Reykjavík Grapevine - 09.02.2007, Blaðsíða 16

Taking Dance to the Extremes: Trolls and Transforma-
tions in February’s Grand Premiere
RVK_GV_INFO_ISSUE 0_007_ART/DANCE_B11B10_RVK_GV_INFO_ISSUE 0_007_ULTIMATE SURVIVAL GUIDE
This February will see the premiere of two
new pieces performed by the Icelandic Dance
Company, an independent national institu-
tion focusing solely on contemporary and
modern dance. Working this time with two
internationally acclaimed choreographers,
the group is in its final stage of rehearsing
and creating the next performance that will
premiere February 23rd.
While trying to be as versatile as possible,
nurturing young artists, developing the art
form and pushing it to the furthest limits
with the aim of introducing Icelandic and
international talents to the public and the
world, the Dance Company has always em-
phasized giving the audience a chance to see
cutting-edge performances often connected
with a wide range of local music creations to
give it that little extra kick. In recent years,
the Dance Company has worked with artists
and composers such as Quarashi, Gusgus,
the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, and múm
to name just a few.
Currently, it is a company of 14 dancers.
Despite that fact, the group has been tour-
ing the world in recent years and earning a
good reputation, being described as an ener-
getic, humourous, vivacious and sexy group
and a world-class company, by critics across
the globe. Its international recognition is
growing by the minute and with this year’s
schedule – the group is not only preparing
for the February show, but is working on a
dance-film project, a dance-theatre competi-
tion and various workshops, not to mention
scheduled tours to China, USA, France and
The Netherlands – there’s no way to predict
how far the group can go in the international
dance community.
When the company was established in
1973 it used to consist of all women dancers.
Since then it has undergone certain changes
and now includes seven male professional
dancers. Remarkably, six of them are for-
eigners. Grapevine met with Brad Sykes and
Cameron Corbett, and learned among other
things that they love the small institution and
their life in Reykjavík, they think of the group
as cultural ambassadors and would like to
see more support from the government to
give this art form the chance to grow at the
same pace as other cultural institutions in the
country.
Cameron Corbett, born in Portland, Ore-
gon, has been dancing in Iceland since 1997
and during that period has not only worked
for the Dance Company but has also taught
a lot. He is one of the founders of the Reyk-
javík Dance Festival.
“Before I came here, I was working in
Germany as a solo artist for four years with
basically one choreographer. Working with
the Icelandic Dance Company is therefore a
completely different experience for me,“ he
says.
Brad Sykes, a Canadian native, came to
Iceland because of his urge to move abroad
and the gypsy blood running through his
veins. He thought the fact that a small is-
land even has a dance company remarkable
enough to see it for himself, and hopefully
join in the fun.
They will both be important parts of
the February performance, consisting of
two new and challenging pieces, created
by award-winning choreographers Roberto
Oliván from Spain and Canadian André Gin-
gras, who is known for his radical and critical
creations where sensitive subjects are usually
his prime inspiration.
Gingras’s piece revolves around transfor-
mation, from small insects to religious beliefs,
with music created by Belgian musician/com-
poser Jurgen DeBlonde. Roberto Oliván, who
is currently working with the dancers, has a
very different take on things. He gathers his
inspiration from Icelandic folklore.
When asked to clarify a bit, the guys be-
came quite mysterious. “We are doing two
very different and challenging pieces that are
not predictable theatre pieces. There is lots
of crazy dancing, a huge amount of energy
and acrobatics. One of the pieces, the one
we just started working on with Oliván, is
actually a bit of a secret because we are still
creating it and don’t know exactly how it will
turn out. We do have certain themes we are
focusing on though. Icelandic folklore, like
trolls, elves and stuff like that. Oliván is using
some of that idealism as inspiration. It’s not
like the piece is going to be us dressed as
little trolls though,” Brad tells me.
Although they have witnessed some in-
creasing interests in the art of dance in Ice-
land, Cameron doesn’t want to go so far as
saying there has been an awakening in soci-
ety.
