BelgiumJazz fans can’t beat this bargain in Brussels: Friday through Sunday, 125 free jazz concerts of various styles and influences are yours to enjoy. The popular Brussels Jazz Marathon will feature more than 450 musicians playing outdoors, as well as in 50 indoor venues. Stages will be set up on the Grand’ Place, the Sablon Square, the St. Catherine Square and the F. Cocq Square.
Find the program for each site, details on the main performers and a map locating the various venues, at www.brusselsjazzmarathon.be.
• In 1272, a boat carrying a statue of the Virgin Mary floated up the River Dyle and through the town of Mechelen, Belgium. As it passed through, it suddenly stopped.
The townspeople were mystified. When they took the statue to the shore, the boat mysteriously floated away, leading the locals to believe that this was the spot where Our Lady wanted to be honored. They built a church on the site, and since then, people have come to pray before Our Lady of Hanswijk. (Hanswijk is an old district of Mechelen.) And every year, a colorful religious and historical procession makes its way through its streets in her honor. This year’s parade will be Sunday at 3 p.m.Visitors can join or watch some 1,500 costumed celebrants alongside floats and horses in the procession, which is divided into three sections: the history of Hanswijk; the life of the Virgin Mary and Jesus. Get more details, in English, at www.hanswijkprocessie.be/en/content/home.
GermanyMore than 100 locations throughout Munich will be filled with music Saturday night during the city’s annual Long Night of Music.Patterned after the successful Night of the Museums, the event offers about 400 live concerts of various styles, dance performances and guided tours in venues throughout the city center. Shuttle buses will travel in 10-minute intervals along the entertainment route from 8 p.m. until 3 the following morning.Tickets cost 15 euros and must be turned in at the first venue for a bracelet that will be worn for the rest of the night. The bracelet is good for admission to all venues and for bus transportation. Tickets can be purchased online or at various sites in and around the city. For details and the program of events, go to www.muenchner.de/musiknacht (in German).
