What makes life really enjoyable in Brussels is its exciting cultural and artistic offer. In Brussels, I have seen the most progressive and audacious performances of my life and it is also thanks to the Kaaitheater that I fell in love with contemporary dance.
The Kaaitheater building is located in Brussels’ Canal district, a stone’s throw from the city center. It is a stunning art-deco building with Streamline Moderne influences. KAAI, as it is called by locals, is not only a stage for contemporary dance, but also for theatre, experimental performance, music and debate, a real showcase for national and international avant-garde artists.
It’s no coincidence that Belgium gave birth to two of my favourite contemporary dance choreographers: Anne Theresa de Keersmaeker and Sidi Labi Cherkaoui. I was so lucky to see several of their works at KAAI. By now they have become among the most famous choreographers in the world! Kaaitheater is also a venue for the “Brussels, Dance! Festival”, the annual celebration of contemporary dance, which takes place in February and March.
I like the atmosphere at KAAI, I find it really cool and unpretentious. The audience is multinational, including trendy Flemish who decided to leave Flanders to settle down in multicultural Brussels. You can also have a quick snack at Kaaicafé before the performances. I love to relax and drink a beer at Kaaicafé, feel the energy around and look forward to the show.
If you enjoy contemporary dance, then you must really go to the KAAI!
