Free And Cheap London Events: 11-17 April 2016

By Londonist Last edited 95 months ago
Free And Cheap London Events: 11-17 April 2016

All week

See Alice for the last time at the British Library. Image: Simon Crubellier

ALICE IN WONDERLAND: We can't let it get away as this week's your last chance to catch Alice in Wonderland at the British Library. Enjoy illustrations, Carroll's original manuscript and even Alice-based sculptures. We loved it when we went. Free, just turn up, 9.30am (11am on Sunday)

UDDERBELLY: The huge purple cow is back on South Bank for Udderbelly Festival. Though show tickets cost cash, you can wander around the lush fake grass, food stalls and bars for free. Free entry, just turn up, 10am-11pm

UNDER THE SEA: Make like the Little Mermaid and investigate what goes on beneath the sea at the Horniman Museum's Aquarium. Meet jellyfish, sea horses and all types of sea creature. £4.40/£2.20, just turn up, from 10.30am

Monday 11 April

THE CARIBBEAN'S GREAT WAR: During the first world war, thousands of men volunteered to join the British West Indies regiment. This Museum of London Docklands exhibition honours their contribution to victory in 1918. Free, just turn up, 10am-6pm

CITYREAD: A panel of speakers discuss the role of literature in exploring society's unheard voices. Gillian Slovo and guest speakers come together at Foyles Charing Cross Road branch as part of Book & Screen Week. £5, prebook, 6.30pm

BOOK TALK: Celebrating the UK arrival of African publishers Cassava Republic Press, Waterstones welcomes three of their most powerful authors for an evening of book-based discussion at their Piccadilly branch. £5, prebook, 7pm

Tuesday 12 April

Take to the roundtable at The Cartoon Museum today (see below)

SHAKESPEARE'S FIRST FOLIO: Join Dr Peter Ross at Guildhall Libary as he examines various books published in the time of Shakespeare's first folio, also discussing the plays and the playwrights themselves. Free, prebook, 1pm

£5 FILM: Catch a screening of the first documentary on The Staple Singers star Mavis at JW3. Featuring powerful live performances, archive footage and conversations with some of music's brightest stars. £5, prebook, 4.30pm

BECKETT LECTURE: Waiting For Godot has been interpreted many times. Is it a work that explores the absurdity of human life? Or an allegory? Professor Belinda Jack discusses Beckett's most famous work at the Museum of London. Free, just turn up, 6pm

CARTOONISTS ROUNDTABLE: Join cartoonists Jeremy Banks (Banx), Nick Newman, Royston Robertson and Ken Pyne for a roundtable discussion on the late Martin Honeysett at The Cartoon Museum. Free, prebook, 6.30pm

FREE DATING EVENT: What would your grandma think of Tinder? Head to the Italian Culture Institute to discover Il Gattopardo, a multi-sensory experience about online dating. Travel through the dating habits of the past in this fun game. Free, just turn up, 7pm

Wednesday 13 April

Get some sunrise with your exercise today at Project Awesome. Image: Finbarr Fallon

PROJECT AWESOME: Get a 'power boost of positivity' at Project Awesome's fitness movement at The Scoop, London Bridge. Expect dazzling views of the city as you catch it at its best time. Free, prebook, 6.30am

CROCHET CIRCLE: Get hooked on crochet at the Museum of Childhood's friendly crochet workshop. Bring a hook and some yarn (though there'll also be some available there) and get knotting. Beginners welcome too. Free, just turn up, 2pm

ADULT COLOURING: Drink Shop Do welcomes artist Kerby Rosanes to take up the pen at this adult colouring evening. His own work is amazing, so let him help you tap into your creative side. Free (when buying a drink), just turn up, 7pm

POETRY LUV: Express yourself at this night of poetry and celebration of the spoken word. The Looking Glass Cocktail Club plays host to an exciting collection of poets, artists and word masters. £5, just turn up, 7pm

DESIGNING UTOPIA: Research Fellow Cathy Ross discusses British writer John Hargrave at this Conway Hall talk. Hear about the new form of Modernism he created from the turbulence of the 20th century. £5, prebook, 7.30pm

