Things To Do This Week In London: 7-13 August 2017

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Things to do this week is sponsored by City of London.

All week

Covent Garden becomes Covent Jardin this week

TOP TAPESTRY: The Quaker Tapestry is the product of 15 years and 77 panels of stitching and sewing by 4,000 people from around the world. It's on display at The Light, Friends House with workshops and demonstrations going on all week. The Light, Friends House, free, book ahead, 7-18 August

LOCAL FRINGE: If a trip to Edinburgh Fringe isn't on the cards this year, no worries because Camden Fringe has you sorted with a whole heap of shows, from comedy to opera, and Q&As to poetry slams. There's so much on each day you really are spoilt for choice. Camden People's Theatre, various prices, book ahead, until 27 August

CUBITT SESSIONS: King's Cross hosts a programme of live music performances from a range of genres, from classical to experimental jazz. Lewis Cubitt Square (King's Cross), free, just turn up, until 11 August

COVENT JARDIN: No need to book tickets on the Eurostar because France is coming to Covent Garden — or, should we say, 'Covent Jardin'. An abundance of chic French brands, al fresco café culture and delicious dining spots will embrace the French way of life and there are plenty of ways you can join in. Covent Garden, various prices, book ahead, until 13 August

Monday 7 August

Make your own cosmetics with Hawa

HOMEMADE COSMETICS: There's no need to pop into Superdrug or Boots if you know how to create your own homemade cosmetics. Find out how to make hand creams, body butters, scrubs and more using household ingredients and keep what you make during each session. Poplar Union, £5/£3, noon-2.30pm (and every Monday until 11 September)

FOODIE DELIGHT: Canadian pop-up Little Social...Eh! is returning to Mayfair with chef patron Cary Docherty’s a la carte menu celebrating the Canadian dishes of his childhood, all with a luxurious twist. How does poutine topped with maple-glazed Morteau sausage sound? Little Social (Mayfair), various prices, book ahead, noon-10.30pm (until 9 August)

PUB QUIZ: The Clifton gastropub has been lacking one traditional pub staple: a good quiz night. That all changes from today, as professional quizmasters The Quiz Team will be testing the trivia knowledge of The Clifton's drinkers and diners for the first time. Win glory as well as a £50 bar tab (1st prize) or a bottle of house wine (2nd prize). The Clifton (St John's Wood), £2, just turn up, 8pm

Tuesday 8 August

Attend a talk about urban gaming and alternative exploration in the city

STORYTIME: One the for the kiddies; take them along to listen to award-winning author and illustrator Rob Biddulph celebrate the launch of his new book, Kevin — a story of imaginary friendship and learning to take responsibility for your own actions. Activity sheets and treats are provided, as is access to the Story World and Story Garden. Discover Children's Story Centre (Stratford), £6.50, book ahead, 2pm

DIGITAL MARKETING: Does it feel like social media is getting ahead of you, but you want to harness its power and potential for your business? Digital marketing is the new way to get your name out there, so learn how to do so on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram in this talk. Aldwych House, free, book ahead, 5.45pm-7.45pm

THE LONDON GAME: London is just one big playground, and to prove it, game designer Holly Gramazio and Matt Adams, co-founder of Blast Theory, and others are discussing play and public space, urban gaming and alternative and subversive explorations of the city, with a free drink on entry. Museum of London (Barbican), £15, book ahead, 7pm-10pm

HAMLET RETOLD: In this modern retelling of a classic, Hamlet is a young man with everything going for him, but when word reaches him that his father is dead, his world starts to fall apart. Returning home he finds that everything in his universe has changed, and faces a difficult choice: to accept this new reality or to rebel against it. Bussey Building (Peckham), £12.50, book ahead, 7.30pm-10.30pm

THAT'S LIFE: Socio-political issues and racial and religious disparities are confronted in one theatrical evening against the backdrop of New York City. Borders in a Bedroom is the story of couple Maya and Imran. Tristan Bates Theatre, £10, book ahead, 9.15pm-10.15pm (until 12 August)


Sponsor message

Fancy watching Roman-inspired classics above a real-life Roman amphitheatre?

