This weekend seems so packed with exciting events that it threatens to come apart at the seams. Here is a selection of events that we’ve specifically picked out for you.
Kiasmos / worriedaboutsatan / Hugar
For the fourth instalment of our Húrra Grapevine! concert series, one in which we attempt to show some love to all that wonderful local talent we keep writing about, we are bringing in three dance acts that you don’t want to miss. On the bill are Hugar, worriedaboutsatan and Kiasmos. The latter is one part electronic mastermind Janus Rasmussen and one part classical maestro Ólafur Arnalds (read an interview with him here). They were brought together by their love of beer and music, and aim to get everyone to dance like there’s no tomorrow. So come and do that with us, it’ll be great!
-Húrra, May 15 at 22:00, 1,500 ISK
Atli Heimir Sveinsson Concert & Lecture
Mengi and the Iceland Academy of the Arts present the first of a series of combination concerts-lectures on the Icelandic composer Atli Heimir Sveinsson. Born in 1938, Atli Heimir is one of the Iceland’s most prolific classical composers, and yet much of his work was never recorded or performed a second time after its premiere. This series aims to look at his less appreciated works and to give a better picture of an Icelandic master. In this first concert-lecture, Arngunnur Árnadóttir (clarinet), Melkorka Ólafsdóttir (flute), Michael Kaulartz (bassoon) and Örn Magnússon (reader) will perform six works, followed by a lecture by Þráinn Hjálmarsson.
-Mengi, May 15 at 21:00, 2,000 ISK
Dynfari Album Release Party / Draugsól
With the increasingly “alternative” sounds of contemporary music, it’s very easy to fall into the trap of commenting on the stimulating or dynamic feel of a friend’s song choice before realising it’s just their cell phone vibrating. Dynfari is not one of those bands, and they are celebrating the release of their third album ‘Vegferð Tímans’ (“Journey of Time”) at Gaukurinn. Like with any real metal band, Dynfari’s music is often full of screaming and fast tempos, while mixing in some atmospheric and chilling sounds. As a refreshing (and comforting) respite from “cool” Reykjavík music, each track on Dynfari’s album has an actual melody, and is distinctly different from the last.
-Gaukurinn, May 16 at 22:00, 1,000 ISK
Black Feathers
‘Black feathers’ refers to the name of a 1919 poetry collection by Davíð Stefánsson from Fagraskógur, one of Iceland’s most beloved 20th century poets. His works are the basis for Sigríður Soffía Níelsdóttir’s performance, in which she combines song, theatre and dance. The movements are based on the rules of verse and reflect metrical patterns, resulting in a dynamic and diverse piece of art. Dancers, actors, musicians and live doves interpret Davíð’s poems of loneliness, love and patriotism through theatrical performance, modern dance and music (and dove coo?).
-National Theatre of Iceland, May 15, 20, 30 and 31 at 19:00, 4,950 ISK
The Vixen And The Victim
Throughout history, female subjects in artwork have usually been depicted in a way that’s interchangeable with a bowl of fruit. With the exception of art and renaissance historians, most people don’t know much about the Mona Lisa beyond the name (of the painting, not of subject Lisa del Giocondo) and that it was painted by Leonardo da Vinci. This is a common theme: nameless models known more for the men who painted them. This year marks 100 years since women were granted suffrage in Iceland, and in honour of the celebration ASÍ is curating an exhibition that focuses on women as more than just a vixen or a victim. Some of the contributing artists are Anna Hallin, Eirún Jónsdóttir, Eva Ísleifsdóttir, Kristín Jónsdóttir, Lóa Hjálmtýsdóttir, Magdalena Margrét Kjartansdóttir, Rakel MacMahon and Valgerður Guðlaugsdóttir.
-ASÍ Art Gallery, May 14-June 13, free!
Kópavogur’s 60-Year Anniversary
At the Grapevine, we completely understand the disinclination to venture outside the safety of central 101 Rvk, and why would you? All the great museums, restaurants and nightlife are within walking distance, and it’s all corporate buildings and suburbia outside the cul de sac. Nope! With exorbitant rents downtown, many artists have been moving their studios to Kópavogur—the one with the penis- shaped mall you pass on the way to IKEA. As part of the town’s 60-year-birthday, 40 local artists, such as Bjarni Sigurbjörnsson and Ragnheiður Guðmundsdóttir, open their studios and local museums (like Anarkía, ART 11 and Gerðasafn) open their doors to the public to show exactly what Kópavogur has to offer. There are free bus rides from Harpa every 30 minutes, and between participating venues every 15 minutes.
-Kópavogur, May 16 from 09:00, free!
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This is only a fragment of the Grapevine’s listings. For the complete schedule, head over to our listings site. If you have events that you want listed, please email them to us at listings@grapevine.is.
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