--- Fire and Ice in Reykjavík

News and Of Note On April 19, 2007 downtown Reykjavík experienced one of the largest fires in the capital city's modern history. Home to some of Reykjavík's oldest houses (built in the early 1800's and mostly of timber) nearly 100 firefighters fought the blaze for over 24 hours (Click Here for Slideshow of Pix on flickr.com) to extinguish the stórbruni (“extensive fire”).

Amongst the buildings ravaged by the fire was Cafe Rosenberg, Iceland's oldest Jazz/Blues/Folk music venue and home to (amongst countless other musicians, poets and performers) Michael Dean Odin Pollock, Daniel Pollock, Siggi Sig and The Smokey Bay Blues Band (Click Here to View Photos). Michael Dean Odin Pollock also hosted Music/Poetry Evenings at Cafe Rosenberg, presenting local and international poets/writers/playwrights and was the location of The Smokey Bay Blues Band music video of "Green Eyes"

Our Heart's go out to all the residents, club, shop and restaurant owners of this neighborhood that is truly a part of the Heart and Soul of old Reykjavík and that they can rebuild this vital part of the city quickly. Click Here for more details about the blaze at www.icelandicmusic.com .


News Update! There will be benefit concerts at The Loftkastalinn Theatre in Reykjavik on April 28th and 29th. ALL proceeds will go to the Reconstruction and Resurrection of Cafe Rosenberg. Visit The Cafe Rosenberg MySpace page for music , pictures , videos and press that are being added every day as they come in off the wire.

The Resurrect Rosenberg Concert Poster.

Click Poster for Larger View and English Translation

News and Of Note! Rising From The Ashes - Doddi at Cafe Rosenberg Won't Back Down Pordur Palmasson better known as Doddi stands at the crossroads regarding the continuation of Cafe Rosenberg after the recent fire in midtown Reykjavik. He is not impressed with the bullies at City Hall and Doddi's supporters have gathered to raise money and support to reopen Cafe Rosenberg in the same location. Click Here to read his story.

News & Of Note! - Risen From The Ashes - Cafe Rosenberg Re-Opening in Reykjavik! - 15 months later the good fight has resolved to Cafe Rosenberg opening it's doors once again on August 18, 2008.

Also Of Note! - Michael Dean Odin Pollock Checks in After Cafe Rosenberg Grand Re-Opening! - The evening of August 18th, Cafe Rosenberg reopened its doors 2 blocks up from the original location. As soon as Siggi Sig and I arrived we were greeted by a glowing Doddi and a large crowd of friends (most of whom I hadn't seen since Cafe Rosenberg was gutted by fire over a year ago). I could immediately feel that Doddi had brought the unique spirit/atmosphere of this crucial venue in the Icelandic cultural landscape with him to this new location. Jazz, Blues, Folk artists were present in dozens, wearing ear to ear smiles. It felt like The Real Christmas on Earth had finally arrived. Willie the Clawhammer took to the stage to finish off the gig that was interupted by the downtown Reykjavik fire many moons before , then one of the Rosenberg regulars got up and sang a rousing version of Tom Waites "You're Innocent When You Dream" with Svavar Knútur playing on the old upright piano that has miraculously survived all 3 fires...

I sat near the stage and could clearly smell smoked wood as Svavar stroked and hammered the ivory. A truly heartfelt reunion homecoming resurrection took place that nite with handshakes, kisses, hugs Great Spirit abounded... you may burn his house but you cant keep a good man down. I am proud to say that Doddi, Patron Saint of The Icelandic Roots/Folk/Poetry/Jazz/Blues Music Scene and Cafe Rosenberg are back in the Heart of Reykjavik. After a prolonged period of semi-dormancy, I am horny to hit the stage again at one of my favorite venues!