Things To Do This Week In London: 19-25 November 2018

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Garry Starr Performs Everything at Soho Theatre

THANKSGIVING: For American ex-pats, Yankophiles, and anyone who can't wait until Christmas to get in on the turkey party, take a look at our guide to Thanksgiving meals and events in London. You might also be interested in these restaurants which serve regional American dishes — or, heck, go full cliché in one of London's best American diners.

40° CELSIUS: Take in the work of 40 artists at this open submission exhibition. You might even bump into our own Visual Arts Editor Tabish Khan, who has the auspicious task of judging this year's entries. ASC Art House Gallery (Croydon), free, just turn up, 16-23 November

EFG LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL: Having kicked off last Friday, this massive, city-wide jazz celebration is in full swing. Expect sizzling concerts, eye-opening workshops, and plenty of other high tempo fun. Various venues around London, book ahead for some events, until 25 November

GARRY STARR: Good news if you've got eclectic taste in theatre (and a healthy sense of humour to boot). Expelled from the RSC, disgraced thespian Garry Starr is proving his critics wrong by performing every genre imaginable in a single night in this acclaimed one-man comedy show. Soho Theatre, £15, book ahead, 9.45pm, 20-24 November

IRISH FILM FESTIVAL: Discover the latest cinematic offerings from the Emerald Isle as the Irish Film Festival London returns for its 8th year. As well as the latest mainstream and indie releases, there's exclusive previews, panel discussions, and director's Q&As. Regent Street Cinema (Marylebone), £12, book ahead, 21-25 November

Monday 19 November

Harpist Mary Lattimore performs live in Angel

THE CHELSEA BROCANTE: Here's one for Francophiles: The Brocante & Decorative Living Show brings antiques, textiles, fairground and folk art, plus plenty of other curiosities from the other side of the Channel, and elsewhere. Chelsea Old Town Hall, £5, book ahead, 19-20 November

SILENT SCREENING: It's difficult to imagine The Wizard of Oz without Judy Garland's exquisite contralto but tonight you can experience the American fairy tale in a whole new way. This after-dinner screening of the 1925 adaptation of Frank Baum's classic is accompanied by a live organ soundtrack. Alexandra Palace, £11-£27.5o, book ahead, dinner at 5pm/film at 7pm

RICHARD BONA: Let Grammy Award-winning jazz bassist Richard Bona liven up your Monday. The Cameroon-born musician brings his dance and Afro-beat infused rhythms to the Jazz Cafe for the first time in seven years. Jazz Cafe (Camden), £23, book ahead, 7pm-11pm (repeated tomorrow)

HARP ON ABOUT IT: If you fancy something relaxing, you can't get much more soothing than harpist Mary Lattimore's dreamy tunes inspired by the diverse landscapes of her native USA. Support comes from London singer-songwriter Lucinda Chua, who used to jam with FKA Twigs. The Lexington (Angel), £8, book ahead, 7.30pm-11pm

Tuesday 20 November

A very silly adaptation of Beowulf

THE MADNESS OF KING GEORGE: Sherlock and Wolf Hall star Mark Gatiss leads this production of Alan Bennett's play. See him become the 18th century king plagued by mental illness, broadcast live to cinemas from the National Theatre. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £18, book ahead, 7pm

DIRTY BONES FUNDRAISER: Fancy feasting on next level comfort food without feeling guilty about it afterwards? This charity fundraiser for Youth Music in collaboration with Reprezent Radio will sort you out, with a raffle alongside the food. Dirty Bones (Shoreditch), £35, book ahead, 7pm-11pm

PERFECT LIARS CLUB: How skilled are you at fishing out fibs? Find out at this storytelling gameshow night where four suspects each tell you a tale that sounds too incredible to be true (hint: that's because one of them is). The Book Club (Shoreditch), £8-£10, book ahead, 7.30pm

BEOWULF BANTER: See the King of the Danes as never before in this slapstick musical mash up from Autojeu Theatre. They've reinvented one of histories most epic tales, Beowulf. Mirth, Marvel and Maud (Walthamstow), £10, book ahead, 7.30pm

Wednesday 21 November

Discover the City's secret mulberry trees

MIDWEEK MULBERRIES: Half a dozen hidden mulberry trees aren't the only secrets you'll uncover on this lunchtime stroll through the City. Cross the buried Fleet River, discover Gray's Inn's luscious Walk Garden, and visit a forgotten nine-pin bowling green. Farringdon station, £12-£15, book ahead, 12.30pm-1.30pm

WINE AND TRUFFLES: Feeling fancy? Indulge in some rather tasty Piedmonte vino paired with the world's poshest fungus, truffle, at this tasting evening. Mercato Metropolitano (Elephant & Castle), £40, book ahead, 6.30pm-8.30pm


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StubHub's Top Three London Events Of The Week

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Bit of a thrill-seeker? Roll up to Nitro Circus and watch the best BMX, FMX, Scooter and Inline riders perform death-defying stunts before your very eyes. Tickets from £40 on StubHub*.

