All weekend Last chance to see this Royal exhibition. Photo: The British Library.HALF TERM: Struggling to keep the kids occupied as half term draws to a close? Our guide to half term events in London includes theatre shows, exhibitions, workshops and more. 12-20 February CATS AND DOGS: TheHorniman Museum turns its attention to household pets for its latest family-friendly exhibition. Cats and Dogs takes a look at the skills, awareness and intelligence of our canine and feline friends, and offers a chance to experience what the world looks like from their point of view. Horniman Museum (Forest Hill), £8.50 adult/£4.50 child, book ahead, until 30 October FASHION EXHIBITION: A specially curated exhibition of original works by British fashion illustrator Gladys Perint Palmer go on display in London for just five days. See her depictions of haute couture from the runways of Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen and Chanel — which she produced for the likes of Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. Cromwell Place (South Kensington), free, book ahead, 16-20 February It's Heritage Weekend at Lauderdale House.STONEHENGE: It's the first weekend of The World of Stonehenge — one of the most anticipated exhibitions of the year. Find out more about the mysterious stone circle, including its origins and the speculation and folklore surrounding it. British Museum, from £20 adult, book ahead, 17 February-17 July HERITAGE WEEKEND: Highgate's Lauderdale House hosts a Heritage Weekend, focusing on the house itself, neighbouring Waterlow Park, and the surrounding Highgate area. Activities include guided walks, talks, and a fair, with local museums and historical societies present, plus a family day on Sunday. Lauderdale House (Highgate), free/£5, book ahead, 19-20 February ETERNALISING ART HISTORY: In what's bound to be something of a Marmite exhibition, six Italian masterpieces by the likes of Da Vinci and Caravaggio go on display in London — except they're digital reproductions rather than the real thing. Is is the same as seeing the real work in the flesh? That's up to you to decide. Unit London (Mayfair), free entry, just turn up, 15 February-19 March Jacqueline Wilson appears at Imagine Children's Festival.IMAGINE CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL: It's the final weekend of this year's Imagine Children's Festival, and it's going out on a high. Authors Julia Donaldson, Michael Rosen and Jacqueline Wilson all make appearances, plus there's kids' comedy. Southbank Centre, various prices, booking required for some events, until 20 February LAST CHANCE PERU: British Museum's exhibition all about Peru closes on Sunday. It uses objects and stories to bring the societies of Peruvian people through the centuries to life, covering far more than just the well-known Inca people. British Museum, from £15 adult, book ahead, until 20 February Costa Rican dance performances are part of Orchids at Kew. © Simon King.ELIZABETH AND MARY: It's also the last weekend of British Library's exhibition, Elizabeth And Mary: Royal Cousins, Rival Queens. Learn more about their tempestuous relationship, through handwritten letters between the two, who never actually met. British Library, £16, book ahead, until 20 February ORCHIDS: Brighten up your weekend with a trip to Orchids at Kew, and wander among hundreds of species of the colourful flower from Costa Rica. At weekends, you can also catch a Costa Rican dance performance outside the conservatory (weather dependent) at 11am and 1pm.Kew Gardens, included in admission, book ahead, until 6 March Saturday 19 February Out at Sea at National Maritime Museum.OUT AT SEA: Creative workshops, storytelling, performances and a queer tour of the National Maritime Museum are all part of the Out at Sea festival, a family-friendly event celebrating queer maritime history through the ages. National Maritime Museum (Greenwich), free, book ahead, 11am-4pm DUCKIE: Take the kids along to Duckie, a reimagining of the well-known Ugly Duckling story. It's set in an animal circus and celebrates differences by portraying them as strengths. Age 3+. Battersea Arts Centre, £16, book ahead, 11am/3pm IN SEARCH OF CHURCHILL: Join Footprints of London guide David Charnick for a guided walk in the footsteps of Winston Churchill. Along the way, you'll learn about the achievements and controversies of his political career — and you may find what you already 'know' being challenged. Parliament Square (Westminster), £12/£9, book ahead, 2.30pm-4.30pm Orchids After Hours. ©RBG Kew.ORCHIDS AFTER HOURS: For an alternative experience of Orchids at Kew, visit after hours when the daytime visitors have left. The Princess of Wales Conservatory stays open late for a chance to see the orchids illuminated at night, with Costa Rican entertainment, and food and drinks available. Kew Gardens, £18, book ahead, 6pm-10pm QUEEN