Free And Cheap London Events: 18-24 August 2014

By Silvia Baretta Last edited 115 months ago
Free And Cheap London Events: 18-24 August 2014

Interesting and unusual things to do for a fiver or less this week. For more ideas have a look at our Free & Cheap page.

Hybrid Image: Charing Cross Railway Bridge, late 19th century. Today the Museum of London Docklands released 16 hybrid photographs showing ‘then and now’ views of London and its most iconic bridges across the ages. The 16 ghostly images, which juxtapose historic views with their present day perspective, have been created using photographs showcased in Museum of London Docklands’ new art exhibition Bridge, opening on Friday 27 June.
Unknown photographer, Charing Cross Railway Bridge Glass lantern slide c. late 19th century Taken from South Bank. © Museum of London. Part of Bridge exhibition, see details below.

All Week

ART: Take a look at our August art events listing and find new art exhibitions happening this month. You'll be able to  find the perfect fit to indulge your creative side among painting, photography, drawing and more. Most are free to enter.

BRIDGE EXHIBITION: The Museum of London Docklands' largest ever art exhibition, Bridge, is now open. It consists of historical and contemporary depictions of London’s bridges through artwork, film and photography. It also considers how bridges are used in London today. Free, just turn up, until 2 November

MUSIC: The epic BBC Proms are in full swing at the Royal Albert Hall. Consult our guide to making the most of your Proms experience and consider our top ten highlights from the programme. Promming tickets from £5.

SUMMER NIGHTS: The ever-popular Camden Lock Night Market is back. The main focus is international street food accompanied by live music, film screenings and late night shopping. Every Thursday 7 August-4 September

Monday 18 August

POTMAKING: Create your own piece of Thames history from the famous river's clay — take part in this creative workshop happening on the steps of Shakespeare's Globe. Everyone is welcome, no previous experience is required. Free, just turn up, 1pm-3pm

LIVE MUSIC: Hip-hop legend Grandmaster Flash visits HMV in Oxford Street to mark the release of his new album The Grandmaster Flash Collection. There will be a DJ set and a dance performance, but we suggest you get there early, as the event is on a first-come first-served basis. Free, just turn up, 6pm

KEW GARDENS HISTORY: Brian Webb and Peyton Skipwith will be at Waterstone’s Richmond to talk about their book, Edward Bawden’s Kew Gardens, which provides an insight into the social history of Kew Gardens. £3, prebook, 7pm

JUDGE A BOOK: Want to get involved in judging the Guardian First Book Award this Autumn? Head along to Waterstone’s on Gower Street for a preliminary meeting on how you can get involved. Free, 7pm

FILM CLUB: The Duke Mitchell Film Club at The Phoenix Artist Club celebrates its 7th birthday with a special party. There’s no feature on the night, instead expect trailers, odd shorts, surprises, giveaways and more. Free, just turn up, 7.15pm

Tuesday 19 August

FOOD MARKET: Head to Wood Wharf, close to Canary Wharf, and find a pop-up food market happening today only. There will be over 30 stalls featuring authentic dishes from around the world. Free, just turn up, 11am-3pm

NATIONAL THEATRE: Listen to classicist Edith Hall and psychiatrist Femi Oyebode, who talk about the National Theatre's current production of Medea. The focus is on a contemporary view of whether Medea’s behaviour is determined by madness. £4/£3, prebook, 6pm

MOVIE QUIZ: The touring cinema quiz You're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat is on at the Hackney Picturehouse tonight. All you need to do is tell your friends, to make up a team. £4pp, prebook, 6.30pm

PHOTOGRAPHY: The Deptford Lounge hosts photography exhibition Anita Strasser: Deptford High Street, which is all about the life of the borough. Tonight you can join a free private view and discussion with the photographer. Free, just turn up, 7pm

EVENING WALK: Join Patricia Dark on a walk around the neighbourhood of John Harvard Library to discover some stories from the borough. Free, just turn up, 6.30pm

FILM SCREENING: Short On Tap is a film evening taking place at Juno in Shoreditch. Tonight there is a screening of seven short films and the focus is on tales of violence: there is a Q&A session with the film directors after the screening. Free, prebook by email, 8pm

GIG: The Ordinary Boys perform a free gig at Dalston's Birthdays tonight. Free, just turn up, from 8pm

Listen to Elle Larsson talking about the history of natural science collecting and trade. Details below.

