Reykjavík Grapevine - 09.02.2007, Blaðsíða 13

On cover: French band Dionysos Photo by: Benni Valsson
The Mayor of Reykajvík, Vilhjálmur Þ. Vil-
hjálmsson, formally opens the Reykjavík Win-
ter Lights Festival on Austurvöllur. French art-
ist and musician Michel Moglia plays the fire
organ, a unique instrument that transforms
heat into noise. A concert that jolts the imag-
ination. In collaboration with Pourqoui Pas?
Location: Austurvöllur.
Thursday Forplay in the basement, where
rock and roll takes over. Break dancers strut
their stuff on the third floor. The Street The-
atre roams around the building.
Location: Hitt húsið, Pósthússtræti.
31 photos by Rósa Sigrún Jónsdóttir taken
from January 1 – January 31, depicting the
daily changes in a tunnel under Miklabraut,
where graffiti artists and city workers fight a
war over the walls.
Location: Tunnel under Miklabraut by Lan-
gahlíð. Open from February 22 – 28.
The team behind the play Day of Hope,
shown in the Reykjavík City Theatre, discuss-
es the production with guests.
Location: Reykjavík City Library – Kringlusafn,
Kringlan.
Selected works from the Reykjavík City
Library’s Artotek. Author Þráinn Bertelsson
selected the works and opens the exhibition
with a short talk.
Location: Reykajvík City Library – Grófarhús,
Tryggvagata 15.

British artists Kathryn Thomas, Tamany Baker
and Simon Whetham visited Iceland in De-
cember 2005 and were captivated by the
endless darkness and the harsh Icelandic
winter. The result is their joint exhibition, A
Dark Light, consisting of paintings, photo-
graphs and soundbytes. The exhibition is
open until March 1.
Location: City Hall, Vonarstræti.
The Salvation Quartet sings and plays various
instruments, such as a donkey jaw, a tummy,
milkglass, guitar, noseflute, kazoo and more.
Location: Fríkirkjan, Fríkirkjuvegur.
Harp player Marion Herrera introduces
French musical pearls in words and music,
performing pieces by Caplet, Brassens, De-
bussy, Faure, Piaf and Forestier. Iðnó chef,
Magga Rósa, produces French delicacies for
the modest price of 1000 ISK.
Location: Iðnó, Vonarstræti.
Dance group La Guardia Flamenca mixes
the passion of the flamenco dancer and the
planning of the majorettes in a charming
and funny way. Also performed during Mu-
seum Night and on Saturday night at 21:30.
Brought to Iceland with the assistance of Ice-
land Express
Location: Reykjavík Art Museum – Hafnarhús,
Tryggvagata.
Music and mingling – tones and talk – excit-
ing Åland Islands cuisine.
Location: Nordic Association by Óðinstorg.
A guided tour of an exhibition of the 120
years of Landsbankinn’s history.
Location: Aðalstræti.
A diverse multinational dance program from
Kramhúsið. The Motion dance group dis-
plays urban dancing, while more traditional
dances such as Argentinian tango, Egyptian
belly dance, and afro will also be on display.
Special guests: Ólöf Arnalds, Vatnadansmey-
jafélagið Hrafnhildur and the People’s Choir.
Balkan band Strakovsky Horo plays dance
music for guests after the program. Doors
open at 20:00.
Location: Nasa by Austurvöllur.
400 young children from the city’s day care
centres perform Frére Jaques (Are You Sleep-
ing) in French and Icelandic in Austurberg
Sports Hall, led by former President Visdís
Finnbogadóttir. The Mayor of Reykajvík and
the French Ambassador join the children in
singing along with elderly citizens.
Location: Austurberg Sports Hall.
Children from Barónsborg day care centre
open an exhibition of paintings and draw-
ings. Open until March 23, from 08:20
– 16:15.
Location: Þjónustumiðstöð Miðborgar og
Hlíða, Skúlagata 21.
Parade from Hlemmur with children from
three day care centres, along with Lúlli the
Police Bear, the motorcycle police and the
Police Choir. The parade will end in Miklatún
where everyone will sing together.
Location: Hlemmur – Miklatún.
100and1 and Draumaland youth centres
perform around the city centre from 14:00
– 16:00.
Location: City centre.
Reykajvík City Council members invite citi-
zens to sit down with them and discuss city
matters. Light refreshments.
Location: City Hall.
An exhibition inspired by hip-hop culture.
Paintings, clothes, sculptures, video art and
live music.
Location: Kartöflugeymslan by Ártúnsbrekka.
Joint exhibition of six artists from Egilsstaðir
in East Iceland. The exhibition is called The
Beast In Me, and each of the artists con-
structs a piece to interpret the title.
Location: Kartöflugeymslan by Ártúnsbrekka.
