KEXP Suggests: Taste of Iceland 10/9-10/12

What does Iceland taste like? Cold? Salty? Perhaps a little gamey? Delicious? Do Icelanders like what we like? Find out for yourself as the Nordic country invades Seattle for Taste of Iceland, a weekend-long cultural extravaganza this Thursday, October 9th through Sunday, October 12th, featuring tastes of food, music, literature and the visual arts. Throughout the festival, Icelandic artists of different genres and media will collaborate with Seattle's own, creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Starting on Thursday, Dahlia Lounge will offer authentic Icelandic cuisine using fresh ingredients sourced directly from Iceland. Icelandic chef Viktor Örn Andrésson (left, the 2014 Nordic Chef of the Year) will collaborate with American chef Brock Johnson (right) on an unforgettable four-course menu. Mixologist Amber Gephart has crafted two delicious drinks for the occasion. Sounds like the "taste of Iceland" is delicious!In a press release, Chef Andrésson stated: “What I love about Taste of Iceland is that we are offering our Seattle guests, who otherwise may not have the chance, an opportunity to experience and enjoy genuine Icelandic cuisine. We are fortunate to have an abundance of amazing natural resources in Iceland – fresh seafood, produce and quality meats – which is a very important part of our culture. Our menu at Dahlia Lounge is one that I expect will truly delight diners and hopefully inspires them to visit Iceland in the future.”

Friday brings the opening night for the Odin's Eye Art Exhibit at the Nordic Heritage Museum in Ballard. Again, collaboration is the name of the game as Icelandic and American artists combine talents to "visually interpret the Norse Mythology through various mediums." Musician Sindri Már Sigfússon is one of the participating artists, along with Gunnella, Kristín Ragna Gunnarsdóttir, Ingibjörg Birgisdóttir, Lulu Yee, Derek Weisberg, Pandora Andre-Beatty, and Michael Linton Simpson.

Artist and exhibit curator Lulu Yee notes, "I lived in Iceland for 4 years and am fascinated with the connection Icelanders have with nature, their colorful heritage, their folklore, hidden people, elves, the Norse Gods. Iceland is a nation of great storytellers, and I wanted to work on a group show which addresses an aspect of the Icelandic heritage, while at the same time, viewing it through the lens of a foreigner who has had little exposure to those stories."

If you can't make opening night, don't worry — the exhibit will be on display through November 9th. Maybe you'll be across town at the Reykjavik Writing Jam on Friday night at Elliott Bay Book Company! Icelandic writer Bragi Ólafsson and Seattle poet and novelist Karen Finneyfrock will read stories based on characters of the other's creation. This "character jam" will be accompanied by a "zine jam" hosted by ZAPP, Seattle's Zine Archive and Publishing Project. Each guest who attends this event will be invited to craft their own zines of Karen and Bragi's work with a variety of materials, and walk away with a one-of-a-kind art object.

On Saturday, KEXP presents the fifth annual Reykjavik Calling show at Neumos. If you've attended any of our previous shows, you know the drill: Icelandic musicians create brand-new songs with Seattle musicians, debuting them in front of our audience. This year, Júníus Meyvant will be paired with Eric Anderson of Cataldo, Sóley with Say Hi, and Sin Fang with Seattle Rock Orchestra String Quintet. Admission is first-come, first-served, so don't be tardy!

And the taste extends all the way down to Tacoma: the Pacific Lutheran University will present a talk with Árni Gunnarsson from the National Power Company of Iceland. PLU also presents the exhibit, Elements of Power: Icelandic Rugs by Sigrún Lára Shanko. And on Friday night, Icelandic musician Svavar Knutur will perform at the Scandinavian Cultural Center.

So, come out and get a taste! There are so many cultural flavors to try. For more information, visit icelandnaturally.com.