Things to do
HALF TERM: Looking for ways to keep the kids occupied this week? Take a look at our guide to things to do in London in half term, for inspiration in the form of shows, exhibitions, workshops, and family-friendly restaurants.
CRISIS IN CARACAS: Aimed at parents and carers with babies under a year old (though open to anyone), each Babble Talks session hosts a speaker to talk about their specialist subject. Today, anthropologist Sarah Begum talks about her times in Caracas, a city with four different exchange rates. She spent time working as a journalist for the government and returned undercover to expose the social, economic and political crisis facing the nation. Crouch End Picturehouse, £10, book ahead, 11am-12pm
BUS TRAVEL: Bus Travel in South London is a book by Chris Roberts, telling the stories along the bus routes south of the river, and pointing out elements which are somewhat surreal. Attend the book launch, with readings, a discussion and a Q&A. Forest Hill Library, free, book ahead, 2pm-5pm
TUDOR DIVERSITY: Dr Alex Hildred of the Mary Rose Trust gives a talk challenging long-held perceptions regarding diversity in Tudor England. Find out what the remains of the Mary Rose ship tell us about the genetic and genealogical origins of the people who were on board when it sank. Senate House, free, just turn up, 5.15pm-6.30pm
BRIT AWARDS: Now in its 40th year, The Brit Awards takes place at The O2, and at time of writing there are still some tickets left to be in the audience — though you're looking at upwards of £120. Still, if you fancy getting up close(ish) to some of the country's biggest music stars, it's probably the best chance you'll have all year. The O2 (North Greenwich), from £122, book ahead, 6pm
SONGS AND SOUVENIRS: British soprano Dame Felicity Lott performs, accompanied by her pianist, Sebastian Wybrew, in the luxurious setting of Leighton House. Expect to hear songs by the likes of Gilbert and Sullivan, Franz Lehar, Richard Strauss and Jacques Offenbach. Leighton House Museum (Holland Park), £35, book ahead, 6.15pm-8.30pm
WILDE RANSOMED: Watch an hour-long lecture, interspersed with two short films, telling the story of how author Arthur Ransome took on the literary world to re-establish Oscar Wilde as a recognised literary genius in the 20th century, against a backdrop of homophobia. Kensington Central Library, free, book ahead, 6.30pm-7.45pm
TONI MORRISON: Watch a screening of 2019 documentary Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, which tells the story of the African-American novelist's life and experiences. To mark what would have been Morrison's birthday, Oscar-winning producer Mia Bays hosts special guests, journalist Keme Nzerem and author Deborah Levy, to read their favourite passages from Morrison's works. Bertha DocHouse (Bloomsbury), £12.50/£10, book ahead, 6.30pm
BOOZY BOOK CLUB: Black Wave by Michelle Tea is the chosen read for this month's Boozy Book Club. Spend the evening discussing the book — about a writer who leaves San Francisco for LA before learning that the world will end in a year — over a special, themed cocktail. Waterstones Tottenham Court Road, free, book ahead, 7pm
THE TIME I ALMOST: Comedy/spoken word evening The Time I Almost... brings storytellers on stage to share their 'Sliding Doors' moments. This time, there's a Valentine's twist, so expect to hear plenty of confessions with a love theme. The Book Club (Shoreditch), £7/£6/£4, book ahead, 8pm
London weather with Inclement Attlee
Our idiosyncratic weather forecaster returns, keeping you up to date on London's skies.
Your Tuesday will look much like your Monday, as though the weather gods had photocopied the skies and then taken the rest of the day off to go play badminton or something. Dainty curlicues of raincloud will do little more than tease the umbrella, for this will be a largely dry day in London.
Contact Mr Attlee with any weather-related thoughts or pictures by emailing hello@londonist.com; subject line "For Mr Attlee".
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
St David's Day (1 March) is coming up. Those of a Cambrian bent might enjoy this unofficial tube map translated into Welsh. Those who can't speak the language will surely want to click through, if only to learn how to say 'Cockfosters'.
Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
University of London's mapping project Layers of London is looking for a bit of help. This fascinating website overlays old maps of London onto modern maps, letting you see how areas have changed. They now have a huge set of 1940s aerial photography that needs geolocating. The team have built a bit of crowdsourcing software so that members of the public can help with the project. Simply go to the georeferencing page and follow the instructions — and see how your bit of London has changed since the 1940s while you get stuck in.
An event at Stanford's on 19 February will give you a chance to meet the team and learn more about the maps.
What we're reading
- Koko in Camden sends a special Valentine's message to London Fire Brigade after recent blaze.
- Plans for Holocaust memorial next to Parliament voted down.
- Natural History Museum launches dinosaur coin collection.
- Just a bloke tucking into a full English on the tube, like an absolute legend.
