Grapevine Picks: Finnish Saunas, Circus Sideshows and Mysterious Landscapes

Here’s our weekly set of damn good reasons to leave your cosy Reykjavík home over the next seven days. Yes we know that there’s sleet and rain outside, and an orange-level weather warning in effect, but if you don’t get your culture shots your aesthetic will shrivel up and drop off. Just don’t come crying to us when that happens…

Authentic Finnish Sauna

Sunday February 27th from 13:00

Breiðholtslaug

More information here

A Finnish sauna somewhere, but probably not in Reykjavík – photo by Huum

Finns: we’re not sure how to feel about them. Do we trust these guys with their weird vowels and unnecessary amount of trees? But there is one thing Finland definitely gets right, and that’s sauna. Luckily for us the Finnish Embassy is celebrating ‘Kalevala’ – Finnish National Culture Day – by inviting us all to the pool to check out authentic Finnish sauna traditions. Expect birch twigs. JG

Coney Iceland – Circus Sideshow

Saturday February 26th from 20:00

Gaukurinn

More information here

Some rubber chickens were probably harmed in the making of this show. Sorry.

Roll up, roll up! The circus is coming to town! For one night only Jelly Boy the Clown will serve up the belly-laughs! Bubbles Powder the Italian Bubbleologist will bring the bubbling thrills! And Roc Roc-it—the world’s only inflatable boy who has tattooed his face to look like outer space—will do… something. Oh, and of course there’ll be sword-swallowing. And rubber chickens. Get there early to grab a ring-side spot. JP

518 Aukanætur

Until March 12th

Gallery Port

More information here

Photo by Eva Schram

Eva Schram is a Reykjavík artist who works mainly in analogue photography, and darkroom processes. This exhibit, part of the Icelandic Photography Festival, is a reflection of the Icelandic wilderness. Her chosen medium is a type of obsolescent film that gives the subject landscapes a detached mystery, yet brings them closer to the viewer. JP

Tired of winter? Grapevine’s Box Of Winter Darkness will keep your spirits up until spring – click here for details.