September 10–17, 1998

six pick

Breughel Fest and Block Party

This Sunday's Breughel Fest is, to the best of my knowledge, the only local festival dedicated to a specific artist. It's also the only Belgian celebration in this city of ethnic celebrations.

Pieter Breughel (1525-1569) is the party painter. His depictions of peasants eating, drinking and making merry incorporate bawdy humor worthy of Shakespeare. Breughel's teeming panoramas also hint at the desperation of peasant life. When festival organizer Michel Notredame, chef and owner of Cuvee Notredame (1701 Green St., 765-2777) and a Belgian, noted a resemblance between Breughel's jolly paintings and American block parties, the Breughel Fest was born. Free entertainment includes music, (Belgian?!) flamenco lessons, clowns, door prizes and more. Buffet-style feasting starts at 4. It's not the simple fare in the paintings, but Belgian mussels, Coq au Vin, Belgian sausages and cheeses, Belgian waffles with fresh strawberries and crème fraîche, Belgian chocolate cake and more! All you can eat for 50¢ a minute, with a minimum dining time of 30 minutes ($15). Breughel would have approved.

-Robin Rice

Sun., Sept. 13, 2-10 p.m., on Green Street between 17th and 18th, 765-2777.