London events for people with curious minds.
Sci-Fi London Film Festival continues all week. As well as a chunky programme of film screenings, including several premieres, look out for special events like quizzes, dinners and talks. In other events...
Monday 30 April
BEING HUMAN: What does it mean to be a human, and what distinguishes us from the animals? A high-powered panel assembles at London School of Economics to debate. This event will also be attended by the Geek Chic singles meetup group. FREE, 6.30pm
Tuesday 1 May
LHC: Another update on what the Higgs is going on at the Large Hadron Collider, courtesy of Tejinder Virdee at Imperial College. FREE, 5.30pm
WEIRD ANIMALS: The Grant Museum's wonderfully named "Call My Bluffalo" panel game, involving scientists and made-up definitions of unusually named animals and body parts, takes place tonight. FREE, 6.30pm
TECH TONICS: Baroness Susan Greenfield delivers the 2012 Anne Frank Lecture about finding our humanity in the midst of all this technology. The controversial neuroscientist speaks at UCL's Institute of Child Health. £15, 6.30pm
SCIENCE SHOWOFF: The quick-paced science show returns to the Wilmington Arms with ten geeky speakies. FREE (donations), 7pm
Wednesday 2 May
COGNITION: Join Prof Celia Heyes at UCL for a chat about evolution and the cultured mind. FREE, 5pm
GET YOUR ASS TO MARS: Sanjeev Gupta, at Imperial College, discusses recent robot missions to the Red Planet, and what this new data reveal's about our neighbour's climate. FREE, 5.30pm
REPUTATION: Why is our social standing so important, and why do we revel in gossiping about people? Join Dr John Whitfield (pssst...we happen to know he plays in a Gamelan orchestra when he's not talking science) at the Royal Institution for an evening devoted to the science of reputation. £10/£7, 7pm
Thursday 3 May
BRAINS: Dame Nancy Rothwell at Imperial College discusses her work into the biochemistry of the brain, and how her research might help stroke sufferers. FREE, 5.30pm
EGYPTO-GEEK: The Petrie Museum at UCL is showing off its gadgetry, which lets visitors explore the remote past with virtual technology. Don't tell Susan Greenfield. FREE, 6-8pm
PUB MATHS: We calculate that the upstairs of The Lamb on Lamb's Conduit Street is the place to be tonight if you like mathematical tricks. Rob Eastaway reveals 10 ways to win a maths bet in a pub as part of this month's Science London offering. Expect 50% entertainment, 50% booze and 50% flawless mathematics. FREE, 7pm
BRAINS: Can we understand human consciousness by probing the structure of the brain? Raymond Tallis says no, and in the company of journalist Bryan Appleyard at Wellcome Collection. FREE, 7pm
VICTORIAN CLEVERNESS: Take a guided walk of the Clerkenwell area to discover the inventors, campaigners, engineers and philanthropists who shaped Victorian London. £10/£7.50, 7pm
DREAMS: This month's Salon at Westbourne Grove Church probes the subconscious with a scientific and psychological look at dreams. They'll also build a 'dream matrix' to put individual dreams into some kind of social context. Or something. Fortunately, animator Greg Mcleod is on hand to interpret all this into a drawing. Don't have nightmares. £10, 7.30pm
Friday 4 May
ASTRONOMY: Learn the remarkable story of the 18th Century transits of Venus, when scientists and explorers (including Captain Cook) braved hostile nations and navigational challenges in an attempt to measure the distance between Earth and its neighbouring planet. You only have to get yourself to the Royal Society. FREE, 1pm
GEEK CABARET: It's Star Wars Day, and May the 4th be with you as you visit the Blue Stocking Society's space-themed frolic at the Seven Dials Club. Geeks and showgirls mix, sometimes in the same body. £10 advance, £12.50 door, 7.30pm
Saturday 5 May
BWRRR EEER, BWRRR EEEER: That's our attempt at transcribing the sound of a ZX Spectrum loading. Far more eloquent people will assemble at BFI Southbank today and tomorrow to celebrate the 30th birthday of the first truly popular home computer in Britain. The Horizons conference takes a playful look at this primitive yet remarkable machine. FREE, 11.30-5.30pm #sflzx @imperica
MORE BRAINS: More cerebral talk at Wellcome Collection, where Jacopo Annese discusses his brain collection and how it's helping us understand the human condition. FREE, 2pm
Sunday 6 May
COMEDY: It's time for another Geek Night Out comedy evening at the Comedy Pub on Oxendon Street. Features MC Paul Gannon with Danielle Ward, Bec Hill and Rik Moore as well as improv from The Rogues and other surprises. FREE (donations), 8pm
Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments or email [email protected] to flag up any forthcoming events.
Image by Bill Bertram under Creative Commons.