Wednesday 20 August

GUIDED WALK: The Tudor manor and ancient bishop’s residence of Fulham Palace opens its gates to the public for a guided tour of its gardens. £5, just turn up, 2pm

PUB TALK: Listen to Royal Holloway postgraduate student Elle Larsson providing a fascinating insight into the history of natural science collecting and trade. The event takes place at the Old King’s Head, near London Bridge station, and it's part of the periodical event PubSci. Free, just turn up, from 6pm

FREE TALK: A Tour of the Universe is a free public talk given by Dr Katherine Mack, theoretical astrophysicist and science communicator from University of Melbourne, taking place at the Clore Lecture Theatre in South Kensington. Free, prebook by email, 6.30pm

MUSIC NIGHT: The Social in Fitzrovia hosts a music night called The Deep Hum At The Heart Of It All. Expect emerging artists performing psych rock, and special DJ guests. £5, just turn up, from 7pm

LONDON POETRY: Londonphile John Constable, is at Housman’s bookshop in King’s Cross to read from his first collection of poetry. His work includes a collection of plays entitled Southwark Mysteries. £3, just turn up, 7pm

GIG: Head to the Drury Club in Covent Garden and listen to Fudge & The Frequency plus other guest performers. Expect funk, blues, folk and more. £5, just turn up, 7.30pm

Thursday 21 August

LAST CHANCE: See the exhibition First & Last Bohemians at the Westminster Reference before it's too late. This exhibition was suggested to us by one of our readers — it's about the historical evidence of Bohemians in London, spanning the period 1600-1970 from Soho and Covent Garden. Free, just turn up, until 23 August

NATIONAL THEATRE: Listen to forensic psychiatrist Christopher Cordess and academic Julia Stroud, who talk about the National Theatre's current production of Medea. They use the play to look at the result of social environments on revenge killings and their psychological impact. £4/£3, prebook, 6pm

GUIDED TOUR: Explore the area of Canary Wharf with Occupy Tours London. Meeting point is outside the main exit of Canary Wharf tube station, tour lasts approximately two hours. Free, prebook, 7pm

ART PERFORMANCE: See artists William Cobbing and Beth Collar performing their newly-commissioned piece at the Hayward Gallery. Expect a disjointed ‘conversation’ between the two protagonists being scrawled into wet clay. Free, just turn up, 7pm

Friday 22 August

LAST DAYS: The exhibition Joga Bola! Street Art Brazil Project at Rich Mix in Shoreditch is due to end soon. Some of the most well-known Brazilian street artists have been creating a permanent mural in Rich Mix’s main space, representing the vibrant street art culture of their home nation. Free, just turn up, until 26 August

STORYTELLING: Join London Dreamtime for supernatural tales of ships, waters and the beautiful Others. The location of the event is secret (well, it's in the Deptford area) and will be unveiled once you prebook your place by email. £2, prebook by email essential, 8pm

GIG: Listen to Hot Fiction playing for free at The Monarch in Camden. Free, just turn up, from 7.30pm

TIP TAP: The V&A Museum celebrates dancer Steve Clark, whose tap dancing career with brother Jimmy spanned eight decades. The talk takes place at The Lydia & Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre. £5, prebook, 6.30pm

See Syria in Transit exhibition at Rich Mix in Shoreditch. Details below.

Saturday 23 August

FLIRTING: This weekend at Southbank Centre's Festival of Love the theme is flirting and erotica. There's food and dance, poetry and storytelling, and a speed-dating extravaganza. See website for full programme — many of the events are free.

SYRIA IN TRANSIT: Rich Mix in Shoreditch has a new photography and sound installation about people who have had to flee their homes in Syria since the conflict began in 2011. Many are still in transit now, trying to escape through Turkey or into Europe. Free, just turn up, 23 August - 2 September

BOW TOUR: If getting out and about is more your thing, take a tour of Bow and learn about the history of the area and current ventures and projects in the vicinity. Free, prebook, 11am

SLAVERY REMEMBERED: The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich marks International Slavery Remembrance Day with a programme of events aimed at all ages. There's a poetry workshop, a talk about Africans in Tudor England, a walking tour and a singing workshop. Free, just turn up, 11am-4.30pm

NATURAL MINERALS: Natural History Museum curator Michael Rumsey hosts a family talk about the most important minerals on Earth — some of which are in the museum's collections, but others are not. Free, just turn up, 12.30pm-2.30pm

CHARITY KARAOKE NIGHT: In aid of the International Citizen Service to help children in poverty in Malawi, a full night of karaoke goodness. Choose from over 15,000 songs at The Auld Triangle, an Irish pub near Finsbury Park. Prizes awarded for best and worst singers, alongside a raffle. £5, just turn up, 7pm-11pm

Sunday 24 August

CARNIVAL: Notting Hill Carnival takes place today and tomorrow in, er, Notting Hill. Today is Children’s Day, with a family-friendly parade from 10am. See website for more information. Until tomorrow

ANTIQUES: The monthly Adams Antiques Fair is back at The Royal Horticultural Hall in Victoria, with over 140 exhibitors selling antiques, jewellery, silver, pictures and textiles. £4, 10am-4.30pm

TREASURE HUNT: There's a Living Archive and Treasure Hunt for adults and children on the streets of Hackney. Go along, get a specially-designed treasure map and learn more about the local area. Free, just turn up, 12pm-6pm

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 16 August 2014