Grapevine Events: Lavaforming Opening, French Film Festival, Museum Rave & More

We’re fully in the swing of the new year, which means galleries are dusting off from their winter breaks and are ready for some new exhibitions. Yesterday evening (January 22), Vilhjálmur Yngvi Hjálmarsson’s Diagrams opened at Á milli, which will run until January 28. The artist-run gallery Kannski begins a new year with artists Sunniva Allanic and Steffi Drerup presenting their exhibition Vessel, opening today (January 23) at 17:00, which explores the act of sustaining the life of another through sculpture and photography. Tonight at 19:00, there will be a Rokk Concert at Smekkleysa, featuring Juno Paul, Gíker, and Dirt Talent Extract.

Later, at marvaða (Grandagarður 5), artists Berglind María Tómasdóttir and Björg Brjánsdóttir perform the flute-centric Dear Carolyn and Kambríum. Concurrently, synth-pop artist lúpína begins a performance also at 20:00 at Mengi, where she plans to loop and play with both released and unreleased music.

On Saturday (January 24), make sure to catch the double opening at Listasafn Íslands of Agnieszka Polska’s Innocent Bodies and Bryndís Snæbjörnsdóttir and Mark Wilson’s Seas‘ Blue Yonder at 15:00.

If you’re in the mood for some good music in the evening, there’s plenty to be had. SAKANA and ghost orchid will bring some tunes at 12 Tónar, starting at 21:00. A Hardcore Party takes over Catalína in 200 Kópavogur (better known as the “old capital of punk”) at 20:00. The bar welcomes an exhilarating lineup: Gaddavír, Krownest, Dauðyflin, and Necrobiome. Get ready to thrash.

But for those looking for a bit more of the 101-centric events, look no further than electronic producer and performer Knackered, who will perform at Kaffibarinn at 21:00 — after, you can catch Alaska1867 and digital ísland at Prikið around midnight (you might even spot some of the Grapevine team in the crowd… stay tuned to find out why).

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.

Lavaforming — Group Exhibition

Friday, January 23 — 17:00 — Hafnarhús (Reykjavík Art Museum)

Iceland’s architecture exhibition from the 2025 Venice Biennale brings us to the year 2150, imagining a future in which flowing magma can — and is — controlled by us. Recontextualising lava as a natural resource, the multimedia team visualises and presents a setting where construction and environmental effects of building are changed by this new tool. The team ranges in discipline — architects, authors, musicians, and designers came together for this project — and the final product showcases the depth of their experience. ISH

French Film Festival

Friday, January 23 to Sunday, February 1 — Bíó Paradís — Tickets available at bioparadis.is

Bíó Paradís continues to impress with its string of region-specific cinematic celebrations as its French Film Festival kicks off today! And they’re taking a running start: legendary actress Isabelle Hubert is in town as Bíó Paradís premieres her newest film, The Richest Woman In The World. They’ve also got cult-classic Amélie, the staggering 1995 drama La Haine, the 2025 absurdist comedy The Piano Accident, and many more. Alongside all this, Bíó Paradís’ new cocktail bar Regnboginn will collaborate with Port 9 to offer curated French wines throughout the festival. Très bien! ISH

Rave Reif Performans: Skúlptúr Skúlptúr Performans Closing Party

Saturday, January 24 — 19:55 — Gerðarsafn — Free entry

Ever heard of the movie Night At The Museum? This evening at Gerðarsafn is bound to be like that movie’s cool cousin. Closing out the group exhibition Skúlptúr Skúlptúr Performans, participating artists The Post Performance Blues Band, Styrmir Örn, and Curro Rodriguez will each offer performances. Afterwards, DJs Melerito de Jeré and 8228 will take to the decks — with free admission, and the Krónikan bar open all night, this is sure to be a great party. ISH

Upprásin: HOYM, Curro Rodriguez, Skurgoð

Tuesday, January 27 — 20:00 — Harpa (Kaldalón) — 2.000 ISK

In the grassroots-centric series’ first iteration of the year, three exciting acts take the Kaldalón stage. HOYM is a trio of Elinborg Pálsdóttir (FO), Lea Kampmann (FO), and Katrín Helga Ólafsdóttir (IS), who perform raw folk-inspired music inspired by their shared friendship and cross-cultural connection. Curro Rodriguez is a musician, performance artist, and flamenco dancer who channels Iceland’s rich, volatile, and dramatic nature into his art. 2024 Músíktilraunir winners Skurgoð (then Vampíra) bring their fast-paced black metal to the mix, rounding out another exciting Upprásin. ISH

Swim-in Cinema: When Harry Met Sally

Thursday, February 5 — 18:00-21:00 — Sundhöll Hafnarfjarðar — 4.900 ISK

You probably know by now how much people in Iceland love their pools, but if you’re still not convinced, why not check out the pool in Hafnarfjörður on February 5? That’s when the Reykjavík International Film Festival hosts a special screening of the classic romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally. Expect to soak in the hot water while watching the film on a big screen, accompanied by live music from the soundtrack and, apparently, even some role play by invited actors. These events are extremely popular, so we’re giving you a heads-up. This is definitely not your average film screening. IZ