Grapevine Events: So Many Exhibition Openings, KUSK & Óviti, World Narcosis Final Shows

Sjö níu þrettán (if you’ve never heard this one, check this out)…we think spring is officially here. The lóa, harbinger of spring, arrived in Eyrarbakki this week, and almost all the ice is melted off the sidewalks [except that one sneaky stretch at the start of Hverfisgata that has caught some of us off guard. Reykjavíkurborg, take note!]. Now’s your chance to go outside, shake off those winter blues, and see some interesting art.

There are a slew of exhibition openings over the next few days: Sturla Sigurðarson’s series of paintings on body and consciousness — I’ve Been Here Before Though I Don’t Remember It — at Herma (March 13 at 16:00), Snædís Björt Guðmundsdóttir’s oil portraiture of Icelandic horses — Nærvera — at Núllið Gallery (March 13 at 17:00), Claire Paugam’s tesselated and multimedia exploration of memory — Memory Crash — at Gallery Port (March 14 at 15:00), Elín Elísabet Einarsdóttir’s renderings of Icelandic nature — Verse — at Þula Hafnartorg (March 14 at 16:00), Daníel Björnsson’s exploration of time — FUNNEL — at Listamenn Gallery (March 14 at 16:00) and Agnes Ársælsdóttir, Eleni Ieremia, Hrafnkell Tumi Georgsson, and Sölvi Halldórsson’s performance + exhibition on industry’s collision with natural materials — Resource Gardens — at Slökkviðstöðin (also March 14 at 16:00) …and maybe there’s even more!

Tonight, March 13, at 21:00, Bíó Paradís’ Party Screening is the Icelandic cult-classic Stella í Orlofi. Curious what it’s about? Journalist Iryna Zubenko revisited the film in an article we published this summer. Simultaneously, Babies take over Stúdentakjallarinn (the band, not a random assortment of kids).

On Saturday, March 14, at 17:00, there will be a time capsule opening and an open mic at the City Library (Grófin) to mark the final weekend of the Future Festival. In the evening, soul-inspired musicians BEAR THE ANT & Ívar Klausen hold a show at 12 Tónar, starting at 19:00. At the same time, Improv for Dance Enthusiasts hosts an “OPEN STAGE” improv session at RVK Tónabíó. Later, this week’s Straumur concert at Kaffibarinn is Andartak, which begins at 21:30.

There are a couple of events happening over the entire weekend: the spring edition of Iceland’s Food Fayre takes over Harpa once again, running from 11:00 to 17:00 and offering specialised foods (and lots of samples). Mario Con — the yearly celebration of all things Mario — hosts tournaments of Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros in Next Level Gaming in Egilshöll. If you’re in Akureyri, “Optimism Festival” SOLAR PUNK offers dancing, conversation, workshops, and performances.

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.

D54: Hugo Llanes — Bonita

Newly opened — Hafnarhús (Reykjavík Art Museum) — Museum fees apply

As the 53rd creative in the D Gallery space, artist and cultural facilitator Hugo Llanes brings an exploration of an alter ego — Bonita — who is able to exist in between multiple cultures. Here, Hugo addresses migration and assimilation, identifying shared cultures between Iceland and Mexico, the nuances of translation, all while using steel pipes as literal scaffolding for the works, evoking punk aesthetics and the construction of housing. ISH

KUSK & Óviti Röntgen TakeOVER

Friday, March 13 — 20:00 — Röntgen — Free entry

Dynamic duo KUSK & Óviti bring their party pop to Röntgen as they TakeOVER the bar for what’s sure to be an exciting Friday evening. They’ll begin on the upper floor for a concert, moving downstairs for a DJ set later in the night. With an Icelandic Music Award nomination for Pop Music Album of the Year in their pockets for their RÍFAST, get a taste of pop’s finest before Wednesday night’s awards ceremony. ISH

World Narcosis Final Shows

March 14 & 15 — R6013 & hafnar.haus — Pay what you can, 2.000 ISK suggested

World Narcosis has been active since 2010, with the four-piece performing their extreme, metallic grind all over the country. Now, they’re retiring — but not without a final two-night hurrah. On March 14, they’re playing works 2017-2026 (most focused on Lyruljóru & Lyðjulómu) in R6013; on March 15, they’re playing 2010-2017 in hafnar.haus’ Wasabi Room. On March 14, they’ll be joined by Kælan Mikla, Börn, and Óreiða; on March 15, they’ll be joined by Misþyrming, Grafnár, and glupsk. Whether you’re a huge fan or have never heard of them, be sure not to miss your last chance to see them live. ISH

Reykjavík Poetics: Orðið Er Frjálst

March 17 — Doors 19:30, open mic at 20:00 — Mengi — Free entry

Reykjavík Poetics holds their first open mic of this year, offering a stage to writing in any language, any style. They’ve been doing these for a while — since June 2023, to be exact. A while back, journalist Ish Sveinsson Houle spoke to the board of Reykjavík Poetics for a view into their projects. Check it out, and then check out their open mic. ISH

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