What we're reading
- Crossrail's new proposals make it more like the tube.
- Since leaving the capital this writer has been at the helm of a medical journal, written for most national newspapers as well as the Lancet, paid off her debt, bought a house with her partner and is currently writing her first book. Good for her.
- A shaft by shaft look at the Rotherhithe Tunnel.
- The Queen unveiled an Iraq and Afghanistan war memorial in London.
Things to do today
VICTORIA COACH STATION FESTIVAL: It's the 85th birthday of the trusty Victoria Coach Station, bussing Londoners to the rest of the country and beyond for as far back as we can remember. They're bringing back some of their favourite old coaches for the weekend. Victoria Coach Station, free, just turn up, 10-12 March
FREE FRIDAY MUSIC: A couple of extremely talented schoolkids, going by the name of The Dumky Trio, are performing a f0ree lunchtime concert. Verdi Italian Kitchen, free, book ahead, noon
ONE POUND POP-UP: The bestselling author of One Pound Meals, Miguel Barclay, is cooking three of his recipes at Borough Market and offering free samples for members of the public. Borough Market, free, just turn up, 12.30pm-2pm
WOMEN IN ADVERTISING: The Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising is hosting a talk on the role of women in advertising today. The Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising, free, book ahead, 2pm-3pm
RUGBY NIGHT MARKET: Here's a ballsy night out in Spitalfields; a rugby themed market in honour of the Six Nations. The perfect spot to kick back and watch the Ireland vs Wales game, or take part in rugby competitions and coaching. Old Spitalfields Market, free, just turn up 5.30pm-9.30pm
POWERFUL IMAGES: It has never been easier to take a photograph, but that doesn't mean an image's power is diminished. Hannah Starkey and Emma Bowkett discuss what photography can achieve today. The Frontline Club, free, book ahead, 6.30pm-8pm
ROBOT SURGERY: Robots performing surgery might be the future: come and see a simulated operation performed by the da Vinci Surgical System. Science Museum, £25/£22/£20/£18, book ahead, 6.30pm-8.30pm
LE GRAND VOYAGE: The Maghreb Ciné film club is screening Le Grand Voyage. It shows a father and son who travel on a religious pilgrimage in a claustrophobic car. Rabbits Road Institute, £5/£4, book ahead, 6.30pm-9.15pm
PORTRAITS CONCERT: Ever considered musicians and composers as portraitists? That's what Ian Burnside does at this concert. The Wallace Collection, £30/£25, book ahead, 7.30pm
SEBRIGHT ARMS: Legendary Hackney music venue, the Sebright Arms, is back with a bang. They've got a series of gigs lined up for their relaunch. Tonight, it's feedback kings Traams. Sebright Arms, £6, book ahead, 8pm
Art review: contorted bodies
We've seen Lanfranco Quadrio's brilliant drawings before and he astounds yet again with detailed, contorted bodies. This time he has been coupled with the calm and surreal paintings of Ruozhe Xue. Two very different artists that work perfectly together in examining the human form. The Politics of the Void at Rosenfeld Porcini, 37 Rathbone street, W1T 1NZ, Until 8 April, free ★★★★☆ (Monday-Saturday)
Theatre review: there will be mud
Yes, it's the one that looks like the day after Glastonbury, with any amount of rolling and rucking in the mudslide. Like pop festival sex it's boisterous, bawdy and tough on the thighs, but Joe Hill-Gibbins's A Midsummer Night's Dream ditches all fairy daintiness and celebrates the Titania/Oberon power struggle, the lovers and most of all the neatly-delineated crew of rustics with an earthen delight that's genuinely infectious, and Lloyd Hutchinson's grouchy Puck in a Rab C Nesbitt vest is a supreme joy. Two hours of good dirty fun. A Midsummer Night's Dream, Young Vic, 66 The Cut, SE1 8LZ, £10-36, Until 1 April ★★★★☆ (Monday to Saturday) Johnny Fox
Good cause for the day
AMY WINEHOUSE NIGHT: The London Cabaret Club have teamed up with the Amy Winehouse Foundation, for a night of tributes to the queen of Camden herself. There's also a silent auction of Amy Winehouse photography and artwork, all proceeds go to the foundation who help young people deal with addiction and homelessness. The London Cabaret Club, £35/£75/£125, book ahead, 6.30pm-3am
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