10 Jan 2024 Londonist
 
 
By Londonist · Jan 10, 2024 at 12:12

All weekend

Two performers on stage illuminated in red, holding a giant hoop
It's the first weekend of Cirque du Soleil. Photo: Matt Beard

RUPAUL'S DRAGCON: More than 175 queens are on the line-up at RuPaul's DragCon at ExCeL Centre, including stars from 13 international franchises of the show such as Canada, Spain and Thailand. Full schedule TBC at time of writing, but expect appearances and performances on both the main stage and pink carpet. 13-14 January

TITANOSAUR: Natural History Museum's blockbuster exhibition, Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur stomps its way out of South Kensington this weekend. It's a chance to get right up close to a cast of the skeleton of the biggest dinosaur species ever known to have existed, and learn about how it managed to survive. Until 14 January

LAST CHANCE ICE SKATING: Most of London's pop-up winter ice rinks have already closed for the season, but you've still got this weekend to go for a twirl at Somerset House — it closes on Sunday. Take to the rink in the beautiful courtyard, with food and drink options available in the vicinity. Until 14 January

PAY WHAT YOU WANT: Until the end of January, The Golden Hinde is offering Pay What You Want entry, instead of its usual set entry fees. Moored on Bankside, it's a replica of the Elizabethan galleon ship of the same name, the first English ship to circumnavigate the globe. 8-31 January

People sitting and standing at tables in a bar, all looking in one direction, some holding up phones, and cheering
The Blues Kitchen launches a new Hip Hop Orchestra Brunch on Saturday

ANTARCTIC PHOTOGRAPHY: The Royal Geographical Society has a new, free exhibition of the Antarctic photography of Frank Hurley and Herbert Ponting. Both took part in expeditions to the Antarctic in the 1910s, including Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance and Captain Scott's Terra Nova expeditions, making their images among the first, and most famous, ever taken in the region. FREE, 8 January-1 February

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: This is the first weekend of Cirque du Soleil's latest show, Alegria: In A New Light, at the Royal Albert Hall. It's an update of a Cirque show now marking its 30th anniversary, telling the story of a power struggle between the old order and youth, with typical Cirque flair. 11 January-3 March

Saturday 13 January

A singer in stetson and cowboy boots performs in a restaurant as people eat and drink
Go country at this bottomless brunch.

TUBE PICTURES: Barbican Library has a free, ongoing exhibition of collages, paintings, reproductions and digital composites depicting life on the tube. Artist Martin Church creates the works based on sketches he makes live on Metropolitan line trains. FREE, 9.30am-4pm today (until 29 January, closed Sundays)

TEA TASTING: As part of its current exhibition, the Horniman Museum offers a free tea tasting session. Head to the Horniman Conservatory for a relaxed tea tasting session with HA DONG, an independent small batch, craft tea brewer founded in London 2021. While you're there, take the opportunity to see the Horniman walrus before it's taken off display for a few years. FREE, 11am-3pm

BRUNCH: EVE, the rather flashy eastern and southern Mediterranean-inspired restaurant in Kensington, has got a brand new Saturday brunch on the go, featuring warm allspice tulumba pastries; and shakshuka with za'tar flatbread, eggs and charred avocado. Unlimited cocktails are also available in boozy and non boozy incarnations. 11am-4pm

COUNTRY BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH: Dust off your cowboy boots and head to The Anthologist by Drake & Morgan in Moorgate for a bottomless country music brunch, hosted by pop-up country music bar Buck' N Bull Saloon. Sing along to classic country tracks, have a boogie with instructor-led line dancing, and take a spin on the high-energy rodeo. Various ticket options are available, including one with 90 minutes of bottomless drinks. 12pm-6pm

DIY SKINCARE: Poplar Union offers a relaxed, family-friendly workshop where you can learn to make your own natural skin care products. Make a body scrub out of coffee waste, a customisable bath soak and a body balm, with a focus on reducing waste and being kind to the planet and your skin. 1pm-3pm

HIP HOP BRUNCH: The Blues Kitchen in Shoreditch launches its new Hip Hop Orchestra Brunch, taking place every Saturday from today. It features three live shows from The Re:Imagined Orchestra, DJs and a live band playing Hip Hop, R&B and Afrobeat tunes, while BBQ food and bottomless booze is served. 1pm-5pm

A woman in costume as the Wassail Queen
The Midnight Apothecary hosts a Wassail on Saturday evening.

