New adventures await the Fanfakids. Since this autumn, the percussion workshops have been extended to schools in Molenbeek and the Marolles, veteran Jalel Vangoethem joins the team and both the costumes and the logo of the group underwent a thorough makeover.
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MetX suspends all rehearsals until 19 November. All concerts of our groups have also been canceled till the end of November. We hope all the measures will help decrease the pressure caused by Covid-19 on our health care system. Meanwhile, stay safe and keep in touch via our social media and newsletter!
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The Marolles were getting ready for the 3rd edition of Dia de Muertos. This year, the Mexican Day of the dead would've also commemorated the victims of the corona crisis. With the construction of an altar, workshops, intimate concerts and a sober celebration on the Place du Jeu de Balle.
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Because of the corona crisis, 20 years of Zinneke will be given an unusual interpretation: a soundscape with testimonies and sounds from participants, Zinnodes organising Simili Parades and a final happening with a.o. BRUiTAL and Fanfakids “Loops”.
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No time to rest in the nest for our giant snake! After several summer parades, this autumn the Quetzalcóatl meanders crisscross through Antwerp, Ghent and the Marolles. With in its tracks pupils of primary school De Luchtballon from Merksem, Ledebirds from Ghent and Remork & Karkaba.
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As part of the Saison Libre at Théâtre National, you can jam with Laurent Blondiau and other MetX artists after a number of theater performances. Wanna tune in to a mix of cosmopolitan sounds and vibes? The first session of October 10 has been canceled, but other jams will take place in early 2021!
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Good news for Bakanaï, BRUiTAL, Fanfakids, Tsoukina and Remork & Karkaba: after an interruption of months we can finally start up the rehearsals again. Of course, with adapted safety measures and colour codes that apply to the cultural sector.
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The mythical giant snake Quetzalcóatl has been slithering through Brussels this summer. With workshops around percussion, voice, costumes and masks in collaboration with CC Brass and Park Poétik + parades along Forest & Saint-Gilles, the Wolvendael Park and Camping Josée.
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This summer we've strengthened Karkaba, our training program around gnawa music. In addition to biweekly rehearsals at MetX, we also organised workshops on location as part of StaycationBXL. There was a series for women in collaboration with Buurthuis Anneessens and one for young people in collaboration with We Love BXL.
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The public space was the place to be for enjoying concerts this summer. Our artists proposed three temporary MetX Moving Combos: original formulas featuring 4 musicians from the Brussels global sounds and jazz scene. Acoustic, mobile and 100% corona-proof!
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On 29 and 30 May, the organisers of 11 established jazz festivals joined forces for an online festival. Mâäk Quintet, normally programmed at Brussels Jazz Weekend, performed alongside other big names from the Belgian jazz scene such as De Beren Gieren, Jean-Paul Estiévenart, Esinam and Nabou.
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Alien life, the Bermuda Triangle or the primal sound of MetX... According to science, they must exist even in the absence of hard evidence. Let's give it a try as far as our sound goes: discover the MetX MiXtape and playlists with musical influences from our artists.
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The social distancing measures oblige MetX to thoroughly review our agenda for 2020. At least until the end of August, many events will be cancelled, moved to a later date or feature alternative formulas like online gatherings and pop-up concerts.
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Given the recent developments regarding the spread of Covid-19, all concerts and rehearsals from MetX groups are canceled. Our annual weekend of residence has been suspended to the Spring of 2021. We are looking for alternative formulas to organise (mini) concerts later this year. More info and updates via our social media and newsletter.
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March 8 is International Womens’ Day. The ideal occasion for some sneak preview concerts by female gnawa group Tsoukina. On March 7 they play first at the Chaabi Habibi event at UPA, after which they join the all womxn line-up of the Intersections party at VK. Parallel to these try outs, they further develop their repertoire during weekly rehearsals at MetX and a residence at Zinnema in May.
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This year the quintet around Laurent Blondiau will once again pull out all the stops. They are preparing for a whole series of concerts in Belgium and abroad. During Brussels Jazz Weekend, they will invite Laïla Amezian, Zouratié Koné and Imane Guemssy with MetX and play for the Journée des Lundis d'Hortense on the Grand Place. And in June they host a brass battle for Fête de la Musique.
