Free Play Reading: Our Boy

Looking for something to do tonight?

The Scandinavia House will be hosting another installment of their SATContemporary Reading Series with a reading of Our Boy/Pabbastrákur by Icelandic playwright Hávar Sigurjónsson

Details

Monday, May 5th

8pm with 7:30pm pre-reception

FREE

http://finnurarnar.com/category/theater/

Written by Hávar Sigurjónsson (Iceland, 2003), translated by Árni Ibsen (Iceland), & directed by Onur Karaoglu (Turkey). In a series of isolated scenes of various lengths, Sigurjónsson examines the relationships between a mother, a father, their homosexual son, and his boyfriend. Themes like machismo, love and longing, sex, upbringing, and marriage are dealt with an equal amount of seriousness and humor.Our Boy premiered at the National Theater in Iceland in January 2003. It was selected at the Bonn/Wiesbaden Biennale for Best New European Drama in 2004.

Traveler Tip: Don't Receive A Handshake In Reykjavik

If a Reykjaviker offers you a "Reykjavik Handshake," don't accept it. 

Iceland, for the tenth year in a row, has topped European countries for the number of chlamydia cases. 

https://www.internations.org/iceland-expats/guide/living-in-iceland-15712/healthcare-education-and-safety-in-iceland-3

According to The Reykjavik Grapevine, "2,179 cases of chlamydia were diagnosed in Iceland last year, marking a 14% increase from 2012" This is in a country of 320,000 people. That's .6% of the country. 

Now.... before you get all scared and keep yourself from having any fun while in Iceland. It may not be as bad as it seems. These high numbers could also be due to the high-quality healthcare and extensive testing done. 

Just remember, better safe than sorry. 

Read More: Iceland #1 in Chlamydia For Tenth Year Running 

Free Trip Courtesy of Reyka Vodka

The free trips to Iceland seem to be rolling in lately. 

This time, courtesy of Reyka Vodka.

http://thecocktailgeek.com/review-reyka-vodka-and-bitters/

Reyka, the small-batch vodka handcrafted in Iceland is offering one Grand Prize Winner:

• 4 day/3 night trip for Two to one Grand prize winner
• Hotel 
• Round-trip airfare from any U.S. airport
• Airport transfers to/from Keflavik

All you have to do is head to Rekyaadventure.com to enter.

Good Luck!

Does Iceland Have A Lot To Learn About Tourism?

Has the service and accommodations during your previous stay(s) in Iceland left you wanting? If you're leaning towards yes, you appear to be in good company.

Iceland, when compared to other tourist destinations, does not offer the same quality for price as other major tourist destinations, according to the recent The Reykjavik Grapevine article "Hotel Industry Harshly Criticized."

http://www.visitreykjavik.is/

In spite of the countries friendly reputation, Renato Gruenenfelder, the managing director of Guðmundur Jónasson Travel found that when,

"Comparing Icelandic hotels to those hotels with the same number of stars in Copenhagen, Paris, Dubai, Paris, Rome, Beijing and New York, he found that in most cases, Icelandic hotels ranked lower when it came to conditions, service, and quality for the same amount of money."

My experiences have been generally very positive. I will say there are times when I thought hotel staff could have been a tad more helpful but nothing really to the point of a complaint. In regards to restaurants and other places, everyone was extremely friendly and nice. 

Has anyone had a bad experience? Let me know. 

Want Free Tickets to Iceland Airwaves '14

Do you like music?

Do you like Reykjavik?

Do you like listening to music while in Reykjavik?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions then you've probably heard of the music festival, Iceland Airwaves. 

You, may, then be interested to hear that Iceland, Naturally and Fordham-based radio station, WFUV are offering a contest to win tickets with airfare and hotel to this year's festival.

This year's Iceland Airwaves runs November 5-9th, and features artists from around the world including a closing show by The Flaming Lips.

WFUV is using this as a prize for their Spring Member Drive; so if you contribute to them, you'll be automatically entered to win the tickets. Additionally, you may their Iceland Airwaves Contest by filling out an entry form. 

The contest goes until April 30th. and the drawing will be held on May 7th. 

Gain some good karma and donate if you can. It won't help your chances but you'll feel better about yourself. 


The fine print...

Retail value $2,230 USD, donated in part by Icelandair and Iceland Naturally. No purchase or contribution is necessary to enter. WFUV employees, Advisory Board members and Community Advisory Board members and their respective household members are not eligible. Contest begins at 12:01am on April 23 and ends at 11:59pm on April 30. Drawings will be held May 7, 2014. The winner will be chosen at random. Limit one entry per household. Incomplete entries are void.

Searching For Summer Flights to Reykjavik From New York?

Looking to ditch swelteringly sticky New York City this summer for refreshingly cool Iceland this summer?

People may think of Iceland as a cold, desolate place but, during the summer months, it is a vibrant island whose natural beauty is on display the almost unending days and nightlife to match. 

http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com/airlines/delta-to-add-new-service-elements-on-transcontinental-flights/

Whether you're looking to head over for the Summer Solstice in June or Gay Pride in August, your travel options have now increased. 

Starting June 4th, Delta's seasonal service from New York's JFK airport to Keflavík International Airport (KEF) resumes!

Delta will offer daily non-stop flights through September 12th.

The flight details are 
Delta 256 
Departs JFK - 11:32pm
Arrives KEF - 9:10am 

Departs KEF - 10:50am
Arrives JFK - 12:34pm

So bust out those unused Sky Miles and start booking now to explore the stark beauty of Iceland's volcanic landscapes or the lush, verdant coastal towns.

Interested In A Peek At The Final Member?

Did my previous post "Icelandic Films: The Final Member" arouse your interest in the upcoming documentary chronicling the journey of Icelandic Phallological Museum curator, Sigur∂ur "Siggi" Hjartarson, in his quest to add a human phallus to the collection?

You now have another chance to satisfy your desire. 

The Museum of Sex will preview the film, The Final Member, this Wednesday, April 16th. 

The Final Member Screening

Wednesday, April 16th

7-9pm

Museum of Sex

NO COVER!

RSVP:

RSVP@museumofsex.com

or

nathaniel@brigademarketing.com