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Listings
BLACK POPPIES: Author Stephen Bourne presents an illustrated talk about his latest book, Black Poppies, at the National Archives in Kew. The book explores the military and civilian wartime experiences of men and of women. Free, prebook, 2pm
AUTHOR SIGNING: Ali Smith, author of Hotel World, Artful and Man Booker Prize nominated How to be Both is at the new Blackwell’s bookshop in Holborn signing copies of her latest book. Free, just turn up, 2.30pm
LIVE MUSIC: As part of Horniman Museum's At Home With Music display, there are regular performances on the Museum's 1772 Kirckman harpsichord in the Music Gallery. Today, Madelaine Jones performs J. C. Bach's Sonata in G, op. 17 no. 1 and Thomas Arne's Sonata No. 4 in D minor. Free, just turn up, 3.30pm-4pm
FOURTH DIMENSION: Tonight's Public Conversation at the Royal Institution investigates the fourth dimension. The rather brilliant stand up mathematician Matt Parker leads the family-friendly event which portrays maths as a game. £12/£8, prebook, 6pm
PRIMATE PHOTOGRAPHY: To tie in with the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, Natural History Museum runs a primate photography masterclass led by photographer Anup Shah, who offers an insight into the lives of the Gombe Stream National Park chimps. Includes a complimentary drink and a chance to view the exhibition for free. £45, prebook, 6.15pm
LITERARY CONNECTIONS: Footprints of London guide Joanna Moncrieff leads a walk around Mayfair, discovering the literary connections behind famous bookshops, including Oscar Wilde's wife's connection with the oldest bookshop in London. £10/£7.50, prebook, 6.30pm
LONDON DRAWING: The London Society has joined forces with HTA Design LLP for an informal sketch outing at Royal Festival Hall. Have a go at sketching from observation, then share the experiences at a friendly social gathering afterwards. £8/£6, prebook, 6.30pm
TEMPLAR POETRY: Head to Keats House in Hampstead to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Templar Poetry. The evening, hosted by Alex McMillen, will consist of a selection of invited poets from Templar Poetry pamphlets, collections, anthologies and Iota Poetry magazine. Free, prebook, 7pm
MUSLIM FASHION: The Design Museum hosts a talk entitled Faith, Fashion and Power in Muslim Dress. Barjis Chohan, founder of luxury fashion label Barjis, is in conversation with Professor Reina Lewis, Professor of Cultural Studies at London College of Fashion. £12/£9, prebook, 7pm
MAKE ESCAPE: The free monthly craft event is at Hackney Attic, with an alien theme. Have a go at making soft toy aliens and sci-fi character dolls. Free, just turn up, 7.30pm
FILM QUIZ: The Bigger Boat Film Quiz is at Ritzy in Brixton. Test your film knowledge with questions based on pictures, posters, clips and soundtracks. £5, prebook, 7.30pm
COMEDY: Vast numbers of comedians line up at Joke Newington in, well, Stoke Newington. It won’t cost you a penny to get in to see Eric Lampaert, Chris Coltrane, Rosie Martin, Roisin O’Rourke and loads more. Free, just turn up, 8pm
BLOOD: Today’s opportunities to donate blood are at Sainsbury's in New Cross, Stratford Old Town Hall and the usual donor centres. See site for terms and conditions. Scared of donating blood? Watch our video.
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
Over 60 chefs are making limited edition chocolate gift boxes, which will be auctioned off on Ebay. The project is called Chocs for Chance, and the money raised from the Valentine’s Day Chocolate Box auction will fund future Galvin’s Chance programmes, offering more young people the opportunity to turn their lives around. The auction runs 26 January-5 February.
From The Archive
Last year, we wrote all about London's nipples. Street nipples, that is. What and where are they, and what various forms do they take? Find out here.