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2020 is going to be massive for Fanfakids. With performances and workshops In Belgium and abroad, celebrating their 20th anniversary with Zinneke Parade, a makeover of their outfit by a fashion designer and new international exchanges!
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The Zinneke Parade celebrates its 20th anniversary! For this festive edition Fanfakids, created during the 1st parade in 2000, together with Sysmitos, Ledebirds, Urban Center Brussel, Elastik vzw, WijkAntenne de Quartier (WAQ) and Maison de Quartier 6 Heyvaert (MQ6) form the Zinnode "Loops".
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On November 30 we organised a MetX Solidarity Jam for Fair Saturday and the charity campaign Brussel Helpt. All night long people enjoyed good music while supporting a good cause. On the menu: a try out by our new group Bakanaï, a sticky jam session and a spaghetti fest for the benefit of DoucheFLUX.
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In October MetX participated again at the celebrations of the Mexican Day of the Dead in les Marolles. Young and old joined workshops around a.o. music, dance, decoration and make-up. The climax was a festive parade with music from the Mexican artist Israel Alonso and Remork & Karkaba.
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From September 14 till October 5, De Centrale organises the first Gnawa festival in Ghent. The kick-off happens during OdeGand with a gnawa parade or ‘Krima’. At the request of De Centrale, MetX invites a large number of gnawa musicians from Brussels, completed by gnawas from Ghent and Antwerp.
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OUT NOW: MikMâäk #2, the long-awaited follow-up to their debut album from 2015. With live-recorded compositions by Fabian Fiorini, Pascal Rousseau, Samuel Ber and Laurent Blondiau. Release concerts at Recyclart, Handelsbeurs en Théâtre Marni (13/02). And a video clip bathing in typically disarming Mâäk-humour.
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The project Al-Karavan is a series of nomadic musical encounters, paying tribute to the first generation of Moroccan migrants in Belgium. On September 20 and 21 the musicians set foot at Le Senghor in Etterbeek. Featuring a.o. Les Fatmas de Belgica, Laïla Amezian & Les Sheikhs Shikhats and Remork & Karkaba.
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MetX goes on tour in Brussels. Together with several cultural partners, we organise open jam sessions on various locations throughout the city. You can join other musicians, both professionals and amateurs, and tune in to a mix of various musical genres.
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This year la Fête de la Musique took place from June 20 till 23. Four days filled with hundreds of concerts throughout Brussels and Wallonia. Including a massive brass battle in les Marolles organised by MetX!
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MetX is setting up a new multidisciplinary ensemble. Not just a brass band, but a kind of laboratory where you can experiment and learn as an (amateur) artist. Trumpet player and composer Laurent Blondiau provides the artistic framework. Want to join the project?
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Are you working for a collective, production house, concert venue, festival or other type of organisation with an interest in world music? Than the Belgian World Music Network might be your thing! Join us at the annual World Music Meeting on May 23.
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From May 24 till 26 the Brussels Jazz Weekend will take place again. During this free city festival, music lovers can enjoy hundreds of concerts throughout the city of Brussels. As co-curator of the stage for world music, MetX organises concerts by AGO! Benin Brass, ESINAM and Marockin’ Brass in Théâtre Marni on Saturday. This […]
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Have you ever heard a harmonic orchestra play gnawa jazz? On the 19th of May, the Royal Harmony Sint-Cecilia Gullegem and our gnawa brassband Remork & Karkaba played a joint performance during the world music festival Kokopelli. An unseen exchange between lively musical traditions from Belgium and Morocco!
