Things To Do Today In London: Friday 30 June 2017

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Things to do today is sponsored by Zest and Zing.

Mayfair Art Weekend

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Things to do

CULTURE SEEKERS: Mayfair Art Weekend and the Royal Academy of Arts have over 60 art galleries, fashion brands, restaurants and bars in Mayfair and St. James's with open doors for culture seekers to explore. Talks from artists, gallerists and local Mayfair figures will and a rare chance to visit the RA schools during their final year show are also on offer. Royal Academy of Arts, free, just turn up, 10am-6pm (until 2 July)

HUMANS AS ART: See the human form in ways you haven't seen it before, through the eyes of artists Otto Schade and Danny O'Connor. Distorted Façade showcases their individual and unique styles, but hurry, it's your last chance to catch the exhibition before it's gone. Well Hung (Hoxton), free, just turn up, 11am-5pm

SUSTAINABLE EATS: With its heart firmly in sustainable food production, Rubies in the Rubble has an Open Sandwich pop up in Selfridges Food Hall as part of London Food Month. It makes use of fresh fruit and veg that would otherwise go to waste, turning them into tasty creations. Selfridges, just turn up, 11am-8pm

JEWISH REFUGEES: To mark Refugee Week, this presentation highlights the plight of thousands of Jewish refugees from Nazi-occupied Europe, as they joined the fight against fascism by joining the British Army. Images, memories and objects help tell their extraordinary tales. National Army Museum, free, book ahead, 11.30am

DAVID BOWIE: See the changing face of David Bowie and the characters he played in feature films such as The Man Who Fell To Earth and Labyrinth at the last exhibition day of a gallery of portraits by artist waynedidit. Greenwich Picturehouse, free, just turn up, noon-10pm

Major League Baseball early 4th July celebration

RED, WHITE, AND BLUE: Okay, it's an American holiday, but 4th July comes early to London with the Major League Baseball in this virtual reality experience taking over Pop Brixton. Take your place in the batting cage, don the VR headset and play to win for your team. Enjoy American street food and DJs for a feel of Boston and LA in Brixton. Pop Brixton, free entry, just turn up, noon-midnight

REVEAL FESTIVAL: Today is the launch of REVEAL, a free, week long festival celebrating the V&A's 165th anniversary and opening of its brand new Exhibition Road Quarter. Explore the new space through events and activities designed to bring the architecture and collections to life. V&A Museum, free, just turn up, 6.30pm-10pm

BALL AND BOE: Tenor superstars and friends Alfie Boe and Michael Ball will be headlining this summer's Greenwich Music Time, following the success of their platinum-selling album Together. £45-£75, book ahead, 6pm

SINFULLY GOOD: Experience the London Dungeon like you never have before in a one-off culinary journey through the dark streets of London's past, encountering the seven deadly sins. The London Dungeon, £59, book ahead, 7.15pm

DISCO FREAKS: Hit the dance floor in your bright colours and flared jeans for a summer disco party. Greg Wilson will be at the tape deck with disco edits for you to boogie the night away to. The Nest (Dalston), £8, book ahead, 10pm-4am


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Art review: extreme pop culture

Copyright Rich Simmons

Painter Rich Simmons takes on pop culture, the selfie generation and consumerism in these poppy artworks. The works are searingly bright with a mix of both optimism and cynicism. Rich Simmons: Pop Provocateur at Box Galleries, 402 King's Road, SW10 0LJ, free. Until 6 July ★★★☆☆ (Tuesday-Sunday) Tabish Khan

Opera preview: the Dream of Gerontius

Possibly his ultimate masterpiece, Edward Elgar's The Dream Of Gerontius is about nothing less than death and the meaning of life. The English composer is best known for his Enigma Variations but this choral work been described as "one of the most epic works ever written" and, for two nights only, appears at the Royal Festival Hall. It comes complete with the English National Opera's own orchestra and chorus as well as the BBC Singers. Throw in some innovative designs by award-winning lighting guru Lucy Carter and this is a rare treat which begs to be sampled. The Dream Of Gerontius, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX. £15-£55. 1-2 July, Franco Milazzo

Food review: punk tapas

A pop-up within a pop-up, Ben Spalding's Last Days of Shoreditch residency serves a changing menu of small dishes. £28 buys you four 'punk tapas' plates: our visit was full of loud, decadent combinations — salty chicken skin sandwiches, intensely rich duck paste, charred broccoli with apricot jam and white chocolate. Inventive and confident food, but as a dining experience it's less surefooted. Dish sizes vary wildly, without much warning from the descriptions or pricing. Choosing the full tasting menu for £69 sidesteps that, but the standard four dishes deal risks leaving you with only plates from the intense-but-tiny end of the spectrum. Bar prices are oddly mismatched — reasonable beers, but the only wine by the glass comes in at £9 — and the friendly staff could do with multiple more hands on deck than they're managing with. It'd be great to see what Spalding could do down the line with a permanent home, where his big, bolshy cooking has the space to shine. Small Plate Sessions, Last Days of Shoreditch, 288 Old Street, EC1V 9LA. Open until 26 August ★★★☆☆ Lydia Manch  

Good cause for the day: streak for tigers

Did you know a group of tigers is called a streak? ZSL London Zoo is calling on cheeky challengers to get their kits off and join this naked run in support of ZSL's tiger conservation work. Fearless fundraisers are invited to unleash their wild side and prowl as nature intended, after hours, in the heart of the zoo. 300 streakers will take on a new route for 2017 with the aim of raising over £40,000. To secure a place in Streak for Tigers you'll need to pay a £20 registration fee (£18 for students) and pledge to raise a minimum of £150.