Chris Redd begins a run at Soho TheatreThings to do CHRIS REDD: Saturday Night Live cast member, and American stand-up comedian Chris Redd begins a short residency at Soho Theatre. He's best-known for impersonating the likes of Kanye West, Soulja Boy and The Fresh Prince of Bel Air on the US TV show. Soho Theatre, book ahead, £12-£20, book ahead, 6-11 January THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST: Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest is performed at Tower Theatre, with one major hook — all of the roles are played by immigrants, for whom English is not their first language. It's apt, for a play about someone who isn't clear about who they are, and which itself was written by an immigrant. Tower Theatre (Stoke Newington), £12-£15, book ahead, 6-18 January Try neon naked life drawing at Queen of HoxtonMOTIVATIONAL MOTIFS: Flagging on your new year's resolution already? Create your own motivational motif wall hanging to take home at this crafty evening — aided along by a drink or two from the bar, of course. All materials are provided. Drink, Shop & Do (King's Cross), £5, book ahead, from 6pm UKULELE JAM: Every Monday, Queen of Hoxton holds a ukulele jam, open to anyone who wants to have a go on the instrument. Never played before? Borrow a uke for the night an get stuck in, strumming and singing along to well-known pop songs. Queen of Hoxton, free entry, just turn up, 7pm MONDAY NIGHT MUSIC: Grab a seat at Wilton's Mahogany Bar for a free evening of live music by JB's Casual Vices. The New Orleans-inspired band plays a mix of jazz standards, jukebox R&B, mellifluous country songs and Jamaican rocksteady. Wilton's Music Hall (Limehouse), free entry, just turn up, 7.30pm-9pm Enjoy free live music at Wilton'sPUB(E) QUIZ: The Vagina Museum kicks off its 2020 programme with the regular Pub(e) Quiz. The vagina-themed trivia test is a chance to win prizes unlike those given out at your regular pub quiz. Vagina Museum (Camden Market), £3, book ahead, 7.30pm-9.30pm NEON LIFE DRAWING: Queen of Hoxton hosts an art session unlike your average life drawing class. The models are naked, and covered in neon paint as they contort themselves into unusual shapes, ready for you to sketch their likeness using neon pastels. Queen of Hoxton, £14, book ahead, 7.30pm-11pm Tube ponderings with Barry Heck Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground. OK, I know last week's Roundel of the Week was also from London Transport Museum, but I can't resist featuring this new wall roundel upstairs in the refurbished canteen. It's worth a look if you're passing by, with new signage, moquette seating and tables and Harry Beck's tube map decorating the table tops. Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube. Good cause of the day Brave the cold for CrisisThere's still time to sign up to winter swimming events to help homelessness charity Crisis. Icebreakers take place in Tooting on 18 January and Hampstead on 25 January, and involve braving the icy waters of London's outdoor lidos to raise money. What we're reading Met Police reveals time-wasting 999 calls. Gardners Market Sundriesmen is on the move after 150 years. The V&A is closing its Raphael Court for most of the year. The end of the line for the Isle of Wight's ex-tube trains. |