Today At The Reykjavík Dance Festival: Friday 28 August

The Reykjavík Dance Festival (RDF) is in full swing, five glorious days of performances, workshops, and more. Navigating the schedule can be a daunting task, so read on for a short list of things to look out for today.

‘Firsts: BRÍET: Up With The Skirts’ by Anna Kolfinna Kuran

‘Bríet’ is another of the ‘Firsts’ performances that bring together Icelandic dance and performance makers. The piece honours Icelandic women’s rights activist Bríet Bjarnhéðinsdóttir who fought for women’s liberation and suffrage at the end of the nineteenth century. Anna Kolfinna Kuran, Esther Talía Casey, Gígja Jónsdóttir and Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir use texts, movement, music and singing in their interpretation.

17:00 at Smiðjan at Iceland Academy of the Arts. Sölvhólsgata. Admission 2,900 ISK, tickets can be purchased here. Check out the Facebook event.

‘Tell Me Love Is Real’ by Zachary Oberzan

In the winter of 2012, the American performers Zachary Oberzan and Whitney Houston both over-dosed on Xanax in hotel rooms, but Zachary alone survived. In this solo theater/film/musical he examines life and why we should live it, as well as love, death, and heroes.

19:00 at Tjarnarbíó. Admission 2,900 ISK, tickets can be purcahsed here. Check out the Facebook event.

‘Splendour’ by Stina Nyberg

‘Splendour’ looks at the body’s relationship with sound. The piece was created through a daily “techno practice” where the cast would dance to Dave Clarke’s entire album, ‘Archive One’. Diverging from popular themes in contemporary dance, this work avoids improvisation. In true techno club style, the dancers do not rely on one another but insist on doing it together.

21:00 at Gamla Bíó. Admission 2,900 ISK, tickets can be purchased here. Check out the Facebook event.

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You can also check out the full Lókal & Reykjavík Dance Festival schedule on our listings website.