Your Sunday morning best-of-Londonist weekly round-up, sponsored this week by National Portrait Gallery.
London News
- See images of what is set to be the new tallest skyscraper in the City.
- Meanwhile, three more skyscrapers are planned for Shoreditch.
- When your train is delayed, do you claim the compensation you’re entitled to? An estimated £56m is left unclaimed.
- Despite Boris Johnson's promises, London has built just 13,585 extra affordable homes since 2008.
- Only 27% of tickets for the New Year's Eve fireworks went to Londoners.
- Parts of Westminster Bridge (the parts that make rude shadows) have gone on sale.
Must-read articles
- With news that the Crystal Maze might be coming to London, we gave other classic gameshows a London twist.
- Get to know these six people — one of them could be the next London Mayor.
- VIDEO: where in London can you discover a staircase made from money, some extremely rare armour and a painting that influences those around it?
- Blue plaques are boring: discover London's alternative plaque schemes.
- Get the lowdown on London city farms and experience the sights (and smells) of the countryside without leaving town.
- PODCAST: Croydon gets a bad rap, and that's unfair.
Top reviews
- Two very different jailbirds are currently performing at Soho Theatre.
- Photography exhibition aims to recognise the 50,000 soldiers who fought and died at Waterloo ★★★☆☆
- It was a bold move to do a play about Jimmy Savile, but did it work? ★★★★☆
- The British Museum’s permanent collection is now even better, and gold takes centre stage ★★★★☆
- More swearwords than you could shake a shit at in The Motherf**ker with the Hat ★★★★☆
Things to do
- Five things to do in London's cemeteries this summer, including Hitchcock films and blokes on penny farthings.
- Croydon Heritage Festival begins this weekend. Visit the world's oldest air traffic control tower, take a tour of the Town Hall, or wander down the Wandle.
- Power yourself with coffee on this cycle route around the East End.
- Summer's coming, and so are these urban beaches.
- Watch free films in Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens — you can even help choose which film will be shown on the last night.
- Feast on free culture at Camberwell Arts Festival.
- There's more to Pride than just the parade.
Tickets & offers
WIRE SCULPTING:
Sup a Cuban cocktail while Zack McLaughlin shows you how to make a wire Tody Bird at Queen of Hoxton's rooftop bar. £15, 27 June
Get Tickets
COST OF CORRUPTION:
Sarah Chayes and Tom Burgis take on the topic of corruption, particularly Africa and Afghanistan, in this talk about the world’s most corrupt regimes. £12.50, 24 June
Get Tickets
CULTURE QUIZ:
The Frontline Club in Paddington regularly holds talks and film screenings around current affairs. This week, they test whether you've been paying attention at this quiz. £5, 25 June
Get Tickets
SEALIFE AFTER DARK:
London Aquarium is open late for an adults only event. Explore the tanks after dark, enjoy a glass of prosecco on arrival and eat gourmet food and snacks. £29, 26 June
Get Tickets
FOUR FEMMES ON THE THAMES:
Here at Londonist, we're fans of Four Femmes on the Thames, an all female comedy singing quartet. See them perform at Brasserie Toulouse Lautrec, Kennington. £12.50, 27 June
Get Tickets
JAPANESE SUPPER CLUB:
Head to a secret Islington location for Monograph supper club, a chance to sample contemporary Japanese food in tasting portions. £29, 26 June
Get Tickets
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See the best contemporary portraitists at the BP Portrait Award 2015
The annual showcase of the most talented artists in contemporary portrait painting is back at the National Portrait Gallery, and it's free!
Selected from a record-breaking 2,748 entries by artists from 92 countries, the BP Portrait Award 2015 features a huge variety and range of paintings. From figurative nudes to famous faces, and expressive sketches to piercing photo-realism, there's plenty to choose from.
Now in its 36th year at the National Portrait Gallery, the exhibition is accompanied by a rich programme of events including talks, workshops and tours — most of them are free.
BP Portrait Award 2015 is on until 20 September at the National Portrait Gallery, St Martin's Place, WC2H 0HE. Entry to the exhibition is free. Tweet your favourite portrait at @npglondon using the hashtag #bpportrait.
This week's Best of Londonist is sponsored by National Portrait Gallery.
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