With a smoky voice and a style combining pop and soul with jazz and blues, singer-songwriter Typh Barrow has been described by some as the Belgian Amy Winehouse. Born Tiffany Baworowski in Brussels to a Polish father and a Belgian mother, the 31-year-old has been writing songs since she was 12, performing since the age of 14, and has just brought out her debut album. The Bulletin caught up with her ahead of a 5 October gig at Brussels’ Ancienne Belgique. 

The City of Brussels is failing to provide an adequate service to newly arrived expats, who face long delays, unfriendly staff and communication problems, according to new research by the business federation Agoria.  The organisation asked foreign workers from its member companies to tell all about their experience dealing with the Belgian municipal administration - and there was one commune which scored much, much worse than the others. René Konings, head of Agoria Brussels, explains.

The 16th edition of the all night cultural extravaganza called Nuit Blanche is taking place in the Marolles neighborhood this year. It will be featuring 22 performances inside and outside landmark buildings by 13 Belgian and nine international artists involving 119 performers. In the courtyard of the old fire station across from the flea market, Reckless Sleepers, a Belgian British group with members from five countries will be presenting A String Section. According to member Mole Wetherell: “It’s a quite simple performance, six women, six chairs and six saws.” He tells us more in this interview.

www.nuitblanchebrussels.be

As the use of social networking is becoming more and more acceptable while in the company of friends, the art of conversation seems to be dying. So, where in Brussels can you go to have a meaningful conversation, to discuss your ideas or share knowledge and opinions, without being interrupted by the familiar ping of a social media alert? Frans Nijs, Annamaria Erdei and Béla Dajka are all Art of Hosting practioners and are just three of the members of a new initiative in Brussels called Pro-Action Café. They meet every two months at 81 Tervurenlaan in Etterbeek.

In 60 years, endless balls have been kicked, countless laughs shared and thousands of lives from across the world intertwined. Since 1958, BSA has expanded to include football, lacrosse, basketball and, as of this year, cricket. The organisation is entirely volunteer based and for children aged from four to 12. 

www.bsasports.org

Not as famous as its older sister the Saint-Hubert Royal Galleries, the Passage du Nord is definitely worth a visit especially after years of top to bottom restoration. Director Xavier Verhaeghe explains what's been done.

http://www.passagedunord.be/indexen.html 

While sheep may be typically found in the countryside, one local shepherd plans on walking his flock around the perimeter streets of Brussels. This autumn, David D’Hondt hopes to walk his own herd along the Green Walk of Brussels, a 60km circular route, which aims to preserve the natural heritage of the city.

Kool Koor, (Charles Hargrove) a New York-born Brussels-based artist is considered by many to be one of the most influential and pivotal urban artists of the original NYC urban scene. Originally known for his space-age-inspired works, which range from surreal scenes to intricate works of abstraction, his style is unique and instantly recognizable. He is one of the original graffiti pioneers whose works influenced many who came after him. He tells how life led him from a childhood in the South Bronx to worldwide recognition and a life in Belgium.

Winner of the European Jury Prize at this year's Brussels International Film Festival, The Return by Malene Choi Jensen is a docu-fiction treatment of the massive adoption of Korean babies by Europeans and Americans during the late Seventies and mid Eighties. Jensen, an adoptee herself, talks to us about her movie.

https://briff.be/en/film/the-return/

Nupur Tron Chowdry fell in love with the Horta designed Hôtel Frison in the Sablon and she's busy restoring it. But she is also planning an ambitious cross cultural program to bring Indian and Belgian cultures together, using the house as the physical heart of the endeavour.

[email protected]

www.foundation-frison-horta.be