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End of March, we organised a weekend filled with master classes for our musicians. The members of Remork & Karkaba, Ander Brass en BRUiTAL had the opportunity to improve their groups’ repertoires and their individual artistic skills. All three bands also did some try-outs and promising soundclashes. And they even got company from BRUZZ-videoblogger Saïd […]
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Our punk-style fanfare BRUiTAL is developing a new repertoire. Jo, Vital and their brutal bunch of underground noise makers try out new stuff during pop-up performances at parties and other events. Last weekend, they surprised early birds at the global grooves party Globalicious. In between the workshops and DJ-sets, they gave the party goers a […]
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Early 2019, MikMâäk was resident band at the W:Halll in Woluwe Saint-Pierre (Brussels). Jazz trumpeteer Laurent Blondiau and his fellow musicians have benefited from the occasion to record a new live album and perform on Friday the 1st of February. MikMâäk is anything but your average bigband: 16 top musicians with astonishing personalities, a repertoire […]
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On January 24 we invited all participants and partners of MegafoniX for a massive jam session. Through this participatory musical project, driven by the district development contract Jonction, we connected residents from the Brussels neighbourhood Les Marolles with professional artists. At this jam event, we shared some highlights of MegafoniX and presented our other participatory […]
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Early December, the original partners in crime of Mâäk played four exclusive concerts. This exceptional Mâäk Five reunion concluded the 20th anniversary of the renowned jazz collective. Throughout 2018, Mâäk Quintet, MikMâäk and Mâäk KOJO also displayed the collective’s tireless spirit. An overview of this anniversary year’s highlights … and a preview of the best […]
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During the autumn leave, celebrations of the Mexican Day of the Dead took place in les Marolles. Featuring workshops for children, dance initiations, an exhibition and a festive parade on Saturday 3 November. For this parade, the MetX brass band Remork & Karkaba performed together with the Mexican group Sonosfera. ‘Dia de Muertos’ is also […]
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On November 8 a new jam took place at Pianocktail. We invited musicians to join Quintette Diminué, a quintet of four musicians playing five instruments. And trying out countless different genres: from a puertorican “Bomba” to a Duke Ellington Blues. Every second Thursday of the month we organise a jam session in Pianocktail, a bar […]
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There it is! Marockin’ Brass has released a new album. For ‘Beats and Pieces’ the gnawa-jazz band of Luc Mishalle worked together with Tunisian producer Sofyann Ben Youssef and Roel Poriau (Think of One/Antwerp Gipsy Ska Orkestra). The release took place during a free concert at MetX and at Podium Mozaïek in Amsterdam. You may […]
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Every second Thursday of the month we focus on a different style of music during a jam at the Pianocktail in Les Marolles. On September 13 we invited the Renaud Dardenne trio. « Trois amis, trois amoureux du son, des musiques acoustiques et de celle de Django en particulier vous invitent à se retrouver pour […]
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Mâäk KOJO is back on tour and this doesn’t go unnoticed! True Blue took some images of their opening concert in Belgium. You can still check them at one of the following dates: Mâäk KOJO concerts 02.09.2018 – Les Inattendues, Tournai 14.09.2018 – Espace Senghor, Brussels 15.09.2018 – Espace Senghor, Brussels (In cooperation with ‘la fanfare Babelouze’ de […]
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Laurent Blondiau,the co-artistic director of MetX and leader of the jazz collective Mâäk, gets a ‘Carte Blanche’ for the Jazz Festival at Théâtre Marni this year! As an artist with no limits and a passionate innovator, he grabs the ‘carte blanche’ offered to him with both hands and initiates new encounters.He is joined by Gabor […]
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Lies Steppe had a chat with Fabian Fiorini and Laurent Blondiau from the bigband MikMâäk. The occasion: Mâäk’s 20th anniversary and their carte blanche at Jazz Middelheim. Check out the interview!
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We are delighted to announce you that Marockin’ Brass is releasing a new album ‘Beats & Pieces’ on October 19, 2018. The gnawa-jazz band invited the talented producer Sofyann Ben Youssef to contribute to their new sound. You are more than welcome to discover this during an in-house concert at MetX! You can expect some […]
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The pounding drums of VelotroniX are going international this summer. From 18 to 20 July, they are travelling to Lake Balaton for the Babel Sound festival in Hungary. In August they are celebrating street and carnival music at the Encontro Street Band Festival in Glasgow (04-05/08)!