“We have a nice core audience that al-
ways comes to shows and we do see new
people coming in. We are respected in the
community but the numbers aren’t growing.
Today we can do only six or seven shows per
production,” he says.
“I think people are a little bit scared of
dance here. The work doesn’t appeal to as
many people as theatre does for example. It
can be frustrating being a dancer knowing
how popular theatre is. There are two large
theatres and extra independent stuff. Why
does a bad play get 30 performances for
example and a good dance production only
eight? That’s frustrating,” Brad adds.
Cameron has his own theory: “I think the
audience doesn’t know what to expect and
find that not exciting maybe. Sometimes a
dance performance is just pretty pictures and
all sorts of emotions and that is just enough.
You don’t have to get worried if you don’t
understand everything that is going on. It’s
more like looking at a painting than watch-
ing TV.”
And then there is the question of mon-
ey. A production like the one in the making
takes endless time and daily rehearsals not
to mention the financial costs. The yearly fi-
nances are far from being enough and Brad
and Cameron both agree that they would
like to see more support, especially as the
company provides service and entertainment
to the public.
“You would hope Iceland would have an
organisation helping those who want to do
the art and so the kids practising ballet can
have the hope of dancing as professionals
in the future. This is one of the reasons for
having a dance company and a reason for
supporting it” Brad explains and continues:
“Our dream would be to be more important
in Icelandic culture. We are also introduc-
ing Icelandic modern dance to the world,
by touring for example. Dance is an inter-
national language, that’s the beautiful thing
about it. Dance companies are like cultural
ambassadors because they can travel the
world and represent a certain society. Dance
is something so many people are afraid to do
but with each performance you see, you kind
of want to imagine yourself a part of it, you
want to relate to the people on stage, you
can watch and imagine yourself being part
of the show and get excited about it.”
The duo is hopeful about bringing in big-
ger audiences for the forthcoming shows
and promises some incredible dance moves
and tough acrobatics in a show bubbling
with freedom, emotion and explosions of
energy.
Premiering in the Reykjavík City Theatre on
February 23, the performances will be held
every Sunday after that until March 25. For
tickets visit: www.id.is or call 568-8000.
Text by Steinunn Jakobsdóttir Photo by Skari
Services
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Embassies and Consulates
in Iceland
United States, Laufásvegur 21,
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United Kingdom, Laufásvegur 31,
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11-18.
Banks in the centre are open Mon-Fri
09-16.
Getting Around
Public transport
The only public transport system in
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every 20 minutes and price per fare is
250 ISK for adults and 75 ISK for chil-
dren. Complete route map at: www.
bus.is. Tel: 540 2700
Busses run from 07:00-24:00 on
weekdays and 10:00-24:00 on week-
ends
Rent a bike
Borgarhjól, Hverfisgata 50,
Tel: 551 5653, www.borgarhjol.net
HI Hostel, Sundlaugarvegur 34,
Tel: 553 8110, www.hostel.is
Tourist Information Centre,
Aðalstræti 2, Tel: 590 1550,
www.visitreykjavik.is
Taxi
Hreyfill-Bæjarleiðir,
Tel: 553 3500 or 588 5522
BSR, Tel: 561 0000
For disabled travellers
Reykjavík Group Travel Service,
Brunastaðir 3, Tel: 587 8030, www.
randburg.com/is/reykjavik_group_trav-
el_service/
A useful brochure, Accessible Reykja-
vík, can be found at tourist offices.
Car rentals
Átak Car Rental, Smiðjuvegur 1,
Tel: 554 6040
ALP, Dugguvogur 10, Tel: 562 6060
Avis, Knarravogi 2, Tel: 591 4000
Eurocar, Hjallahraun 9, Tel: 565 3800
A.G Car Rental, Tangarhöfði 8-12.