Dance competicion for young people, both
single and groups. Admission 700 ISK.
Location: Loftkastalinn, Seljavegi 2.
The opening of Museum Night. Detailed pro-
gram can be found on the back page.
Textíll is a new gallery by Hallgrímskirkja.
Textile designs, photos by Þórólfur Antons-
son and Hrönn Vilhelmsdóttir and artwork
by various artists relating to Hallgrímskirkja
and the statue of Leif Eiriksson. Textíll opens
on Museum Night and welcomes guests.
Location: Lokastígur 28.
A performance by Andrew Burgess on the
façade of the Icelandic Parliament House. A
virtual animation of the architecture will be
projected on the building for four hours.
Location: Austurvöllur
The ferry leaves for Viðey at 20:00. All par-
ticipants receive a torch. First stop in Viðey
is the Blind Pavilion, by Ólafur Elíasson. Next
stop is the proposed site for Yoko Ono’s
Imagine Peace Tower, city lights will be in
plain view. After the walk, hot chocolate will
be waiting in Viðeyjarstofa, where the his-
tory of the island will be recounted. The ferry
heads back at 22:15.
Location: Sundahöfn
A drawing competition among Icelandic
schoolchildren in fifth and sixth grade. The
theme of the competition is France and
French culture. 100 to 200 works will be
selected for an exhibition from February 22
– March 4. Awards will be presented on Feb-
ruary 24 at 12:00. First prize for each grade is
a ticket for two to Paris with Icelandair. Edda
Publishing awards places 2-6 with books.
The competition is run in cooperation with
the Winter Lights Festival and the French cul-
tural festival Pourquoi Pas?
Location: Ingólfsnaust, Aðalstræti 2.
Competition in nine different categories,
from youngsters to professionals.
Location: Horse track Víðivellir, Víðidal.
La Guardia Flamenca mixes the passion of
the flamenco dancer and the structure of the
majorettes in a charming way. With horns
blowing, the group marches in an organ-
ised fashion but then the emotions of the
flamengo beat take over and the organised
majorettes turn into dramatic expression of
indivituality.
l’Orgue a Feu or the Fire Organ is an instru-
ment by French artist Michel Moglia that
transforms the heat from a flame into sound.
The thermal exchanges that take place in the
tubes of the Organ, which are generated by
multiple vibrations within, are directly linked
to meteorology. In collaboration with Pour-
quoi Pas?
See sidebar for details
Solo concerts by graduating students from
the Reykjavík Academy of Singing and Vocal
Arts. Before, during and after the concert,
guests will be asked to join performers in
sing-alongs for winter songs.
Location: Reykjavík Academy of Singing and
Vocal Arts by Snorrabraut 54.
A poetry walk through Elliðarárdalur, courte-
sy of the Reykajvík City Library. In Elliðarárda-
lur, guests will find a “poetry forest” and
wandering poets will join them in walking
through the exhibition.
Location: Rafveituheimilið, Elliðaárdalur.
The Centre for Oral History collects child-
hood stories from Reykjavík citizens, old and
young. Come and share your story.
Location: Reykjavík City Library, Tryggvagata 15
A French contest for French language stu-
dents in Icelandic secondary schools. The
contest theme is “France in Your Eyes”.
Students will communicate in French, using
almost any medium they can think of. Stu-
dents can choose to work alone or in groups.
Preliminary contests will be held in all sec-
ondary schools and the best project from
each school will enter the main contest.
Location: Iðnó, Vonarstræti.
With the participation of: Árni Ísleifsson’s
Dixieland jazz band, Ástbjörg Gunnarsdót-
tir’s dance group, Gerðuberg Senior Choir,
Senior Citizens Theatre Group, Árskógar
Song Group, Young dancers from Breiðholt,
Hrunamannahreppur’s Theatre Group, Po-
etry, Dance Group, an honorary guest, and
Breiðholt’s folk dance group. The band
Vinabandið will play a few dance tunes.
Location: City Hall, Vonarstræti.
Margrét Agnes Iversen and Ásta Fanney Sig-
urðardóttir open a joint exhibition at Gallerí
Tukt.
Location: Hitt húsið, Pósthússtræti 3 - 5.
Up and coming bands from Reykjavík offer a
glimpse of the diversity of the Icelandic music
scene. Everyone welcome, no admission fee.
Location: Hitt Húsið, Pósthússtræti 3 - 5.
KR sports club will host the Super Challenge
in swimming, at Laugardalslaug swimming
pool between February 23 – 25. 550 partici-
pants are expected from 35 clubs in Iceland,
Scotland, Denmark, Croatia and Germany.
IAdmission: 200 ISK.
Location: Laugardalslaug swimming pool,
Sundlaugavegur.
