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Taste of Iceland invites Seattle-area residents and visitors to experience all-things Iceland October 12-15
Doesn’t it seem like everyone is going to, or has just returned from, Iceland these days? There’s a reason for that. Besides its outstanding natural beauty, Iceland has incredible food, a world-class music scene, and a thriving arts community that has people flocking to the island in droves.
But, Seattleites don’t have to hop on a plane to experience all that Iceland has to offer, as this year marks the tenth year that Taste of Iceland is returning to Seattle. From October 12 – 15, some of Iceland’s top cultural talents are flying in to share their food, music, art, and perspectives with Seattleites.
Festival events include a culinary take-over of The Carlile Room; the annual free Reykjavik Calling concert at KEXP; an Icelandic film festival at SIFF; a discussion of visual arts at the Bellevue Arts Museum; a laser show at Pacific Science Center, a conversation on new wave Icelandic design at the Nordic Heritage Museum, and even an all-things-Iceland Day at KEXP.
Icelandic Menu at The Carlile room
Thursday, October 12 – Sunday, October 15 | The Carlile Room
Icelandic Chef Viktor Örn Andrésson, a 2017 Bocuse d’Or medalist and2014 Nordic Chef of the Year, will partner with The Carlile Room’s Chef Dezi Bonow to craft an authentic four-course Icelandic dinner showcasing some of the island’s finest ingredients including langoustine, arctic char, lamb and even Icelandic donuts. Brennivin’s 2015 cocktail champion, mixologist Kári Sigurðsson, will also make the flight from Iceland to join Jake Sipes from The Carlile Room to mix unique cocktails featuring Reyka Vodka and Brennivín, that pair perfectly with dinner. Multiple seatings are available nightly and pre-purchased tickets for reservations can be made online here or by calling 206-946-9720
This year’s menu includes:
- First Course: Grilled Langoustine, Gravlax and Shot of Icelandic Lobster Soup
- Second Course: Arctic Char (Cold Plate)
- Third Course: Rack of Lamb and Leg of Lamb
- Forth Course: Icelandic Donuts, Icelandic Provisions Skyr with Blueberries
Click here to RSVP on Facebook.
Dinner is $95 (includes service charge and tax). The beverage pairing is $35 or a la carte.
The Carlile Room is located at 820 Pine St., Seattle, WA 98101
Reykjavik Calling – Free Concert
Saturday, October 14 | Doors at 6:00 p.m. | Show at 7:00 p.m. | KEXP’s Gathering Space
At Reykjavik Calling, presented by KEXP, Icelandic bands Fufanu, who just dropped their new album Sports, and Mammut, who also recently released a new album Kinder Versions and was the winner of the 2014 Icelandic Music Awards’ Album of The Year and Song of the Year, will join Seattle’s CHARMS for a free cross-continental musical showcase.
Reykjavik Calling was first envisioned in partnership with KEXP and it’s only fitting that the showcase is officially moving to KEXP’s newGathering Space this year. Reykjavik Calling is 21+ only and is first come, first served due to limited venue capacity. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., show begins at 7:00 p.m.
Click here to RSVP on Facebook.
KEXP’s Gathering Space is located at 472 1st Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109. For more information, visit www.kexp.org.
Iceland Day at KEXP
Saturday, October 14 | 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | KEXP’s Gathering Space
All things Iceland will be showcased at KEXP’s Gathering Space ahead of the annual Reykjavik Calling concert. Visitors of all ages can sample Icelandic food and beverages, learn about travel to Iceland, meet Reykjavik Calling musicians, experience a modern take on Icelandic “Rune Portraits” and even participate in an interactive Yarn Stormingevent.
- Modern Mystic Rune Portraits – Live Painting (11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
Icelandic contemporary artist Ólöf Björg will be live painting Icelandic-themed portraits that visitors can take home with them free of charge. This is an interactive performance where participants will pick an Icelandic rune from Norse mythology and get guidance while the portrait is painted in each one’s favorite colors with acrylic ink.
- Yarn Storming (11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
Artist and knitting extraordinaire Linda Björk Eiríksdóttir (also known as BarbaKnit) invites experienced and novice knitters/crocheters to yarn storm. Guests will create an all-new art installation by yarnstorming park trees with a splash of color and texture. Linda will be available to teach guests easy ways to get started in the wide world of knit or crochet art.
- What I Always Wanted to Know About Icelandic Music (1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
Musician Katrína Mogensen of Mammút and Hrafnkell Floki Kaktus Einarsson of Fufanu will have a casual coffee and conversation about Iceland’s thriving music scene.
- Icelandic Sampling (11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
Visitors will have an opportunity to get a real taste of Iceland thanks to Icelandic Provisions (with a special appearance from Taste of Iceland Chef Viktor Orn Andresson from 12-1 p.m.) Icelandic Glacial Water and Icelandair.
Click here to RSVP on Facebook.
Iceland’s New Designers: Creating Design Identity Through Originality & Resourcefulness
Thursday, October 12 | 7:00 p.m. | Nordic Heritage Museum
Ingibjorg Greta Gisladottir, the CEO and creative director of Reykjavik Runway, will lead a discussion on the key characteristics of the new wave of Icelandic design. As limited domestic manufacturing possibilities have made production difficult, opportunities for designers to create limited edition, handmade and bespoke items have soared in Iceland. The discussion will focus on how designers can capitalize on resourcefulness to scale while creating their design identity. Iceland’s informal design traditions can free designers to innovate, experiment and create high quality, limited edition products.
Click here to RSVP on Facebook.
The Nordic Heritage Museum is located at 3014 NW 67th St, Seattle, WA, 98117
Norðurljósin (The Northern Lights), Icelandic Music Laser Dome show
Thursday, October 12 | 7:00 p.m. | Pacific Science Center
The largest domed laser theater in the world will be filled with a unique audio and visual experience featuring sonic soundscapes created by Iceland’s cutting-edge musical artists. Curated by KEXP’s Kevin Cole, the soundtrack features music by Icelandic artists including Sigur Rós, Björk, Of Monsters and Men, Samaris, Kiasmos and Mammutt. Admission is Free. Tickets are required for entry and are available at pasci.org.
Click here to RSVP on Facebook.
The Laser Dome at Pacific Science Center is located at 200 2nd Ave N., Seattle WA 98109. For more information, visit www.pacsci.org.
Iceland’s Thriving Contemporary Visual Arts Scene: Presented by The Icelandic Art Center
Friday, October 13 | 6:30 p.m. | Bellevue Arts Museum
Join Björg Stefánsdóttir, director of the Icelandic Art Center, for a 60-minute presentation and discussion on Icelandic visual arts. Björg will offer insight into how Iceland (with a population of only 320,000) is able to maintain a thriving contemporary art scene and spread Icelandic art across the world through its artist-driven community and the Icelandic Art Center. Admission is free and will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Click here to RSVP on Facebook.
Bellevue Arts Museum is located at 510 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004.
Shortfish: Iceland’s Premier Short Film Festival
Sunday, October 15 / 2:00 p.m.
Enjoy an afternoon of Icelandic short films in partnership with SIFF. The screening will feature six short films from the 2016 Shortfish competition (the short film division of Iceland’s premier film festival, Stockfish). The winner of the 2016 Shortfish competition, Like it’s up to you by Brynhildur Þórarinsdóttir, will be among the shorts screened. The program will run for approximately 75-minutes with each short running between five and 20 minutes. There are no age restrictions on these films, however, they are not recommended for children. Admission is free and will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Click here to RSVP on Facebook.
SIFF Film Center is located at 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109.