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Listings
BLOOD: Today’s opportunities to donate blood are at Cathedral Hall in Victoria, Rye Lane Chapel in Peckham and Charlton Asda. Free, see site for terms and conditions
ART: The Jameel Prize exhibitions opens at Victoria and Albert Museum, showing works from around the world that focus on interaction between contemporary practice and a great historical heritage. Free, just turn up, until 21 April 2014
MARKET: More London Riverside is the setting for a festive market over the next few days, with accompanying daily activities. Today, there's a choir and carol singers. Free, just turn up, until 15 December
BUTLERS: If you happen to be doing your Christmas shopping on Sloane Street over the next couple of days (get you) then keep an eye out for a bevy of street butlers who are on hand to help you with your shopping, carry bags and give directions. Until 14 December.
BRITTEN: Go for a musical escape this lunchtime at Wigmore Hall with Britten Sinfonia At Lunch. £12.50/£10, prebook, 1pm
BOOK SIGNING: Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman sign copies of The 100 Most Pointless Arguments in the World at Waterstones Leadenhall Market. Free, just turn up (early arrival recommended), from 1pm
ANIMAL SINGING: Join Spitalfields City Farm to get jolly with the animals and sing Christmas carols in their general direction. There’ll be live music and an appearance from Santa too. Free, just turn up, 1-5pm
HOT TUB SPEED DATING: While we really cannot think of many things worse than having to stumble in and out of hot tubs, half naked, trying to impress those already stewing within while battling alternative bouts of pruney/goosepimpled skin — we can appreciate this is an, um, unique opportunity. Feeling brave? Give it a go. £90 for a group of three, prebook, 6.30pm (at least it's after dark)
HEADS AND BODIES: Remember that game you played as a kid where one person draws a monstrous head on paper, folds, the next person draws a monstrous body, and so on? Remind yourself of what freaky creations can be made at Queen of Hoxton. There’ll be prizes. Free, just turn up, from 7pm
PARTY: Antidote are rebelling against Christmas parties by throwing Not Another Xmas Party (although it sounds remarkably like an Xmas party). There'll be ceilidh dancing, crafting, games and the obligatory Christmas jumpers. £15/£10, prebook for cheaper tickets, 7-11pm
CONCERT: The Sixteen perform their annual classic Christmas Concert at Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall. £12-£45, prebook, 7.30pm
CHOIR: More singing as Twickenham Choral Society sing Haydn and Mahler at St John's Smith Square. £10-£22, prebook, 7.30pm
GIGS: Today’s music tips (we have a selection of them this week), as recommended by our friends at LondonGigGuide, are Shooting Suns at The Troubador (£7/£6, prebook, 8pm) and Thumpers at Old Blue Last (free, RSVP, 8pm)
Good Causes of the Day
Hard Rock Cafe London launches its Food Bank in support of WhyHunger’s global Imagine There's No Hunger campaign. Until 23 December, Londoners can visit the Cafe and donate canned foods, which will be distributed to shelters in the capital on Christmas Eve.
London Connection Puzzle
Yesterday's clue was INDIA. Today's is HOLLAND. Spotted the London connection? Email [email protected] if you think you have it. (But if you're reading this in the email version, check the live site first to make sure someone hasn't beaten you to it.)
From the Archive
Weaving in and out of Victoria station during rush hour can sometimes make you feel like you're in a real life computer game. Objective: make it onto the tube, weapon: umbrella/rolled up Metro, enemies: every other human being. There are even glitches, such as when other characters mysteriously stop right in front of the ticket barriers, seemingly unable to pass through. They should really sort that out, it's very annoying. Where were we? Oh yes, The Capital in Video Games (part 1).
London Weather by Inclement Attlee
I predict a foggy, dull start, with a miserable morning and a massive vomity headache. That's the hangover forecast I wish upon my Londonist colleagues. They had their Christmas party last night, but didn't invite me. The bastards. For everyone else, the mist will clear by 11am, to give a sunny, enjoyable day.
