Things To Do In London This Easter Weekend: 3-6 April 2015

This weekend's Things To Do In London, sponsored by thinking bob.

All weekend

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See Pascale Marthine Tayou's first solo exhibition at Serpentine Sackler Gallery

TRAVEL PLANS:
As you've probably come to expect, there are various engineering works taking place on the transport network over the weekend. We recommend checking the TfL website before you head out. If you use Southeastern, London Cannon Street, London Charing Cross and Waterloo East are all closed. See website for further info.

PUB:
Just want to kick back and relax with a pint and a packet of pork scratchings? Our pubs guide has information about all the best pubs in London, organised by area for your convenience. Find a boozer nearby, try a new place, or see if your local’s in there.

EASTER HOLIDAYS:
We know that for parents, Easter is more than just a four-day weekend. Find things to keep children and teenagers entertained in London for the entirety of the school break.

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

STREET ART TOUR:
Discover more than 100 street artists in Camden's backstreets and alleys on this guided walk. Learn about the history of street art and the processes that artists use — you might even see some being done right in front of you. £9, 3-5 April, 11am
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SOLO EXHIBITION:
Visit the first solo show of Cameroon-born, Belgium-based artist Pascale Marthine Tayou at the Serpentine Sackler Gallery. See work from cloth, wood, plastic and organic matter, including a 100 metre snake. Free, until 5 April
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MEDIEVAL BANQUET:
Enjoy Wolf Hall? Then head to St Katharine Docks for a night of interactive medieval banqueting — performers will serenade you between the four courses, plus there's sword-fighting and unlimited ale. £79 (for two people), 7.15pm, 3-5 April
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EASTER TRAIL:
Kensington Palace puts on an Easter Trail with an animal theme. Kids can walk in the footsteps of past residents including pugs, parrots, tigers and turtles to solve clues. Included in admission price, just turn up, 3-6 April

PROUD ARCHIVIST:
The Proud Archivist in Haggerston has a fringe comedy weekend, with seven award winning comics showcasing their latest material, including David Mills, Harry Deansway and Spencer Jones. Prebook, 3-6 April

GLOBAL HYPERMONSTERS:
Painter and sculptor Shirani Bolle has a solo exhibition in Hackney, featuring satirical paintings of celebrities such as The Kardashians, Beyonce and Simon Cowell. Free, just turn up, 3-6 April

STAYING POWER:
The V&A's current exhibition, Staying Power, focuses on the cultural life of black people in London and the UK during the latter decades of the 20th century, using photographs and oral histories to bring it to life. Free, 3-6 March
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HERON WATCH:
Join the RSPB in Regent's Park for a spot of heron watching. RSPB staff will help you to spot the birds and their nests dotted around the water. All weekend, 11am-5pm

Good Friday - 3 April

WIDOW'S SIXPENCE:
Blue Badge Guide Mark King leads a tour of The City, in which you can participate in some of the area's Easter traditions, including the annual gift of the Butterworth Charity and the Widow's Sixpence. £15/£7.50, prebook, 10.30am

THE PASSION OF JESUS:
The Wintershall Players  return to Trafalgar Square to perform The Passion of Jesus, a 90 minute play providing an interpretation of the crucifixion, featuring 78 actors, two horses and a donkey. Free, just turn up, 12pm/3.30pm

MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS:
The Moscow State Circus comes to Shepherd's Bush Green. The show, Zhelaniy, is based on a Russian folklore story by Benjamin Losin about a flower with seven colours. Expect to be wowed by jugglers, roller skaters and acrobats. £14, 2pm/5pm (repeated Saturday and Monday)
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EXHIBITION TOUR:
Take a guided tour of Magnificent Obsessions at Barbican with Exhibition Assistant Luke Naessens, providing insight into the artists and their collections. £12, prebook, 7pm

