AntwerpWeekly

Week 33.

The pace is picking up, restaurants and bars are reopening, and galleries are sending out invites for September openings. Can’t wait. In the meantime:


, of course, in the old gasworks in Minkelersstraat until Sunday. With 3,000 sqm of street art there’s enough eye candy to keep you entertained.


Next Saturday afternoon you can catch a concert by some of Ukraine’s best harpists at Christus Koning Church. They now live in exile since the start of the war. The concert is an opportunity to continue performing. The concert is free but your donations go entirely to the musicians.


We ended up at the other day for lunch and it was delish. I’ve known the owners since the early days when they were still in Vrijdagmarkt (am I showing my age?) and it’s nice to see how they elevated the concept. I also like the fact that they have lunch dishes and sharing dishes.


Hop on the train to Kalmthout on Sunday 20/08 for a meditation at 10.30 am in the gorgeous setting of the .

Photo credits
Meeting of styles Belgium, Christoph Bunzendahl, Camino, Myriam Luyckx.

Week 31.
The sun was out up near Groningen but this update comes to you from the car on the way back to - rainy? - Antwerp.

It’s Museum Night this evening, so I hope the rain won’t deter people from going out and discovering what Antwerp’s museums have in store for them. I note that some galleries are also exceptionally open.


Antwerp Pride opening night takes place every year in Rivierenhof park under the stars. You may still be able to bag some tickets on Ticketswap.
The line-up includes Gregory Frateur of Dez Mona but in a different guise as Grigri y el macho fantastico.


Not in Antwerp but definitely a link with Antwerp! The Rubens Castle in Elewijt reopens this weekend with a 3-month programme of events, concerts and workshops, called Stories Unfold. Check out their insta stories for updates. There are lots of lovely places for a walk around there too as I discovered when lockdowns were a thing.

Additional tip: the Antwerp Q***r Arts Festival at Extra City/Morpho. Check the website for more deetz.


I’m hearing a lot of chatter about Dennis Ekisola’s Dojo.zendo in Samberstraat. The seating, the ingredients, the food…


Try to spot one of enpleinpublic’s artworks on the city’s streets. They always make me chuckle.

Photo credits: Antwerp Pride, Stories Unfold, Antwerp Q***r Arts Festival, Dojo.zendo

Week 30

Week 30 already. Midsummer and the city’s pace is all over the place. Everyone is either leaving on or returning from their holiday. Enjoy the last moments of quiet as builders will be back at it from Monday.


Kerkstraat Plage started out some 20 years ago as a community restaurant. Since then it has evolved into something bigger (a 3-day mini festival) with all kinds of fun events. If you’re up for some 💃🏻, you’ll be happy to know that they cater to many tastes with DJ Axel Daeseleire on the decks on Saturday evening with a fusion of styles and Belpop band on Sunday. If you are nursing a hangover, local radio station Radio Minerva will be spinning some golden oldies on Sunday afternoon.


Good question. Lambermontmartre on Sunday perhaps? And while you’re there, catch the last day of Interacting Cameras at Dewael 15?


The greens on toast with poached eggs at Butcher’s Coffee. Chervil, shiso, I don’t know but it hit my sweet spot yesterday.


Buy a ticket for next week’s Museumnacht 2023!

Photo credits: Rik Boey, Lambermontmartre, Vita Duffeleer, Butcher’s Coffee and Museumnacht Antwerpen

Our suggestions for week 26 (26 June - 2 July) in Antwerp ⤵️


Group show ‘Snakes in the Grass’ at Newchild Gallery with works by Chris Oh and Shona McAndrew among others in a dialogue with old masters from Galerie Lowet de Wotrenge.
Check their instagram or website for address and opening hours.


Mini golf Beatrijs has an 18-hole course with some of the holes featuring artworks by such artists as Marius Ritiu, Phillippe de Aguirre y Otegui, Bram van Meervelde and Nadia Naveau among others. On 1 July, they are hosting their Tunnelfeesten. Walk through the St Anna Tunnel to the left bank, order a beer and tee off!


La Sorgente, Luca Fabozzi, Carnivale and Arrikiati have joined forces to give you ‘A Taste of Summer’. If you love juicy natural wines, delicious pizza and cannoli and the best that Italy has to offer, head to Stormkop on 2 July. Book a ticket for the tastings! Wine and food bar open from 1-8 pm.