Archives for “Theaters” tag

I go to Desingel for various reasons. First of course they have an exciting program of theater, dance and music productions. Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, my favorite dancer/choreographer is a resident artist at Desingel. I am committed to seeing all his projects, so this alone brings me to Desingel a couple of times a year. But every now and then I also get tickets for a theater production or a classical music performance. What I like is that the quality of the venue is excellent in terms of acoustics and seating and with under a 1000 seats, both the blue hall and the red hall remain relatively cosy.

It took me a while to discover the “Grand Cafe Desingel’ housed in the same building. But now I like to go there for a luxurious breakfast. A bit expensive (€ 24.90) but worth your while, believe me! Champagne, croissant, crostini, soft boiled egg, fruit salad with yoghurt…there’s no end to this one.

They also have a ‘big breakfast” for € 15.90, but I tend to go with a voucher that I got for my birthday or so. Hence no reason not to indulge!

I also like to go there before a show to eat something. I like the fact that you can choose between the more simple dishes of the bistro part or the more fancy stuff of the restaurant part. Both will leave me very happy. If they have ossobuco on the menu, I will definitely order that.

This old building has a rich history. It was built in 1934 as a gigantic cinema (seating over 2000 people) and variety theatre. It has seen all of Belgium’s artists and a whole range of international artists too. However, in 1982 it closed its doors and fell into decay.

In 2003 a group of enthusiastic neighbors started to renovate this amazing building in their spare time. In the beginning, there were only shows in the summer. It was a fun and strange experience enjoying a circus act in the middle of all the rubble. Nowadays, the revue is restored in its original, breathtaking stage.

Whenever I come here to see a show, it feels like I dive into the past, like any minute cancan girls will jump from behind the curtains, being cheered by a baron with a bowler hat and a monocle. In the hall there are fantastic vintage wall paintings and fun house mirrors, such a great laugh! Everybody who works there during the soirees is a volunteer, so be sure to give them a big smile for their efforts.

Check the calendar for shows: this can go from a theatre show over cinema and circus festivals, ballroom dancing nights (don’t be confused, you’ll have to do the dancing yourself!) and even a children’s flea market.