If, like us, you’ve been glued to the world news this week and were hoping the weekend might at least give world leaders — or soon-to-be ambassadors — a break (spoiler: it won’t). But as always, TGIF! We’re back with a curated list of events and happenings around town you should not miss.
Yesterday, Kristín Helga Ríkharðsdóttir’s exhibition The Smooth Operator opened at the Reykjavík Art Museum. We were at the opening and are already planning to go back, and so should you.
On Friday, January 16 (17:00) Farvegir & Form opens at Herma, while Katrín Inga’s exhibition Photon sensations in linear empty space = vacuum opens at SIND gallery (also 17:00);
Tomorrow, January 17, 15:00, there’s an exciting opening at the Photography Museum: Kristján Maack’s exhibition Sleeping Giants, with the Mayor of Reykjavík, Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir and the President of Iceland, Halla Tómasdóttir opening the exhibition;
In addition, Kristín Karólína Helgadóttir and Sigurður Guðmundsson open their exhibition Blind Date at Ásmundarsalur (also 15:00); Later that evening (19:00), BKPM premieres a brand-new music video and performs a concert at 12 Tónar, alongside DJ sets from 2 Part Horse Costume and B33R;
That same night (20:00), authors Fríða Ísberg and Brynja Hjálmsdóttir will welcome the renowned South Korean poet Kim Hyesoon for a poetry reading and discussion at Mengi; Afterwards, Andervel plays at Kaffibarinn (21:00);
On Sunday, don’t miss the opening of Bring Me Colours by Eygló Harðardóttir at the Sculpture Garden (14:00).
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.
RVK Poetics: The Sea in Between
Friday, January 16 — 19:30 — Mengi — Free
RVK Poetics, the community-based English-language reading series, kicks off its first event of the year with a strong programme of Faroese and Icelandic poets: Sjón, Meg Esja Matich, Kim Simonsen, Vónbjørt Vang, Svava Þorsteinsdóttir, and Rachel Britton. Vónbjørt Vang recently won the Nordic Council Prize for Literature, the first Faroese author to do so in 39 years, and ahead of the event, contributor Grayson Del Faro spoke with her, which you can read here. RVK Poetics is a friendly, low-pressure event for anyone curious about literature in any form. You don’t have to read yourself — but if you want to, you can. The event is free, and refreshments will be available. IZ
Pop-Up: Remedy for Seasonal Depression 
January 16-17 — 19:00-01:00 — Á milli — Free
We know the days are getting longer, but the January blues are still here. Contributor Grayson Del Faro recently retold two Icelandic folktales on how to survive winter, and let us tell you: things can get pretty brutal. For those looking for more contemporary ways to fight seasonal gloom, we recommend checking out the pop-up at Á milli happening this weekend. We don’t know exactly what it is, but when you’re desperate, all methods work. Right? Right? IZ
Baby Rave at Gerðarsafn Art Museum
Saturday, January 17 — 13:00-14:00 — Gerðarsafn Art Museum — Free
Thanks to DJ Ívar Pétur (FM Belfast), Baby Raves have been popping up around the country for years. As the name suggests, it’s a rave for babies — or, as the organisers put it, “a family event for children of all ages to dance and move however they like.” It’s awesome that kids can start exploring music diversity so young. The event is open to all ages, but little ones should be accompanied by an adult. Whether adult kids can join without a kid remains unknown. IZ
MOMOxYuyu Pop Up: Hand-Whisked Matcha & Desserts
Sunday, January 18 — 14:30-17:30 — Ramen Momo, Bankastraeti 8 — 3.190 ISK for two matcha drinks and two desserts
We’re thrilled that matcha culture is finally making waves in Reykjavík. Last summer, one of our writers spent weeks hunting for decent matcha in town to deliver you this guide. This Sunday, Yuyu, a brand introducing Japanese teas to Iceland, is hosting a pop-up at our beloved Ramen Momo. They’ll be serving cold and hot matcha, matcha lattes, paired with Hojicha tiramisu, miso chocolate cookies, and white chocolate & lemon cookies. Vegan options available. We suspect the event is going to be mouth-watering. IZ
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