Ekka Dance Theatre Company celebrates a
ten-year anniversary this year. During the
Winter Lights Festival, the group will present
a production in relation to the anniversary,
providing insight into the history of the Ekka
Dance Theatre. Among participants will be:
Kolbrún Anna Björnsdóttir, Aino Freyja, Kar-
en María Jónsdóttir, and others.
Location: Kartöflugeymslurnar by Ártúns-
brekka.
Dionysos is a French rock band formed in
1993 in Valence. The group has released eight
albums, garnering critical and popular suc-
cess in France. Their music, a unique blend of
pop melodies and folk rock, evokes images
of a surreal world, full of mythical creatures.
The song La Metamorphose de Mister Chat
tells the story of a lady’s man transformed
into a cat. They have been hailed as saviours
of French creativity. In cooperation with the
Pourquoi Pas? Dionysos will close the Winter
Lights Festival before a full house on Satur-
day night.
Location: Reykjavík Art Museum – Hafnarhús,
Tryggvagata 17.
This program is subject to change. More
info, updates and a detailed program
available at www.visitreykjavik.is.
Admission is free unless otherwise stated.
Energetic dance lessons to a powerful drum
beat. Lots of motion, lots of rhythm.
How does the Arabic alphabet work? Chil-
dren learn about the Arabic alphabet, and
draw a few Arabic letters.
The dance reflects the history of Ghanaian
aborigines, tribal struggles and mating ritu-
als.
The Bollywood dancing style comes from
Indian song and dance films. Mesmerising
music and gentle, suggestive dance.
Fruit Carving originates from Thailand,
where fruits and vegetables are carved in
an artistic manner on festive occasions.
Entertaining and informative workshop
where children learn how to decorate pipes
according to the old traditions of Australian
aborigines.
Children learn breathing and other basic
techniques to play the Didgeridoo. Buzby
will also provide insight into the musical his-
tory and traditions of Australian aborigines.
Instruction in Icelandic folk dances and vi-
kivaki dances.
The Balkans are known for their rich danc-
ing tradition and mesmerising music.
Workshops in both weapon making and
fencing.
Hip-Hop originates from the streets of
North-American cities. Krump is the new-
est dance style from South Central L.A.
Fresh and fun workshop.
Balloon artist Glenn Barkan will demon-
strate and teach the art of balloon decora-
tions.
Dóri DNA and Steindór Andersen teach this
modern form of poetry with old roots.
The most popular dances from the Carib-
bean. Excellent opportunity to get to know
South-American and Caribbean culture.
How to make maracas.
South American carnival atmosphere.
For the third time, the Children’s Interna-
tional day is a part of the Winter Lights Fes-
tival. An exciting opportunity for children
of all ages to get to know exotic cultures
from far off places. Extensive programs for
children and teenagers that are intended
to introduce various elements of world cul-
ture. Dance workshops, musical workshops,
and various workshops such as Sri Lankan
paper mache, writing in Arabic and much
more. At the end of the day, the results will
be performed and displayed at Gerðuberg.
The children’s international day is held in
cooperation with the Intercultural Centre,
Kramhúsið, Gerðuberg and Miðberg.
Dionysos are living proof that French creativ-
ity is still alive. They might not be the only
jewel in the crown, but they do shine more
brightly than most. Dionysos playfully rein-
vent an energetic rock with a original blend
of delicate melodies, simple folk and mis-
chievous technology. The concert is in col-
laboration with Pourquoi Pas?
In relation to the Reykjavík Winter Lights
Festival, The Reykjavik Municipal Archives
wishes to obtain documents from the citi-
zens of Reykjavík for storage. The museum is
particularly interested in diaries, letters, pho-
tographs, post cards and other cards; and
other personal documents. The documents
will be preserved for future generations for
educational and historical research purposes.
It is possible to restrict access to the docu-
ments. The museum is especially interested
in obtaining documents from immigrants to
Iceland, not necessarily in Icelandic. To learn
more, please contact the museum by phone,
563-1770 or by e-mail, borgarskjalasafn@
reykjavik.is, or come by the museum Mon-
day – Friday between 10:00 – 16:00. The
museum can provide translation service if
required.
The Reykjavik Municipal Archives
Tryggvagata 15, 3rd floor.
Reykjavík Museum Night is an extravaganza
where all museums in Reykjavík open their
doors and invite guests to enjoy special
programs, free of admissions. The Museum
Night bus will offer free rides between mu-
seums between 19:00 and 01:00, making
transportation easy. There are is a variety of
attractions available, most museums offer
lectures or guided tours through their exhi-
bitions, and in many cases there are special
exhibitions put on display for the occation.
The full program for the Museum Night can
be found on the back page. Carefully study
the program to select an art cocktail of your
liking.
You will find the full schedule for the Museum Night on the back page