Interesting and unusual things to do for a fiver or less this week.
Monday 9 September
EXHIBITION: Conversations About Archive by Ania Dabrowska is an exhibition at Four Corners gallery that covers over 100 years of socio-political and cultural history in Lebanon and the Middle East. Free, just turn up, until 27 September
THAMES: The Mayor’s Thames Festival continues this week. There is a whole host of river-focused events taking place, many of which are free and cheap, so do take a look at the listings to see what floats your boat. Until 15 Sept
THEATRE: Playwright Michael Frayn speaks at the National Theatre on the occasion of his 80th birthday. There will also be a book signing. £4/£3, prebook, 6pm
CULTURE: A new series of talks from the Architecture Foundation looks at the growing prominence of privately controlled spaces, and how they can stifle creativity and expression. The first of these is tonight and focuses on whether we can develop measures to maintain the capital as an affordable place to live. £3.30, prebook, 7pm
Tuesday 10 September
WALKS: Clerkenwell and Islington Guides Association are still offering free walks during selected weekdays. Pop along and get some culture in your lunchtime. Free, prebook, until end of September
DEBATE: Join The Rational Parliament session at Conway Hall for a debate about genetically modified food. Free, prebook, 7pm
Wednesday 11 September
CULTURE 2: The second talk in the Architecture Foundation series (see Monday, above), asks: can established planning and preservation measures be adopted to protect more radical forms of culture? £3.30, prebook, 7pm
Thursday 12 September
WALK: Explore the regeneration & transformation of Walworth and Kennington on a walk with CoolTan Arts. Free, just turn up (at East Street Library), midday
IDEAS FOR LONDON: Join the waiting list for a chance to attend tonight's Ideas For London salon, where innovative thinkers discuss how they believe they could change the capital. Free, prebook, 6pm
GOGH IN LONDON: The Dutch Centre hosts How I Love London, an illustrated talk about Vincent van Gogh's life between 1873-1875, when he lived and worked in London. Free, prebook, 7pm
BOOK: Thomas Glave launches and reads from his book Among the Bloodpeople at Gay's the World bookshop tonight. Poet Dorothea Smart will also read at the event. £2, just turn up, 7pm
BBCQT WATCHALONG: If you like politics/opinions/shouting at the television then head to Hackney Attic for a BBC Question Time Watchalong on a big screen. £5/£4, prebook, 8pm
Friday 13 September
LONDON FUTURE: London Future: The Floating City is an exhibition at Rich Mix that explores the future of our city, using collected ideas to form a site-specific installation. Free, just turn up, until 21 September
BOOK FAIR: Whitechapel Gallery is the setting for The London Art Book Fair, the largest event dedicated to art publishing in the UK. There will be flash-fiction readings, printing sessions, kids book-making workshops, and artist talks. Free,just turn up, until 15 September
LINGUA DIVERSA: Try an introduction to Italian or Spanish language at Conway Hall today, courtesy of Lingua Diversa Group. £5, prebook, both sessions at 6pm
TAXIDERMY: Learn about Walter Potter, the self-taught Victorian country taxidermist who is best remembered for his inventive, large-scale tableaux peopled by rabbit schoolchildren, cigar-smoking squirrels, rats playing dominoes and kitten wedding ceremonies. This illustrated lecture at The Last Tuesday Society celebrates the release of a book about his work. £1.05, prebook, 7pm
Saturday 14 September
PHOTOGRAPHY: Join a half day photography workshop and photo walk at Coin Street neighbourhood centre, with Waterloo Sights and Sounds. £5, prebook, 10am-2.30pm
LOCK TO LOCK: Enjoy everything the River Lee has to offer with the Lock to Lock Festival, organised by Enfield Council and community partners, and featuring river boat rides, paddle-sports, live music, canal art workshops, sport taster sessions and more. Free, just turn up, 11am-7pm
SE LONDON: Dashwoodstock is a free music festival in Thamesmead that aims to provide a platform for South East London's up and coming talent. Free, just turn up, 4-11pm
Sunday 15 September
LECTURE: Two cheap lectures take place at Conway Hall: the first considers robot ethics (11am) and the second sees a journalist discuss the truth behind Mexico's drug war (2pm). £5 each, prebook
FESTIVAL: Join a community festival at Croydon Road Park in Beckenham, in memory of a 1969 free festival in the same area, which was compered by then local resident, David Bowie. There will be live music, refreshments and face painting. £5, just turn up, 2-6pm
MUSIC NIGHT: Breathing Room, a monthly acoustic music night at The Antelope Pub in Tooting Broadway, celebrates its first birthday today. Pop along for chilled out music. £3, just turn up, 7.30pm
BLUE STEEL: To coincide with London Fashion Week, St Martin's Courtyard present a Fashion Film Festival that spans the next three days. Enter your details for the chance to win tickets to tonight's offering: Zoolander (although there will also be a limited amount of first come first served tickets too). Free, enter online, 8pm
Check out our map of free things to do in London for more frugal fun.