THE BLINKING BUZZARDS: Meeting at the Cinema Museum in Kennington, the Blinking Buzzards are the UK Buster Keaton Society. Today they screen The Cameraman (1928), the first film Keaton made under his MGM contract. You'll need to be a member to attend, but £10 annual membership is available on the door. 4pm-7pm

ICE HOCKEY: See home ice hockey team the Haringey Huskies take on the Basingstoke Buffalo at the Alexandra Palace ice rink. New to the sport or need a refresher? Have a look at our guide to ice hockey in London. Doors 5pm

MIDNIGHT APOTHECARY WASSAIL: The Midnight Apothecary — the pop-up rooftop bar at the Brunel Museum — begins its year with a spot of wassailing, the traditional way to mark Twelfth Night. After a drink or two, join a procession to the apple tree in the lower garden, and sing some wassail carols led by the Butler of the Ceremony and the Wassail Queen, along with Greenwich-based folk musicians GreenTrad. 6pm-10pm

SCIENCE PROGRAMME LAUNCH: The Royal Institution launches its 2024 public science programme with an event questioning what defines science. Expect to see a series of live experiments taking place in front of you, in an evening of scientific philosophy. 7pm-8.30pm

DAN TIERNAN: Last chance to catch comedian Dan Tiernan in the current run of his show Going Under, at Soho Theatre. The show was nominated for Best Newcomer in the Edinburgh Comedy Awards last year, and covers his experiences of being, 27, gay, dyspraxic, and leaving his job to work in comedy full time. 7pm

Elis James
Elis James guest DJs at Scared To Dance

CINEMA SCORES: Respected violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter teams up with the London Philharmonic Orchestra for a performance of film scores written by composer John Williams. Tunes from Superman, TinTin, Harry Potter and others are on the programme at Southbank Centre. 7.30pm

PAINTING AND PROSECCO: Have a go at creating your own version of Annie Dalton‘s Lady With A Fan painting, aided along by a drink or two. All art materials are provided, and a professional artist is on hand to offer tips and guidance as you create your masterpiece. Takes place art London Art Bar in Holborn. 7.30pm-10pm

BEYONCÉ PARTY: The Grand Clapham celebrates all things Queen Bey with The Grand Goes Beyoncé: A Renaissance Party. Drag Race UK superstars Tayce, Cara Melle, Tomara Thomas, drag icons Paige Three, Kiki Snatch, and two more surprise acts make appearances, with DJs Mark Ashley Pope and GalPals playing nothing but Queen Bey and friends all night. 9pm-2.30am

SCARED TO DANCE: Comedian and broadcaster Elis James is the guest DJ at regular club night Scared to Dance. Head to the Victoria in Dalston for an evening of post-punk, indiepop, new wave and art rock choons. 10pm

Sunday 14 January

FLEA MARKET: If you're in the vicinity of London Bridge today, why not swing by Vinegar Yard's flea market, where you can peruse all manner of vinyls, books, antiques and more. 11am-5pm

THE LITTLEST YAK: Take the kids along to Artsdepot in North Finchley for The Littlest Yak, a musical adaptation of the children's book of the same name, with puppetry and catchy songs thrown in. Aimed at ages 3+. 11am/2pm

THAMES BLESSING: The Blessing of the River Thames takes place in the centre of London Bridge today. The short service brings together the clergy and congregations from Southwark Cathedral and St Magnus the Martyr — churches sitting either side of the river bank. The bells of St Magnus peal, while prayers are offered to bridge and river users, as well as those who have died in the Thames, and a wooden cross is tossed into the waters. FREE, 12.30pm

A woman pushing a man in a wheelchair on the Somerset House ice rink
Today's the final day of Skate at Somerset House. Photo: Chloe Hashemi

NATIVE OYSTERS: Put some colour in your January, with music from the Native Oysters, who bring New Orleans vibes to the Pelton Arms in Greenwich, with their funky, horn-laden music. The pub, as it happens, has the Londonist seal of approval too. From 5pm

SUNDAY CONCERT: Pianist Andrew Brownell, flautist Sam Coles and cellist Tim Lowe join forces for today's Sunday concert at Conway Hall, where they perform works by Weber, Haydn and Hummel. 6.30pm-8.30pm

TS ELIOT PRIZE: The 10 poets shortlisted for this year's TS Eliot Prize read their work at Southbank Centre, in an event hosted by poet and broadcaster Ian McMillan. Jason Allen-Paisant, Jane Clarke, Fran Lock and Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin are among this year's shortlist. 7pm

COLLYWOBBLERS COMEDY: Collywobblers Comedy is at The Railway in Streatham for a double bill of Work in progress shows. Russell Hicks and Lloyd Griffith each take to the stage for an hour, hosted by Siôn James. 7.30pm

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