Grapevine Events: Reykjavík Dance Festival, RAFLOST, Icelandic Language Day

We’re currently in the middle of The Reykjavík Dance Festival! There’s a smattering of different events: graduation shows, a political retelling of Swan Lake, a rave for babies. Our journalist Iryna Zubenko interviewed organisers and dancers behind the festival, which you can check out here — and you can find the full programme here.

Today, at 17:00, the exhibition I’m Juicing opens at SIND Gallery. The ten-artist exploration of sapphic love through mediums such as photography, textiles, video work, and beading; you can expect a joyful exhibition opening alongside DJ Mellí setting the mood.

Tomorrow, at 12:00, Mengi will be holding their GIANT 1000kr RECORD SALE! I considered not telling you all about this, so I could save all the good records for myself, but decided against it. My job is to inform you of the best events in town, and so I must tell you about this. Leave some good ones for me.

Later in the day, H,A,K,K Gallery welcomes all to the finissage of Johanna Seelemann’s VITRUM at 16:00. Later, there are two paths you could take: the cosy winter evening with Ólöf Arnalds at Mengi at 20:00, or the electronic, poppy Lára at Kaffibarinn at 21:00 as #55 of Straumur’s ongoing concert series.

Sunday is Dagur íslenskrar tungu! Icelandic Language Day (“The day of the Icelandic tongue,” translated literally) is celebrated yearly on the birthday of Jónas Hallgrímsson. To mark the day, we recommend checking out some of our Word Of The Issue articles, or learn about the book teaching you how to curse in Icelandic (Eat Frozen Sh*t!).

For even more events, keep on scrolling. We’ve attempted to include as many as possible, but, as always, check events.grapevine.is.

Korean Film Festival

November 13 to November 16 — Bíó Paradís — 2.190 ISK for single screening

As Korea continues to bolster its global cultural influence, Bíó Paradís will play host for the first-ever Korean film festival in Iceland. Six films stretching from 2007 to 2025 will be shown, including Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice and Jeon Soo-il’s With the Girl of Black Soil. In addition to the carnival of cinematography, Bíó Paradís will pair the festival with Korean food at the concession stand and K-pop. JB

RAFLOST

November 14 to November 16 — Hafnarhaus & Elliðaárstöð — Free entry

When we talk about cutting-edge experimental artists flourishing in Iceland, this is what we’re talking about. Joining together visual art, performance art, and music acts, RAFLOST platforms artists exploring the frontiers of technology and creativity. Rotating between two venues, the festival opens in Hafnar.haus on Friday evening, picking back up on Saturday afternoon. In preparation for the festival, RAFLOST organised participatory workshops whose projects will be displayed on Saturday. Expect an electrified atmosphere. JB

Advent In 20 Languages

November 15 — 13:00 — Veröld: House Of Vigdís / Edda — Free entry

Gunnar Gunnarsson’s Advent is celebrating a new English translation, but it has been translated into over 20 languages since its publication. To mark the 50th anniversary of the author’s passing, Advent will be read in those 20 languages — simultaneously. For a celebration of Icelandic literature and language, don’t miss this event. ISH

Iceland Dance Company: Flood Debris

Multiple dates — Borgarleikhúsið — 7.300 ISK on tix.is

Last year, venerated artist Jónsi enveloped Hafnarhús with his exhibition FLÓÐ (“Flood”). In collaboration with the showing, dancers from the Iceland Dance Company created a piece inspired by the experience of entering FLÓÐ’s darkness, rich sound, and engulfing smell. Following last year’s successful run of performances, they are showing it again in Borgarleikhúsið after additional collaboration with Jónsi. If you missed this last year, now’s your chance to catch it — this Sunday’s performance is sold out, so get tickets for future showings while you still can. ISH