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Mâäk KOJO is coming back to Belgium in september! This is where you can find them: Mâäk KOJO concerts 02.09.2018 – Les Inattendues, Tournai 14.09.2018 – Espace Senghor, Brussels 15.09.2018 – Espace Senghor, Brussels (In cooperation with ‘la fanfare Babelouze’ de l’Académie Jean Absil d’Etterbeek) 16.09.2018 – Espace Senghor, Brussels (In cooperation with ‘le chœur les Estourdions’ […]
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La Monnaie / De Munt presents Orfeo & Majnun. It blends the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice with the well-known Middle Eastern love story of Layla and Majnun. On June 30, they’re doing a big parade, with performances from Remork & Karkaba, BRU(i)TAL and MegafoniX (doing a comeback!).
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On June 21, the Marollen distict transforms into a big musical ring, during Fête de la Musique. Fanfares, choirs, rappers, breakdancers and majoretten are confronting each other on the ‘Place du jeu de battle’. We’re eager to see how BRU(i)TAL, Stemagnifique & Karkaba will stand their ground. On June 24, the closing day of Fête […]
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The cultural center of Etterbeek Le Senghor invites KOJO to give workshops to kids between 6 and 12 years old. The workshops will take place between 20 and 24 august 2018. The percussionist-dancers-singers of KOJO team up with Mâäk players Laurent Blondiau and Michel Massot to let the kids discover African rhythms through the Vodun-culture from […]
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Join the MegafoniX Jams every second Thursday of the month! Every jam we’ll focus on a different style of music. We’re very excited to announce this month’s First collaboration with Jam in Brussels and for this Special event we will take place in CAFE BÉBO (near Place Rouppe) !!! Genre: Groove, Impro, Folk Hosts: Kammak (Jo Zanders + Rémi […]
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Marockin’ Brass did a live session for Radio 1 on the world day for cultural diversity. The song ‘Jilali Bouhalem’ will also appear on their next album, to be released in the autumn of 2018!
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Mâäk continues celebrating their 20th anniversary and will have a ‘Carte Blanche’ at Jazz Middelheim, Antwerp, this summer! On Sunday, August 12, there are no less than 4 Mâäk projects playing on the Club Stage: Mâäk Quintet, Mâäk Five, Mâäk 4tet and their ‘Big Ensemble’ They are joining some big names on the line-up like […]
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After a successful concert at the Brussels Jazz Festival in Flagey, MikMâäk prepares itself for their second big date this year. The bigband of 16 jazzmen will play at the impressive ‘De Roma’, Antwerp on May 4. Check their website for info & tickets.
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Fanfakids Go Strange again! The percussion group from Molenbeek is ready for their trip to Togo and Benin this summer. They gathered 104 % (or €4,150) of the desired amount for their journey where they will play, rehearse and perform together with young musicians from there. A big thanks to Growfunding BXL and the 185 growfunders, […]
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Zinneke & MetX unite forces for a brand new, ambitious project: BRU(i)TAL. Click on the video for a preview, you can see the result of their work at the Zinneke Parade on May 12 Want to join this bunch of lunatics and play on one of their handmade totems?! Contact Jo Zanders More info on the […]
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On the april 19, the renown B–Classic festival starts in Genk. Marockin’ Brass will play there three times: on’ B-Classic barst los’, ‘ B-Classic betovert ‘ and ‘ B-Classic cycles ‘ (19, 20 and 22 April). The Gnawa–Jazz band is working on a new album and may be trying out some new stuff!
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In 2018, the jazz collective Mâäk is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a nice series of concerts with: 21.04.2018 – Mâäk Quintet: Journée de propreté, Brussels 04.05.2018 – MikMâäk: De Roma, Antwerp 26.05.2018 – Mâäk Quintet: L’An Vert – Liège 24.06.2018 – MikMâäk: Parc Cinquantenaire, Brussels 12.08.2018 – Carte Blanche Mâäk: Jazz Middelheim 23.08.2018 – Kojo: Bar du Matin, Brussels 02.09.2018 […]
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The Fanfakids are in the final phase of their growfunding. Just like the previous generations of Fanfakids, the current group also wants to go on a musical adventure in West Africa in the summer of 2018 and for this they collect money. On March 2nd they will be holding a charity event at the Community […]
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