Grapevine Events: Halloween Parties, A Feast, Sex Worker Stories And Public Policy

In a very Icelandic fashion, many parents are deciding to postpone Hrekkjavaka celebrations until tomorrow due to the weather. Despite uncertainties around the kids’ events, there are many events happening this weekend for the rest of us. We’ve attempted to include as many as possible, but, as always, check events.grapevine.is to see even more events around Reykjavík.

At 17:00, art space Open opens an exhibition. Artists Ólöf Nordal, Steinunn Marta Önnudóttir, Þórdís Lilja Samsonardóttir, Ævar Uggason, Svend Holmboe Pedersen, Ragnar Kjartanson, Rakel Andrésdóttir, Erling Klingenberg, Kristján Guðmundsson, and Sigurður Þórir Ámundason are contributing, and Open will also show a live stream from a haunted house in Seyðisfjörður.

If your neighbourhood’s decided to postpone Halloween until tomorrow, then take your kids to the annual event at Ásgrímur Jónsson’s House (Bergstaðastræti 74), put on by the National Gallery of Iceland. It’s sure to be a spooky night, and it runs from 17:00-20:00.

For those looking for a tamer night, there’s a Halloween Pub Quiz at RVK Tónabíó at 20:00, and Beetlejuice is this week’s party screening at Bíó Paradís at 21:00. Wine Bar Port 9 is putting on another night of dark ambient & drone — Worship Night — featuring French musician Golem Mecanique, alongside local artists Svartþoka and Natamorta. The night begins at 19:00, and they encourage spooky attire.

At 18:00, Diana Burkot of Pussy Riot opens her exhibition Yasya at Smekkleysa. Accompanying the exhibition are a series of performances: a dark solo trumpet set at 19:00, a fashion show at 20:00, and Diana’s performance “Sweat and Blood” at 21:00.

For those looking for more of a night out, there’s the SAMPL Halloween Party. This iteration’s lineup welcomes Kælan Mikla, Lottó, Sunna Margrét, Spacestation, Hermigervill, and DJ Óli Dóri. SAMPL is always free, at 20:00, and guaranteed to be a fantastic night.

FONKY events presents Dr. Röntgenstein: Club of Terror tonight at Röntgen. Promising prizes for the best costumes, this night welcomes Tomi G (Live), Siggi2hands (Vinyl Set), Bellamix69 (DJ), Fusion Groove (DJ), and LEXA (DJ). Tickets to the haunted house of Röntgen are for sale on Glaze or at the door, and the house opens at 20:00.

It’s always a marker of a good night if you make it to Prikið by the end. Tonight is no exception; artist and musician Countess Malaise celebrates the release of her single “All I think about is” alongside a screening of the music video. Friends davidfr, smjörvi, miostora, and alaska1867 will join the party, which begins at 23:00.

For even more Halloween events, keep on scrolling.

dísætt – dísablót

October 31 — 20:00 — Freyjugata 1 — Free

Brenda Jansone, a visual artist who explores the human form, and Asya Kozlova, an edible sculptor and pastry chef, host a feast and event tonight. Inspired by Icelandic folk tales, the two present a space where feasters are welcomed to consider what creation, appetite, and consumption entail to both humans and the surrounding natural world. ISH

House of 22: Strapped 2.0 Halloween Edition

October 31 — 21:00 — Kiki Queer Bar — 3900 ISK

Resident DJs of the House of 22 present another exciting night: Strapped 2.0 Halloween Edition. They promise DJs focused on house, techno, and Latino music, alongside two drag numbers from Crisartista and Twinkalicious. Only a few rules from them: no racism, no sexism, no homophobia, no transphobia allowed. ISH

Now, we’re through Halloween. But Saturday has even more exciting events — let’s hope you’ve got energy for another night.

Running through the weekend, artist Kata Jóhanness presents the exhibition To remain as is at Á milli space. It explores Icelandic summerhouse culture through wood sculptures and installations, alongside a poem from author María Elísabet Bragadóttir. Artist Dagný Harðardóttir will open a photography exhibition, The Last Supper Of The Jelló, at Iðnó at 14:00. Yes, that does entail photos of Jello. Concurrently, the Reykjavik Association of Sculptors opens a huge group show of their members at 14:00, running just this weekend and next at Nýlendugata 15.

In the evening, RVK Tónabíó celebrates their new compilation album Að standa á haus at 19:00. The 14-track album, in collaboration with Reykjavík Record Shop, features some of the most exciting acts in Reykjavík. Mirroring this, the release concert will feature Róshildur, Katla Yamagata, BKPM, and symfaux.

For a final event shoutout, keep on scrolling.

Sex Worker Stories and Public Policy

November 1 — 11:00 — The Nordic House — Free entrance

A one-day conference from 11:00 to 20:00, Sex Worker Stories and Public Policy is co-stewarded by Old Pros, Red Umbrella Iceland, Strip Lab, Red Umbrella Sweden and PION. A screening of the documentary project Conversations on sex and work, a panel discussion on decriminalisation of sex work from sex worker-led organisations, and a presentation from a public health researcher are all on the bill. If you’re unable to make it in person, they also offer a livestream. ISH