Things To Do In London This Weekend: 6-7 May 2017

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Things to do this weekend is sponsored by The British Museum.

All weekend

Peckham Salvage Yard

IMPERIAL FESTIVAL: Land a virtual reality plane, battle superbugs and learn how scientists are trying to make cheese creamier at Imperial Festival, a free, family-friendly science festival which gives the public an insight into the work of Imperial's scientists. Imperial College, free, book ahead, 6-7 May

PECKHAM SALVAGE YARD: The team behind Hackney Flea Market heads south for Peckham Salvage Yard, a vintage market with 50 traders selling furniture, ceramics, clothes, textiles and more. Bussey Building, free entry, just turn up, 6-7 May, 11am-6pm

FAMILY POP-UP: It's time to get the little ones looking stylish at this pop-up market. ShopUp invites the hippest boutique children's designers to Shoreditch, alongside some activities to keep the kids entertained. Old Truman Brewery, free entry, just turn up, 6-7 May

FREE FILMS: The Herne Free Film Festival continues into the weekend, with screenings of acclaimed German improv film Victoria and a night of adventure based short films. Various locations, free, first come first served, until 29 May

MODERN NATURE: You've got the chance to be a part of a future exhibition at the brilliant Wellcome Collection. They want objects that tell a story about your relationship with nature. They'll photograph the object and use their favourites in their upcoming exhibition, A Museum Of Modern Nature. There are also some drop-in and ticketed events running throughout the weekend. Wellcome Collection, free, just turn up and book ahead for talk, 5-7 May

Saturday 6 May

Basement Orchestra at The Grand

MOANA: Take the kids to see animated Disney film Moana at Little Rippers Film Club — and wear them out with an hour-long skate session first. House of Vans, free, just turn up, 10.30am/12.15pm

THEATRELAND: Calling all theatre-lovers; take a tour around London's star-studded West End to discover its secrets and history. TKTS booth, £12/£9, book ahead, 11am-12.30pm

SEWING MACHINES: It's the monthly opening of London's Sewing Machine Museum. See a machine which was given to Queen Victoria's oldest daughter as a wedding present, among 600 other objects. Sewing Machine Museum (Balham High Road), free (donations welcome), just turn up, 2pm-5pm

GUIDED WALK: Head east for a riverside walk exploring chimneys and tunnels along the Thames. Greenwich Pier, £15/£12, book ahead, 2.15pm-5pm

FEMALE SOLDIERS: Explore 100 years of women in the army at the National Army Museum. The tour takes you all the way up to last year's lifting on the ban of women in combat roles. National Army Museum, free, book ahead, 2.30pm-3pm

MIDNIGHT APOTHECARY: It's the opening weekend of the 2017 season of enchanting summer bar, the Midnight Apothecary. Located in a rooftop garden atop the Brunel Museum, sup seasonal botanical cocktails by the excellent Cocktail Gardener, sitting alongside an open firepit. Brunel Museum (Rotherhithe), £5 entry (food and drink charged on top), book ahead, 5.30pm-10.30pm (and every Friday and Saturday night until September)

BASEMENT ORCHESTRA: Hear classical music, but not as you know it. Basement Orchestra transforms the music hall into a dance hall, alongside tasty finger food and a tempting bar. The Grand (Clapham), £12.50, book ahead, 7.15pm-9.30pm

EXPERIMENTAL SPACE: Soak up some out-there sights and sounds at the experimental audiovisual experience Further. Headline sets come from the forever popular DJ Food and Pete Williams. Portico Gallery, £7.50, book ahead, 7.30pm-midnight


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Sunday 7 May

Such Is Life at the Barbican

CRICKET: It's the beginning of the new cricket season and to kick it off, Lord's is hosting the first ever one day international between England and Ireland on British soil. Lord's Cricket Ground, Adults from £25/under 16s from £5, book ahead, 10.30am

CROYDON AIRPORT: See the world's oldest air traffic control tower and take a free tour around the micro museum at Croydon Airport's monthly open day. Croydon Airport, free (donations welcome), just turn up, 11am-4pm

MINIONS: Minions is the film of choice at Little Rippers Film Club. Wear the little ones out with an hour of skating first, before settling them in front of the film. Not a Minions fan? No problem — adults can refuel in the cafe while kids watch the screening. House of Vans, free, just turn up, 12.15pm

NON-SILENT FILM: The Barbican take the classic Czechoslovakian silent film Such Is Life, and provides sound through a live musical accompaniment by Milos Orson Stedron. Barbican, £5-£12.50, book ahead, 4pm

CHARITY FOOTBALL: Football Beyond Borders present the Community Cup, bringing together ex-pros and celebrities to raise funds for the charity that helps provide free football classes for kids across Britain. Champion Hill stadium (Dulwich Hamlet Football Club), £5-£12, book ahead, 4.30pm-8pm

ED BALLS: Perhaps the most popular and charismatic politician this nation has ever seen, and coming hot on the heels of his own national day, hear Ed Balls chat to Dan Jones about his life in politics, why history matters and most importantly Strictly. Hackney House, £20, book ahead, 6pm-8pm

SOUNDS OF THE CITY: Ever wanted to know exactly what Edgware Road sounds like? Join artist Laura Oldfield Ford and musician Jack Latham (Jam City), for this talk as part of the Stadtklang series, to hear their field recordings. Arcola Theatre Bar (Dalston), free, just turn up, 6.30pm-11pm