Things To Do In London: Friday 12 February 2016

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See the best of Borough today. Image: Andrea Pucci

Must-read stuff:

For some reason, the worst transport disaster in British history is often forgotten. But Stephen McKenna made a documentary about the Great Thames Disaster, and we made a video about him.

We're a hat-tastic city, especially in winter. We've snapped some of the best in our photo gallery of London's hats.

Hungry? We've got plenty of places to eat Polish this weekend. Pyszne (that's "delicious").

Hot off the press!

Feed this piping hot London news into your eyeballs.

Things to do today:

SEE16: Get stuck into over 20 theatre, music and art events at SEE16 Arts Festival . Today's standout events include pop-up painting, Valentine's wreath making, and a performance from Miss Julie. See website for individual event costs and times, until 14 February

TASTE BOROUGH: Tour London's oldest food market with author and food expert, Celia Brooks. Meet and greet over drinks and pastries, then enter an exclusive tasting of some of the market's finest food and wine. Rare breed meats, fresh seafood and Turkish meze are just some of the delicacies for the sampling. £75, prebook, 2pm

V&A VALENTINE: Drop into the V&A's Valentine's-themed late opening, crammed with performances, talks, silent speed dating and Baroque DJs. Discover all about masquerade and carnival, historic perfumes and love tokens. Free, just turn up, 6pm

MAKE SUSHI: Get ready to (California) roll ingredients into sushi and sashimi at Lara's hands-on workshop in Greenwich. The Cook and Eat chefs will guide you through the basics. It's not all raw fish — you'll learn to create colourful cuisine with vegetables too. £39, prebook, 6.30pm

Shake it up with sushi this Friday.

LOVE AT THE GRANT: Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it — fall in love yourself at The Grant Museum's Valentine's-themed late. Enjoy a glass of free wine and explore how they do seduction in the animal kingdom, as you wander through the museum after dark. £5, just turn up, 6.30pm

LATE LIGHT: Head to London Transport Museum for Illuminate — a special Friday late exploring light. Escape the dark and learn about shadow life drawing, printing workshops and sample neon cocktails. There's music, a quiz, and entry to the Nightshift exhibition is also included. £12/£10, prebook, 6.45pm

GOTHIQUE FILMS: For a screening with screaming, the Gothique Film Society presents Basil Rathbone classic, The House Of Fear, along with 1962's Premature Burial. A creepy prelude to Valentine's weekend. £7, prebook, 7pm

COMEDY: Christopher Green’s brilliant octogenarian creation, Ida Barr, plays her ‘artificial hip hop’ at Wilton’s Music Hall tonight and twice tomorrow. You won’t have seen anything quite like this before. £5-£15, prebook, 8pm

YOU SUCK: Not feeling romantic? Join The Victoria in Dalston, which is giving a huge V sign to Valentine's with its U Suck karaoke night. Break-up ballads, revenge rap hits and chick flick favourites will be rocking speakers 'til the small hours. Free, just turn up, 11pm   

Browse and book more London events at our tickets site powered by YPlan.


Good cause of the day

Staff from gender-neutral barber shop, Barberette celebrate Valentine's a bit differently this year — by getting their heads shaved in aid of LGBT charity, Opening Doors London. Come and cheer them on in Hackney, as they go under the razor. There's a brunch afterwards. Donations welcome, but entry is free. See website for details. 12pm