Grapevine Events: SAMPL, Gallery Port Closing Party, Early Music Festival

The weather has calmed down after yesterday’s blizzard conditions and orange weather alert — so we, in good conscience, can recommend some activities for you this weekend.

Today (March 27), five artists who participated in the international SÍM Residency in the past three months present In Resonance, a culmination of their work at the SÍM Residency Project Space (Seljavegur 32). This is their second and last day, so make sure to check it out from 14:00 to 18:00 before it’s gone!

Glerhúsið hosts an event in tandem with Ólöf Nordal’s exhibition Ó, welcoming eight poets to read amidst the art, starting at 17:00. Simultaneously, Gallery Kannski opens the exhibition Swing Test, a dual exhibition of Anna Schlechter and Nottabird (comprised of Boaz Yosef Friedman and Jessie Evans) exploring communication through video works, found object sculptures, and more. Later, at 20:30, Tónabíó celebrates their first week open with a concert with Cell7, CYBER, and KUSK & Óviti!

On Saturday, March 28, if you’re itching to get out of town, art and cultural project Bergmál og Sjávarljós celebrates their opening at 15:30 with a set from Sólrún Mjöll Kjartansdóttir and petals, followed by a performance Ráðhildur Ólafsdóttir. The project is based in the lighthouse in Akranes, and will run until April 19.

In the evening, Studio Silo and Smekkleysa present SÚRMJÓLK #1, celebrating all things loud. Akranes-based Snowed In, Strákurinn Fákurinn, punks Tjaldvagn, and Liverpool-based Dead Raze all will take the stage, and the hosts note: “Mild crowd anarchy permitted // Bring your earplugs // Bring your smile.”

This weekend also marks the final days of Stockfish, which we previewed in the issue of the Grapevine that you can find around town right now (or online right here). Closing out the festival is the Icelandic premiere of Hlynur Pálmason’s Joan of arc, plus a Q&A after the screening with the director himself.

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.

SAMPL 11: Andervel, Birnir, Salóme Katrín

March 27 — 20:00 — Iðnó — Free entry

Tonight, as always, SAMPL serves up a veritable bland í poka of the Icelandic music scene. This evening’s artists include the captivating Salóme Katrín, whose passionate performing and sweet voice leave all audiences feeling lighter; the tender Andervel, whose textured songs explore the frontperson José’s experiences while deftly weaving lyrics in Icelandic, Spanish, and English; and prolific rapper, Grapevine Music Awards’ Album Of The Year winner, Birnir. There’s always something for everyone at SAMPL. ISH

Gallery Port: 10th Birthday And Closing Party

March 28 — 16:00 — Gallery Port — Free entry

In 2023, we conducted an interview with Skarphéðinn Bergþórusson and Árni Már Þ. Viðarsson on Gallery Port’s 7th birthday; we heard about their proud moments, and how it felt like they were running their gallery on borrowed time. Now, on their 10th birthday, Gallery Port is closing. Since the beginning, they’ve been a space for fringey art to be taken seriously, for experimentation, for community. To mark their decade of art and celebrate all that Gallery Port has been, join them for their goodbye party. ISH

Sambland Combi-Nation — Group exhibition

Opens March 28 — 16:00 — Ásmundarsalur — Free entry

Artists Adam Flint Taylor, Clare Aimée, Julie Sjöfn Gasiglia, Natka Klimowicz, Patty Spyrakos, Pola Sutryk, and Vikram Pradhan present their group exhibition on the “mundane moments that combine to bend the arc of one’s life in a direction fundamentally different from where it began.” Iceland has become home to all the artists in the exhibition, for one reason or another, and each of them reflects in Sambland Combi-Nation on how life has led them here. ISH

Reykjavík Early Music Festival

March 31 to April 2 — Harpa — Tickets and festival passes for sale on tix.is

In its third iteration, the Reykjavík Early Music Festival continues to celebrate baroque music with Icelandic-based artists and international ones alike. This year’s programme ranges from a concert from the Low Key Ensemble entitled “Bassa, meiri bassa!” (Bass, more bass!) to multiple family concerts. The artists travelling to Iceland for the festival include multiple lutenists and an ensemble which combines music, dance, and theatre in their performances, all sure to be more exciting than you’d think early music to be. ISH