Things to do this week is sponsored by Ballymore.
All week
WANDSWORTH FRINGE: Highlights of this week at Wandsworth Art Fringe include the All Saints Community Music Festival, a street concert in St Anne's Churchyard, a live online drawing event, silent disco tours, choir performances at Battersea Power Station and much more. Browse the full programme. Until 26 June
LSE FESTIVAL: How to we get to a post-Covid world? That's the topic of this year's LSE Festival, a mixture of online and in-person events. Authors, leaders, social scientists, and policymakers explore the practical steps we could be taking to shape a better world through talks and films on topics such as tackling inequality and future-proofing your career. Browse the full programme. 13-18 June
MELTDOWN: This year's Meltdown Festival, curated by Grace Jones, runs until Sunday. Highlights include a tribute to Barry White by the Love Unlimited Synth Orchestra, a performance by Black feminist punk band Big Joanie, and a celebration of Africa Fashion Week London. Southbank Centre, various prices, until 19 June
FRED PERRY: Last chance to see this exhibition about tennis player turned fashion brand Fred Perry. It's the sportswear brand that's in focus here, from how it was founded, to the people who wear it, to the man whose name adorns it. Design Museum (Kensington), free, just turn up, until 19 June
THE FIRE IN US ALL: Using imagery taken from nightclubs and raves, Lucas Reynes-Matter creates drawings of men and women who struggle for freedom from the mundane, fear and — ultimately — death. His exhibition, The Fire in Us All invites us to contemplate these artworks in a religious setting. InSpire, Crypt at St Peter's (Walworth), free, just turn up, until 24 June
LONDON FESTIVAL OF ARCHITECTURE: This month-long celebration of buildings continues, and highlights this week include a history of architecture in Camden Town, a look at sustainability in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, a tour of the Royal College of Surgeons, and of Hatton Garden, and of the Nash Terraces in Regent's Park. Various locations and prices, until 30 June
Monday 13 June
UNDERGROUND HISTORY: There are few things we enjoy more than a bit of tube history. Join Footprints of London guide Stephen Benton for a tour focusing on the history of the London Underground, from 1863 to today. Travel on the Underground, see some of its iconic designs, and end up at one of the newest stations. You'll need a ticket or Oyster card to join the tour. Baker Street station, £12/£9, book ahead, 11am-1pm
GAY BARS: Author Jeremy Atherton Lin discusses his new book, Gay Bar, with radical cultural historian Dr Diarmuid Hester. It's a history of gay bars in London, San Francisco and LA, and the joy and solidarity they offer, as well as a look at the cultural demolition taking place as gay bars around the world close down. Foyles Charing Cross Road, £8/£13 with book, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
REGENESIS: Writer and environmental activist George Monbiot is in discussion with author and filmmaker Lily Cole about his latest book, Regenesis: Feeding the World without Devouring the Planet. They cover the importance of tiny life forms in restoring the living systems on our planet. Barbican Theatre, £12, book ahead, 7.30pm
BARRY CRYER: Bill Bailey, Judi Dench, Stephen Fry, Harry Hill and Barry Humphries are just some of the names on the line-up of Barry Cryer: A Celebration. The one-off show celebrates the life and work of comedian and actor Barry Cryer, who died in January. Lyric Theatre (Shaftesbury Avenue), from £19.50, book ahead, 7.30pm
JESTER JESTERS: Laugh off the Monday blues with a trip to the Betsey Trotwood in Farringdon, which hosts the Jester Jesters comedy club night. It's where comedians come to showcase short sets of their material — and there are often comedy gems in there. Betsey Trotwood (Farringdon), £3 to reserve a seat, 8pm-10pm
Tuesday 14 June
LAST TOLL BOOTH: Did you know London still has a working toll gate? It’s in Dulwich, and guide Richard Watkins has all the details. He’s leading a tour of the area today (and 21 June) that includes architecture from the College buildings and grand villas to humble cottages; features names such as Charles Dickens, Camille Pissarro and Ernest Shackleton; includes a curious connection to the historic telephone box design; and attempts to explain the surviving Tollgate Road. Meet Dulwich Old College, £12, book ahead, 6.30pm
HOMELANDS: Journalist Chitra Ramaswamy talks to Caroline Sanderson about her new book Homelands. It tells the story of Chitra’s friendship with 98-year-old Holocaust survivor, Henry Wuga. The unlikely pair bonded over tales of migration, racism, family, belonging, community and resilience. Waterstones Piccadilly, £8 (or £20 with book), book ahead, 6.30pm
LANGUAGE OF FOOD: Listen in to an online talk about what the words we use to describe our food can tell us about Britain's relationship with the world. Find out what varying words for foods, mealtimes, and cooking methods can tell us about the history of trade, conquest, and colonialism. Online event, £20, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
KING'S CROSS COMEDY: A stellar lineup featuring Sara Barron, Amy Annette, Toussaint Douglass, Ania Magliano and Saima Ferdows is rocking 2Northdown tonight — the pint-sized central London location where the great and the good of stand-ups come to do their thang. 2Northdown (King's Cross), £7, book ahead, 7.30pm
Sponsor message
The Summer Series is back in Brentford
Been to Brentford recently? Well it’s THE place to be in London right now, as the Summer Series continues at The Brentford Project. The cultural initiative shines a spotlight on the town's creative diversity through arts, cuisine, drink and more.