BOOKS AND KITCHEN: Join Sarah Winman and Sarah Ladipo Manyika for an interesting cross cultural take on the challenges of writing about old age. Journalist and broadcaster Funmi Iyanda will chair the event at Books and Kitchen, Notting Hill. £3, prebook, 6.30pm

Thursday 14 April

CHRISTIAN CULTURE WARS: Professor Alex Ryrie discusses Christian culture wars in modern Europe, following the moral trauma of the second world war, and how they continue to shape the contemporary world in this lecture at Barnard's Inn Hall. Free, prebook, 1pm

FILM: Catch a revenge tale from Shane Meadows (of This Is England fame) with his 2004 film Dead Man's Shoes. Paddy Considine stars. See it for free at The Cat's Back tonight. Free, just turn up, 8.30pm

REQUEST LINE: Take control of the soundtrack at The Book Club tonight as the Request Line DJs play your pick of the tunes all night long. The most popular song choice wins a free cocktail. Groove your way through to Friday with this night. Free, just turn up, 9pm

Friday 15 April

This way for street food at two markets today. Image: Jason B

SOUTH BANK FOOD MARKET: Street food, artisan specialities — all types of tasty morsels take over Southbank Food Market. Even if you're not hungry, visit Southbank Centre Square and inhale the scrumptious smells and see the colourful cuisines. Free, just turn up, 12pm-8pm

ARCHAEOLOGY: Professor Vere Gordon Childe was one of the most influential figures of British archaeology, but he was also under surveillance from MI5. Discover more about his secret life at this National Archives talk. Free, prebook, 2pm

MODEL MARKET: Lewisham's Model Market opens tonight, from the folk who brought you Dinerama. Fill up on incredible creations from the likes of Mother Flipper, Up My Grill, You Donut and Yum Bun at 196 Lewisham High Street. £3/free before 7pm, just turn up, 5pm

FRIDAY NIGHT SKATE: Bring your inlines or old skool quads to Friday Night Skate. Meet at a central London location (details on their website) and glide off like you're in Starlight Express, only faster and through the London streets. Check the website for more details. Free, just turn up, 8pm (arrive 10 minutes before)

Saturday 16 April

DISCOVER: Discover Children's Story Centre is packed with kid-friendly activities including a Story Trail, Story Garden. You can even step inside a giant chocolate cake or go on a bear hunt. £5, prebook, 10am-5pm

RECORD STORE DAY: There are loads of free shows and events taking place across the country for Record Store Day. In London, head to Brill Cafe in Clerkenwell and Container Records in Brixton for free music and record-related celebrations. Free, just turn up, check the website for times

FAMILY SCRATCH ORCHESTRA: Bring an instrument and come down to the Southbank Centre to join the orchestra. Learn some simple arrangements and play along as part of a celebration for the life of Yehudi Menuhin. See family concert The Composer is Dead as part of the afternoon. Free, just turn up, 10.30am

TOP SECRET COMEDY: Catch the Top Secret Comedy Club's Early Show featuring Inder Mancoha and Javier Jarqin in central London this evening. You get a lot of funny for your money with this one as it's just a fiver. £5, prebook, 7pm

Sunday 17 April

See the brain as never before at the Science Museum

WELLCOME IMAGE AWARDS: Discover the 20 winning images from this year's Wellcome Image Awards at the Science Museum today. Be inspired by the striking beauty of science — from nerve fibres in the brain to the wings of a sunset moth. Free, just turn up, 10am-7pm

EMMY AWARD-WINNING DIRECTOR: Conway Hall welcomes Stephen Trombley to talk about the philosophy of everyday life. The documentary film maker will reflect on the seriousness, joy and strangeness of human existence. Free, prebook, 2pm

4 FLOOR: Grab some Sunday music for the soul at The Book Club with disco, house, funk and techno. Beats are courtesy of Kengo, Eddieboi and djysoulprovider. Special guest Shaun Ashby brings his rhythms to the floor this week. £3-£5, just turn up, 5pm-12am

Last Updated 10 April 2016