Things To Do In London: Friday 2 October 2015

Today's Things to do in London is sponsored by the British Red Cross which is putting on Dance Power 2015a spectacular West End fundraising show on 11 October. Scroll down for more details.  

Have a go at creating your own Waterloo sunset

London is wild

Get yourself warmed up for our London is Wild event next month by taking a look at which species of bird are most common in London.

Things to do

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CAKE AND BAKE SHOW:

Have your cake and eat it at the Cake & Bake Show 2015 at ExCel London. Peruse the baking exhibition stands and bookshop, see celebrities such as Gregg Wallace, Phil Vickery and 2011 Great British Bake Off winner, John Whaite. There are also baking demonstrations and more. From £9, 2-4 October

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WIMBLEDON BOOKFEST:

From today, the likes of Sebastian Faulks, Louis de Bernieres,  Andy McNab, Steve Backshall and Stella Duffy descend on Wimbledon Common for Wimbledon BookFest. From £5, prebook, 2-11 October

LATIN AMERICAN THEATRE:

CASA Latin American Theatre Festival is an annual festival of... yup, you got it, Latin American Theatre. This year the focus is on Mexico, with events taking place at Rich Mix and Barbican. Various prices, prebook, 2-11 October

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY:

Whip your camera out and get clicking at the London Wetland Centre in Barnes. Get practical guidance and tuition from wildlife photographer and tutor Iain Green on this day-long autumn wildlife photography course. £60, prebook, 10am-4pm

PARTY LIKE IT'S 1699:

The Wallace Collection opens its doors late and marks 300 years since the death of hedonistic monarch Louis XIV with a one-off late event, Le Roi Soleil: Party Like it's 1699. Expect bling mirror installations, mask making, a perfume apothecary, Baroque 'n' roll music and behind-the-scenes tours. £12, prebook, 6pm-9.30pm

LATE AT TATE:

Tate Britain is open late to tackle ideas of power through music, art and talks. All female London based punk band Skinny Girl Diet screens a selection of music videos, interactive media artists Jae Huh and Ronin Cho install a digital commission, and more. Free, just turn up, 6pm-10pm

LIGHTS OUT:

Recreate the Blitz spirit with 1940s cabaret at Kettners in Soho, and have a knees-up to Tom Carradine’s Cockney Sing-along. £55 for dinner + show/£15 show only, from 6.30pm

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PAINT LONDON:

Whether your painting skills are perfect, or leave a lot to be desired, get yourself down to Brasserie Blanc on South Bank to have a go at creating your own Waterloo sunset. Includes all art supplies, a glass of wine and a selection of French antipasti. £35, 7.30pm

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SPEAKEASY PARTY:

The Candlelight Club 1920s themed Speakeasy party takes place in a secret Central London location hidden in a den lit entirely by candles. There will be live New Orleans influenced music and a bar serving drinks from the Golden Age of cocktails. Don your best gangster suit or flapper dress. £20, 8pm

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GEORGIAN FILM SCREENING:

Head to The Frontline Club in Paddington for an evening of short classic documentaries from Georgia, accompanied by a live score. £10, 8pm

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CEILIDH CLUB:

Grab your dancing shoes and head to Cecil Sharp House in Camden for a night of Ceilidh dancing to Scottish music (OK, so the dancing is optional, but it's great fun). £16.50, 8pm

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COMEDY:

The Dark Knight rises at the Camden Head, as Stuart Laws, Bec Hill, Matthew Highton, Harriet Kemsley and others bring to life Batman’s foes. £4, prebook, 8.30pm

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Dance Power 2015: Dancing stars come out for charity

Whether you're a Strictly Come Dancing fan or just love dance in its many guises, don't miss the chance to catch top-class dancers at the Theatre Royal on Sunday 11 October.

Organised by the British Red Cross, Dance Power 2015 is an one-off show featuring top performers from around the world, presented by Strictly Come Dancing star Anton du Beke. The show includes dancers from STOMP, The Royal Ballet, Paco Pena, Strictly Come Dancing and many more. Tickets start from £20 and all proceeds go towards the British Red Cross's life saving humanitarian work at home and around the world.  

Dance Power 2015 takes place on 11 October from 7pm at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Catherine Street, WC2B 5JF. Tickets start from £20, book online now.

Today's Things to do in London is sponsored by the British Red Cross.


Good cause of the day

On 22 October, The Big Issue Foundation celebrates its 20th birthday at Fire London. There will be live entertainment, and the theme is wear something red. Tickets are £20, with all proceeds going towards the work of The Big issue Foundation. More information and tickets.


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