Roman ruins, Italian street food and three classic films to choose from. Alfresco cinema doesn't get much better than this. Bring a picnic blanket and a designated grape feeder and sit back under the stars for screenings of Monty Python's Life of Brian, Roman Holiday and Gladiator. Plus, fully immerse yourself in London's rich Roman history with a wander around the city's only Roman Amphitheatre — open until 9pm during the screenings.

Swords and Sandals, Guildhall Yard's outdoor cinema season takes place from 7-15 August and is part of Londinium, a three-month series of Roman events, which features everything from Gladiator fighting and talks to contemporary dance and wine tasting.

Check out the schedule of screenings and book now.


Wednesday 9 August

Take a stained glass tour of Southwark Cathedral

PRINCESS PARTY: Take the kids to a royal Coronation party for a 'real' princess, and learn the skills needed to be a princess or a knight, while making jewellery, easting tasty treats and playing royal games. Saint Barnabas Hall (Enfield), £15, book ahead, 10am-3pm

GLASS TOUR: There's more to stained glass than just how pretty it looks. Go beneath the aesthetics with this talk and tour of some of London's best examples of 20th century stained glass in Southwark Cathedral for a journey through time, colour and history. Southwark Cathedral, £8, book ahead, 6.15pm-7.15pm

ALL STAR BEER: Try some of the most flavoursome Midwestern craft beers at All Star Lanes, which has teamed up with Boulevard Brewery Co. for one night only to give visitors a taste of Kansas City brews. All Star Lanes (Shoreditch), £20, book ahead, 6.30pm-8.30pm

PRESS IN THE ART WORLD: In the fast-developing world of media, how do you get shows, pieces and announcements covered? Join Anna McNay and Londonist's own Tabish Khan as they reveal all. Cass Art Islington, £15, book ahead, 6.30pm-9pm

OASIS BACKSTAGE: The Half Moon pub plays host to some excellent music films, beginning with Oasis: Supersonic, looking at the meteoric rise of the '90s rock band and a firsthand account of the backstage sibling rivalry that threatened the band's existence. The Half Moon (Putney), £3, book ahead, 8pm-11pm

Thursday 10 August

Have a blast at Lord's Cricket Ground

BOOZY TICKET: A festival dedicated to an espresso martini. 50 cocktail bars across London are taking part in the fun, pouring £5 variations of this boozy coffee drink. You might want to book Friday off work. Ticket provides a pass for discounted drinks.Various locations, £10, book ahead, 10-12 August

BEHIND THE SCENES: If you've ever wondered what exactly a Gaffer does on a film set — and no they don't tape the production together — you can find out at Secrets of the Movies, a free exhibition of movie posters, behind the scenes photos, artefacts and props with a focus on British films to be released before the end of 2017. The Strand Gallery, free, just turn up, 11am-6pm (until 24 August)

SUPER SMOOTHIES: A delicious smoothie is just a few peddles away with FoodCycle, who are taking a bunch of surplus fruits and vegetables and creating delicious drinks you blend yourself on the smoothie bike. Museum of London (Barbican), free, just turn up, 1-2pm

GIN MASTERCLASS: Become the gin expert and cocktail-making aficionado of your group of friends by attending the Merchant Square floating botanical bar masterclasses, hosted by craft food and drink venue Lockhouse as part of the Summer Fete. Floating Pocket Park, £25, book ahead, 5.30pm

CRICKET: An action-packed evening awaits cricket lovers at Lord's Cricket Ground, which is seeing the last of its NatWest T20 Blast matches being played out on its famous green. Lord's Cricket Ground, various prices, book ahead, 6.15pm-9.30pm

