What we're reading:
- London set for bank holiday heat wave.
- 10 years of Cafe Oto: how the east London venue became the heart of the underground.
- London local elections: meet the volunteer campaigners.
- The secret green shelters that feed London's cabbies.
- The community magazine paying tribute to Grenfell.
Things to do:
LOCAL ELECTIONS: If you've not registered to vote in today's local elections, it's too late now. If you are registered, your polling station should be open 7am-10pm.
RUBBISH CAFE: Swap your empty shampoo bottles for a zero-waste meal cooked by eco-chef Tom Hunt. Upcycling expert Max McMurdo has designed this two-day pop up cafe on behalf of Ecover to inspire you to reduce your plastic usage. 25 Long Acre (Covent Garden), free, just turn up, 8am-4pm
ASPARAGUS NOUVEAU: Grab a bunch of the English asparagus while it's in season at Borough Market. For two days, guest growers will be on hand to share their secrets to cultivating the perfect spears. Keep an eye out for street food offers on dishes that all incorporate the quintessential English vegetable too. Borough Market, free, just turn up, 10am-5pm, until 4 May
MUMURATION: Nine life-sized bronze humanoid figures are suspended in various states between falling and flying in sculptor Josie Spencer's new solo exhibition. Here, she explores the zoological phenomenon of a murmuration — where a flock of birds appear to dance through the air in a striking display of coordination but, in actuality, each creature is simply acting for its own safety out of fear of a perceived threat. The Playground Theatre (North Kensington), free, just turn up, 10am-6pm
PRINT FAIR: Are your bedroom walls looking a bit bare? Find something to jazz them up at the 2018 London Original Print Fair. There's also a programme of talks, free workshops and, if you pop back over the weekend, you can hop aboard a mobile work of art in the form of the Peter Blake bus. Royal Academy of Arts (Piccadilly), £12, book ahead, 10am-9pm, until 6 May
POWER TRIP: Discover London's shifting landscapes of power in a guided walk through some of the city's oldest streets. Drawing on English constitutional history, law, politics, economics and architecture, you'll investigate the capital's users and abusers of authority. Meet at Somerset House, from £12, book ahead, 11am-1pm
ARBIKIE POP UP: Bartender Francesco Petracci is popping in to graffiti-lined cocktail hideout Ask For Janice for a free evening to mark the start of Scottish distillery Arbikie's residency. The liquor brand won the title of World's Best Martini this year, which you can sample tonight among a bespoke menu of cocktails. We'll drink to that. Ask For Janice (Farringdon), free entry, just turn up, 6pm-8pm
FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS: Make an elegant and timeless floral display to take home with you with the expert guidance of Notting Hill florist Front Row. Drinks and canapes will be served on arrival to help get those creative juices flowing, and you'll leave with a goodie bag. Front Row Florist (Notting Hill), £50, book ahead, 6pm-8.30pm
UNDERGROUND CINEMA: Scoff street food in the Brunel Museum's roof garden, before heading deep beneath your feet for the main event — a screening of three short adventure documentaries, right in the heart of the Rotherhithe shaft. Brunel Museum (Rotherhithe), £25, book ahead, 6.30pm-10pm (partner)
A DOLL'S HOUSE: Ibsen's famous drama has been given a modern makeover by Theatre Niche, who worked with some of the UK's leading mental health charities to create this timely retelling of A Doll's House. Watch an iconic power couple unravel in an adaptation that use verbatim interviews with sufferers of mental illness to explore gender and mental health. Tara Theatre (Wandsworth), £14.50, book ahead, 7.30pm, until 4 May
AGV LEGENDS: 1970s motorcycle racing legends are hurtling into Greenwich (and bringing their original racing bikes with them) for an AGV evening spectacular. If you're a biker yourself, you can bring along your ride and treat yourself to free helmet pinstriping, screenprinting and leather embossing. There's also plenty of street food, a classic bike display and the chance to win a custom X3000 helmet. Greenwich Market, free, just turn up, 7.30pm-10.30pm
DELI COMEDY CLUB: See new comedy talent in an atmospheric new venue. Canadian joker Bobby Mair, as seen on Never Mind the Buzzcocks and 8 Out of 10 Cats, headlines while Samantha Barnes —who is shockingly the only woman to ever reach the finals of the UK Pun Championship — emcees. The Old Library (Camberwell), £6, book ahead, 8pm-10pm
Good cause of the day
Find out how you can help kids and families let their imaginations run riot at the Institute of Imagination's volunteer evening. You'll get to meet the IoI team, learn all about their exciting events and have the chance to explore the Imagination Lab and try out hands-on activities. If you can't commit to volunteering, you can make a donation here.
