Fancy some exercise on your commute?
Many of us were forced to find alternative routes to get to work this week, but ever the optimists, we at Londonist think the tube strike could be the impetus to kick-start that exercise regime we gave up some time in January. With no gym membership costs in sight, we've put together some of the best ways to get into shape while you commute.
Things to do
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SANDGAZER EXHIBITION:
It's your last chance to see Sandgazer, an exhibition at the Gallery Print Centre in Covent Garden, where minuscule grains of sand have been magnified to produce stunning results. If you buy any of the exhibits, you'll be helping out the Family Holiday Association. Free, just turn up, until 10 July
LOCK LIVE FESTIVAL:
Lock Live returns to Camden Market for a fun packed festival of live music, street food, al fresco cocktail bars and hundreds of artisan stalls. There's plenty of pop-up entertainment too, including comedy and spoken word from local talent. Best of all, it's free, just turn up, noon-10pm
HYPER JAPAN FESTIVAL:
Lovers of sushi, anime or manga — this festival is not to be missed. Over three days the O2 in Greenwich will be filled with all things Japanese for Hyper Japan Festival — from cultural activities and food tasting, to the latest gaming products and fashion trends. There'll be plenty of onstage entertainment too, including live music and fashion catwalk shows. £14.25, prebook, until 12 July
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LUNCHTIME THEATRE:
Jazz up your lunchtime with some musical theatre at Bridewell Theatre. This afternoon's play is Cleopatra's Key: The Musical and promises to be crammed with laughs and show stopping tunes. £7/£9, prebook, 1pm
ILLUSTATION FAIR:
Psychedelia London's largest illustration fair returns to Hoxton Arches for three days of mind altering/boggling illustrative work from all over the UK. Alongside the 14 exhibitor stands, there will be a featured wall of hand-selected prints for sale, as well as live music throughout the day. Street food vendors will be serving up tasty nosh, and there's a fully stocked summer bar. £5, prebook, until 12 July
TALK:
Tracking down stolen art is no easy task. Head to the V&A to hear ex-director of the National Portrait Gallery, Sandy Nairne, talking to art detective Charles Hill about the clandestine world of art theft and the search for some of the world's most famous stolen masterpieces. £7/£10, prebook, 6.30pm
LONDON AQUARIUM AFTER DARK:
Revel in the wonders of our oceans at this special late night event at the London Aquarium. Sea Life Lego After Dark is an adults-only event for big kids, Once you've seen the real sharks you'll be able to build your own out of Lego, while sipping on cocktails. £15/£29, prebook, 6.45pm
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NIGHTLIFE:
Adorn your best 1920s glad rags and dance the night away to jazz and vintage tunes at The Candlelight Club's pop-up cocktail bar, in a location yet to be revealed. Saturday's tickets have already sold out, so book with haste. £20, prebook, 7pm
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MAGIC:
Prepare to be stunned and amazed by The Card Shark Show, at the Courthouse Hotel in Oxford Circus. Master magician and professional stunt man Steve Truglia is one of only 300 to be admitted to the The Magic Circle, and he specialises in escapology and gambling cheats. £20, prebook, 7.30pm
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LIVE MUSIC:
White Heat nights at The Lexington in Angel have previously played host to artists The XX, Lorde and Adele before they made it big. Tonight indie-rock band StrangeFruit will be playing their atmospheric tracks with support from Afterbloom and Dark Willow. Remember you saw them here first! £5, prebook, 8pm
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COMEDY:
A week of comedy at the The Bedford in Balham starts today. Tonight you can see a full show from Shappi Khorsandi or sets by Harry Hill, Pippa Evans and Imran; over the full festival you can catch Robert Newman, Romesh Ranganathan, Sara Pascoe, Barry Cryer, Marcus Brigstocke and more. Including Paul Daniels. Yes, THAT Paul Daniels. Tickets start at £8.80, prebook, until 18 July
AL MURRAY SOUTHBANK SALOON:
As part of London Wonderground at Southbank Centre everyone's favourite pub landlord will be joined by a number of special guests for a mix of comedy, music and cabaret. £33, prebook, 9.30pm
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Good cause of the day
Team Dodgeball Championships are taking place in Finsbury Park this year and donations go to Mencap. Save money by registering your team before 20 July. £27.50, prebook, 5 September
Not got your Londonist t-shirt yet?
What are you waiting for? Declare your love for all things Londonist by wearing our original range of Londonist t-shirts. They come in four different colours and a variety of sizes. Have a browse round the store and see if you can answer any of the hidden trivia questions to get 50% off the marked price.
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.
