January 26, 2012
Iceland LGBT International Festival 2012 Announces Queer Concert
Robert Doyle READ TIME: 3 MIN.
REYKJAVIK, Iceland - The Rainbow Reykjavik Event Team, including Pink Iceland (Iceland's top tour operator dedicated to LGBT clientele) and Reykjavik Excursions, have put together an outstanding program for this International LGBT Festival 16-19. February, 2012.
"We are really excited about hosting Rainbow Reykjavik and welcoming the LGBT Community from across the world to our beautiful and very LGBT-friendly country!" says Audur Halldorsdottir from Visit Reykjavik.
"The Rainbow Reykjavik program provides a colourful mixture of various events, including tours to see the Northern Lights, geysirs, waterfalls and the Continental Divide, great meals, cocktail receptions and dance parties....as well as pure wellness and relaxation in the world famous geothermal spa of the Blue Lagoon," says Eva Mar�a Thorarinsdottir Lange, Managing Director of Pink Iceland.
In addition to experiencing Iceland's unparalleled nature, a Queer Concert in Reykjavik's stunning and elegant new Harpa Concert Hall is also included in the program. After a LGBT community dinner in the the beautiful Kolabrautin Restaurant in Harpa Concert Hall, Rainbow Reykjavik is proud to announce that some of Iceland's most famous artists are scheduled to perform, including Lay Low and Paul Oscar.
LAY LOW - "The Quiet Storm"
Though her music is often soothing, Lay Low's introduction to the Icelandic music scene was anything but quiet! She indeed took the country by storm, seemingly coming out of nowhere, and quickly became one of Iceland's most celebrated and popular singer-songwriters.
Her first two albums, "Please Don't Hate Me" and "Farewell Good Night's Sleep," have already confirmed her position within the Icelandic music scene, and so her third album was released earlier this year and has been described as her best work yet.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fEAkZiNoeY0
PAUL OSCAR -- Iceland's Pop Icon
Paul Oscar is one of Iceland's most beloved performing artists and has been leading and involved in LGBT rights since the early 90's. His flourishing solo career includes a triple win at the Icelandic Music Awards in 2007 for his solo album, "Allt fyrir�stina" (Anything For Love).
He also represented Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest, was a judge in both the Icelandic Idol and X-Factor TV series, and is Iceland's most sought after DJ and performer. His float in the Reykjav�k Gay Pride parade is always the most anticipated of all; and his performance on the Gay Pride main stage has become an annual tradition.
Videos: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8d12YLAS444
Some consumers hear the name "Iceland" and think it is very cold and dark in the Winter. But actually, thanks to the Gulf Stream, Iceland isn�t at all as cold as the name implies! Temperatures are moderate year-round. Snow is not the norm and only settles intermittently in Reykjav�k. Average January temperatures in Reykjav�k, are actually higher than those in New York.
"And always bring a bathing suit, whatever time of the year you visit. A favourite pastime is year-round outdoor swimming in countless geothermally heated pools and lagoons, with a typical temperature of 25-28�C. And there is no better time to see the Northern Lights!" says Audur Halldorsdottir.
How to Book: Icelandair is a proud Platinum sponsor for the event, and they are offering unbelievable prices http://rainbowreykjavik.com/bookings for the following COMPLETE PACKAGES!
� Roundtrip flight to Iceland
� 3 nights hotel stay in either Reykjavik Natura or Hilton Reykjavik Nordica
� Flybus transportation from and to the airport
� A soak in the Blue Lagoon
� Welcome party with local performers
� Gullfoss, Gaysir & Fontana Tour & Lunch box
� Dinner at the beautifult Kolabrautin Restaurant in Harpa Concert Hall
� Concert in Harpa
� Party at Barbara & Tr�n�
� Light lunch
� LGBT History Walk in Reykjav�k
� Cocktail reception
� Dinner Dance Party - Viking Theme
To see icelandair's offers and for booking, please visit: http://rainbowreykjavik.com/bookings
Further Information regarding the event, please visit: http://rainbowreykjavik.com
Long-term New Yorkers, Mark and Robert have also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center, Mark is a PhD in American history and literature, as well as the author of the novels Wolfchild and My Hawaiian Penthouse. Robert is the producer of the documentary We Are All Children of God. Their work has appeared in numerous publications, as well as at : www.mrny.com.
