Interesting and unusual things to do for a fiver or less this week.
Monday 8 July
FUTURE OF MAN: Check out Soul in the Machine, a visual arts exhibition exploring the future of mankind, told through a world of science fiction, massive machines and radical architectures at Rich Mix. Free, just turn up, until 26 August
SILICON VALLEY: Learn about Silicon Valley's unique innovation culture, and find out how the Californian region's success can be replicated around the world. Led by Silicon Valley entrepreneur, Deborah Perry Piscione at Hong Kong Theatre, LSE Clement House. Free, just turn up, 6.30pm
Tuesday 9 July
COMEDY: Free lolz tonight at Camden Head with Phil Wang (already got a laugh from the name), Junior Booker and Jenny Collier on the line-up. Free, just turn up, 7.30pm
FILM NIGHT: Film Night at the Bohemia is a monthly film night with a different theme every time. Today's theme is 'mockumentary', so head along for short films and discussions before ending the night with the feature mockumentary, This Is Spinal Tap. Free, just turn up, 8pm
Wednesday 10 July
ART: Since the injury of a friend in Afghanistan, Carl McCrow has been on a quest to deactivate as many guns as possible. His artwork at gallery@oxo puts these guns in the public view as a thought-provoking reminder of the atrocities they commit. Free, just turn up, until 14 July
SCREEN SOCIAL: Combine film and music at Screen Social: Bare All, with a selection of independent shorts, animations, and live music from The Little Unsaid. £4/£3, prebook for cheaper tickets, 7pm-midnight
MUMMY'S CURSE: Learn about the cases of Thomas Douglas Murray and Walter Herbert — two Victorian gentlemen alleged to have been cursed by artefacts — with the Moot With No Name at The Devereaux. £3/£2, just turn up, 7.30pm
Thursday 11 July
MEXFEST: Mexican cultural festival MexFest returns to the capital. Some of the events are paid but many are free, such as outdoor film screenings at Canary Wharf and an evening of live Mexican music at V&A museum. See website for full listings, until 14 July
COMEDY PREVIEWS: Bargain comedy at the Camden Head, as two top-notch comedians preview their Edinburgh Festival material tonight. Sarah Campbell talks about not enjoying the things you're supposed to and vice versa, while Garrett Millerick poses the question: does it matter? £1, just turn up, 7.30pm
Friday 12 July
PHOTOGRAPHY: See what the graduating photography students from the Arts University Bournemouth have captured, in an exhibition at Bargehouse. Free, just turn up, until 14 July
LOCK LIVE: Camden Lock Market hosts a day and night of street entertainment, performance, theatre and music, across 5 venues and 2 outdoor stages overlooking the Regents Canal as part of Camden Lock Live. Free, just turn up, 10am-10pm
Saturday 13 July
CARNIVAL: Streatham Vale comes alive today with a colourful carnival, featuring a Giant Mechanical Elephant, The Binbots, Bollywood Brass Band, Kinetika Bloco Samba Band, Vintage Cars, and many other locally based participants. Free, just turn up, 10.30am-1pm
WEST-END WALK: Join a qualified City of Westminster guide for a tour of London's West-End. See where Eliza Doolittle sold her flowers, Henry Irving and Ellen Terry strode the boards and learn why every theatre has its ghost. Free (walks usually costs £8 but are free during July and August!), prebook, 11am-1pm
OXJAM: Celebrate the launch of Oxjam Dalston at Tipsy Bar with daytime family fun, music and spoken word performances, followed by an adult-only evening of live music. Free during the daytime and £4 in the evening (all proceeds towards Oxfam), just turn up, 2-7pm and 7pm-2am
PEOPLE'S DAY: Forget birthdays, Christmas Day and Valentine's Day, here is a day we can all enjoy. Lewisham People's Day has hundreds of community stalls, local talent and live performances, such as music from The 286 — a new London band who fuse indie rock with classical cellos and violins. Free, just turn up, 12-8pm
CONEY ISLAND PARTY: A club night inspired by the kooky island, Coney Island Party puts on cabaret, limbo competitions, fairground games and even a hotdog eating contest alongside the more expected DJ set and dancing. £5, prebook or turn up before 10pm for cheaper tickets, 9pm-2am
Sunday 14 July
FAYRE: Honey tastings, talking plants, storytelling and live music will all take place at Spitalfield City Farm's Strawberry Fayre today. Free, just turn up, 12-4pm
