So when I lived in Minneapolis I was always on top of bands coming to town and got the best tickets. Since moving to Brussels it is a big challenge to find out who is in concert or events due to lack of advertising not the language. They advertise on little posters stuck up around the city and if you don't see them the week or day that they are up it too late.
So I was looking on You Tube for Place Flagey to see if any put on a clip about the opening events and found this. MOBY was at Cafe Belga in May!! I loved one of the comments someone put "I only live 5 mins away didn't know this was happening" that was my very thought also...only 5 minutes away I can hear the bands in the Summer outside playing, how in the heck did I miss this!!!! One of the clips on you tube was of the outside, 100 people partying away ...
Cafe Belga I was always told is the "hottest" place to be...no we have never been there. It is in the building they shot the fireworks off of (see post farther down) It is a Place Flagey week on the blog.
Enjoy this clip...sorry I wasn't more on the ball to see it in person! For more click here.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
A Concert Where??
Sunday after Joe got on a plane to go to an emergency meeting; I put on a skirt and a sweater and headed out. I hardly ever wear a skirt here due to the lack of warm weather but this was a special occasion. I didn’t know at the time what I was in for or that this would be one of the best adventures I would ever go on. (Not that Joe wanted to go with me, so I would have had to go alone anyway)
I attended my first “concert de salon” this is a concert preformed in someone’s house. I got the list Saturday night at Flagey and out of the 9 to chose from I picked the “Trio Horta” to see. Why…it was only a street over from our house, the description was a piano, violin and cello. The main reason was the owner of the house name was Asian. I just knew the house would be nice. (I would have done more however they were all around the same time)
I attended my first “concert de salon” this is a concert preformed in someone’s house. I got the list Saturday night at Flagey and out of the 9 to chose from I picked the “Trio Horta” to see. Why…it was only a street over from our house, the description was a piano, violin and cello. The main reason was the owner of the house name was Asian. I just knew the house would be nice. (I would have done more however they were all around the same time)
The house was gorgeous filled with all old Asian antiques and long fabric runners with Asian characters written on them hanging from the walls. Our hostess was a young women dress in an amazing kimono. As I was greeted I realized that everyone there knew each other and I really started to feel like a fish out of water, so I sat with the kids on the couch. There were only about 15 people when the trio started, they played for 25 minutes then had a break were we were offered Asian cookies and biscuits. To wash them down there was juice, wine or water. Being daring I took a cookie (that was square and filled with something that I don’t know what it was) and some water however I took a plastic glass and the hostess insisted that I take a wine glass the plastic were for the kids. Up until this point my French skilled have served my well…but I was busted and she said ohhh you speak English I’m sorry.
At the break I’m not sure where these people came from but about 15 more people showed up. Then when the new comers heard that I spoke English that attracted a couple ladies. One who lives on my street is French but now Belgian and use to be married to a man from the Congo but got a divorce because she refused to speak Flemish. That isn’t the funny part, this is…She use to live in Boston but because the house are made of wood and there is no architecture she moved back here. Her statement is totally true and I didn’t have a response for her. Yes Boston has architecture but not what she is use to. The other lady was in her early 30’s and has lived all around the world and speaks 5 different languages. The French–Belgian lady left to go on an architecture tour and asked if I would like to attend but I didn’t have a reservation so I passed.
The concert continued for another 25 minutes then ending in an encore promoted by our hostess. (I think her daughter was the pianist)
To sum it all up I would highly suggest this I know it sounds a little strange but it was really enjoyable.
The video is o.k. you can tell when the clouds are moving over the sun the living room gets dark then light. It’s the best I could do… Click here for the video.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Finally I present...
Eugène Flagey Square in French: Place Eugène Flagey, in Dutch: Flageyplein, usually shortened to Flagey, is a square in the Brussels (Ixelles). It was named in honor of Eugène Flagey, mayor of Ixelles from 1935 to 1953. With ten streets converging at Flagey Square, it is one of the busiest and noisiest crossroads in the city. (Now it is a big one way roundabout, before it was hectic)
The entire square has been under heavy reconstruction for 7+ years. The project has been infamously delayed many times and all activity had to grind to a halt for sometimes months on end. (they flooded the new underground parking lot by knocking into the ponds next to it) The plan is Flagey will be a leafy square directly adjacent to the neighbouring Ixelles Ponds. I heard a rumor that the street separating them now will disappear and it will be one big pond. I will keep you posted on that one-it could be years for that to happen too.