VERNON GOD LITTLE:
We think more people should go to The Space on the Isle of Dogs. A good reason to go this weekend is to see high energy satire, Vernon God Little. We really enjoyed it — read our review. Tickets £14, 7.30pm
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LAST CHANCE TO SEE:
There are only a few performances left of My Night With Reg at the Apollo Theatre (check out our review from its initial sell-out run at the Donmar) and you can see it tonight for half price. 7.45pm
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SCOTTEE: FRAFF:
Head to Rich Mix in Shoreditch for Scottee: Fraff, an evening of poetry for drunks and dyslexics. People who wouldn't normally do so are encouraged to get up and share their poetry — provided it rhymes, and isn't about love. £8, prebook, 8pm

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

BACK TO SCHOOL:
Enjoy the tuck shop and old school classics at a  Back to School disco up on Kensington Roof Gardens. You've still got your old blazer, right? £8, 8pm
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Saturday 4 April

See actress Emma Thompson in a production of Sweeney Todd.

CHOCOLATE MARKET:
Duke of York Square in Chelsea hosts an Easter Chocolate Market alongside the usual fine food market, with stallholders selling everything from luxury hot chocolate to chocolate health foods. 10am-4pm

EGG HUNT:
There's a free family Easter Egg Hunt in the centre of Teddington. After collecting a clue sheet, the trail will run along both sides of the High Street, ending at London Square where successful hunters can collect a chocolate egg. Free, just turn up, 10am-4pm

SOHO FOOD:
Join local chef and foodie Michelle Francis on her Ten Tastes of Soho food walk, through the seedy alleys and shabby laneways of Soho to London's new gastronomic epicentre. Try 10 food tastings from eateries you probably wouldn't find on your own. All food and a cocktail included. £61.50, prebook, 10.30am

CHICKEN BRUNCH:
The Eastway in Liverpool Street creates its signature brunch, aimed at both the healthy and the hungover. Expect confit chicken legs glazed with Marmite and spices, served on a rosemary and bacon waffle. £12, from 11am
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CRAFTY SATURDAYS:
Stepney City Farm's crafty Saturday takes on a sheep theme, celebrating Stepney-reared lamb. Make pottery-clay sheep and wood-drop spindles. Free, just turn up, 11am-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

GREEN FAIR:
The first Manor House Green Fair takes place at Manor House Warehouses, promoting sustainability and self reliance. Expect a farmers market and a variety of stalls selling homemade, natural or up-cycled products and gifts, seedlings, ethical clothing and organic food and drink. Free, just turn up, 12pm-8pm

BOWLING:
Faded, London's home of hip-hop and R&B, hosts an evening of bowling, music, fun and games at All Star Lanes in Shoreditch. Includes unlimited bowling. Food and drink available to buy. Age 21+. £18, 7pm
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SWEENEY TODD:
Emma Thompson and Bryn Terfel  star in a production of Sweeney Todd at the London Coliseum. The Academy Award-winning actress will be playing Mrs Lovett in this musical. £84.50, 7.30pm
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COMEDY:
Get yourself to the Union Chapel in Islington, where the purveyor of magnificently creepy poetry Tim Key headlines Live At The Chapel with other sets from Doc Brown, Liam Williams, Mae Martin and Des Bishop. £20, 7.45pm
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THREE COURSE MEAL:
Enjoy a three-course meal followed by a cocktail shot after every course. Food on offer includes duck breast marinated flambeed in a Cosmopolitan cocktail sauce, and an espresso martini tiramisu. Ticket price includes entry to the Mode nightclub with music and dancing until the early hours. Well, it is a four-day weekend. £37, 8pm
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THE SATURDAY NIGHT SHOW:
Every week The Invisible Dot selects the best alternative standup comedians to grace its stage. Tonight, MC Jack Barry oversees a lineup of up including Edinburgh Best Newcomer Nominee Cariad Lloyd, plus Jack Barry and Brett Goldstein £10, 8pm
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Sunday 5 April

Learn about the art of brewing beer in this masterclass.

SUNDAY ROAST:
We’ve updated our list of the best Sunday roasts in London, now with ratings and a map. Take your pick, or check out your other food options.

