Things To Do In London Today: Tuesday 8 April 2014

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History of the bus at London Transport Museum

Listings

BLOOD: Today’s opportunities to donate blood are outside County Hall in Waterloo, Brewers Hall in the City and the rear of Rye Lane Chapel in Peckham. See site for terms and conditions

FILM FESTIVAL: Let's All Be Free Film Festival begins today at Ritzy Brixton, aiming to encourage people to discuss the different ideas and perceptions of freedom in different cultures. Various prices, prebook, until 10 April

SILVERSMITHING EXHIBITION: The Festival of Silver organisation is curating an exhibition of contemporary furniture and modern silversmithing, with various pieces available to buy. Takes place at the Goldsmith's Centre near Farringdon. Free, just turn up, until 12 April

LORD MAYOR WALK: The Lord Mayor's Appeal has organised a guided walk around the city and Mansion House. Learn about key figures in the history of the City and see the building still used for banquets today. £20 (£10 goes to Lord Mayor's Appeal), prebook, 10.20am

LANDSCAPING LECTURE: The Landscape Institute holds a talk about the future of landscape architecture. Speakers are  Tom Armour (Arup Landscape Team) and Sue Illman (Landscape Institute President) £10/£8, prebook, 6pm

POP-UP VEGAN FOOD: The Vortex Jazz Club in Dalston is hosting a pop-up vegan cafe with guest chef Kate Abilgaard. £12 for 3 courses, prebook, 6.30pm

LONDON BUS HISTORY: Head to London Transport Museum for an illustrated London bus journey through time. Find out how we got from 20 motor buses in 1905 to 8,600 serving the city today. How did the double decker become as iconic for London as the gondola is to Venice? Why are London buses red? Did a bus really jump Tower Bridge? £10/£8 (or £15/£11 to also get tickets to a talk by Travis Elborough on 29 April), prebook, 7pm

ENTREPRENEUR DISCUSSION: What is the DNA of an entrepreneur? This is the topic up for discussion at The Royal Institution. The panel includes entrepreneurs Hilary Devey CBE and Luke Johnson, and researcher Andrew Green who is looking into the science of entrepreneurship. £12/£8, prebook, 7pm

SPEAKEASY: Drink Shop Do in Kings Cross has a Speakeasy evening, with stories performed against the clock, on a theme chosen by the audience. Authors attending include Essie Fox, Naomi Wood, Jason Hewitt and Claire McGowan. Free, just turn up, from 7pm

UPCYCLING WORKSHOP: Serendipity Tea Rooms in Streatham hosts an upcycling workshop. Learn how to make a scarf out of a t-shirt and decorate it using traditional Ugandan methods. £25, prebook, 7pm

LIVE MUSIC: Jonny Cola and the A-Grades play at Barfly in Camden to celebrate the launch of their new album, Spitfire. Think Glam, Ziggy Stardust, and loads of eye liner. Support acts are The Featherz and Hotgothic. £5, prebook, 7pm

1980S IDENTITY: Jon Ronson was the keyboard player with the Frank Sidebottom Oh Blimey Big Band in the late 1980s, but few people knew his true identity. Now he presents his one man show, and memoir, Frank. At King's Place. £12.50, prebook, 8pm


Good Cause of the Day

NOWportrait is an initiative to get strangers talking through the medium of photography. The idea is that you grab your camera, take a photo of a stranger as they go about their day, get talking to them to find out their story and background, and share the photo on social media sites. Check out the Facebook page to see some of the stories shared so far. The photos are being compiled into a book, which will go on sale in aid of mental health charity MIND. There are also plans to hold an exhibition of the photos, and have them auctioned in aid of MIND. If you're interested in getting more involved, there are various roles up for grabs — see the Facebook page for more details.

London Connection Puzzle

A new London connection starts today. Your first clue is JENNY. Please wait for the second clue tomorrow before guessing at the London connection.

From the Archive

With the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park having reopened to the public, it's only fitting that our minds are turning to thoughts of all things sporty. A year ago we published Part P of our Where to Play Sport in London series. Turns out polo isn't just for princes and pilates isn't just in Primrose Hill.

London Prizes

Every Friday in April, we’ll be picking one email subscriber at random to win a Londonist-themed goody bag. So if you’re reading this on our website, sign up to our 7am newsletter for your chance to win. If you’re already subscribed, let your friends know — particularly the ones who are likely to share the prize if they win.