Free & Cheap London Events: 10-16 March 2014

Laura Reynolds
By Laura Reynolds Last edited 120 months ago
Free & Cheap London Events: 10-16 March 2014

Interesting and unusual things to do for a fiver or less this week.

The Leyden Gallery presents Darkness Visible. Details below.

Monday 10 March

BACK IN TIME: Kensington and Chelsea College presents The Theatrical Costumes Exhibition, which displays a collection of 17th and 19th century costumes created by alumni. Free, until 14 March

FEMINIST MANICURE: To coincide with International Women's Day, London School of Economics is collaborating with renowned nail artist Phoebe Davies to host a pop-up nail bar where people can debate feminist issues. Free, just turn up, 5pm

TALK: Join the talk about the life and work of Austrian pianist and composer Hans Gal, led by expert Michael Haas at the Wiener Library. Free, prebook, 6.30pm

OPEN MIC: Rich Mix in Bethnal Green hosts Allsortz, an open mic night where a stage is offered for aspiring singers, rappers, dancers, comedians or spoken word artists. Free, book your slot by email, 7pm

Tuesday 11 March

DIAMOND SECRETS: Guildhall Library has organised a talk about the secrets of Hatton Garden, otherwise known as London's diamond and jewellery quarter, by author Rachel Lichtenstein. £5+booking fee (bringing it in at slightly over £5, but we think it'll be worth it), prebook, 6pm

PING PONG: King Pong at The Book Club in Shoreditch is a ping pong night with a £35 drink voucher prize for the winner and £15 drink voucher prize for the runner up. £5, just turn up, 6.30pm

SPEAKEASY: Drink Shop Do hosts a Speakeasy evening, incorporating readings from up-and-coming authors including James Dawson and Sophie Lovett and stories invented against the clock along a theme chosen by the audience. Free, just turn up, 7pm

FREE COMEDY: The Coach & Horses in Soho hosts a free comedy evening featuring Luke Graves and Damian Kingsley. Free, prebook, 8pm

Wednesday 12 March

NEW ART: The Leyden Gallery near Liverpool Street presents Darkness Visible, a new exhibition of oil paintings by Jake Wood-Evans. Free, just turn up, Tuesday-Saturday 11am-7pm, until 26 April

FREE WALK: GoToMidtown offer a variety of free walks around London. Today's starts in Holborn and visits sites from the life of 18th century writer John Gay. Free, just turn up, 1pm. Repeated on Friday

SEX DEBATE: Head to the Jerwood Theatre for a panel discussion entitled Should We Contract Our Sex Lives? Panellists include Libby Purves. £5, prebook, 6.15pm

JEWISH HISTORY: The Wiener Library hosts a free talk about Otto and Victor Klemperer, Jewish cousins who survived the Nazi regime and went on to become a well-respected orchestra conductor and diarist respectively. Free, prebook, 6.30pm

LITERATURE: Hatchards booksellers host Much Ado About Ravilious: a conversation between Alan Powers and James Russell. £5, prebook by email, 6.30pm

Thursday 13 March

WEDDING FAIR: Getting married, or just into vintage fashion? Beyond Retro in Dalston are having a free four-day Vintage Wedding Fair, starting today. Free, just turn up, until 16 March

POSTCARD ART: A new exhibition opens today at the Royal College of Art in Battersea, showing postcard sized artworks from renowned artists and recent graduates from the College. Free, just turn up, until 21 March

FEMINISM DEBATE: Why Write A Feminist Play? asks this debate between playwrights Abi Morgan and Nick Payne at the Jerwood Theatre. It looks at the social, political and artistic factors of writing a play about feminism. £5, prebook, 6.15pm

BURROUGHS: Waterstones Gower Street celebrates the life of William S.Burroughs at this evening with Burroughs's biographer Barry Miles. £5, prebook, 6.30pm

FUNNIES: Comedy Back Rub takes place at Camden Head. MC is Sarah Campbell and acts include Yasmine Akram and Birthday Girls. £1, just turn up, 7.30pm

Friday 14 March

MUSIC EVENING: Scratch Bar in Battersea Arts Centre holds a free music evening every Friday. Tonight's DJ is Always Will, who promises to take listeners on a journey of musical vibrations. Free, just turn up, 7pm

SKATING: Join in the London Friday Night Skate, open to roller skaters and bladers, weather permitting and starting at Wellington Arch. Free, just turn up, 8pm

Saturday 15 March

WOMEN’S WALK: Everyone is welcome to join this CoolTan Arts guided walk around the green spaces of Southwark and Lambeth, uncovering the stories of inspirational women who lived in the area. Meet outside the entrance of Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill. Donations welcome, just turn up, 11.45am-4pm

LANGUAGE COURSE: Ever wanted to learn a language? Lingua Diversa are offering Introduction to Italian, Introduction to German, Introduction to Brazilian-Portuguese and Introduction to Spanish (also on Wednesday) classes at Conway Hall. £5, prebook, 11am/12.45pm/2pm/3.15pm

CURATOR TALK: The Royal College of Physicians hosts a free curator tour with guest curator Dr Caroline Fisher. Free, pre booking essential- email history@rcplondon.ac.uk, 11.30am

IRISH GIG: Get ready for St. Patrick's Day as Hackney Irish Social Club pair up with band Bold Things to host a live music evening at The Vic in Dalston, featuring Soul, Irish Trad & folk, Ska, Dub, Roots and Afrobeat. Free, just turn up, 4pm

Sunday 16 March

ANTIQUE FAIR: Adams Antiques Fairs come to The Horticultural Hall near Victoria for the longest running antiques fair in London, with traders from all over the UK. £4, just turn up, 10am

FAMILY MASKS: To coincide with two new exhibitions at the Ben Uri Gallery in St John's Wood, a Family Mask Day is being held, giving families a chance to learn about the Jewish festival of Purim. Free, prebook, 10.30am-12.3opm

BEAUTIFUL BOOKS: Keats House hosts Beautiful Books, a family day giving children an opportunity to create a pop-up book version of their favourite story with writer Linda Carey. Free, just turn up, 1pm-4pm

SPANISH FILM: In the latest of its season of Spanish film screenings, the Arcola Theatre shows Almodovar classic Volver, starring Penelope Cruz. £5, prebook, 4pm

Check out our map of free things to do in London for more frugal fun. Or pop over to BrokeInLondon.com who also have plenty of great ideas.

Last Updated 09 March 2014