Among the entertainment open to everyone this summer are: cocktail masterclasses (learn to make four tasty bevvies under the guidance of a professional mixologist); painting workshops led by local artist Mr Mr Pearce; a family-friendly roaming production of Treasure Island to kickstart the school holidays; and a day-long Festival of Wellness.
All those events are free (make sure you book in advance). Willing to push the boat out? Indulge in a floating picnic on 13 August for the bargain price of £10 per person, and tuck into delicious treats while bobbing about on the River Brent.
Browse the full Summer Series programme and get booking.
Wednesday 15 June
TASTE OF LONDON: Foodies won't want to miss Taste of London, the huge, food-based festival which brings dozens of London's best-known restaurants together to feed the hungry visitors. It's also a chance to discover up-and-coming London chefs and food businesses, take part in tastings and watch masterclasses. Regent's Park, from £24, book ahead, 15-19 June
LUNCHTIME CONCERT: Spend your lunch break enjoying a concert by the Trinity Laban Guitar Department. The monthly lunchtime concerts are a chance for Trinity Laban students to share their latest work — and for the audience to admire the impressive surroundings as they listen. Queen's House (Greenwich), free, just turn up, 1pm-2pm
SMITHFIELD: Take an after-work tour of this fascinating part of town, which is steeped in martyrs, public executions, body snatchers, crime and punishment - and butchery. Guide Jonathan Wober of London on the Ground has the facts. St Paul's tube, £10, book ahead, 6pm-8pm
JAWDANCE: Spoken word evening Jawdance is back, with established and up-and-coming performers taking to the stage to perform their newest work. There's also an open mic slot for any audience member who want to give it a go. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), suggested donation £10, book ahead, 7pm
JOHN OUTRAM: From a storm pumping station in the Isle of Dogs to a town hall building in The Hague, architect John Outram has had quite a career. Tonight, hear him discuss the work undertaken by his architecture practice, which he established almost 50 years ago. Barbican, £15, book ahead, 7pm
KRUSH PUPPIES: Three proud pet owners with a shared taste for experimental post-punk — that's Krush Puppies, and tonight they're playing MOTH Club. Expect Broadcast/Raincoats-style vibes. MOTH Club (Hackney Central), £8, book ahead, 8pm
Thursday 16 June
GIFFORDS CIRCUS: Roll up, roll up, the circus is in town! Giffords Circus parks up in west London, pitching its tent for a show featuring acrobats, jugglers, dancers, musicians, horses, and Tweedy the clown. Chiswick House and Gardens, from £20 adult/£10 child, book ahead, 16-27 June
ETERNALLY YOURS: Somerset House presents Eternally Yours, a free exhibition about care, repair and healing. The focus is on creative examples of reuse, such as the Japanese art of kintsugi, where a broken vase or jug is repaired with gold lacquer to make a feature of the imperfection. There's also an on-site repair shop. Somerset House, free, book ahead, 16 June-25 September
INFORMATION WAR IN RUSSIA: While many people from other countries condemn Putin's actions in Ukraine, many Russians support their leader. A panel of experts discusses why this is, how the message is managed in Russian state media, and what can be done from outside the country to interrupt this spread of misinformation. Czech Centre (Kensington), free, book ahead, 7pm
THE PREMONITIONS BUREAU: Author Sam Knight discusses his new book, The Premonitions Bureau, with journalist and social commentator Travis Elborough. The book is the true story of the psychiatrist John Barker, who collected premonitions from the public, with the intention of preventing otherwise unpredictable disasters. Foyles Charing Cross Road, £8/£18 with book, book ahead, 7pm
POP UP PAINTING: Have a go at creating your own version of Van Gogh's Starry Night, at this Pop Up Painting evening. All materials are provided, no experience is necessary, and a professional artist is on hand to offer support. Plus, it takes place in a pub, so there's plenty of opportunity to buy a drink or two to get those creative juices flowing. Hope & Anchor (Brixton), £32.99, book ahead, 7.30pm-10pm
