Free And Cheap London Events: 3-9 August 2015

By Londonist Last edited 103 months ago
Free And Cheap London Events: 3-9 August 2015
Gigs London Busking Competition

All Week

DRINK, SHOP AND DO BIRTHDAY WEEK:
Drink, Shop and Do, based in King's Cross, celebrate its fifth birthday with a week of festivities beginning on Monday with a dance session. Over the course of the week there will be lots of craft activities, quirky workshops and cake! Check the website for details of prices and times. Prebook, 3-8 August

GIGS BUSKING COMPETITION:
It's the final week of performances for gigs in the Mayor of London's Busking competition. Busking stations are set up in a variety of locations all over London and you can vote for your favourite on the website. Free, just turn up, until 8 August

KIDS CLUB:
Westfield London is putting on a kids activity club on the ground floor near the Disney store. Keep the summer holiday boredom at bay with craft, drawing, musical storytelling and more. Free, just turn up, until 9 August

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY:
Coin Street Community Builders has an exhibition on displaying the wildlife photography of Roger Hooper, spanning all seven continents. These stunning images reveal the beauty and frailty of the world around us. Free, just turn up, until 16 August

PRINTS AND PROPAGANDA:
It's the last couple of weeks to see Bonaparte and the British: Prints and propaganda in the age of Napoleon at The British Museum. It explores propaganda and the art of political satires through portraits, prints, banners and a death mask. Free, just turn up, until 16 August

CHILDREN'S STORY CENTRE:
Children's Story Centre in Stratford has a fun-packed summer of activities and entertainment for kids over summer. Each week has a different theme. This week there's storytelling, water games outside and crafty fun. Free for families who live in Newham until 12 August, prebook, until 6 September

TOTTENHAM SUMMER EVENTS:
Royal Court Theatre hosts a season of events in Tottenham as part of its residency in the area. Expect community workshops, performances, world class art and exciting new theatre. Check the website for details of events and how to get involved. Most events are free but require booking. Until 14 September

Monday 3 August

Sir Roger Bannister's running shoes. (They did one mile in under four minutes in 1954!)

CHRISTIE'S SUMMER EXHIBITION:
This summer Christies on Old Brompton Street will be opening up the exhibition Out of the Ordinary to the public for five weeks. Browse the oddities on display from a preserved dinosaur skull to record breaking running shoes. Free, just turn up, until September

DOCUMENTARIES FOR KIDS:
For one week Bertha Dochouse in Bloomsbury invites parents and children to forget the stress of school and enjoy a week of documentaries including Spell Bound and Dinosaurs 13. Films begin at 11.40am. £5, prebook, until 6 August

Tuesday 4 August

BARBARA HEPWORTH:
To coincide with Tate Britain’s Barbara Hepworth: Sculpture for a Modern World exhibition the whole family can create their very own Barbara Hepworth sculpture at National Archives. Free, prebook, 10.30am

JAZZ TALK:
Spend an evening at St Joseph's Church Hall listening to musician, journalist and photographer John Watson talk about his new book The Power of Jazz. Hear anecdotes about pop stars and jazz musicians he's worked with including the Beatles and George Shearing as well as photography tips. £5, prebook, 6.45pm

Wednesday 5 August

STILL LIFE AFTERNOONS:
Take inspiration from the Fleming Collection in this drawing session suitable for all abilities. Experimentation is encouraged and an artist will be on hand to help. You get to take home your work at the end of the session. All materials included. £4, prebook, 2pm-4pm

FAMILY PASSPORT WORKSHOP:
Join Oxford House on Derbyshire Street for a Family Passport Workshop exploring identity and migration through art and digital media, which is celebrating Postcards from Aldgate East exhibition. Workshops are suitable for 6-12 year olds. Free, just turn up, 11am-3pm

MEADOW DISCOVERY DAY:
Head to the Isis Education Centre in the heart of Hyde Park for a day of meadow themed activities. Children of all ages can enjoy making a meadow collage and discovering creatures on a fun nature trail. Free, just turn up, 11am-3pm

