Things To Do In London: Thursday 18 June 2015

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For your commute

Is your Facebook feed full of people running round in giant bubbles, playing a strange, sci-fi game of football? That'd be bubble football, and if you want in on the action, here's where you can have a go in London (or just have a giggle at the video).

Photo of the day

Street art in Shoreditch, by Peter McGowan in the Londonist Flickr pool

Things to do

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SHORT STORY FESTIVAL:
Truncated tales are the centre of attention at Waterstones Piccadilly as London Short Story Festival begins today. 65 writers and speakers descend on the store for four days of talks, readings, discussions and Q&As. Various prices, prebook, 18-21 June

WATERLOO:
Two events take place today, marking 200 years since the Battle of Waterloo. Apsley House retells the story of the battle through a, erm, vegetable re-enactment. £8.30/£5, 1oam-2pm. Later on, Gresham College holds a lecture about the causes, courses and consequences of the battle, at the Museum of London. Free, just turn up, 6pm

THE STROKES:
American indie rock band The Strokes take to the stage in Hyde Park as part of British Summer Time Festival. Support acts include Beck, Future Islands, and The Wytches. £66.90, 3.30pm
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ZAP, CRACKLE AND POP:
This family-friendly show at The Royal Institution sees Dr Marty Jopson, the BBC One Show’s resident scientist, tell the story of electricity, with plenty of demonstration and audience participation. £12/£8/£6, prebook, 6pm

COMEDY:
We spoke to Juliette Burton about THAT ‘beach body ready’ ad a few weeks ago. Now see her show at Leicester Square Theatre. £10/£8, prebook, 7pm

BEER AND CHOCOLATE:
Rococo Chocolates in Marylebone hosts an evening of beer and chocolate tasting. Sample a batch of the world’s finest craft beers accompanied by a selection of award-winning ganaches and chocolates. Age 18+. £35, 7pm
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PHANTOM OF THE THEATRE:
Head to Stage 3 at Hackney Empire for an evening of food and live jazz. A jazz band provides the soundtrack while you tuck into items from the menu, along with a complimentary cocktail. £12.50, 7pm
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CITY SHIMMY CABARET:
Proud Cabaret in the City transforms into a 1920s speakeasy tonight. Expect a decadent evening brimming with chic and burlesque splendour. Age 18+. £25 for entry and dinner, or £2 for entry and a drink, from 7pm
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KARAUKE:
Head to The Albany on Great Portland Street for an evening of KaraUke — that's karaoke with ukuleles. You can download the songbook in advance, and the KaraUke-ing is followed by DJs and dancing until 1am. Free, 8pm

GREENWICH COMEDY SPECTACULAR:
The line-up at Greenwich Theatre tonight includes comedians Richard Herring, Mitch Benn and Maureen Younger, hosted by Mark Dolan. £16, prebook, 8pm

SOME LIKE IT HOT:
Catch a screening of classic Billy Wilder film Some Like It Hot at BFI Southbank. Starring Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis, it follows two musicians going undercover after witnessing a mob hit. £10.10, 8.45pm
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BETWEEN THE SHEETS:
Step inside burlesque star Miss Polly Rae's private chamber for her most intimate show yet at The Spiegeltent on Southbank. Expect a strip-tease treat with song, dance, circus and plenty of innuendo. £12.50, 9.30pm
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Good cause of the day

Tonight at London Metropolitan University there's an evening of Nepalese dance and live music, which is raising money for the DEC Nepal Earthquake Appeal. The night will include a special performance from the university's staff band The Last Hurrah, a raffle with great prizes, a quiz and a live charity auction, as well as traditional Nepalese dance and music. Book tickets here.


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