The city is twinkling with lights, and people are buzzing about town. It’s December! We’ve rounded up some happenings for you to shelter in when you get too cold as you walk about The Christmas City (Jólaborgin).
On Friday, artist-run Herma celebrates their ongoing Christmas exhibition with a party at 18:00; jólaglögg and piparkökur will be on offer to get you feeling jolly. Ólöf Arnalds celebrates the release of her album Spíra today, at Mengi at 20:00 — and as luck should have it, you can read our feature interview with her in the issue of the Grapevine that hit the town today!
On Saturday, The Marshall House will be alive with exhibition openings: Kling & Bang’s A Venus Spilling and Ragnar Kjartansson’s final work, titled Sunday Without Love, of his works-in-progress series at i8’s Grandi location. The two begin at 17:00!
Simultaneously at 17:00, perfumery Ilmur & Sjór is debuting their partnership with Rammagerðin by hosting a party at Rammagerðin’s Kirkjuhúsið location (Laugavegur 31). If the promise of a party is not enough for you, Ilmur & Sjór also promises a free small bottle of perfume for every attendee!
For live music, at 19:00, No Borders Iceland takes over Prikið again for the fourth iteration of their series Concerts Against Borders. Presenting dreamy tunes from K.Óla, fresh and fun dance duo Amor Vincit Omnia, and young rockers Kyrsa, this is a good lineup for a good cause. At 21:00, Teitur Magnússon is this week’s Straumur guest at Kaffibarinn.
And on Sunday, outdoor apparel mainstay (66° North) and the new hip bakery in town (220 Bakery) collaborate at 11:30 for a Reykjavík-edition of 66°’s ongoing Kaffi + bakarí series. At Bíó Paradís, from 12:00-18:00, a fundraising Christmas Market for Palestine offers handmade goods, Arabic food, and even Tarot readings.
Looking for more? Just scroll down. Got an event? Add it to the calendar at events.grapevine.is, or go there to check out what’s already happening around town.
December 3-6 — Bíó Paradís — Information on tickets (there’s free entry to some!) on bioparadis.is
The third iteration of Reykjavík’s Latin American Film Festival, this festival celebrates the Latin American & Caribbean region through film screenings, music, and food. The Secret Agent (Brazil) will be screened three times, with English and Icelandic subtitles — entry is free, but you have to register! We Shall Not Be Moved (Mexico) has an entry fee, but it covers the movie, a Cumbia Party, and food from La Poblana. What a deal! ISH
December 5-7 — Kolaportið — Free, but buy some art!
Reykjavík’s house of creative geniuses — haus — is taking over Jólaportið this weekend! Their market will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00-18:00, which is the perfect place to find a one-of-a-kind holiday gift. But, they’re also taking over the Kolaportið stage all three days, with performances from 17:00-22:00 on Friday and Saturday, and live events during the day on Sunday. Check out all the art that’s been happening behind the haus’s walls! ISH
til mikils ama og allrar hamingju
Saturday, December 6 — 14:00-17:00 — Korpúlfsstaðir
Iceland University of the Arts students present “til mikils ama og allrar hamingju,” the Department of Fine Arts’ showcase. Thirty-one students present media-ranging work, with only a delirious flash-fiction-esqe ramble accompanying the exhibition’s advertisement (which describes a ghostly mooing of the farm’s former cows). Imbibe some fine art on the exhibition’s second (and final) night. ISH
Opens Saturday, December 6 — 15:00 — Gallery Port
Gallery Port’s Christmas exhibitions have become a staple in Reykjavík’s art calendar. This year marks the annual exhibition’s 10th edition, bringing together both well-known, established artists and grassroots voices. New works will be added to the exhibition continuously as Christmas approaches, and Gallery Port at Hallgerðargata 19-23 will run extended opening hours, ensuring you can drop by to look at art, and, maybe even buy some, after you’re done grinding at work. IZ
Brumm Brumm: Works In Progress
Runs until Sunday, December 7 — Every day, 15:00 to 18:00 — IPA Gallery (Tryggvagata 17)
The silk-screen printers behind Brumm Brumm are a beloved fixture of the Reykjavík art landscape. If you’ve ever wondered what exactly goes on behind the Brumm Brumm scene, this weekend is your last chance (for now). They’re hosting a Works In Progress — literally, in progress while you’re there — exhibition in IPA Gallery. You can expect to find live printmaking, samples from their recent collaboration with Bónus, prints for sale, and the lovely couple behind Brumm Brumm working away. ISH
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