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Tube name origins
Some are more obvious than others as you'll find out in our gallery of tube stations, where the name has been changed to reflect the station's humble beginnings. Can you work them out?
Things to do
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DIGITAL ART:
From today until 30 August digital artists will be transforming urban spaces around London with interactive TV screens which show the public visions of what their communities will look like in the future. The screens will be cropping up in Enfield Town Centre this weekend. Future locations are Deptford, Harrow and North Finchley. Free, just turn up, until 30 August
THE A13 GREEN:
Every Friday from today until 11 September the underpass of the A13 flyover in Canning Town will be transformed with workshops, live music, performance and dance classes by self-confessed regeneration mavericks The Brick Box. Free, just turn up, until 11 September
LONDON BEER CITY:
It's a good week to be in London if you're a beer lover. Highlights of London Beer City, which starts today, include a beer and food matching session, a central London beer hunt, a chance to drink one-off brews at UBREW, a cheese and beer workshop with expert cheese monger Ned Palmer and the return of the London Craft Beer Festival. Check out our August Beer Festival Roundup for more boozy fun.
GO KARTING AT MUDCHUTE:
Head to Mudchute Farm to watch the fun unfold as 15 teams of children attempt to build and race their go karts. Unfortunately there's no space left to join them but we think it'll still be a fun day away from the city. Free, just turn up, 11am-4pm
HORRIBLE HISTORIES:
History comes to life on stage at the Garrick Theatre. King John, King Charles, Admiral Nelson, the Duke the Wellington and many more historic figures make history fun for kids of all ages at Horrible Histories. From £12.50, 2pm
SPOOKY MAGIC:
Head to Barons Court Theatre in Kensington for a spooky magic show (for kids age 6+). Chains will rattle as a ghostly hand plays cards with the magician, and apparitions will make some members of the audience jump out of their seat. £9, 2.30pm
LIVE MUSIC:
Truman's First Friday Yard Parties have invited four local Hackney Wick bands to perform this evening while Backstreet Diner will be on hand to satisfy your street food cravings. Free, just turn up, 5.30pm
RICHARD HERRING:
Comedian Richard Herring resurrects his Christ On A Bike show at Leicester Square Theatre, 14 years after it was first performed. Age 18+. £10, 7pm
FAULTY TOWERS:
At The Faulty Towers Dining Experience at Charing Cross, Basil, Sybil and Manuel serve up a mix of food and farce while taking you on a whistle-stop tour of the best of Fawlty Towers. £57, 7.30pm
CEILIDH CLUB:
Dance the night away to Scottish music at Ceilidh Club at Cecil Sharp House in Camden. Follow the steps as the live band plays, or simply watch from the sidelines. £12.50, 8pm
MOTOWN JAM:
The ten-strong Motor City Revue bring lively Motown music to the Fiddler's Elbow in Camden. They'll play two funk-laden sets that summon the vintage sound of Detroit, followed by DJ sets. £5, 9pm
COMEDY:
If it's dark you're after when it comes to laughs, head to the Etcetera Theatre for duo Haden and Da Funk, doing their show Their Dark Materials for the Camden Fringe. £6/£5, prebook, 10pm
Free, fearless, fun circus! Enjoy outdoor performances all this weekend
The circus is well and truly coming to town this weekend, as the NoFit State Circus Open House weekend graces two separate areas in Stratford.
Head along to Theatre Square (just outside Stratford Circus Arts Centre) and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for world class acrobatics, aerial displays, live music and stunts galore. It's going to be bright, bold and a whole lot of fun. Sit back and enjoy the spectacle or get stuck in and learn a new skill or two at the introductory workshops.
Taking place from today until 9 August, the whole weekend of wonder is entirely free. Just turn up — you're never too old (or young) to run away with the circus. Check the website for timings and further details.