Tel: 587 5544
Atlas Car Rental, Dalshraun 9,
Tel: 565 3800
Berg Car Rental, Tangarhöfða 8,
Tel: 577 6050
Hertz, Flugvallavegur, Tel: 505 0600
Airlines
Air Iceland, Reykjavíkurflugvöllur,
Tel: 570 3030, www.flugfelag.is
Air Vestmannaeyjar, Tel: 481 3255,
www.eyjaflug.is
Bus Terminal
BSÍ, Vatnsmýrarvegur 10,
Tel: 562 1011, www.bsi.is
Samferda.net
A reasonable choice for the budget
traveller. You log on to the website
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destination and hopefully find a travel
buddy to share the cost.
The Intercultural Centre
The Intercultural Centre throws oc-
casional cultural events and confer-
ences but its main purpose is to be an
information and counselling centre
and serve as an advocate for the rights
of immigrants in Iceland.
Hverfisgata 18, Tel: 530 9300
www.ahus.is
Icelandic Travel Market
Bankastræti 2, Tel: 510 5700,
www.kleif.is
Information on day tours, accommo-
dations, car rental and everything else
you need to know when travelling in
Iceland.
Iceland Visitor
Lækjargata 2, Tel: 511 2442,
www.icelandvisitor.com
A travel agency offering travelling
package trips and custom-made tours
as well as car rental, day tours and
accommodations for visitors.
Tourist Information Centre
Aðalstræti 2, Tel: 590 1550,
www.visitreykjavik.is
Offers information for tourists as well
as providing internet access, booking
service, a phone centre, money ex-
change service, tax refund and selling
the Reykjavík Tourist Card. The Reykja-
vík Tourist Card gives admission to city
busses, various museums, Reykjavík
swimming pools, The Family Park and
Reykjavík Zoo, The Culture House and
the National and University Library.
The Icelandic Tourist Board
Lækjargata 3, Tel: 535 5500,
www.visiticeland.com
All information needed before travel-
ling in Iceland.
Goethe Institute
Túngata 14, Tel: 561 5921,
www.goethe.de/island
A cultural institute that offers movie
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language courses.
Nordic House
Sturlugata 5, Tel: 551 7030,
www.nordice.is
The Nordic cultural centre organises
various cultural events, conferences
and exhibitions.
All major tourist spots in Reykjavík also
offer brochures, maps and information
for travellers.
Useful Information
Where to learn Icelandic as a
foreign language
Icelandic on the Internet,
www.vefskoli.is
Mímir Continuing Education,
Skeifán 8, Tel: 580 1800, www.mimir.is
Námsflokkar Reykjavíkur,
Fríkirkjuvegur 1, Tel: 551 2992
Fjölmenning, Laugavegur 59,
Tel: 511 1319, www.fjolmenning.is
The Icelandic College of Engineer-
ing and Technology, Höfðabakki 9,
Tel: 577 1400, www.thi.is
Iðnskólinn í Reykjavík,
Skólavörðuholti, Tel: 552 6240,
www.ir.is
The University of Iceland – Depart-
ment of Continuing Education,
Dunhagi 7, Tel: 525 4924,
www.endurmenntun.is
Religious movements
The national church in Iceland is the
Evangelical Lutheran Church. Masses
are generally held on Sundays at 11:00
in churches all around the capital.
Service in English is at Hallgrímskirkja
every last Saturday each month, start-
ing at 14:00. The Roman Catholic
Church also has masses in English and
Polish.