OF ENFIELD: Drag star Sissy Lea takes to the stage for an all-singing, all-twirling musical performance. It comes off the back of the release of her first single, Camouflage Veil. Culture Palace (Enfield), £12, book ahead, 7.30pm ILLEGAL EAGLES: The Eagles tribute band The Illegal Eagles bring the sounds of the legendary country rock band to south London, in a brand new show. Expect to hear much-loved tracks including Hotel California, Desperado, Take It Easy and New Kid In Town. Fairfield Halls (Croydon), £32.50, book ahead, 7.30pm Sissy Lea performs in Enfield.KHANDI SHOP: Drag queen Mahatma Khandi is joined by guests including Prinx Silver and Dosa Cat, as part of the Pleasance's LGBT+ History Month season. Pleasance Theatre (Islington), £15 (£10 concessions), book ahead, 7.30pm FOLK MUSIC: The Cellar Upstairs Folk Club welcomes singer and guitarist Hector Gilchrist. He performs both traditional and contemporary folk music; in particular, expect some wonderful Scottish numbers. The Calthorpe Arms (Holborn). £8, just turn up, 8.15pm-11.15pm CLUB DE FROMAGE: It's a 00s vs 10s special at Club de Fromage, the cheesy club night which plays pop songs all night long. Dance to the best (and worst) tunes of the 21st century so far, including Britney, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga and much more. The O2 Academy (Islington), from £7, book ahead, 10.30pm SCARED TO DANCE: Sway the night away to post-punk, indiepop, new wave and sixties music courtesy of regular club night Scared to Dance. Guest DJ this time is Ryan Smith from Yorkshire band Bdrmm. The Shacklewell Arms, £7.70, book ahead, 11pm Sunday 20 February Rummage through tonnes of vintage clothes.VINTAGE KILO SALE: Refresh your wardrobe at the Vintage Kilo Sale, where over nine tonnes of vintage clothing dating from the 60s to the 90s is available to buy. It's sold by weight, at £20 per kilo of clothing, and we're promised some brand names and designer labels among the goods, so it's worth getting stuck in for a good rummage. Bussey Building (Peckham), £2-£3, book ahead, 10am-4pm VIOLIN DAY: Get your fill of stringed instruments at Violin Day. The British Violin Making Association brings together musicians and makers to offer the public a chance to learn about the violin family of instruments, and try a couple out. There's also a free concert by the Kleutzer Quartet at 12.30pm. Kings Place (King's Cross), free, just turn up (concert is first come, first served), 10.30am-5.30pm VIKING DAY: Horned helmets* at the ready for Viking Day at Fulham Palace. The family-friendly event delves into the history of the area — were there ever Vikings on the site of the modern-day palace? (*Yes, we know they didn't really wear horned helmets.)Fulham Palace, free, just turn up, 11am-3pm Take a garden tour at Fulham Palace.GARDEN TOUR: If you're heading to Viking Day (above) why not pair it with a garden tour. Fulham Palace's regular garden tours are led by one of the garden team, and cover how various Bishops of London used and altered the gardens, as well as how the gardens have been restored and are maintained today. Age 14+. Fulham Palace, £8, book ahead, 12.30pm-1.45pm ROMEO AND JULIET: Barbican Cinema hosts an Encore screening of the Royal Ballet's production of Romeo and Juliet at the Royal Opera House. The 2019 production starred Marcelino Sambé as Romeo and Anna-Rose O’Sullivan as Juliet. Barbican Cinema, £21, book ahead, 2pm Celebrate languages at Poplar Union.LANGUAGE CELEBRATION: Celebrate international Mother Language Day with Anandadhara Arts. Music, poetry and dance all feature in this event, which in particular pays tribute to people who sacrificed their lives to protect the right to talk in their native Bangla language, in 1952. Poplar Union, free, book ahead, 4pm-6pm ROMFORD RAIDERS: Enjoying the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics? See ice hockey played in the flesh, as Romford Raiders take on the Telford Tigers. Sapphire Ice and Leisure (Romford), £14 adult, £10 concessions, book ahead, KO 5.15pm SUNDAY CONCERT: Finish off your weekend with live music from the Resol Quartet. The four young musicians perform a programme of works by Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn. Conway Hall (Holborn) or online, £10-£14, book ahead, 6.30pm-8pm Enjoy live flamenco in a church hall.KANE BROWN: 'Don't Listen to Me I Chat Shit' might be the name of Kane Brown's stand up show, but to be fair it's highly-polished shit — covering everything from from hay fever to Pringles. Backyard Comedy Club (Bethnal Green), £16.76, book ahead, 6.30pm-10.30pm FLAMENCO: Singer/dancer Lola Rueda's highly talented flamenco-fusion group is in action tonight, their 'Tiki Tran' show transforming a church hall into a dance floor. Expect incredible moves, accompanied by live flamenco and latin music. Church Hall of the Holy Apostles (Pimlico), £15, book ahead, 7.45pm |
