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Who You Callin’ Pony?
If you want to start a fight in Iceland, call their horses ponies. When I slipped up and did just that, I was met with, “A pony couldn’t do what that horse did.” And while the breed tends to fall in the…
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South By Southwest: Nature, Culture And Fine Dining In The Westman Islands
Iceland seems fantastical so much of the time. Travelling around the country, I’m always reminded of novels and films of lands that aren’t based in reality. Just when you think you’ve seen the most magnificent landscape imaginable, you’ll stumble upon something even…
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Ashes To Ashes: The Westman Islands Volcano Museum
The Volcano On the night of January 23, 1973 the inhabitants of Heimaey in the Westman Islands were woken by a violent volcanic eruption. With little warning, lava shot up to 150 metres into the air. The islanders rushed to gather whatever…
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Happening Today: Bermúda Art Festival In Kópavogur
The youth, they’re always up to something. And it’s no different in Kópavogur. Three young, creative minds collaborate to bring the Bermúda Art Festival to town. The aim is to feature distinct and peculiar pieces that might not normally be showcased in…
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Guide: What To Do On A Rainy Or Sunny Day?
Rainy Day Guide: The Pool You’re thinking this should be over on the sunny side guide. But trust us, there is nothing better than being in a warm pool while refreshingly cold drops of rain plunk down upon you. You don’t have…
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Classical Music For The Masses
It’s hard to miss the ten thousand geometric glass panels forming the Harpa concert hall and conference centre. And with the addition of this summer’s Reykjavík Classics programme, the performing arts centre hopes to attract even more attention. The new series is…
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Match Review: LET ENGLAND SHAKE—#ISL Euro Conquest Continues
So. It happened. We did it. BREXIT 2 is no longer just a funny meme. It’s… reality? Actually, we’re not sure if this is real, or a Matrix-like virtual dreamland Valhalla. Here’s what went down, told on our Twitter. The day of…
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Iceland Vs. England: The View From A Reykjavík Living Room
As the near-mythical saga of the Icelandic football team continued last night, it was documented once again by Grapevine illustrator Lóa. As regular readers might know, a Lóa illustration is worth 10,000 words (yep, she’s that good). Her quickdraw commentary of the…
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Jón Gnarr Reprises Familiar Role
Production on the upcoming television series “Borgarstjórinn” (“The Mayor”) is nearly halfway completed. The ten-episode series follows comedian, former real-life Reykajvík mayor, and prior Grapevine cover model Jón Gnarr, as he returns to a role he knows quite well. However, this time…
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Happening Today: GusGus And DJ Margeir On Esjan
Yep, you heard correctly, that huge mountain looming over Reykjavík is hosting a party of epic proportions. GusGus and DJ Margeir will bring the beats after being air-lifted to the summit via helicopter. You’re likely not to have another chance to party…
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Happening Today: Fuglset Male Voice Choir At Nordic House
I ask you: What’s more Icelandic than male choirs? (Quick, puffins cover your ears!) Partake in the most classic of Nordic traditions, an evening with the Norwegian Fuglset Male Voice Choir! The group performs songs of all genres and styles, sung in…
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Happening Now: Sacha Bernardson Music Residency At Listastofan
During Sacha Bernardson’s three-day residency at Listastofan, visitors will have the opportunity to help him build a song (by becoming the musical instrument), listen to a concert by Sacha and the Mermaids, and finally, bring sleeping bags and spend the night in…
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Feminist Discourse: Two Sixteen-Year-Olds School Us On Gender Inequality
Many great people start young. bell hooks wrote about encountering adversity in the newly integrated public school system. Malala Yousafzai was the co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of seventeen. And although they have yet to appear in The…
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Holy Solstice, Please Let Us Sleep
Iceland is known for its midnight sun—as early as May and as late as August, Iceland’s nights are as bright as its days. But beyond the initial shock of nearly 24 hours of daylight, there are some surprising sides of the solstice…
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Happening Today: Reykjavík Midsummer Music
The fifth year of Reykjavík Midsummer Music celebrates the endless Icelandic sun with seven classical performances stretching into the bright summer nights. This year’s shows center around the theme “Wanderer,” transporting the audience on journeys inspired by space exploration, travel between East…
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Happening Today: “Matt Shepard Is A Friend of Mine” At Bíó Paradís
The American Embassy in Iceland and GayIceland.is host a screening of the documentary “Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine” this evening at Bíó Paradís. An on-line Q and A session with the film’s director, Michele Josue, executive director of the Matthew…
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Don’t Forget Your Roots: Grapevine Grassroots Sunday, June 12
The second coming of Grapevine Grassroots is upon us. The Reykjavík Grapevine and Húrra partnered to resurrect the former celebration of up-and-comers across art mediums through poetry readings, musical performances, graphic design and illustration. The two fresh-faces leading the charge this time…
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Safe Haven: Inside The Harbinger Project Space
To the casual observer there seems to be a multitude of small art galleries dotting Reykjavík’s interior. However, exhibition space in the downtown area is still limited for those looking to showcase work. Harbinger Project Space opened its doors two years ago,…
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Happening Today: Nightbird Electronic Warehouse Party
Kickstart your summer with this warehouse party tailored for the night owl in us all! The event’s organisers wanted to combat the common practice of parties and festivals featuring programmes with few female DJs in the male dominated arena of electronic music.…
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Happening Today: Markús and The Diversion Sessions Concert
Make your way over to Tjarnarbíó this evening to view what frontman, Markús Bjarnason, calls “one of the biggest concerts of my life.” Indie-folk and splendid fanfare, two concepts that don’t necessarily go hand-in-hand (pay no mind to Edward Sharpe), are set…
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This Week’s #GVpics Winner!
Come one, come all! Here we have an entirely new set of glorious Instagram photos for your viewing pleasure (don’t say we never gave you nothing). Remember to continue diligently tagging your photographs with the hashtag #GVpics for a chance at becoming…
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Happening This Weekend: TAKTFAKT Pre-Party and After-Party
Can’t afford the steep price tag that accompanies the TAKTFAKT Festival? No worries, we’ve got you covered. The pre- and after-parties may not be inside a volcano, but the line-up of DJs and hip venues will bring the heat. Let Friday set…
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Open Now: ‘Kingdom: Flora, Fauna, Fable’
Historically, art has emphasized human interest as it pertains to earth and our surroundings. The new survey ‘Kingdom: Flora, Fauna, Fable’ aims to juxtapose various artworks, old and new, to emphasize the distinctive ways artists relate to and portray nature. The exhibition…
