Things To Do In London: Wednesday 26 August

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This edition is sponsored by CommuterClub, allowing Londoners to pay for their benefit-laden annual travelcard on a monthly basis.

Hear live music at Surya in King's Cross

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Londinium, Lundenwic or Just Plain London

The city is always evolving and so too are its names. Find out how the name of our great city has changed over the centuries in an article which traces the history of how London got its name right back to ancient times.

Things to do

AGATHA CHRISTIE EXHIBITION:
A new exhibition of photographs offering an insight into the life of Agatha Christie opens today at Bankside Gallery marking the 125th anniversary of the crime writer. Highlights include a portrait of Agatha painted by Oscar Kokoschka with the accompanying quotes to the images taken from Agatha Christie's published and personal collection. Free, just turn up, until 6 September

SOUNDSCAPES:
This exhibition at the National Gallery blends artistic masterpieces with new sound installations created by talented musicians including DJ Jamie XX and composer Gabriel Yared. £6, prebook, 10am-4.30pm

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KNITTING PARTY:
Practice your knitting among friends at this gathering at The Jam Tree in Clapham. There will be help on hand if you get stuck but hopefully you'll end up with a nice clutch bag to take home. £25, prebook, 11am

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ART MARQUEE:
Fulham Palace has set up an Art Marquee on its main lawn for all the family to enjoy creating Roman crafts. £2 per child, just turn up, 1pm-4pm

RE-THINKING THE CINEMA:
The Badlands Collective put on memorable nights of rarely shown films which rethink film genres. Tonight head to Regent Street Cinema to see the musical All that Jazz (6.30pm) and Francis Ford Coppola's One From the Heart (8.55pm), both screened from 35mm archive prints. £11 for single/ £15 for both, prebook, 6.30pm/8.55pm

REGENERATION CITY BLUES:
Hear artist Jane Palm-Gold speak about her exhibition in Covent Garden which explores corporate development, urban generation and the erosion of spaces of creativity. Free, just turn up, 7pm

MIND SPORTS OLYMPIAD:
Get your poker face on for this tournament at Mind Sports Olympiad in Hampstead. Each night during the Olympiad, a variant of poker will be played. The person who gets the top scores will be crowned Amateur Poker World Champion. You can watch the games free of charge. £10, prebook, 7pm

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MEXICAN FIESTA:
Head to Doodle Bar in Battersea for a Mexican themed party raising money for a theatre production of Faustaff being staged in London and Mexico in November. Dance to Latin American music or if you're feeling brave take part in the chilli eating contest. £4 adv/£5 on the door, 7pm-11pm

DRINK AND DRAW:
Unleash your creative inhibitions at this drink and draw session at The Exhibit in Balham. Take inspiration from the music or your food. £7, prebook, 7.30pm

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PERFORMANCE:
Monument is one of those immersive game thingys which takes place in a secret location. You'll need to bring a charged smartphone and headphones to take part. £11.25, prebook, 7.30pm

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MUSIC:
Glasswerk promote a range of musicians from a diverse range of genres. Tonight, catch Polish indie-pop duo Lilly Hates Roses, who have performed alongside such greats as Nick Cave, the Arctic Monkeys and Blur at Surya in King's Cross. Don't miss support acts Italian singer-songwriter Nicole Stella and young up-and-comer Layla. £2, prebook, 8pm

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COMEDY:
Ellie Taylor and Michael Fabbri are on the bill at Laugh Train Home at the excellent Four Thieves pub in Battersea, MCd by Simon Feilder. £6, prebook, 8pm


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This edition of Things To Do In London is sponsored by CommuterClub.


Good cause of the day

A new exhibition is opening in Covent Garden today which hopes to raise awareness of mental health issues and dispel the stigma that surrounds it. Mental Interactions is inspired by young people who have suffered mental health issues. The exhibition is free but donations to the Mental Health Foundation are encouraged. Free, just turn up, until 28 August


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