Things to Do Today In London: Thursday 26 May 2016

Today's Things To Do In London is sponsored by The Old Vic — scroll down to find out more about its new production, Groundhog Day.

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Plenty of stuff to keep you busy on Southbank today.

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It's probably not 10 o'clock. We're definitely not Sir Trevor McDonald. But this is the news.

Things to do today:

SELF DEFENCE: Play it safe at this Women's Only Wing-Chun and Self Defence Class at Tavistock Place. Instructor Sifu Jai has 15 years of experience in martial arts, and will teach you how to stay safe, using traditional techniques. £5, prebook, 8am

MAKE DO AND MEND: This month's Make Do and Mend Yourself workshop lets you get stuck in to making seed bombs and summer planters at Leake Street Pocket Park. Drop in and do some urban gardening — everyone's welcome. Free, just turn up, from 12pm

PLANT COCKTAILS: The queen of plant-based cocktails, Lottie Muir brings her Wild Cocktails to Battersea's Prince Albert. Join her for brunch and some of her signature drinks, made famous by her work with rooftop bar, Midnight Apothecary. £20, prebook, 1.30pm

98 HOURS OF ART: Head to the South Bank to see performance artist Nikhil Chopra take on the ultimate performance art challenge — living as his character, The Black Pearl, for 98 hours. Watch him arrive by boat and weave memories of London's rivers and canals into paintings on the windows of the Royal Festival Hall. Free, just turn up, from 5pm, until 30 May

Go inside the golden domes on a mosque tour.

MOSQUE TOUR: See inside the golden domes of Regent's Park's mosque while learning about Islam's history and role in the community. Visit the Mosque's dedicated library, see the Islamic Golden Age exhibition and ask questions over tea and cakes. £15-£24, prebook, 6pm

POEMS IN THE QUEEN'S HOUSE: Jen Hadfield, winner of the T.S Elliot Prize, brings her Shetland-inspired poetry to the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace. She'll premier a new poem written specially for the event. £15, prebook, 7pm

More things to do after this sponsor message


Catch the premiere of Groundhog Day at The Old Vic

The team behind the Olivier Award-winning Matilda The Musical work their magic on The Old Vic's latest production, Groundhog Day. With songs by Tim Minchin and direction by Matthew Warchus, it's a sparkling stage adaptation of the 1993 classi film.

Starring acclaimed Broadway star Andy Karl, this musical version tells the story of cynical TV weatherman, Phil Connors, who gets caught in a time loop while reporting on Pennsylvania's annual Groundhog Day. As he's forced to repeat the same day again and again, will he ever break the cycle?

This summer sees the world premiere of this highly anticipated show on its limited run from 11 July- 7 September. Tickets are available online from The Old Vic.

Andy Karl is appearing with the support of UK Equity, incorporating the Variety Artistes’ Federation, pursuant to an exchange program between American Equity and UK Equity.

Connect with the Old Vic on Facebook and Twitter.

Today's Things To Do In London is sponsored by The Old Vic.


MUSIC FROM VIENNA: Treat your ears with the sounds of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Their Summer Night Concert will be live-broadcast to a huge screen on Riverside Grass, next to the OXO Tower. Enjoy classical music with the sounds of the river around you. Perfect. Free, just turn up, concert from 7.15pm

PEXAVA SALSA: Grab some salsa lessons this week at Conway Hall with Gil and Shelley. Start your steps with an intermediate class and groove into the social with your new-found shimmy. £8, prebook, 7.15pm

COMEDY: Soho Theatre takes you on a ride through disco with Queen of Canvey, Diane Chorley. From soul at The Goldmine to 1980s New York, with the help of her faithful band, The Buffet — Diane will lead you through the songs that shaped her "star" career. £15, prebook, 9.30pm


Good cause of the day

Help tackle homelessness with a 12-hour Yoga-Relay in Old Street. Good Yoga Life challenge you to complete 16 back-to-back classes in aid of Shelter. Bring friends and get involved in the easy 45-minutes classes. You'll be kept hydrated by Chi Coconut Water and fully stocked in snacks by Pip & Nut. Oh, and you don't have to complete the whole 12 hours you don't want to.

Sign up now for the Good Yoga Life workout for a good cause. £10, sign up online, 8am-8pm, 25 June