Things To Do In London: Friday 19 September 2014

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See London in a whole new light on Maggie's Culture Crawl.

Listings

BLOOD: Today’s opportunities to donate blood are at Brewers Hall in the City, Church of Jesus Christ LDS in Walworth, Ilford Town Hall, and the usual donor centres. See site for terms and conditions.

LONDON DESIGN FESTIVAL: London’s celebration of design in all its forms is happening all over the capital. There are plenty of events to choose from, most are free: we’ve selected the top things to do during the festival. You can also browse one of these design-themed exhibitions connected to it. Until 21 September

KNOWLEDGE ARTS FESTIVAL: Oxford House in Bethnal Green begins its annual arts festival today. Children can get involved in putting together a giant story exploring the history of Oxford House, plus there's a live music/theatre/comedy show from Tom Adams. Various prices, prebook, Until 21 September

ANCIENT MAYA: The Maya-On-The-Thames Festival begins today at the Institute of Archaeology, UCL, with an introductory lecture, followed by a weekend of hieroglyphics workshops. From £17, prebook, until 21 September

LONDON TELEPHONE BOXES: One of London's most iconic objects celebrates its 90th anniversary, and there's a day of talks at the V&A Museum to celebrate, as well as a showcase of designer Gilbert Scott's final designs. Free, just turn up, 11am-4pm

NEW BOOK: Author and director of civil rights group Liberty, Shami Chakraba, is at the Canary Wharf Spiegeltent to discuss her life and her new book, On Liberty. £5, prebook, 12.30pm

LUNCHTIME CONCERT: If you find yourself in the City at lunchtime, slip into Bishopsgate Institute and treat your ears to a free concert by The Musician's Company Consort, showcasing J.S. Bach's Cantata 209. Free, just turn up, 1.05pm

1000 LONDONERS: Ever wondered what your fellow Londoners get up to? The 1000 Londoners project is screening five short films about the lives people who are involved in design in London as part of the London Design Festival. At the V&A Museum in South Kensington. Free, just turn up, 4pm

ST KATHARINE'S: Hear the story of how an ancient hospital made way for St Katharine Docks. You’ll see relics from the hospital preserved at the Foundation and explore this lovely building and gardens in the company of Chris West, author of The Story of St Katharine’s. Tickets £7+bkg, 4pm

CULTURE CRAWL: Explore London at night on Maggie's Culture Crawl. The 15-mile walk also offers an opportunity to visit some of the city's best buildings along the way, including those usually off-limits to the public. Each walker is expected to raise a minimum of £250, which supports Maggie's Cancer Support Centres. Online registration has now closed, but you can still sign up on the night from 5.30pm at Victoria Embankment Gardens. from 6pm

DEAF COMIC: Deaf comedian Steve Day performs his latest show at Leicester Square Theatre. After witnessing a crime, he finds himself a fugitive of the law. £10, prebook, 7pm

FOLK BALL: The SOAS French Folk Dance Society holds its Grand Autumn Ball at Chats Palace near Hackney Marsh. A bit wobbly on your feet? There's a dance class from 8-9pm (included in ticket price) to get you up to speed, then the social dancing goes on until midnight. £11, prebook, from 7.30pm

OPEN OBSERVATORY: The Hampstead Observatory near Whitestone Pond on Hampstead Heath holds its first public night of the season tonight — provided the skies are clear (the observatory will be closed and the event will not take place if weather conditions are not right). Take a look at the night sky through the powerful telescopes. Free (donations welcome), just turn up, 8pm-10pm

DANCE MUSIC: Oxjam Shoreditch hosts a dance music loft party featuring iconic artists Mr C and Normski at Studio Spaces E2, Kingsland Road. Both DJs have been regulars on the East London dance scene since the 1990s. £10, prebook, 8.30pm

Find more London events in our Free & Cheap events listings. Want to see your event in these last-minute listings? Email us at hello@londonist.com 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.


Totally Thames

LONDONIST AFLOAT: Not got your tickets for Londonist’s very own river-based adventures this weekend yet? What’s stopping you?! We’re running a series of talks covering all kinds of river-based trivia. Members of Team Londonist will be on board all weekend and we’d love to meet you. Tickets are £7.50 each, but if you’re having trouble choosing which events to go to (and who could blame you?) we’re offering day passes for £15. Go on, get your tickets here. 20-21 September


Good Cause of the Day

Fine Cell Work is an organisation which teaches prisoners all across the UK paid, skilled and creative needlework. The organisation has been donated a rare 60 carat aquamarine gem by ethical jeweller Guy Clutterbuck, worth around £40,000. Fine Cell Work is raffling it off to raise funds to be able to continue its work. Tickets for the raffle are £50, and can be bought here. The raffle will be drawn on 20 November, so the gem could be yours in time for Christmas.

From the Archive

Ever wondered what happens to the soil that is removed as part of the city's big building projects, such as Crossrail? Back in 2012, we investigated, and found that part of Wembley Stadium is now in Northolt, and that Hackney Marshes are now 3-7 metres higher that they used to be, due to dumping of Blitz rubble.