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*While tickets last


Thursday 22 November

Make a festive terrarium at Alexandra Palace Garden Centre

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS BY BIKE: It's mid-November, which means that London has been transformed into a glittering winter wonderland. See all the big Christmas light displays in single afternoon on a bike tour through central London. There's a festive boombox involved — you've been warned. Meet The London Bicycle Tour Company's bike hire centre (Kennington Road), £27.95, book ahead, 3.30pm-6.30pm

HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS: The Florence Nightingale Museum keeps its doors open a little longer tonight for a performance of the Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company's Contagion, a response to the Spanish Influenza pandemic. Watch the dance before checking out the museum's Spanish Flu exhibition with its curator. Florence Nightingale Museum (Lambeth), £8, book ahead, 6pm-8.30pm

FESTIVE FOLIAGE: Make your own Christmassy ecosystem at this terrarium workshop. You can take home your fittonia, ivy, and moss creation to keep as a yuletide centrepiece, or wrap it up under the tree for someone special. Alexandra Palace Garden Centre, £35, book ahead, 7pm-8.15pm

THANKSGIVING FEAST: Here's a modern twist on Turkey Day, with a feast for the body and the mind. Ace Hotel Exec Chef Matthew Marshall whips up a beautiful autumnal meal for you to enjoy while surprise guest speakers wax poetic about co-existing in the multicultural city we call home. Ace Hotel (Shoreditch), £40, book ahead, 7pm-10pm. Take a look at the other special Thanksgiving menus, dinners and feasts in London.

Friday 23 November

A heart-wrenching dance piece that takes you from Delhi to the trenches

RIBERA REIMAGINED: Dulwich Picture Gallery hosts a special late inspired by its Ribera: Art of Violence exhibition. A curator, a pathologist, a drag queen, and queer visual artists are brought together, as 21st century London collides with the Spanish baroque. Age 18+. Dulwich Picture Gallery, £10, book ahead, 6pm-10pm

FIGHTING STIGMA THROUGH FILM: A film festival tackling the difficult subject of sexual violence in conflict, how to support survivors and combat the stigma they face. Featuring powerful films from 14 countries, interactive art installations, and workshops by experts. All welcome. BFI Southbank, free, book ahead, 10am-2pm Friday/9am-9pm Saturday, until 24 November (sponsor)

DESIGNER NIGHT MARKET: Get your mitts on some beautiful jewellery, art, handmade Christmas gifts and more at the William Morris Gallery. There's festive food and drink, and the chance to explore the gallery after dark. William Morris Gallery (Walthamstow), free entry (suggested donation £1), just turn up, 6.30pm-10pm

AKADEMI: Love, loss, sacrifice. It's all in this performance which blends contemporary dance, original music, and archive film inspired by a classic Indian tale, taking the audience from rural Punjab to the Belgian trenches of the first world war. Watermans (Brentford), £15, book ahead, 8.30pm

Saturday 24 November

Eye up some snazzy vases at Turning Earth

EAST END AMBLE: Shoreditch, Hoxton and Spitalfields have experienced quite the transformation in the last 10 years, let alone the past 100. But cast your mind back before the arrival of hipsters and quirky pop ups and discover a world of merchants, labourers, refugees, and reformers on a guided walk that explores lost markets, warehouses, and world firsts. Departs outside Old Street station, £12, book ahead, 10.30am-12.30pm

ORIGIN DAY: Hear stories of the life and work of the father of evolutionary biology, Charles Darwin at his former home. To commemorate Origin Day, Down House invites the whole family to get a closer look at some of its collections hidden gems, enjoy a garden talk, and get crafty. Down House (Bromley), £12 (included in museum admission), just turn up, 24-25 November

CERAMICS MARKET: Turning Earth ceramics studios is opening its doors to the public to show off the work of emerging makers. As it's (sort of) nearly Christmas, there are spiced hot drinks and minced pies to enjoy as you browse. Watch those elbows, now. Turning Earth Ceramics (Hoxton), free entry, just turn up, 24-25 November

BOTTOMLESS DRAG BRUNCH: Like florals? How about bottomless booze? And utterly fierce drag queens? Sashay your way to Oberon White and Sam Reynolds' floral-themed drag brunch, featuring your choice of bottomless fizz or Bloody Marys. Drink, Shop, & Do (King's Cross), £36, book ahead, 1pm-4pm

Sunday 25 November

Tap Jam turns 12

V&A TOUR: See the Victoria & Albert Museum in a different light on a guided tour with a Jewish twist. Prize-winning Blue Badge Guide Rachel Kolsky will take you through centuries of creativity, focussing on highlights with a Jewish association. Victoria & Albert Museum (South Kensington), £15, book ahead, 11am

UNCLE GLEN'S MENAGERIE: Award-winning actors from the likes of Poldark, Outlander, and the West End's Bohemian Rhapsody gather for a performance with a twist — some of them don't have a script, or any idea what the scene is about. Arcola Theatre (Dalston), £10, book ahead, 7.30pm

TAP JAM: London Tap Jam turns 12, and to celebrate it's throwing an extra special foot-stomping fiesta. Expect cake, balloons, and tap dance royalty alongside improvised moves and live music. Zigfrid Von Underbelly (Hoxton Square), £10, book ahead, 8pm