What
B-Classic wants to give classical music a new role in a constantly evolving society.
We plan to do this by:
- making room for creative processes that allow musicians to shape a new creative practice, individually or collaboratively
- exposing the links between the way historic and contemporary musical compositions are created, performed and experienced
- creating opportunities for classical music and other genres to converge outside traditional venues and locations
- collaborating with partners who support and promote this experiential approach to classical music
Room to play
We make room for makers and give them the tools to research, create and present. Within this space, makers have the opportunity and the freedom to experiment and reflect.
We create space:
- at Studio Classic, where classical musicians become makers
- in our atelier, where new productions are born and where makers have room to develop project ideas
- on stage at the BEROERT festival, the Elfurenmis, MOLD and the outdoor concert in Borgloon
DE NIEUWE ZAAL
On 24 September, The New Hall relocated. In a festive parade, the four organisations behind De Nieuwe Zaal (Het nieuwstedelijk, Cinema ZED, B-Classic and Kunstenwerkplaats Vonk) moved from their old location on Maastrichterstraat to their new spot at KAAI16, Scheepvaartkaai 16, Hasselt. On Wednesday 25 October, De Nieuwe Zaal will officially open there and a long weekend of theatre, film and music will follow.
12 January 2018 saw the launch of De Nieuwe Zaal in the heart of Hasselt. In the years that followed, the former gymnasium grew into a cultural hotspot for theatre and film. Behind the scenes, it became an important rehearsal space for theatre makers and musicians. After five years, the occupants (The New Urban, Cinema ZED, B-Classic and Kunstenwerkplaats Vonk) had to look for a new place. This was eventually found with the help of the City of Hasselt in Quartier Canal. In the coming years, De Nieuwe Zaal will strengthen the dynamics and cultural offer here, complementing the other players in the neighbourhood.
To publicise the new spot, the organisations called on their supporters to help move Cinema ZED's big movie screen from the old to the new place. This way, sympathisers could literally shrug off The New Hall and discover with their own eyes where the moving procession ended up. The parade moved through the streets to the musical accompaniment of the 12-member collective the Wamaki's. Upon arrival, all attendees had a toast to the new venue. They could also get a glimpse of the works transforming the premises into a theatre and cinema.
The opening of the De Nieuwe Zaal is scheduled on Wednesday 25 October with a festive evening. A promising opening weekend with theatre, cinema and music is also in the pipeline for the following days.
De Nieuwe Zaal will continue its operation in KAAI16 in the coming years. At the same time, the old administrative centre on Groenplein will be transformed into a fantastic arts workshop with two cinema halls, a flat-floor theatre, rehearsal rooms, offices and a cultural café. From 2026-27, De Nieuwe Zaal hopes to welcome artists and the public there.
Who
Bob Permentier
Artistic director
bob@b-classic.be
+32 475 436 277
Kris Jannis
Business director
kris@b-classic.be
+32 497 427 960
Stien Carlier
Administration/finance
stien@b-classic.be
+32 485 371 220
Kristof Claes
Communication
kristof@b-classic.be
+32 473 240 125
BOARD
Bart Lodewijckx, president (2017-)
Mit Lenaerts, treasurer (2012-)
Nik Baerten (2017-)
Karolien De Clippel (2020-)
Yvette Nootens (2012-)
Musti Önlen (2017-)
Hugo Peumans (2012-)
Ignace Schops (2017-)
Lies Steppe (2022-)