Free And Cheap London Events: 30 March-5 April 2015

By Londonist Last edited 108 months ago
Free And Cheap London Events: 30 March-5 April 2015

Interesting and unusual things to do for a fiver or less this week, sponsored by CommuterClub.

All Week

This array of detailed busts made from chocolate wrappers is part of Joanne Tinker's Collections. Copyright Joanne Tinker

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS: It's the first week of the Easter holidays — find things to keep kids and teenagers entertained.

CLOSING SOON: Human Rights Human Wrongs (★★★★☆) is a photography exhibition depicting people across the world who have been denied access to the most basic human rights. Free, until 6 April. Christian Marclay's multi-faceted take on sound (★★★★☆) features some fascinating video work. Free, until 12 April

NEW EXHIBITIONS: We bet you've never had as much fun with chocolate wrappers as Joanne Tinker does in her new exhibition (★★★☆☆). Free, until 24 April. From Her Wooden Sleep (★★★★☆), featuring 150 wooden dolls and manikins, is creepy and surreal — not least thanks to the piped-in piano symphony. £1, until 17 May

LONDON WALK: Feeling active? Take a walk along the Thames from Erith to Greenwich — we've plotted the route for you, and even given you things to look out for along the way.

Monday 30 March

SURVEILLANCE DISCUSSION: City University London holds a panel discussion looking at the relationship between journalists and the police and asking what legal protections should be in place to protect confidential sources from state surveillance. Free, prebook, 6.30pm

FILM CLUB: The Duke Mitchell Film Club presents an early April Fools Special, showcasing the worst, strangest and downright odd films and trailers. The main features is 1991 Canadian thriller film, Mountain Fury. Free, RSVP on Facebook, 7pm

FREE COMEDY: Head to Aces and Eights in Tufnell Park for an evening of brand new sketch and character comedy from Alison Thea Skot and Fraser Millward. Free, prebook, 7.30pm

COCKNEY SINGALONG: Join in a traditional singalong with piano accompaniment at Wilton's Music Hall. Expect ditties from the Music Hall era, WWI and II, the West End stage. Pay what you want (minimum £1), prebook, 8pm

Tuesday 31 March

Make crafty eggs with Louise Walker at The Make Escape

EMIN'S BED: Today, Tate Britain opens a new display featuring work by Tracey Emin and Francis Bacon, including Emin's famous bed installation and two of Bacon's oil paintings, selected by Emin. Free, until June 2016

CABINET OF CURIOSITIES: Since the fire at the Cuming Museum in 2013, its exhibits have been on the road. Today, head to Peckham Library to learn about some of the mini beast exhibits. Free, just turn up, 2pm-3.30pm

LIVE MUSIC: Horniman Museum hosts a live performance on the 1772 Kirckman harpsichord, coinciding with the At Home With Music Display. Free, just turn up, 3.30pm

SCOTTISH ARCHITECTURE: The Royal Institute of British Architects on Portland Place is open late for an evening of talks, films, workshops and more charting 200 years of Scottish architecture and invention. Free, 6pm-1opm

CRAFT NIGHT: The Make Escape is back at Hackney Attic (for the last time until July). The theme is Spring — have a go at making masks, knitting egg cosies, collage, and more. Free, just turn up, 7.30pm

BLUE PLAQUES: Join Ben van der Velde and chums at the Camden Head for a chucklesome history of London’s finest residents commemorated by blue plaques. £3, just turn up, 8pm

Wednesday 1 April

NEW EXHIBITION: The V&A Museum opens a new exhibition, All Of This Belongs To You, today. In advance of the election, the exhibition examines the role of public institutions in contemporary life and what it means to be responsible for a national collection. Free, until 19 July

SPACE: Professor Carolin Crawford gives a talk at Museum of London about expected developments in the field of astronomy in the near future, including upcoming space missions. Free, just turn up, 1pm

CROYDON ON FILM: London Screen Archives is at Museum of Croydon to show clips of the borough from the past century and see how it has changes. Free, prebook, 2pm

COOLING THE TUBE: The Institute of Engineering and Technology holds a talk  about the Cooling the Tube programme, which deals with the problem of increasing temperatures across the London Underground network. This event looks at what progress has been made and what future plans are. At The Adelaide in Teddington. Free, prebook, 7pm

VIKTOR TSOI: Soviet musician, film actor and songwriter Viktor Tsoi is remembered through an evening of films and discussion at Rich Mix, including a discussion about the influence his music still has on the world. Free, 7.30pm

WHIRLYGIG CINEMA: The spotlight is on new filmmakers at Hackney Attic. Three filmmakers are given 30 minutes each to screen and talk about their films. Tonight's filmmakers work with non-acting performance, such as poetry, dance or song, either on-screen or as a means to making the final work. £4/£3, prebook, 7.30pm


The list continues after a message from our sponsor.

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Thursday 2 April

CRAFT BEER: Craft100 is a beer festival taking place at The Craft Beer Co in Clapham. Over 100 UK beers on offer at any one time (and a few international ones too). Free, just turn up, 2-5 April

ENVIRONMENTAL DEBATE: Gresham College debates whether local environmental organisations do any good, or whether their ideas an intentions clash with those of larger organisations. Free, just turn up, 6pm

GALLERY LATE: The William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow is open late (adults only).Visit the special exhibitions and have a go at hands-on art and craft activities or enjoy art, music and performance. Free, just turn up, 6.30pm

Friday 3 April (Good Friday)

HARRY POTTER: The boy wizard is theme of tonight's Laugh Out London comedy night at Camden Head. £3/£5, prebook, 8.30pm

Saturday 4 April

So Vintage is back at Spitalfields

FAMILY THEATRE: The Artworks in Elephant & Castle holds a kids’ promenade theatre event, Ellie’s Castle Quest, in which the the weather has gone bonkers. The sun has started singing, the wind keeps blowing backwards and it’s been raining eggs made of chocolate. Free, sign up on the day, 10am-3pm

VINTAGE FAIR: So Vintage is back at Old Spitalfields Market with over 30 stalls of vintage clothing, homewares, accessories and prints, plus there’s an Easter egg hunt taking place. Free, just turn up, 11am-5pm

Sunday 5 April

ACOUSTIC NIGHT: Three different artists take to the stage at Rich Mix for two intimate short sets, showcasing their own music. Free, just turn up, 6pm

BLUES LIGHT DISTRICT: Celebrate the fact that tomorrow's a bank holiday at Drink Shop Do. Blues Light District is an open mic, with Adelema and House Band opening the show, and audience members welcome to sign up from 6pm. Free, just turn up, from 7pm

Check out our map of free things to do in London for more frugal fun.

Last Updated 29 March 2015