Whenever you decide to take a trip, doesn’t it always feel like that’s the moment when everything cool is happening in your city? That’s the case for our listings editor, who is dutifully reporting on events that they won’t be in town for. But, lucky for you, you’re here. And there is so much happening.
Tonight at 19:00, artist Michael Laundry will present A History of Swimming: Swimming in Reykjavík at SIND Gallery. Informed by different pieces of swimming-related literature and art, the artist explores our relationship to water in the contemporary theatre work.
At 20:30, there’s a showing of the comedy showcase Belonging?, which celebrates Iceland’s foreign-born comedians. This will be their third show at Salurinn in Hamraborg.
On Saturday, there will be protests in four different places in Iceland — Reykjavík, Ísafjörður, Akureyri, and Egilsstaðir — organised under the title “Þjóð gegn þjóðarmorði” or “Nation against genocide.” It will begin in all four places at 14:00.
At 18:00, “creation nebula” marvaða hosts an exhibition opening for MAGIC, which will run through September 26. Three films will be screened, in addition to a conversation with one film’s (HEX) director and writer Katrín Helga Andrésdóttir, composer and creator Sóley Stefánsdóttir, and Arnbjörg María Danielsen. After the opening day, one film will be screened each day until the finissage.
RVK Tónabíó begins another concert series: Hauslaus. Focusing on dance/pop/upbeat music, the first group to take the brewery’s stage is disco band Krullur. Catch them at 21:00; the entrance is always free. Also at 21:00, there’s Paris Latino, a Nordic-based reggaeton event series, throwing a dance party at Harpa. Also at 21:00, Ari Árelíus will perform for this week’s Straumur concert at Kaffibarinn.
Got an event? Add it to the calendar at events.grapevine.is, or check out what’s already happening around town.
September 3-7 — Multiple venues — Individual and festival tickets for sale
Founded as an electronic music festival, the now genre-defying experimental music celebration is back for its 16th edition. Taking over venues such as Bíó Paradís and Kaffibarinn, this festival offers sounds from both cutting-edge Icelandic musicians and an impressive selection of international artists. This year, the eccentric John Maus will be joining a phenomenal lineup at Húrra — yeah, that’s not a typo. To see John Maus, and to see Húrra reopen for one night only, attend this year’s Extreme Chill. ISH
September 4-7 — Bíó Paradís — Tickets for sale on tix.is
In its first iteration, the Icelandic Queer Film Festival celebrates a diverse collection of international films; movies from the Philippines, Portugal, Denmark, and beyond will take the screens of Bíó Paradís. The festival aims to spotlight queer films, which are often unduly neglected, and create a shared space where these stories can be enjoyed amidst one’s community. Both documentaries and feature films are on the bill, and many will be making their Icelandic premiere, so this festival should not be missed. ISH
September 6 — 12:00 — Smekkleysa — Pay what you can
It’s that time of the year — the corn moon is out, and so is DJ Björk. They’ll begin the affair with a pre-launch of the VR experience for Björk’s Vulnicura, where they promise a remastered version of the 2015 album “with enhanced spatial audio and fully reprogrammed visuals.” Afterwards, the father and son duo of Mark Fell and Rian Treanor (who are offering a two-day workshop at Mengi) have sets. Then, SVBKVLT artist 33EMYBW (more on them later) takes the stage, followed by Björk herself. Get a place early, or be doomed to watch from the Hverfisgata window. ISH
September 6 — 22:00 — MONO (Útópía, 2nd floor) — Presale 2.500 ISK, at the door 3.500 ISK
Shanghai and Manchester-based label SVBKVLT is back for another showcase in Reykjavík, over a year after their first. Three projects performed in the inaugural event are back: SVBKVLT-affiliated Icelandic trio sideproject will perform live, and Howell (UK) and Hyph11E (China/UK) return to Reykjavík. New to the event are Swimful (UK) and Nahash (CA), plus Icelandic producer/musician Knackered (who just signed with marvaða and released a single). Taking over the new venue MONO, this event is sure to be great. ISH
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