Things To Do This Weekend In London: 28-29 July 2018

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All weekend

The English National Ballet twirls its way onto Grosvenor Square.

BALLET IN THE SQUARE: The English National Ballet is pirouetting its way over to Grosvenor Square for three days of alfresco performances. Featured acts range from beloved classics like Swan Lake to contemporary works. Grosvenor Square (Mayfair), £45, book ahead, 7.30pm, 27-29 July

STREATLIFE: The fantastic street food festival returns to Alexandra Palace, serving up treats from the likes of chicken connoisseurs Mother Cluckers, and risotto ball wizards Arancina. The bar will keep you hydrated  with craft beer and Pimm's on the menu, and DJ duo Scratch Perverts provide Saturday's soundtrack. Free entry, stunning views, spectacular food, beautiful weather, and no need to even leave London... what's not to love? Alexandra Palace, free entry, just turn up, 28-29 July

CIRCUS SAMPLER: Roll up, roll up — Somerset House is going to be a right circus this weekend. From hula hoop acrobat (and twelve time Guiness World Record holder) Marawa the Amazing and the Majorettes, to Gandini Juggling's watery Cascade, there's plenty of awe-inspiring action to behold. Somerset House, free, just turn up, 12pm-5pm, 28-29 July

EALING JAZZ FESTIVAL: Afrobeat pioneer Tony Allen, singer-songwriter Zara McFarlane, and all-female septet Nérija are just some of the names that'll be jazzing up Walpole Park this weekend. Expect great things from Ealing Jazz Festival, the cornerstone of the borough's summertime festival series. Walpole Park, from £5, book ahead, 12pm-10pm, 28-29 July

FLEET FOOTING: Follow the flow of one of London's lost rivers, from its source at Hampstead, to its mouth in Blackfriars. Composer Catherine Kontz and writer Sarah Grange have joined forces to create this site-specific performance piece dedicated to the subterranean River Fleet. Plug into their musical work, download a specially-made map, and start your sonic expedition through the city. Meet at Vale of Health Pond (Hampstead), £5 for music and map, download in advance, 2pm, 28-29 July

NASHVILLE MEETS LONDON: Dig out those cowboy boots, because a contemporary country music festival is coming to London. You'll see established talent and rising stars hailing both from the UK and all the way from Tennessee. Canada Square Park (Canary Wharf), free, just turn up, from 2pm, 28-29 July

Saturday 28 July

Beatrix Potter's best-loved characters go on an adventure.

ENGINEERING THE THAMES: Investigate some of the greatest feats of civil engineering along the River Thames. This walking tour will take you from Tower Bridge to Westminster for a closer look at the interaction between the river itself and the built environment right alongside it. Meet at City Hall, free, book ahead, 10.30am-12.30pm

TOTTENHAM MARSHES RIVER FETE: Reclaim London's rivers at a conservation-themed fete. Whack an invasive weed piñata, take to the water on a free canoe taster session, and dress up your doggie in a marine-themed outfit for the Fancy Dress Pooch Parade. Stonebrook Lock (Tottenham Marshes), free entry, just turn up, 11.30am-3.30pm

THE TALES OF BEATRIX POTTER: Gobbledigook Theatre is taking your favourite Beatrix Potter characters on an imaginative, interactive adventure for all the family. You'll also learn a little about the incredible author herself. The Old Library (Camberwell), pay what you want, book ahead, 11.30am/3.30pm

SISTER ACT BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH: Can we get an Amen? The first ever Sister Act brunch is coming to Soho. Ace Productions and their Queen of Angels nuns will be treating you to all your favourite songs from the 90s classic and its (somewhat less iconic) sequel, while you dig into a divine three course brunch and bottomless bubbles. 100 Wardour Street (Soho), from £20, book ahead, 12pm-5pm

WINE CAR BOOT: London's finest indie wine retailers are loading up their car boots and heading to St James's Market. Grape geeks can buy their favourite bottles all in one place, while those new to the world of wine can pick up a tasting pack and start searching for their new favourite tipple. St James's Market, free entry, just turn up, 12pm-8pm

SHAKESPEARE'S SOUTHWARK: Take a Shakespearean stroll through Southwark, from the cathedral memorial to our nation's playwright, through the riverside streets walked by the Bard himself. Meet at Southwark Cathedral, £10, book ahead, 1pm-2.30pm

SKATE SHOP STREET ART: Three Amigos skate shop has teamed up with Sailor Jerry to welcome legendary Aussie street artist Steen Johns to their store. He's the first in a series of artists to tart up their façade with a seriously cool paint job. To mark the occasion, they're hosting human bowling, a shed-load of giveaways and —natch — plenty of rum. Three Amigos (Camden), free, just turn up, 2pm