EGG DECORATING:
Lauderdale House on Highgate Hill lets kids create and decorate their own egg, join in The Great Egg Roll, and look for hidden eggs in the park. £7, prebook, 11am-1pm

BREWING MASTERCLASS:
Head to The Shakespeare in Farringdon for a brewing masterclass, taking you through the various steps of brewing, giving you an all-round idea of what goes into making the best possible beer. Learn about everything from brewing equipment and water treatment to mashing and sparging. Age 18+. £55 (includes a sample pint, a full English breakfast and two bottles of the beer for you to take away), 11.30am
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MAGIC CAVERN:
Take the family along to the Barons Court Theatre at The Curtains Up pub for an afternoon of magic tricks and illusions. Age 6+. £10, 3pm
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ORGAN RECITAL:
Award winning organist Rachel Mahon plays at St Paul's Cathedral as part of the regular Sunday Organ Recitals programme — although attending on Easter Sunday will likely make the experience all the more special. Free, 4.45pm
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GEEKATORIUM:
The Geekatorium is a pop culture comedy show mixing stand up, stories, games and more. Guests include Imran Yusuf, Richard Sandling, Iszi Lawrence and Eli Silverman. Takes place at The Phoenix in Cavendish Square. £5, prebook, 7pm

PING PONG:
Bounce in Holborn hosts a singles ping pong party, followed by a five-hour DJ set — and plenty of opportunity to share cringey stories about online dating. £10, 7.30pm
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LIVE MUSIC:
Grammy-nominated singer, Stacey Kent, performs her new album, The Changing Lights, at Leicester Square Theatre. £25, 7.30pm
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COMEDY:
Explore the funny side of Hammersmith and Fulham at this comedy night at The Crabtree. Compere Jonny Freeman introduces a night of tomfoolery featuring Dougie Dunlop, Julian Deane, Fin Taylor and Laurence Owen. £7.50, 7.30pm
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BOAT PARTY:
Hop onboard the Golden Jubilee at Victoria Embankment for the Nextmen Boat Party and spend the night dancing as the boat cruises the Thames. £27.50, 9pm
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Monday 6 April

Try the ukulele at Queen of Hoxton

KEATS IN HAMPSTEAD:
Organised by Keats House, this guided walk starts at Hampstead tube station, following the story of the poet's life in and around Hampstead, with readings from his poems. £10/£8, prebook, 11am

CHAIRLIFTING:
The traditional Easter Monday Chairlifting by the Blackheath Morris Men, starts at The Hood and takes place in various pubs across Greenwich. From 11am

FARM FESTIVAL:
Forty Hall Farm in Enfield hosts an Easter Family Festival with craft activities, live music, craft stalls, and circus skills and games, plus food stalls and a bar. In aid of local charity Art Start. £6.50/£3.50, 12pm-6pm

BUBBLES:
See out the long weekend out in style with Afternoon Tea for two with Champagne at The Kitchen at Tower a newly opened cafe with a quiet garden, nestled between All Hallows and the Tower of London. £25
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COCKTAIL MASTERCLASS:
Always wanted to whip up your own cocktails at home? Sign up for this cocktail masterclass at La Brasserie on Brompton Road to get all the insider info on shaking and sipping. £10 (includes one shot and one cocktail), 7pm
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UKULELE HOOTENANNY:
There's a ukulele hootenanny at Queen of Hoxton, open to expert ukulele players and those who have never heard of it before. Free (£20 returnable deposit for ukulele hire), 7.30pm

WOMEN IN REVOLT:
It's the first of Shorts On Tap's three Women in Revolt events, where female filmmakers can showcase their work. Tonight's theme is The Chase, focusing on the transition into womanhood. At Stow Film Lounge. £5, prebook, 8pm

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Staying in London for Easter? Try thinking bob

Join ready-made social club thinking bob before the festive weekend and take part in one of their Easter-themed socials. Enjoy pre-bank holiday drinks and music on Thursday, explore the capital with the East(er) Hunt street game on Good Friday or take a stroll along the Southbank on Sunday. The first month of membership is free, so sign up today and start changing your social habits.

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This weekend’s Things To Do In London This Weekend is sponsored by thinking bob.


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