A SOUTH AMERICAN JOURNEY: Bath Festival Orchestra presents a fiesta of South American classical music, kicking off in Brazil with Villa-Lobos' Guitar Concerto and ending in Argentina with Ginastera's explosive Concerto for Strings. In between these two titans, you'll hear mesmerising music by Cuban composer Leo Brouwer and an exquisite piece by 19th-century Venezuelan trailblazer Maria Teresa Carreno - it's this orchestra's mission to spotlight a female composer in every single one of its programmes. Kings Place (King's Cross), £14.50-£29.50 plus booking fee, book ahead, 8pm (sponsor)
Friday 17 June
GRIME STORIES: Museum of London opens a new display — one of the last in its current home — about the grime scene and its east London roots. Grime Stories looks at the individual people and places responsible for the growth of grime music, and is co-curated by Roony 'RiskyRoadz’ Keefe, a documentarian recording the movement. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 17 June-December 2022
BECKET PAGEANT: Guildhall Yard is transformed into an arena for The Becket Pageant for London, featuring a musical, London’s Turbulent Son, by a cast of professional actors and members of the local City community. There's also a Livery Crafts Fair running both days, with stands overseen by members of Livery Companies who will demonstrate their ancient and modern skills. There are four performances across the two days. Guildhall Yard, free entry to craft fair/ticket required for performance, 17-18 June
SUMMER SHOWCASE: Head to The British Academy for its annual Summer Showcase, a chance to meet 12 researchers and hear about their work. Events include talks, workshops, performances, an immersive VR experience and live woodcarving. The British Academy (St James), free, book ahead, 17-18 June
EARTH PHOTO EXHIBITION: See shortlisted shots from the Earth Photo international photography competition. Categories this year include People, Place, Nature, Changing forests and a Climate of change, with work from around the world on show. Royal Geographical Society (Kensington), free, just turn up, 17 June-26 August
CARIBBEAN JOURNEYS: Head to London Transport Museum after work for Caribbean Journeys, a Friday Late tying in with its current exhibition, Legacies: London Transport’s Caribbean Workforce. Be transported to the Caribbean with spiced rum drinks and street food from Black Eats London, and enjoy a live steel band orchestra, a pop-up multicultural book shop, and stories from the Windrush Generation. Age 18+. London Transport Museum (Covent Garden), £15, book ahead, 6.45pm-10pm (sponsor)
QUEER WALLS: English Heritage celebrates Pride Month at Eltham Palace with Queer Walls, a late night opening exploring LGBTQ histories. Party like it's the 1930s with former Eltham Palace owners Virginia and Stephen Courtauld — played by drag king Adam All and femme queen Apple Derrieres — at a cabaret-style evening. Age 18+. Eltham Palace, £15, book ahead, 7pm-10pm
Saturday 18 June
ENFIELD PRIDE: The Borough of Enfield's official Pride celebrations take place this weekend. Enfield Pride is open to anyone, with a stage hosting a variety of performances, plus food and drink stalls, and representatives from LGBTQ+ charities. Dugdale Centre, free, just turn up, 18-19 June
GREAT EXHIBITION ROAD FESTIVAL: South Kensington institutions including the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Imperial College, Royal Geographical Society and V&A come together for the Great Exhibition Road Festival, a weekend celebrating science and the arts. Catch live performances on an outdoor stage, along with workshops, panel discussions, food tastings, tours and more, on topics ranging from AR to space to microbes to Queer history. Plenty for kids, too. Exhibition Road, free, some events require booking, 18-19 June
MARYLEBONE SUMMER FESTIVAL: Live music, a dog show, open-air cinema, bars, food and drink stalls, and family-friendly activities all feature in the Marylebone Summer Festival. Plenty of shops, restaurants and other local businesses have their own events going on too, including discounts, special menus and extended opening hours. Marylebone High Street and Paddington Square Gardens, free entry for most events, charge and booking required for film screening, 18-19 June
