Belgium is often either sadly misrepresented or just ignored when it comes to international discourse.
But there is one artist from these shores who is most certainly flying the flag for Belgium when it comes to artistic endeavor.
The man in question is Felipe Garcia, who has built up a well-earned name for himself for showcasing the best of Belgium on the cultural scene.
The good news is that his latest offering promises to add to his fast-growing reputation in the art world.
It is a “Burlesque” cabaret show that Garcia has choreographed.
The touring shows seek to highlight Belgian talents, both in production and interpretation.
Proof of this is that the team involved in the show is mainly made up of French-speaking Belgians.
The show is being performed in the heart of Walloon Brabant (in Ittre, near Waterloo) for a series of 16 days of exceptional performances over the festive season.
It combines dance, performance, acrobats, music, and magic, all of which aim to immerse the audience “in the heart of a real cabaret.”
The show, which runs from December 20–January 5, features glitter, pyrotechnic effects, clever choreography, and eccentric artists and dancers who, according to a spokesperson, promise to “leave you speechless.”
If you really want to push the boat out over the festive season, you can enjoy the show over a glass of champagne and treat yourself to a VIP welcome.
Garcia says he was inspired by the “greatest hits” of international cabaret, and he wants the immersive show to transport the audience “to a whirlwind of dazzling performances.”
The audience is surrounded by a 360-degree extravaganza where they become an integral part of the show, living every moment “with complete intensity.”
“Burlesque” promises an evening of daring and magical entertainment “where every corner of the stage comes alive.”
The 20 artists involved aim to dazzle with a “complete show” that, according to a spokesperson for the organizers, is much more than a cabaret and “brings together dancers, circus performers, acrobats, actors, and much more.”
Guided by Garcia, the artists on show seek to offer a daring, modern, and contemporary performance that combines the tradition of cabaret with an innovative approach to the genre.
Garcia himself has built his career as a performer and creator, dancer, choreographer, and musician on stages around the world.
Born to artist parents, he was immersed, from a very young age, in the different facets of the creative world. At 17, he launched himself into the professional dance sector and landed his first advertising contract for the famous video game license “Just Dance.”
He has appeared with various renowned artists like Belgian icon Stromae, Vita, Slimane, and American international artist The Rugged Man. Garcia has also performed in TV shows such as The Voice and Dance Dance Dance and at Disneyland Paris. He’s also worked as a dancer, singer, and actor in musicals such as The Bodyguard, Thorgal, and West Side Story.
This richly talented Belgian has choreographed touring shows such as La Folie Sur Scène and Révélation and played in various films, notably alongside Bérénice Bejo. With his international expertise, he launched, in 2021, the creation of his own show, Alice, a unique production in French-speaking Belgium.
Since February 2023, he has been touring throughout Belgium, with more than 10,000 attendees enjoying his shows.
A second tour is planned throughout Europe, starting in January 2025. Further down the line is Garcia’s new and most ambitious project to date, Pirates, the Curse of Jack, planned for 2026.
It all adds up to one thing: genuine cutting-edge expertise which even diehard Belgians might admit is quite rare in our small country.
Tickets for his Burlesque show in Ittre are selling fast, and reservations are advised.
Eurotoday is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. It publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, Eurotoday covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and examines the international agenda through a European lens.
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