PADDINGTON FILM SCREENINGS:
Paddington Central is holding a free film festival throughout August located in Sheldon Square. All weekday film screenings begin at 6.30pm with weekend showings starting at 3.30pm. This week catch Grease, The Devil Wears Prada, Mission Impossible or everyone's favourite, Frozen. Free, just turn up, until 29 August

Thursday 6 August

FILM SCREENING:
To mark the 70th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing there will be a screening of The War Game at The Light Euston followed by a discussion with editor of the film Michael Bradsell. Free, prebook, 6pm-8pm

CHARITY EVENT:
Providence Row is a local London charity that tackles the root causes of homelessness to help people get off, and stay off, London's streets. It's hosting an evening of art, music and food at The Dellow Centre on Wentworth Street where everything will be created by homeless and ex-homeless people. Support this great cause with a suggested £5 donation, just turn up, 6pm-9pm

CHOIR TASTER SESSION:
If you know all the words to your favourite musicals or you make them up and belt them out anyway, this class is for you. Get a feel for what it's like to be in the West End Musical Choir without having to go through nerve wracking auditions. Free, prebook, 7.30pm-9pm

REAL FOOD MARKET:
Real Food Market has arrived to liven up the Northbank. It launches today and will be a permanent fixture, open Thursdays to Saturdays. Expect quality free range/ organic produce from independent street food traders. Free, just turn up, 12pm-7pm

Friday 7 August

ANIMAL TALES:
The British Library opens a new exhibition today in the Entrance Hall. Animal Tales explores the role of animals on the page. Critters will be explored through sound recordings, illustrations, poetry and literature. Free, just turn up, until 1 November

THE PEOPLE'S TOWER:
French artist Olivia Grossetête will create a People's Tower out of cardboard at Artsdepot. It will be a community event in both construction and demolition. Construction begins at 9am. Free, just turn up, 9am

PETER PAN WALK:
J.M. Barrie was inspired by the magical Royal Parks to write the Peter Pan plays and stories. Join the expert Isis Education Centre team on an interactive walk and discover how Peter made the perilous journey from Bird Island in the Serpentine to the magical shores of the Long Water in Kensington Gardens. Walkers are encouraged to dress up, feel the magic and get in the mood as we look at Bird Island, Peter Pan’s statue — and avoid Captain Hook! Meet at Hyde Park. £5, prebook, 11am-12.30pm

Saturday 8 August

COMEDY:
Comedian Mark Watson will be entertaining shoppers with snappy one-liners to celebrate Wall's pop-up ice cream shop at Westfield Stratford. There's also a chance to win tickets to see his live show in December. Free, just turn up, 12pm-4pm

BEER PARTY:
Celebrate the start of London City Beer Week with Beer Hive's summer party in Brixton. Come for the beer, food, good cheer and stay for the evening jazz. Free, just turn up, 12pm-8pm

DULWICH TOUR:
CoolTan Arts offers a free tour around Dulwich exploring the area's architecture, parks, art and history. Meet inside Dulwich Library. The tour covers around three miles so make sure to wear comfy shoes. Free, prebook, 12.30pm-3pm

LONDON GRAPHIC CENTRE WORKSHOPS:
London Graphic Centre holds free creative workshops as part of its Colour in Summer Festival. Today you can choose from a range of designs and have your face painted. Free, just turn up, 2pm-5pm

BRAZIL DAY:
The Embassy of London has organised an event to celebrate Brazil Day in Trafalgar Square. Expect a variety of entertainment including sport, music and dance. Free, just turn up, 1pm-8pm

EXHIBITION:
We were impressed with Paper Dandy's Horrogami back in 2012 and the artist is back with a new exhibition using single sheet kirigami paper models inspired by scenes from Star Wars. After a successful Kickstarter campaign you can see his paper skills at Fifth Base Gallery just off Brick Lane. Free, just turn up, until 16 August

Sunday 9 August

East London Vintage Fair in Hackney

EAST LONDON VINTAGE FAIR:
Pick up your vintage wares at this fair at The Round Chapel in Hackney which features 40 stalls of lovingly curated clothing and items from Portobello stall holders and the best sellers from the south of England. £1, just turn up, 12pm-6pm

Last Updated 03 August 2015