Things to do today is sponsored by London Duck Tours.
What we're reading
- Opera fans in uproar over mobile phone use at the Royal Opera House.
- London restaurants with art collections that rival most museums.
- TfL made £700,000 from selling lost property last year.
- Southern rail boss still does alright for himself, despite their abysmal year.
- Marylebone's wealth obscures the diversity of its past.
Things to do today
EASTER HOLIDAYS: If you're running out of ideas for how to keep the little ones entertained, look no further than our list of things to do during the Easter Holidays.
RESTAURANT OPENING: Selfridges is bringing a welcome addition to its iconic store with a Californian-themed roof deck restaurant and bar — just in time for summer. Selfridges, book ahead, 11am-11pm
PODCAST RECORDING: Author and podcast extraordinaire Emma Gannon has the BBC's Gemma Cairney as a guest on her latest episode. The recording takes place in front of a live audience, and could cover anything from first love to mental health. Waterstones Tottenham Court Road, free, just turn up, 6.30pm
ARCHITECTURE PANEL: Is Architecture Art? That's the central question this panel consider. One panellist is Londonist's own superstar art critic Tabish Khan who — fair warning — has a penchant for leaving controversy in his wake. The Exhibitionist Hotel, free, RSVP required, 6.30pm for 7.15pm start
EASTER RECITAL: Hear a special Easter recital of Hadyn's Seven Last Words of Christ, by musicians from acclaimed Venetian chamber orchestra L'Offerta Musicale. Church of Saint Anselm & Saint Cecilia (Holborn), £8/free, book ahead, 6.45pm-7.30pm
HISTORIC HOUSE TALK: Great Dixter in Northiam dates all the way back to 1450s and remains a centre for horticultural creativity to this day. Join Aaron Bertelsen on the publication of his book covering the house, as he takes you through its intricacies. V&A Museum, £15 (refreshments included), book ahead, 7pm-8.45pm
BLACK MUSIC CAPITAL: Former sound system owner and pirate radio broadcaster Lloyd Bradley talks about how London is the black music capital of the world. Rye Wax (Peckham), free, just turn up, 7.30pm-9pm
IDIOT DINNER: Drop your favourite topic into a hat, no matter how obscure. Then everyone picks a topic out of said hat and starts a conversation on that topic, even if they know nothing about it. Conversation will be challenging but at least there's food too. The Book Club, £15, book ahead, 8pm
Sponsor message
See London as you've never seen it before with London Duck Tours
No need to choose between bus or boat to see London — with London Duck Tours, you'll get both. The bright yellow amphibious vehicles travel on the road and the river to see the best of the city's sights, all accompanied by an action-packed live commentary.
The Ducks were originally used in the second world war, but these vehicles have been rebuilt from scratch and modified. Choose from the Classic Sightseeing Tour, Historical D-Day Duck, or even the James Bond Tour — just be ready for the splash. Book your tickets here.
Art review: play on a curved pool table
This small, free exhibition looks at the history of how certain games came into origin, but more importantly lets you get hands on with several variants of chess, play pool on a curved table and navigate a ball through a maze. History meets a lot of fun, and it's game on. Game Changers: Another way to play at Somerset House, until 7 May, free ★★★★☆ Tabish Khan
Theatre review: access all jazz areas
There are 11 people on a stage for which 'postage stamp' would be a compliment, and two of them are hammering it into submission with the loudest synchronised rhythmic tap since those mice in the windmill. This Joint Is Jumpin' tells you no lies because every musician and songster is a virtuoso as they explore the back catalogue of Thomas 'Fats' Waller, from Mathis Picard's artfully crafted piano to Michael Mwenso's cool confident lead vocals.
Broadway veteran Lillias White is just a big ole succulent cherry on the top — the way she seduces you girlishly into every melody is sublime. Ignore the 'story' because there really isn't one, but as an accessible jazz concert even for non-jazz aficionados, it's one elegant evening.
This Joint is Jumpin', The Other Palace (Studio), 12 Palace Street, SW1E 5JA, £15-25, until 15 April ★★★☆☆ [Tuesday-Saturday] Johnny Fox
Good cause for the day
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION: Bit of a niche one, this, but if you're interested in conservation issues, get yourself to the ZSL offices for a talk about threats to the mountain chicken species of frog, and what can be done to avert said threats. ZSL London Zoo, free, just turn up, 6pm-7.45pm
