Things To Do In London This Week: 20-26 March 2017

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Things to do this week is sponsored by Institution of Civil Engineers.

Florimania at Hampton Court Palace

All week

MADE LONDON:Furniture, clothes, jewellery and homewares are just some of the products on display at Made London. 60 designers will be selling their products, so you can meet the person who made your new vase/rug/ring. Canary Wharf, free entry, just turn up, 17-20 and 22-25 March

#IAMYEZIDI: This photography exhibition portrays the hardships faced by Yezidi women in Iraq. It includes stories of women who have escaped slavery and rescued their children from ISIS captivity. Lacey Contemporary Gallery, free, just turn up, 21-26 March

NO 1 POULTRY: Did you know that Postmodern masterpiece No 1 Poultry almost didn't happen? This exhibition compares it to its unrealised predecessor, Mansion House Square. The Architecture Gallery, free, just turn up,8 March-25 June

Monday 20 March

SPRING EQUINOX: This druidic ceremony welcomes the increasing amount of light from day to day at this time of year. It includes a brief talk, meditation and call for peace. Tower Hill, free, just turn up, noon

ORCHESTRAS OF AUSCHWITZ: Jewish musicians imprisoned in Auschwitz were forced to perform for slave labour commandos in the camp. This evening consists of a talk, followed by a performance, including original music that was written in Auschwitz. The Wiener Library, free, book ahead, 6.30pm-8.30pm

MILESTONES: It's the last night of the Jazz Cafe's Milestones series. For the past 12 weeks they've brought iconic jazz albums reimagined by the genre's hottest talent today. They're closing with a recreation of Duke Ellington's classic The Blanton - Webster Band. Jazz Cafe, £10, book ahead, 7pm-10.30pm

Deep Life at the Royal Institution

Tuesday 21 March

MAKING MONEY:  Ever wondered how money is made? Bank of England Museum curator Jennifer Adam talks about the launch of the polymer £5 note last year, and the history of the production of banknotes. Guildhall Library, £5 (+ booking fee), book ahead,6pm-8pm

SEXY SHORTS: Short film night Bar Shorts is back with a line-up that will explore sexuality, liberty, frustration, humour in all that is amorous. Watch the films, then chat to the filmmakers and directors. The Book Club, free, book ahead,7pm-11pm

DEEP LIFE: Travel deep into the earth's crust with geochemist Tullis Onstott, to take a look at the life forms living down there and whether their presence gives us clues towards the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Royal Institution, £14/£10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm

LOLITICS: Self-proclaimed 'Lefty political comedy club' Lolitics makes its monthly appearance in Camden, with a line-up including feminist activist Chloe Green and stand-up comedian Charlie Partridge. Best of all? No heckling, and the comedians won't pick on you. The Black Heart, £5, just turn up, 7.30pm


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Wednesday 22 March

FREAKS CABARET: The freaks are out in full force at Brasserie Zédel tonight. BBC3's Mawaan Rizwan brings you the capital's biggest names in drag, including seven foot singer Gingezilla. Brasserie Zédel, £15, book ahead, 7pm

DASH CAFÉ: The politics of the Soviet film industry is the subject being tackled at this month's Dash Café. Watch film clips from across the decades accompanied by debates with experts and get an insight into how the industry was censored. Rich Mix, free, book ahead, 7.30pm

STAND UP HUMAN: If you could redesign the human body, what would you change? Scientists and comedians come together to tell you, basically, why your body isn't fit for purpose (and why lions are better than you). The Book Club, £5, book ahead, 7.30pm-10pm

Theatre review: intimate variety show

Photo: Tigz Rice

Staged in an absolute peach of a West End cabaret joint, The House of Q's latest outing once again shows off the extraordinary talents of compère and chanteur Mercury, conjurer Neil Kelso and dancer Felicity Furore. Their intimate variety show in this stylish and sexy underground boudoir encompasses sassy mashups, stunning magic and scintillating burlesque. There's rarely a dull moment in this hugely entertaining and lively show. The House of Q's Champagne Cabaret, Brasserie Zédel, 20 Sherwood St, Soho, London W1F 7ED, £15, Shows 22 March and 10 May ★★★★☆ Franco Milazzo

