something.

Any viewer will admire these two in their Quixotic quest, especially as the film shows just how tough it is, and will root for the band as they struggle to get the success they deserve. However, the film unfolds to be something more than just another tale about the music industry. It becomes a meditation on the nature of success, of what is important in a life. Anvil may not have had the rewards of fame that other bands around at the time, or were influenced by them, but is that a real loss?

When we see these two friends, surrounded by families that truly love them for what they are, their kids who seem to be good, happy kids. When we look at the bands in their type of music that did find fame, we can see the failed marriages, the addictions and rehabs. So, who are the successful ones? Who has the real, meaningful success? On this evidence, it looks like Anvil win, hands down.

So, check out this touching and moving documentary, or even better, buy a signed copy from the band’s website – www.anvilmovie.com – for only $20!

9 Feb – Pat Metheny 20:00, BOZAR, Centre for Fine Arts

Pat Metheny was born in Kansas City on August 12, 1954 into a musical family. Starting on trumpet at the age of 8, Metheny switched to guitar at age 12. By the age of 15, he was working regularly [...]]]>

The Man Who Plays With Himself

9 Feb – Pat Metheny
20:00, BOZAR, Centre for Fine Arts

Pat Metheny was born in Kansas City on August 12, 1954 into a musical family. Starting on trumpet at the age of 8, Metheny switched to guitar at age 12. By the age of 15, he was working regularly with the best jazz musicians in Kansas City. Since then, he has performed with artists as diverse as Steve Reich to Ornette Coleman to Herbie Hancock to Jim Hall to Milton Nascimento to David Bowie. Over the years, Metheny has won countless polls as “Best Jazz Guitarist” and awards, including three gold records, 17 Grammy Awards including an unprecedented seven consecutive Grammies for seven consecutive albums.

He will be stretching himself with a highly unusual performance at BOZAR, with his “Orchestrion” a machine that is, in his words, “a method of developing ensemble-oriented music using acoustic and acoustoelectric musical instruments that are mechanically controlled in a variety of ways, using solenoids and pneumatics. With a guitar, pen or keyboard I am able to create a detailed compositional environment or a spontaneously developed improvisation, with the pieces on this particular recording leaning toward the compositional side of the spectrum. On top of these layers of acoustic sound, I add my conventional electric guitar playing as an improvised component.”

With this, he is taking an entirely new approach to the idea of a musician playing solo. Citing his heritage as a 20th Century musician, Metheny, says that he has always been interested in technology, right from when he first plugged in an electric guitar and his background in jazz. He explains, “One of the inspiring hallmarks of the jazz tradition through the decades has been the way that the form has willfully ushered in fresh musical contexts, resulting in new performance environments for players and composers. This pursuit of change, and the way that various restless souls along the way have bridged the roots of the form with the new possibilities of their own time, has been a major defining element for me in the music’s evolution at every key point along the way.”

This technology means that his robot musicians can perform in a way that the human body can never do, but as each step in programmed by the composer, it still keeps a human feel. Metheny says that it is like performing with many versions of himself. In any case, with his reputation for high quality music and a love of the inventive, this concert will be something very different and should be entertaining and exciting.

Underground Art

The Brussels Metro is the nations largest art gallery, with artists being invited to decorate each station.

This is Maelbeek, where Brussels artist, Jaques Benoit made tiles containing simple line drawings of people. Although simplistic, they have an elegance and add a little charm to this otherwise cold and [...]]]>

Maelbeek Metro

Underground Art

The Brussels Metro is the nations largest art gallery, with artists being invited to decorate each station.

This is Maelbeek, where Brussels artist, Jaques Benoit made tiles containing simple line drawings of people. Although simplistic, they have an elegance and add a little charm to this otherwise cold and bleak station.

The Anima International Animated Film Festival 12 – 20 Feb, Flagey

This festival has something for people of all ages.Anima is first and foremost an international competition for animated features made during the previous 18 months. Ten features, 5 for children and 5 for adults, have been selected [...]]]>

Still from Belgian entry, Boomkuijper © Kaze

The Anima International Animated Film Festival
12 – 20 Feb, Flagey

This festival has something for people of all ages.Anima is first and foremost an international competition for animated features made during the previous 18 months. Ten features, 5 for children and 5 for adults, have been selected and will be chosen by the public. There are two competitions for short films, one national the other international, along with the rest of the selection of sneak preview shorts offering 128 short films in all.

Screenings concentrating on a particular subject will give everyone the chance to discover or rediscover both dark and comic sides of animation, with programmes like Humour and Fresh Bones (guaranteed to cause a shiver), Acides Animés showing off the young generation with films from the innovating Autour de minuit production company, and all the films of Adam Elliot (Mary and Max). Another programme spotlights the work of French director Florence Miailhe, there’s a focus on Greek animation from the 40s to the present, and the Canadian documentary A Thorn in the Mind, where masters of animation like Pjotr Sapejin, Georges Schwizgebel or Raoul Servais talk about their art. Mr Servais will also be in attendance this year for the DVD release of his feature Taxandria, co-produced by Cinéart and Folioscope.

The afternoons are set aside for the kids at Anima with programmes of new shorts and features including Kurt Turns Evil, The Bear and the Magician and Panda Go Panda. There will be workshops too, in collaboration with the ABC association, and the Animatins will give a wide audience the opportunity to enjoy the Festival.There’s also a very Animated Night at Anima (from 10 pm to 4 in the morning), a special VJ party with the Meaksuma collective, the Open Screenings, for all out of competition Belgian filmmakers, conferences with international guests… In short, enough to give the eyes a real treat from ten in the morning till midnight, every single day!

As well as this rich programme, Anima is also offering free access to its exhibitions, its children’s workshops (an ABC production), numerous concerts and for the second year running a big Cosplay competition organized by the Belgian Cosplay Team.

More information: www.animatv.be