Reykjavík has a packed programme for fans of drag over the coming days and weeks. Two drag brunches will take place on the morning of the Reykjavík Pride Parade, alongside drag bingo, a ballroom event and another brunch during Reykjavík Culture Night. This comes on top of the regular drag programme at Kiki Queer Bar.
Drag bingo, Queeraoke and ballroom
The programme began on Thursday, 6 August, with Drag Bingo and Queeraoke at Center Hotels Plaza. Drag performer Michy, also known as MeShe, hosts the bingo before the evening continues with queer karaoke. All proceeds from bingo-card sales go to the Icelandic LGBTQ+ organisation Samtökin ’78.
Find more information on the Center Hotels website.
On Friday, 7 August, the same venue hosts The Eclipse Mini Ball & Party from 8 pm. The event is presented by the Legendary Kiki House of Angels and Hinsegin Heift in cooperation with Center Hotels, with open competition categories, performances and an afterparty.
Ballroom is a distinct cultural tradition rather than another name for drag, although the two scenes frequently overlap and some performers participate in both.
Find more information about The Eclipse Mini Ball & Party.
Two drag brunches before the Pride Parade
Two drag brunches will take place just 15 minutes apart on Saturday, 8 August.
Pride Drag Brunch at Austurbæjarbíó
Pride Drag Brunch begins in the main auditorium at Austurbæjarbíó at 11:30 am and continues until 1:30 pm. The event is presented under the Drag Brunch Iceland banner, with Faye Knús among the performers.
It is restricted to guests aged 18 and over, with tickets priced from ISK 6,900 to 7,900. Only a limited number of tickets remained available when this article was written.
Pride Drag Brunch on Facebook.
Bottomless Drag Brunch at TIDES
At almost the same time, the Bottomless Drag Brunch begins at TIDES restaurant at The Reykjavík EDITION. The performers include Gógó Starr and Lóla von Heart.
The brunch runs from 11:45 am to 1:45 pm but is already fully booked.
View the Reykjavík Pride programme.
Culture Night drag brunch
The brunches will continue after Reykjavík Pride. On Saturday, 22 August, during Reykjavík Culture Night, Drag Brunch Iceland returns to Silfurtunglið at Austurbæjarbíó. Tickets cost ISK 7,900.
Follow Drag Brunch Iceland on Facebook.
Regular drag throughout the year
The Pride events are only one part of Reykjavík’s growing drag programme.
Faye Knús
Faye Knús normally hosts a drag show at Kiki on Friday nights, often joined by guest performers, before the venue turns into a late-night dance party. It is one of Iceland’s most consistent recurring drag events, and Kiki generally advertises Fridays as a combination of a drag show and dance party.
House of Heart
The drag family House of Heart also presents its monthly Heart Attack show at Kiki. The group combines drag, dance, music and comedy and has produced larger theatrical performances alongside its recurring club shows.
Drag Brunch Iceland
Meanwhile, Drag Brunch Iceland has established drag brunch as a regular feature of Reykjavík entertainment. Its shows at Austurbæjarbíó have been presented at intervals of a few weeks, with changing line-ups of Icelandic drag performers.
The next confirmed brunch after Reykjavík Pride takes place during Culture Night on Saturday, 22 August.
Drag Brunch Iceland on Instagram
Drag in Reykjavík is therefore no longer limited to Pride week or other major festivals. The regular shows presented by Faye Knús and House of Heart at Kiki, together with the Drag Brunch Iceland series, make local drag performances available throughout much of the year.