Flagey Square is famous for the art deco building occupying its entire southern side, the former Maison de la Radio. The building on the opposite side of the square houses the first supermarket ever opened in Belgium (in 1956), a Delhaize.
O.K. that is it for the technical back ground crap. Here is what I think…I didn’t think that in our brief stint here that they would ever get done with Flagey. I can’t even count on how many time the bus route and stops have changed in the last 2 years, not to mention the construction mess. But finally it is done – I’m sure there are some things that need to be done yet (check out my animoto video)
The grand opening was a success in our eye and it is still going on till the 12th of July. We were really torn this year as to stay at the army base for fireworks (which were the best we have ever seen) or attend Flagey’s opening. We decided that in the afternoon we were Americans and at night we were Belgians. I didn’t think that they could top last year’s fireworks but Flagey didn’t disappoint. I can honestly say I have never seen fireworks shot off the top, side and corner of a building with Dolly Patron’s 9 to 5 song as the accompanying music. Brussels has giving us many interesting memories.
The entire square has been under heavy reconstruction for 7+ years. The project has been infamously delayed many times and all activity had to grind to a halt for sometimes months on end. (they flooded the new underground parking lot by knocking into the ponds next to it) The plan is Flagey will be a leafy square directly adjacent to the neighbouring Ixelles Ponds. I heard a rumor that the street separating them now will disappear and it will be one big pond. I will keep you posted on that one-it could be years for that to happen too.
Flagey Square is famous for the art deco building occupying its entire southern side, the former Maison de la Radio. The building on the opposite side of the square houses the first supermarket ever opened in Belgium (in 1956), a Delhaize.
O.K. that is it for the technical back ground crap. Here is what I think…I didn’t think that in our brief stint here that they would ever get done with Flagey. I can’t even count on how many time the bus route and stops have changed in the last 2 years, not to mention the construction mess. But finally it is done – I’m sure there are some things that need to be done yet (check out my animoto video)
The grand opening was a success in our eye and it is still going on till the 12th of July. We were really torn this year as to stay at the army base for fireworks (which were the best we have ever seen) or attend Flagey’s opening. We decided that in the afternoon we were Americans and at night we were Belgians. I didn’t think that they could top last year’s fireworks but Flagey didn’t disappoint. I can honestly say I have never seen fireworks shot off the top, side and corner of a building with Dolly Patron’s 9 to 5 song as the accompanying music. Brussels has giving us many interesting memories.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
The 5th
Red, White and “Blues” was the theme of this years’ Independence Day festival at the Brussels American School put on by the US Army Garrison and Tri-Mission Brussels.
This year we were invited by two different groups, one group was more on the ball and I got a schedule of the days events. We headed there just in time to see the parade of WWII vehicles with Belgians dressed up in vintage army uniforms and even a couple of WWII veterans. This how ever didn’t go over well with the impatient people waiting in the cars trying to get places as the convoy came down the street. The photos of this event and others were accidentally deleted or I would have included them.
After showing our passports and stating we were “on the list” we were inside the barbed wire gates of the school yard. First stop the ticket booth to exchange dollars for tickets. Then we had our food and beverages while listening to the opening ceremonies. They consisted of presentation of colors, the national anthem (played by 2 cute old men on the bugles) and the speakers. (The ambassador and BG Robert Yates, Deputy US Military)
It was a fun afternoon even if the normal down pouring of rain was present; it was great to be a part of a 4th of July celebration.
This year we were invited by two different groups, one group was more on the ball and I got a schedule of the days events. We headed there just in time to see the parade of WWII vehicles with Belgians dressed up in vintage army uniforms and even a couple of WWII veterans. This how ever didn’t go over well with the impatient people waiting in the cars trying to get places as the convoy came down the street. The photos of this event and others were accidentally deleted or I would have included them.