Other religious movements in Reykja-
vík are for example:
The Muslim Association of Iceland,
Ármúli 38
Ásatrú Association, Grandagarði 8
Bahá’í, Álfabakka 12
The Church of Evangelism,
Hlíðasmári 9
The Icelandic Buddhist Movement,
Víghólastígur 21
Reykjavík Free Lutheran Church,
Fríkirkjuvegur 5
Pentecostal Assembly, Hátún 2
Roman Catholic Church,
Hávallagata 14
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
Day Saints, Ásabraut 2
Jehovah’s Witnesses, Sogavegur 71
Seventh-Day Adventists,
Suðurhlíð 36

Zen Buddhism in Iceland,
Reykjavíkurvegur 31
Independent Church,
Háteigsvegur 101
The Russian Orthodox Church in
Iceland, Sólvallagata 10
The Cross, Hlíðasmári 5-7
Trade Unions
The Icelandic Federation of Labour,
Sætún 1, Tel: 535 5600, www.asi.is
The Federation of State and Mu-
nicipal employees, Grettisgata 89,
Tel: 525 8300, www.bsrb.is
The Association of Academics, Bor-
gartún 6, Tel: 581 2090, www.bhm.is
Efling, Sætún 1, Tel: 510 7500,
www.efling.is
The Commercial Workers’ Union,
Kringlan 7, Tel: 510 1700, www.vr.is
Union of Public Servants, Grettis-
gata 89, Tel: 525 8340, www.sfr.is
Useful Websites
www.visitreykjavik.is (The official
tourist website of Reykjavík)
www.gayice.is (Information about
the gay scene in Iceland)
www.fjolmenningarsetur.is
(The Multicultural Centre)
www.hostel.is
(Hostel International in Iceland)
www.vinnumalastofnun.is
(Public employment services)
www.gulalinan.is (The yellow pages)
www.leigulistinn.is (Rent a flat)
www.simaskra.is
(Icelandic telephone directory)
Where to get Work and residence permit: The
Directorate of Immigration, Skógarhlíð
6, Tel: 510 5400, www.utl.is.
Insurance and benefits: The State
Social Security Institute, Laugavegur
114-116, Tel: 560 4400, www.tr.is
Icelandic citizenship: Unless you
come from a Nordic country, foreign
citizens have to have had an unre-
stricted residence permit in Iceland for
at least seven years in order to get an
Icelandic citizenship although some
exceptions exist to that general rule.
Applications are at the Ministry of
Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs,
Skuggasund, Tel: 545 9000,
www.domsmalaraduneyti.is
Unemployment benefits: Director-
ate of Labour, Public Employment
Service, Tryggvagata 17, Tel: 515 4800,
www.vinnumalastofnun.is
Icelandic social security number
(kennitala): National Register, Bor-
gartún 30, Tel: 560 9800,
www.hagstofa.is
Driver’s license: Those who have a
foreign license don’t need an Icelandic
one for the first six months. After that
time you have one month to apply for
an Icelandic driver’s license. Applica-
tions are at police stations.
Tax card: Tax office, Laugavegur 166,
Tel: 563 1100, www.rsk.is
Rent subsidies: Social Service Office,
Tryggvagata 17, Tel: 411 9000 www.
felagsthjonustan.is
Facts on Iceland
Iceland is a constitutional repub-
lic with slightly more than 300,000
inhabitants. Reykjavík has been the
country’s capital since 1786 and today
almost two-thirds of the population
live in the greater capital area.
The 17th of June 1944 Iceland
became an independent republic.
That day is the national holiday and is
celebrated all around the country.
Alþingi, the national parliament,
is the oldest assembly in the world,
established at Þingvellir in 930 but
restored in Reykjavík in 1844. The par-
liament is comprised of 63 members,
who are elected by popular vote every
four years. Icelandic citizens over 18
years of age have the legal right to
vote.
Parliamentary elections were last
held in 2003 with 33.7 percent of
votes going to the Independence
Party. The Social Democratic Alliance
got 31 percent, the Progressive Party
17.7 percent, the Leftist-Greens 8.8
percent and the Liberal Party 7.4 per-
cent. The Independence Party and the
Progressive Party formed a coalition
and together lead the government.
Iceland has 12 ministers with the
prime minister and head of govern-
ment being Geir H. Haarde, who is
also chairman of the Independence
Party. The President of Iceland is Ólafur
Ragnar Grímsson, who has been in
office since 1996. He is the Chief of
State although his duties are mostly
ceremonial.
Time Zone: GMT 0
Currency: Íslensk króna (ISK).
International Dialling Code: +354
Weather: Average temperature dur-
ing summer is around 10ºC and winter
0ºC. For information on weather in
Iceland visit www.vedur.is or Tel: 902
0600.
Cultural Centres and
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