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Listings
BLOOD: Today’s opportunities to donate blood are at City Temple on Holborn Viaduct, The Hop Exchange in Southwark Street and Selhurst Park Stadium in Thornton Heath. See site for terms and conditions
BRAZILIAN FESTIVAL: Joga Bola! Brazilian cultural festival kicks off today at Rich Mix in Shoreditch. The free festival’s line-up includes music and DJs from the UK, Brazil, and Europe, artists at the forefront of the contemporary Brazilian scene, film screenings, Brazilian culture and World Cup football. See website for full programme. Free, until 13 July
ART FAIRS: Three major art fairs start in the capital. You can choose between Art Antiques London in South Kensington (£15, prebook, until 18 June), Affordable Art Fair on Hampstead Heath (£10/£8, prebook, until 15 June) and Pinta London in Earls Court (£15/£8, prebook, until 15 June)
BIG SHOPS: While John Lewis celebrates its 150th birthday, you can listen to the stories behind the most famous department stores in Oxford Street, in a guided walk organised by Footprints of London. Meeting point is Oxford Circus tube station, Argyle Street exit. £10/£7.50, prebook, 11am
LUNCH BREAK: The Foundling Museum in Russell Square hosts a lunchtime concert, featuring a recital by a young recipient of the Martin Musical Scholarship Fund inside its Picture Gallery. The event is free with entrance to the museum. £7.50/£5, just turn up, 1pm
NACHOS NIGHT: The Fashion & Textile Museum in Bermondsey presents Thursday Nachos Night. Enjoy a taste of Mexico during the private view of its new exhibition Made in Mexico: The Rebozo in Art, Culture and Fashion, followed by a complimentary drink with tortilla chips in the museum café. £10/£8+bf, prebook, 5.30pm
WIENER LIBRARY: Professor Edward Timms leads a lecture on Karl Kraus's masterpiece The Last Days of Mankind, accompanied by readings of short scenes from the play by the actor Chris Staines. The event takes place at the Wiener Library in Russell Square. Free, prebook, 6.30pm
KING'S CROSS: Discover the King's Cross area with a guided walk organised by Footprints of London. Meeting point is King's Cross station, Euston Road exit. £10/£7.50, prebook, 7pm
THEATRE ON SCREEN: A National Theatre production of A Small Family Business is screened live at Rich Mix in Shoreditch. To get a free glass of wine, say the word 'family' at the box office. £16.50/£14.50, prebook, 7pm
BULLSHIT TOUR: Yes, this is not a joke: the Bullshit London tour is a fun trawl round London's sights led by comedians with mostly made up 'facts'. Meeting point is near the steps of St Paul's Cathedral, and the tour lasts approximately two hours. £10/£7, prebook, 7pm
ART TALK: As part of Lift Festival 2014, St Giles in the Fields church near Bloomsbury hosts a talk about artists who risks their lives in order to express their thoughts. Tckets are available on the door and it's cash only. £9.99/£5, just turn up, 7.15pm
FUNERAL SHOW: A theatrical New Orleans inspired funeral experience of macabre performances and morbid humour takes place at the Bethnal Green Working Men's Club. Bizarrely, the event celebrates the music of Ziggy Stardust. £10+bf, prebook, 8pm
Find more London events in our Free & Cheap events listings.
Want to see your event in these last-minute listings? Email us at [email protected] at least 48 hours before the event, and we will consider it for inclusion. Note, due to high volumes of email, we can’t always reply.
Good Cause of the Day
On Saturday 14 June, the Guide Dogs charity has a family fun day at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park with a sponsored dog walk, dog shows and displays, trade stalls and entertainment. £20 (under 13s free), prebook, 10am-6pm
London Connection Puzzle
Your clues so far are CASTLE BAYNARD and COLEMAN STREET. Today's is TOWER. Other than 'City of London wards', what connects these names? If you think you've got it, email [email protected]
From the Archive
On this day last year we found tube maps made from LEGO across London. The geek dream became real for a short time, in order to celebrate the 150th birthday of the Underground. Think this is not enough? Look up our guide to alternative London tube maps.
Pub of the Day
We're sticking in the Wandsworth area for today's pub recommendation. The Leather Bottle must surely have one of the largest beer gardens in the Kingdom — it can seat 450 people and an undisclosed number of dogs. Backing on to Garrett Park and the River Wandle, you can make believe you're in the deepest countryside. Given the mercury-engorging temperatures we're expecting today, there can be few finer spots in London to bask with a beer.
Over 200-and-counting further suggestions can be found in our Best Pubs in London microsite.
