Ronse (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Midsummer Jazz & More festival in Ronse (June 21–23) combines jazz and visual art at TIO3, featuring works by Appel, Haring, Vermandere, Lasoen, and concerts by Jef Neve, Daan, and more.
As VRT News reported, the Midsummer Jazz & More festival in Ronse, in the Province of East Flanders, Belgium, is adding visual arts this year. Besides jazz, the festival will feature an art exhibition at TIO3. Many artworks by musicians will be shown and sold there. The money from sales will help fund the festival. Organiser Dirk Overmeire said the idea came from realising many musicians are also artists.
How is Midsummer Jazz & more in Ronse blending music and art?
The Midsummer Jazz & More festival is mixing music with art this year. Famous musicians like Willem Vermandere, Kloot Per W, Wim Opbrouck, and Mauro Pawlowski will show their art. Isolde Lasoen will also show her art for the first time.
Karel Appel and Keith Haring will also be there. They mentioned that all the art is linked to music in some way. This makes the festival a place for different kinds of art. It turns the festival into a place where art helps with creativity and working together.
“Lasoen will show her photos for the first time”,
Adds curator Hilde Van Canneyt.
“Musicians come out of their shells or attics here, without hesitation”
People can see and buy art from famous artists. Karel Appel, who started the CoBrA art movement, will have his art there. Keith Haring, known for his street art, will also be featured. Other artists like Tom Wesselmann and Herman Brood will also show their work. Some art pieces, like Appel’s, might cost a lot of money. The art show is free to visit on Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Saturday from 9 AM to noon.
“They also have a link with music. In their period, visual art went hand in hand with music and theatre. Such artists made art with sound, image and word,”
Said curator Hilde Van Canneyt
The Midsummer Jazz & More festival starts on Friday, July 20, 2025, with lots of music. Lady Linn & Her Magnificent Seven will play jazz, soul, and swing. Then, Jasper Steverlinck and Daan will perform.
On Saturday, July 21, 2025, and Sunday, July 22, 2025, there will be more jazz. Jef Neve, a famous pianist, and Ruben Block will be there. Sandra and the Big Band 9600 will play big band music. The Brussels Jazz Orchestra will end the festival. It’s a weekend of art and music in Ronse.