PASTA AND PIZZA MASTERCLASS: Lovers of carby Italian cuisine, step this way. The Pasta Evangelists have teamed up with Neopolitan pizzeria Quartieri to teach you how to make your own pasta and pizza from scratch. Aperitivo and nibbles are included, so resist the urge to nibble at your toppings until you've got home and wowed your mates with your new found culinary prowess. Quartieri (Kilburn), £40, book ahead, 3pm-5pm

FRIDA FIESTA: Recreate masterpieces inspired by legendary surrealist painter Frida Kahlo at this arty party. There's prosecco, a DJ, professional painting tips, and all the art supplies you could wish for. A secret location in London, from £30, book ahead, 7pm-10pm

SOUTH LONDON SOUL TRAIN: South London's iconic funk and soul night is venturing (somewhat) northwards from its Peckham roots, firing up its engines to OMEARA in London Bridge. This time Soul Train pays homage to two of the most influential disco heavyweights — Nile Rodgers and Chic. Good times indeed. OMEARA (London Bridge), £13, book ahead, 11pm-5am


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Sunday 29 July

Have you got what it takes to win the second world war?

RODIN EXHIBITION: The British Museum's Rodin and the Art of Ancient Greece exhibition closes today, so if you haven't already seen the exploration of the celebrated sculptor's ancient inspirations, get yourself down there for an afternoon amongst the centaurs and Greek goddesses (you can see what we made of it here). The British Museum (Holborn), £17, book ahead, 10am-4pm

LONDON PERMACULTURE FESTIVAL: The whole family can get practical tips on living a more sustainable life at London Permaculture Festival. There's a garden trail, nature art, and workshops on everything from city composting to building a bamboo bike. Cecil Sharp House (Camden), £10, just turn up, 11am-6pm

DIZ AND THE DOORMEN: Groove away your Sunday afternoon New Orleans style with help of Diz and the Doormen. So successful is Diz Watson's barrelhouse piano in bringing the spirit of the Crescent City to south east London, you can almost taste the gumbo. Hideaway Jazz Club (Streatham), £10, book ahead, 12pm-4pm

SEX, DEATH AND SHOPPING IN SOHO: Does Soho still have its seedy streak? With the help of our media partner, Funzing, you're about to find out. Discover the fiercely independent and flamboyant side of Soho from decades past alive and kicking on a walking tour with ex-Museum of London director Anthony Robbins. 12.3opm-2pm

FOR KING AND COUNTRY: It's the 1940s, but not as we know it. The Germans have landed on England's south coast. You, the audience, are a group of backbench MPs taken to a secure location as designated survivors. When the worst happens, you must form a new cabinet and continue the fight — in this immersive theatre game, have you go what it takes to win the second world war? Colab Factory (Borough), £29, book ahead, 2pm/6pm

MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE: In Devil May Care, gag merchant Marcus Brigstocke reckons its time we sort out, once and for all, what's good and what's bad. Preview the latest stand-up show from the former Have I Got News For You and Mock the Week guest panelist before it hits the Fringe. Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre Bar (Walthamstow), £10, book ahead, 2pm-5pm

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM: It's never too early to get into Shakespeare, as proven by the Globe's kids' storytelling programme. Take your 5-12 year-olds to discover the magic and mayhem of A Midsummer Night's Dream. With fairies, potions, and a very silly donkey, what more could they ask for? Shakespeare's Globe, £10, book ahead, 2.15pm

HERE WE GO ROUND THE MULBERRY BUSH: Improve your landscape photography skills on a walking workshop across the south London grand estates. Belair, Brockwell, and Myatt's Fields are linked by a  mysterious mulberry tree heritage, which you'll learn all about with the help of your guide, urban nature writer and photographer Peter Coles. Meet at West Dulwich station, free, book ahead, 3pm-5pm

ONE WALL AT A TIME: Learn about one of the biggest street art campaigns of all time at this documentary screening. Changing the World One Wall at a Time follows the Education is Not a Crime campaign, which saw over 40 murals add some colour to the streets of Harlem, Detroit and beyond in protest of education discrimination against the Baha'is in Iran. The Tabernacle (Notting Hill), £7, book ahead, 6pm

SOUNDS OF SUN RECORDS: Put on your blue suede shoes and journey back to the birth of rock'n'roll. The record label that gave the world Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and many more is being brought to life on stage. New Wimbledon Theatre, £20, book ahead, 7.30pm-10pm