Things To Do Today In London: Friday 9 June 2017

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Celebrating bioluminescence at ZSL London Zoo

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Things to do

ALZHEIMER'S SHOW: Help is on hand at The Alzheimer's Show for those suffering, or know people suffering, with this debilitating condition. A range of experts and speakers will be giving advice and sharing their experiences. London Olympia, £15, just turn up, 9.30am-5.00pm

AMERICAN DREAM: 60 years of American history collide in an exhibit of patriotism and disruption at The British Museum. From JFK’s assassination, Apollo 11 and Vietnam, to the Aids crisis, racism and gender politics, American artists have produced prints to track the changing state of affairs. British Museum, £16.50, just turn up, 10am-8.30pm

LUNCHTIME CONCERT: Ditch the office for a bit to enjoy a delightful rendition of Marc-Antoine Charpentier's Les Plaisirs de Versailles, by British soprano and rising vocal talent Madeline Claire de Berrié and the Baroque Ensemble. St John's Waterloo, £5, book ahead, 1pm

BEAUTIFUL MONSTER: Artists Doireann Ni Ghrioghair and Vanessa Mitter imbibe ideas of excessiveness and gleeful narcissism in a new sculptures and paintings exhibition in I am a Beautiful Monster, open until 30 June. Arthouse1, free, just turn up, 3pm-7pm

FLYING FUN: The sky's the limit in Kensington Gardens as the Gorilla Circus Flying Trapeze School dare their sponsored guests to jump and raise money for a good cause. Cheer on pros and beginners alike as they attempt to jump from a 30 foot platform and perform tricks in the air. Royal Albert Memorial (Kensington Gardens), free, just turn up, 4pm-6pm

Q&A with director Roger Michell

HOG ROAST: Get back that summer feeling and bring your appetite with you to a hog roast on the terrace of The Table Café in Bankside. Sip on fresh Pococello tasters, craft beers and cocktails as you tuck into some heavenly roast pig. The Table Café, Bankside, free, just turn up, 5pm-late

NEON ZOO: London Zoo is all aglow for London Zoo Nights. In a celebration of bioluminescence — nature’s very own lightshow — neon effects transform the Zoo, which is staying open late. See the animals as they settle down (or wake up) for the night, tuck into dinner from the street food market, or take part in activities such as Zooniversity Challenge while stilt walkers and performers mingle among you. Age 18+. ZSL London Zoo, £17.50, book ahead, 6pm-10pm

SHAKESPEARE RETOLD: Tracey Chevalier reworks the Shakespeare classic Othello into a 1970s playground story, featuring a young black boy as he arrives at an all-white school and finds himself at the centre of a vicious plot of jealousy, betrayal and revenge. Dorfman Theatre, £5/£4, book ahead, 6.30pm-7.30pm

INVISIBLE CINEMA: Listen to films that were never made, as The Unfilmables Live Cinema hits Southbank. Wrangler and Academy Award nominee Mica Levi perform live creating soundtracks to great films which hit the cutting room floor. BFI Southbank, £20, book ahead, 6.30pm-11pm

DIRECTOR Q&A: Get your burning questions answered at a Q&A with director Roger Michell (Notting Hill, Le Week-End, The Mother) after a screening of his latest film My Cousin Rachel, starring Rachel Weisz and Sam Claflin. Phoenix Cinema (East Finchley), £13, book ahead, 8pm-10.30pm

Art review: satyr, meet virtual reality

Copyright Hynek Martinec, courtesy Parafin.

At first these beautifully executed paintings look like tributes to Old Masters. But wait — that satyr is wearing a virtual reality headset... and there's an ultrasound of a baby. Painter Hynek Martinec perfectly merges classical and contemporary culture to reflect how the world has evolved, while simultaneously questioning how this has impacted on spirituality. Hynek Martinec: The birth of tragedies at Parafin, 18 Woodstock Street, W1C 2AL, free. Until 15 July. ★★★☆☆ (Tuesday-Saturday) Tabish Khan

Theatre review: cheers mum and dad, punts

Punts is about a young man's sexual awakening organised by his parents. Jack (Christopher Adams) is a young man with a learning disability. He wants to have the life his brothers have, including losing his virginity, so his parents engage the services of the lovely and well rounded Julia (Florence Roberts). As expected things get a little bit complicated. Sarah Page's comic drama may at times be a little contrived but it's a funny and sophisticated look at sex, families and the sex industry — and it's well acted too. Clare Lawrence-Moody and Graham O'Mara as the well-intentioned and sexually liberated parents round out the cast. Punts, Theatre 503, Battersea Park Road, SW11 3BW, £12-15. Until 24 June ★★★★☆ [Tuesday to Saturday] Paul Ewing

Food review: the mystery of the golden afternoon tea

The jam is afoot at this new Sherlock Holmes-themed afternoon tea. The Baker Street Pie (a warm, mini chicken bite) makes an intriguing addition to the usual spread of sandwiches — although the orange horseradish and salmon rye sarnie is fragrantly confusing. The real mystery element (if only incidental) is the second chapter of the afternoon tea, when a platter of various gold-dusted, creamy trinkets is dished up (including a smoked caramel mousse in the shape of a cigar, and a gaudy coffee and Bailey's cheesecake). Talk about rich. Good old warm scones with clotted cream, and the finest lapsang souchong we've ever slurped, save the day. Sherlock Holmes Afternoon Tea,  St James' Court, 54 Buckingham Gate, Westminster, SW1E 6BS, £35pp. ★★★☆☆ Will Noble

Good cause of the day

Contemporary artists and performers are joining forces to raise funds for Feed London's Hungry. The Nunnery are showcasing a diverse body of works including abstract and figurative paintings, readymade sculptures, wall sculptures and ceramics. George Rae kicks off the performance section of the event at 6.30pm with an improvised set using trumpet, guitar vocal and loop station. Donations collected at the end of each performance. The Nunnery Gallery, free, 11am-late

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