QUEER SUMMER FAYRE: Hackney Bridge blends Pride month with a traditional summer fete for the Queer Summer Fayre. It's the work of queer performing arts charity Raze Collective and queer collective Naked Presents, and is a fully inclusive LGBTQIA+ event featuring a Queer Makers Market, craft corner, arts workshops, cabaret, and an afterparty going on into the night. Hackney Bridge, free entry, just turn up, 2pm
ADVENTUROUS COCKTAILS: Adventurous cocktail brand Mr Fogg's has just opened its latest venue, in Mayfair. Treat yourself to a location-themed bevvy — Nepal, Hong Kong, San Francisco or our fave... London. Mr Fogg's Apothecary (Mayfair), book ahead, open from 2pm on Saturdays
MONSTER JAM: Watch 12,000-pound monster trucks go head to head in races and stunts at Monster Jam. It's the first time the family-friendly event has come to London, and it's fairly high-adrenaline stuff. The London Stadium (Stratford), from £78, book ahead, 2.30pm
THE CANDLELIGHT CLUB: Dance the night away at regular speakeasy party The Candlelight Club. Elise Roth and her band headline the stage, hosted by Champagne Charlie, with live vintage DJs, pop-up tarot reading and other entertainment throughout the evening. Central London location, from £25, book ahead, 7pm
JAZZ POETRY: 'Jazz-Poetry like they used to do in the 60s' is how this Beat Generation/Langston Hughes-inspired evening is billed. Expect playful improvisers, delightfully risqué humour and a bohemian ambience — candles and all. Lodge Space (Surrey Quays), £9, book ahead, 7pm-10.30pm
Sunday 19 June
FATHER'S DAY: Consider this your reminder to pick up a card, and maybe a box of chocolates and a new book, for your dad on Father's Day.
BSL TOUR: Every month, Kew Gardens offers BSL tours for anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing, to learn more about the gardens, their history, and the scientific work being undertaken there. Kew Gardens, included in admission, book ahead, 11am
VINTAGE FAIR: Refresh your wardrobe at the Frock Me! vintage fair, with brings together 100 vintage fashion, textile and jewellery traders. Browse and buy items dating back to the 1920s — and keep an eye out for designer pieces too. There's a pop-up cafe inside the fair to revive flagging energy levels. Kensington Town Hall, £3-35, book ahead, 11am-5.30pm
GHOSTSIGNS: Footprints of London guide Jane Parker leads you through the Holloway area, in search of ghostsigns from historic advertising and bygone businesses. Holloway Road station, £12, book ahead, 11am
RURAL HAMPSTEAD: Join Footprints of London guide Marilyn Greene for a walking tour around the more rural parts of Hampstead, including the Heath extension, the Hill Garden and Golders Hill Park. Learn about residents past and present, a 17th century farmhouse, and finish up at the pub for a drink. Golders Green, £12/£9, book ahead, 2.30pm
BANTU JAZZ ORCHESTRA: Pianist and composer Frederic Gassita is joined by the Bantu Jazz Orchestra for a celebration of African Bantu music. Over 70 artists feature in the show, including a big band, orchestral string section, the Eben Voices of Gabon Choir, special guest singers and a dance troupe. Barbican, £20-£35, book ahead, 8pm
Urban oddity of the week
While you're visiting the Great Exhibition Road Festival (see Saturday), take a close look at the walls of the V&A. The scars of a second world war bomb can still be seen peppering the facade, and a plaque marks the site. Similar damage can also be found on the western side of Tate Britain. Cleopatra's Needle on Embankment has even older scars. Shrapnel from a bomb dropped in the first world war cut into the stone and the base of the attendant sphinxes, and has never been repaired.
Good cause of the week
Would you like to contribute to one of the most important cultural projects in London's history? The Grenfell Memorial Quilt will eventually be the size of the tower it commemorates — an artefact that will last through the ages, and perpetuate the memories of those who died for decades if not centuries to come. The quilt is coming along beautifully, but more donations of material are needed. You can donate by taking curtains, bedding or new pieces of fabric to any library in Kensington and Chelsea.