After showing our passports and stating we were “on the list” we were inside the barbed wire gates of the school yard. First stop the ticket booth to exchange dollars for tickets. Then we had our food and beverages while listening to the opening ceremonies. They consisted of presentation of colors, the national anthem (played by 2 cute old men on the bugles) and the speakers. (The ambassador and BG Robert Yates, Deputy US Military)
After the formalities the band “John Frick and the Blues Hombres” played. I’m not sure if I just haven’t seen a band in so long or if they were actually good but I was singing along. The ambassador’s wife didn’t approve of the band and was walking around with her fingers in her ears.
It was a fun afternoon even if the normal down pouring of rain was present; it was great to be a part of a 4th of July celebration.
Friday, July 4, 2008
fun friday
In honor of the 4th of July here is a photo from last years celebration at the US Army Base in Brussels. It was like a little touch of home in Brussels. We are planning attending this year so Joe can have his Bud again (which he doesn't drink in the states but thinks it is a treat here) I'm hoping for a kool-aid Popsicle, it was too cold to eat one last year.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Resolution
Our New Year’s resolution was to get one picture, poster, or photo framed a month. Well it is the beginning of July and a couple weeks ago we brought in 6 pictures to get framed!! Last Saturday we picked up the last 4 of the 6.
Shown are 2 of the 4 that we picked up. We purchased the pictures months ago at an antique store; they were in an old cheap wooden frame with mold growing in and on the pictures. I really like the waiter man with the moustache, but it would be strange to get only one of pics-we thought the grouping of 3 looked nice however I felt the last picture would be lonely left alone so we got all 4. They have a certificate of authenticity from a gallery in Paris dated in 1979. The artist only made 285 of each picture, and they are hand signed. Now I must say they look like they are worth a million bucks compared to the old mold things we took home.
It was nice outside so I photographed them in our back garden...thought you might like a change from the photos on the stairs all the time. I'm sure my neighbor were wondering what I was doing.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
2 post kind of day
It is 6:30 p.m. and it is 77 and sunny out right now! Not to mention today the sales started. What more could I ask for today. Anyway, yesterday I was interview by a graduate student about being a trailing spouse. Many of you know I like it here and just can’t compare the US to Belgium because they are two totally different worlds to me. The question came up yesterday about what do I miss about the US. The only thing that came to mind was my friends, family & peanut butter. Last night Joe & I were surfing some sites and one more thing occurred to me that I miss. SQUIRRELS!
Is she not just the cutest, fluffiest squirrel you have ever seen!!!!!!
So Anne if you are reading this, please add squirrels to my list. Also I may be in trouble cause Joe didn't want this photo on the blog. (photo by M. Rossow)
Is she not just the cutest, fluffiest squirrel you have ever seen!!!!!!
So Anne if you are reading this, please add squirrels to my list. Also I may be in trouble cause Joe didn't want this photo on the blog. (photo by M. Rossow)
Today's Weather il fait beau!
Brussels, Belgium
High 81 Low 63
Sunrise 5:34 Sunset 10:00
June Average Temp.
High 69 Low 53
Minneapolis, Minnesota
High 89 Low 69
Sunrise 5:31 Sunset 9:03
June Average Temp.
High 82 Low 61
Chicago, Illinois
High 84 Low 65
Sunrise 5:20 Sunset 8:29
June Average Temp.
High 84 low 64
International Falls, Minnesota
High 83 Low 59
Sunrise 5:16 Sunset 9:19
June Average Temp.
High 77 low 52
Denver, Colorado
High 90 Low 62
Sunrise 5:36 Sunset 8:32
June Average Temp.
High 86 low 54
Portland, Oregon
High 85 Low 61
Sunrise 5:26 Sunset 9:03
June Average Temp.
High 74 low 54
High 81 Low 63
Sunrise 5:34 Sunset 10:00
June Average Temp.
High 69 Low 53
Minneapolis, Minnesota
High 89 Low 69
Sunrise 5:31 Sunset 9:03
June Average Temp.
High 82 Low 61
Chicago, Illinois
High 84 Low 65
Sunrise 5:20 Sunset 8:29
June Average Temp.
High 84 low 64
International Falls, Minnesota
High 83 Low 59
Sunrise 5:16 Sunset 9:19
June Average Temp.
High 77 low 52
Denver, Colorado
High 90 Low 62
Sunrise 5:36 Sunset 8:32
June Average Temp.
High 86 low 54
Portland, Oregon
High 85 Low 61
Sunrise 5:26 Sunset 9:03
June Average Temp.
High 74 low 54
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