Friday 11 August

Discover Tudor treasures at this museum late

TUDOR TREASURES: Explore the treasures of Burlington House, learn about Tudor musicians and get hands-on with a felt-making workshop to create your own Tudor-inspired hair fascinator at the Blood Royal: Picturing the Tudor Monarchy after hours exhibition. Society of Antiquaries of London, free, just turn up, 6pm-9pm

STILL INCONVENIENT: If you missed former American Vice President Al Gore at Somerset House on Thursday, you can catch him at an exclusive streamed conversation event at Rich Mix with another opportunity to see the documentary An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power ahead of its general release on 18 August. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £11, book ahead, 7pm-9.30pm

SPOKEN WORD: Discover the power and the humour of spoken word shows with storyteller Cathianne Hall, paying homage to vintage ‘Girl About Town’ sitcoms and exploring why sometimes you have to get stuck to get unstuck. London Irish Centre (Camden), £6, book ahead, 7.30pm-8.30pm (until 13 August)

Saturday 12 August

Are you ready for the Beer Mile challenge?

THAMES MEANDER: Pull on your running shoes and take the Thames Meander for a marathon or half-marathon along a flat scenic riverside trail starting and finishing at the YMCA HQ. YMCA Hawker Centre, £33, book ahead, 10am-5pm

BRUNCH CLUB: Did you know about the five key taste profiles: sweet, salty, sour, umami and bitter? Get to know each a little better with Grey Goose for Le Grand Fizz Brunch Club, a dining and cocktail experience completely personalised to your own taste profile. Carousel London (Marylebone), £30, book ahead, noon-2pm

CIDER-LICIOUS:Sample a variety of homegrown ciders at The Great British Apple Festival, splash your cash at the farmers' market and sway to live music from some of London's best bands and singer/songwriters. And what would an Apple Festival be without lots of apple-based games? Shoreditch Park, £10, 12-13 August

BOTTOMLESS BELLINIS: Can there be too many bottomless brunches? We don't think so, and now JuJu has joined the trend with a Bottomless Belaire Brunch with unlimited Belaire Bellinis served alongside a Pan-Asian selection. JuJu (Chelsea), £20, book ahead, 1pm-5pm

90S FESTIVAL: Prepare for a hit of serious nostalgia as Now That's A Festival sees in live music from 90s supergroups Big Brovaz, Blue, B*Witched, S Club, Damage, Blazin' Squad and Dane Bowers. Ain't no party like an S Club Party. Central Park (Dagenham), £15, book ahead, 12-13 August

LET'S TALK UNFILTERED:Pop the social media filter-bubble and get up to date with topical UK and global issues for International Youth Day at Rich Mix. There'll be food for thought a-plenty and great excuses to meet new people. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), free, book ahead,2pm-4.30pm

BEER RACE: Three cheers for the Beer Mile World Classic, a drinking race that's actually a race — not just a long weekend bender. Part athletics meet, part beer festival, it's all kinds of fun, and happens all over the world. Let's see if the London men's race can beat the world record like they did last year. Saracens Stadium - Allianz Park, £10, book ahead, 5pm-9pm

Sunday 13 August

Beat the clock to be crowned the winner with XRACE

MYSTERY ADVENTURE: If you're a parent with a child 6-14 years old then you've been set a challenge by XRACE, a mystery adventure race against the clock to be crowned XRACE champion. Highbury Fields, £19, book ahead, noon-3pm (various London locations until 20 August)

LONDON SIGHTS:The 24th stage of the London Spiral walk promises plenty of green space and wide streets, good views of the city, and the weird stone dinosaurs of Crystal Palace, so get out those walking shoes. Meet at Norbury station, free, book ahead, 1pm-4pm

WALK THE TWOPENNY TUBE: Follow the line of the Twopenny Tube by foot with the author of Walk the Lines: the London Underground - Overground. Full of history and trivia, you'll find more about the London you know and the London you don't. Meet at Bank tube station by the Duke of Wellington statue, £8, book ahead, 2.30pm

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