Thursday 23 March

LUNCHTIME CONCERT: Head to LSE in your lunch break for the final lunchtime concert of the term. The Castalian String Quartet will perform works by Haydn and Beethoven. LSE, free, just turn up,1.05pm-2pm

FREE POPCHIPS: Comedy from spoof artist Deliciously Stella, voguing classes, and makeovers from a drag expert are just some of the rooms you can visit at the pop-up Popchips store in Soho. It all sounds very high energy, but they'll be giving out free Popchips, and that's something we can get on board with. 19 Greek Street, free, just turn up, 5.30pm-8pm

THE RISE OF SOURDOUGH: If you had sourdough bread down as a new-fangled hipster snack, think again. It's been around for 6000 years, and fed the people that built the pyramids. Find out how it became so popular — and why it was replaced with modern, yeast-based bread. Barnard's Inn Hall, free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm

VIDEO GAMES BURLESQUE: Show Me Your Moves is a video game themed burlesque night. We hear there might be a Drowzee strip-tease. For real. Secret Weapon Stratford, £10, book ahead, 8.30pm-11.30pm

Show Me Your Moves

Friday 24 March

FLORIMANIA: This Mother's Day weekend, Hampton Court Palace brings you Florimania, a festival of flowers that celebrates royal women throughout history. Hampton Court Palace, price of admission to entire Palace £20.90/£17.10/£10.45, just turn up, 10am-6pm

FREE MUSIC: Jazz pianist Will Bartlett is the latest musician on the Friday night music line-up at Verdi Italian Kitchen. Royal Albert Hall, free entry, book ahead, 7.30pm

BIRTHDAY LECTURE: Today is William Morris's birthday. Celebrate with than a lecture on Morris's determination to save historic architecture, at the Walthamstow gallery named after him. William Morris Gallery, £10/£5, book ahead, 7.30pm

Art review: heritage of the docks

Copyright Gordon Young, Courtesy of London Dock

In the new housing development London Dock, artist Gordon Young has been commissioned to create sculpture and artworks referencing the heritage of the area. It's all word based and references the many commodities that came into the docks in days past. A nice touch but does feel like this idea could have been expanded on a bit more to look into the history of these items. Trading Words at London Dock, Wapping, until 30 April, free ★★★☆☆ (Open every day) Tabish Khan

Saturday 25 March

FILM FESTIVAL: West Norwood Free Film Festival sees the likes of  Northern Soul, Finding Dory and The Goonies screened at locations around the area. Tonight's offering? Back To The Future. Various locations, free, just turn up, 25 March- 1 April

PLAY ON WORDS: 5-11 year olds and their families are invited to take part in a words-themed creative workshop, inspired by words on display in the galleries and in the Library's collection. British Library, free, just turn up, 10.30am-12pm

NIGHTTIME WALK: A starlit walk of discovery through some of Kensington's most intriguing passageways, alleys and tunnels, culminating with storytelling on the theme of darkness. Bring a candle in a jar and dress warmly. Secret location, £6/£3, book ahead (email vanessa@londondreamtime.com), 7pm

No Boundaries at Rich Mix

Sunday 26 March

*Remember that the clocks go forward at 1am this morning. Don't be that person who's an hour late for everything today.*

FASHIONABLE RECYCLING: Freshen up your wardrobe by swapping your old clothes for replacements at a swishing event. Good quality men's, women's, children's and baby clothing can be swapped for tokens, which can in turn be swapped for items donated by other people. Recycling at its most fashionable. Studio 5, Free, just turn, 12.30pm-3pm

MOTHER'S DAY CRUISE: Treat your mum to a lovely day out on the River Thames, with a cruise from Chiswick Pier. If you're feeling peckish you can get cakes on board. Chiswick Pier, £10/£15, book ahead, 3.15pm

LIVE MUSIC: Celebrate Bangladesh Independence Day with live music from east London raised singer-song writer Shapla Salique and her jazz band, who will be performing Bengali folk music with a twist. Rich Mix, free, just turn up, 7.30pm