Grapevine Events: Folk Festival, Tónabíó Opening, Stockfish Film & Industry Festival

In last week’s Friday Event Picks, we spoke too soon. We’re sorry. It’s decidedly not so spring-y here; the only yellow isn’t coming from the sun, but from today’s yellow weather warning.

However, regardless of the actual weather, today (March 20) is the spring equinox! At 19:30, Aoife O’Brien marks the day by celebrating the release of Never Been One to let a Bygone Go at Smekkleysa, which will come out at the exact moment of the equinox, 14:46. At 20:00, multidisciplinary artists Ben Frost and Francesco Fabris open their exhibition Harmonic Tremor at Nýlistasafnið, which is the culmination of field research and recording alongside their shared fascination with Icelandic geology. They’ll offer a live performance at 20:30, which will be the only time they will perform alongside the exhibition.

On Saturday, Verkvinnslan’s annual Winter Festival KULDAKAST brings a full day of exhibitions, performances, food, drink, and music to Gufunes. March 21 is World Day for Glaciers, and to recognise the day, the Reykjavík Photography Museum is holding a symposium (in Icelandic) beginning at 14:00, alongside Kristján Maack’s current exhibition there, Sleeping Giants, which showcases Icelandic glaciers.

At 16:00, KHAIRKHAN performs The Echo of the Steppes at Hannesarholt, a concert series aimed to “show people the different colours of Mongolian culture, to correct the stereotypes of Mongolian people in the West for a long time.”

In the evening, another concert at Smekkleysa calls: Bucking Fastards, gubba horn, and Dauðyflin bring rock to the record shop, beginning at 19:00. At Kabarett, Girl Jokes brings an all-female lineup and a concert afterwards to boot. Starting at 21:00, Kat Baily, Gabriela Rubio, and Joy Kumral take the stage for a night of “bold jokes, big laughs, and a room full of energy.”

On Sunday, the Reykjavík Maritime Museum hosts a free guided tour in Polish, beginning at 14:00.

Looking for something else? 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.

Reykjavík Folk Fest

March 19 to 21 — Various locations — Some events free, others on tix.is

After a successful showing last year, the Reykjavík Folk Festival is back! The festival boasts a lineup of Icelandic folk icons and stars, from Svavar Knútur to Una Torfa, Umbra Ensemble to Árstíðir, and more. Alongside the paid events, free events of MÍT students showcasing work and a family concert at Iðnó let everyone get in on the excitement. You can find more information on their social media — go have some folking fun! ISH

RVK Tónabíó Opening Weekend

March 19 to 21 — Tónabíó, Skipholt 33 — 2.500 ISK, tickets can be purchased on tix.is

RVK Tónabíó found its way into our hearts with well-made beer and well-curated concert series. Now, their concerts are moving out of the taproom and into the original Tónabíó, built in 1962. For their second night of celebrations (March 20), they welcome Amor Vincit Omnia (who are newly back after performing at SXSW), techno-violin performance duo Geigen, Grapevine’s Song Of The Year winners digital ísland, and Grapevine’s Best Live Act Knackered. Let’s celebrate a new venue opening, instead of yet another one closing! ISH

Stockfish Film & Industry Festival

March 19 to 29 — Various locations — Some events free, tickets can be purchased here

In our latest issue of the Grapevine, our journalist Iryna Zubenko spoke with Stockfish Managing Director Dögg Mósesdóttir to get a preview of the festival. Now it’s upon us! You can expect their extensive short film programme (look out for events billed as Sprettfiskur/Shortfish), a seven-and-a-half-hour-long screening of Béla Tarr’s Sátántangó, and the Icelandic debut of Hlynur Pálmason’s Joan of arc. For a full run-down of what’s free, what’s ticketed, and what’s happening, check out their website. ISH

Jötungíma kveður

March 25 & 28 — 20:00 — Turninn, Elliðaárstöð — Tickets for 3.920 ISK

If you’re seeking something niche, how about a play about a giant mushroom (who is there to sort and recycle mankind, but can’t be bothered to) living in the tower of Elliðaárstöð, the old power station in Elliðaárdalur? Jötungíma kveður is a new performance from Díó, the project of performing artists Aðalbjörg Árnadóttir and Ylfa Ösp Áskelsdóttir, which was formed 20 years ago. They have two performances left, on March 25 and March 28, and tickets can be bought here (note that the performance is in Icelandic). ISH