Things To Do In London: Wednesday 14 January 2015

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You're right, that's not the Thames. Hear all about Botswana at the Royal Geographical Society.

Listings

PHOTO EXHIBITION: A new exhibition, Framing Perceptions, opens today at the gallery at Oxo Tower Wharf featuring portraits by Guardian photographer Graeme Robertson. The focus is on people with disabilities who are living in poverty around the world. Free, until 18 January

MIME FESTIVAL: The London International Mime Festival, the longest-established event of its kind, is still going on. As well as watching the shows there are also opportunities to meet the performers and learn the skills by booking a place on one of the excellent workshops and courses that run throughout. Take a look at our picks. Various venues across London, until 31 January

CYCLE CITIES: UCL's lunchtime lecture, about cycling in the capital, is given by Kim Carlotta von Schönfeld, who is currently studying the similarities and differences between cycling culture and infrastructure in London and Mexico City: both capitals have seen an increase of cyclists in recent years. Free, prebook, 12.45pm

OPEN STUDIOS: As part of V&A Museum's Open Studios scheme, visit ceramic artist Matthew Raw in his studio to find out more about his residency, see work in progress and learn about his practice and techniques as an early-career ceramicist. Free, just turn up, 1pm-4pm

FILM SCREENING: University of Westminster hosts the screening of music-themed documentary Copyright Criminals, which talks about music sampling and illegal creative appropriation. Free, prebook, 3pm

BAFTA WORKSHOP: How can the TV and film industries be less dangerous for the environment? BAFTA hosts a workshop about this topic, led by a panel of industry experts. £5, prebook, from 3.30pm

RHINO CONSERVATION: Ralph Bousfield, one of the best known safari guides in Africa is at the Royal Geographical Society. He established Botswana’s first wildlife orphanage and education centre with his mother, and he'll be talking about his conservation experiences in Botswana. All the profits from the ticket sales go to Ralph's rhino charity and there will be fundraising on the night for Rhinos Without Borders. £10, prebook, 6pm

BOOK TALK: Local author Helen Harris is at Waterstones in Hampstead to talk about her new book, Sylvia Garland’s Broken Heart, in which a grandmother falls in love with her grandson.  £5/£3, prebook, 7pm

GET CREATIVE: We suggest you book a table if you want to attend the Lego robots evening taking place at Drink, Shop & Do. Create your own Lego robot and give it a name, judgement takes place at 10pm. Free, prebook, 7pm

GLOBAL CITY: Footprints of London's guided walk investigates how migration made London into what it is today, including past examples of conflict between different ethnic groups. Starts at St Paul's station. £10/£7.50, prebook, 7pm

DUTCH FILM: The Dutch Centre in the City screens Alles Is Familie ("The Family Way"), a Dutch-spoken film with English subtitles about the members of a family each facing individual decisions about their lives. £10/£5, prebook, 7.30pm

SHINING ARMOUR: Guildhall School of Music presents Shining Armour by Iain Burnside at Milton Court Concert Hall in Barbican. Burnside casts new light on Brahms’s masterpiece, Die schöne Magelone, in song, with Guildhall alumni Roderick Williams and Victoria Newlyn, and opera student Alison Rose. £15, prebook, 7.30pm

COMEDY: Josie Long and investigative journalist Martin Williams take over Invisible Dot in King’s Cross to share Williams’s recent discoveries, plus jokes. £10/£9, prebook, 9.15pm

BLOOD: Today’s opportunities to donate blood are at The Hop Exchange on Southwark Street 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

The SS Robin Trust is an emerging East End charity set up to conserve the world's oldest steam coaster. From the 9-18 January the Trust runs a fundraising campaign to coincide with the London Boat Show, including a chance to take a tour of the vessel in exchange for a donation. More information here.

From The Archive

Missing the greenery of a London summer? Take a look at our photo gallery of London's Trees from May last year.