Things To Do In London Today: Thursday 14 March 2013

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GIVE BLOOD: Today's opportunities to donate blood are at the Bishopsgate Institute and (bit of a double take), Asda car park in Old Kent Road. Free, just turn up, see site for times and conditions

FREE FILM FESTIVAL: The first Camberwell Free Film Festival starts today. It's run entirely by volunteers and has a wonderfully varied programme so there should be something to tickle your cinematic fancy. Free, just turn up, until 24 March

PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION: Landmark: The Fields of Photography is a novel exhibition opening today at Somerset House. Displaying the often harsh but beautiful reality of our ever-changing landscapes through more than 130 original works of art taken by more than 70 photographers from across the world. Free, just turn up, until 28 April

DOODLE TIME: In aid of Comic Relief, three slightly bonkers chaps from design studio Monty undertake a 25-hour doodle over the course of two days at Boxpark in Shoreditch. Members of the public are welcome to join in and the final doodle will be sold at auction. Free, just turn up, 9am

APPRENTICE CHALLENGE: Apprentices from Jamie Oliver's Fifteen restaurant, working in partnership with Lexington Catering's chef apprentice scheme, are being put to the test in Borough Market today. Working in two teams they must source their own ingredients and then do battle against each other to sell the most produce. Lord Sugar (un)likely to attend. Free, just turn up, 11am-2.45pm

SMOKING: Why are cigarettes still so popular despite the well-known health risks and costs? A lunchtime talk at UCL explores "the most successful product ever". Free, just turn up, 1.15pm

MULTICULTURALISM AND ART: The youth-led, non-profit organisation Interact is hosting its first art exhibition, which will explore young people's reactions to the notion that multiculturalism has failed. Tonight is the opening night and will feature a talk from the London visual artist Eugene Ankomah. Free, confirm attendance via Facebook link, 6pm

CHARITY AUCTION:  Joss Parkes Searchlight, a relatively new charity set up after the sad death of Joss Parkes in January 2011, will shortly hold its first major event — an auction of artwork donated by 100 artists, including Rob Ryan, Julian Opie and Mr Brainwash. Snap up some art and help a good cause. Free, prebook, 6.30pm

ANAESTHESIA: Discover what happens to you when you are under anaesthetic and how anaesthetists manage to keep you alive and pain free, ideally both at the same time. At the Dana Centre. Free, prebook,7pm

ART SHOW: Artist Lawrence Matthias explores the conflict between religious belief and rational thought through larger than life models, drawings and paintings in his new show, Stations of the Cross Purposes. Tonight is an open evening to mark the start of the show. Free, just turn up, 7pm

BOOZE: The Morgan Arms near Mile End hosts Ben Ott of London Fields Brewery, who'll be chatting about beer making and sharing some of his favourite brews. Free, just turn up, 7pm

DANCE: Lately it seems that a good animal head atop a dancer is the sign of a promising dance work, and this will no doubt ring true for Rosie Kay Dance Company’s There is Hope, a piece based on the seven deadly sins. £15/£10, prebook, 7.30pm

OCCULTISM: South East London Folklore Society explores The Occult Life of Dennis Wheatley upstairs at the Old Kings Head, Borough High Street. £2.50/£1.50, just turn up, 8pm.

Send any tips or suggestions for the following sections to matt@londonist.com. Adults can join in the weather-drawing too...and maybe even pets.

Random London Fact of the Day

Today's trivial tidbit comes from reader Tony Harker: "Green Park is called Green Park because it is mostly er...green. The reason for this is that when it was made into a park (it was previously the site of a leper colony) Charles II used to regularly go in to pick flowers for his many mistresses. When his wife found out, she had all the flowers removed. It was only relatively recently that they were reintroduced.

London Weather

Today's forecast comes from Grace, age 6, and already a confirmed Londonophile. Our budding Carol Kirkwood presents us with a colourful six-day forecast showing (top row) The Shard, Gherkin (her favourite London building) and London Eye in sunshine and blue sky; the Shard and flowers in rain; and the Gherkin with flashing red light and Shard in cloud. And (bottom row) the Elizabeth Tower (she is quite clear on this!) with Big Ben going Bong! and London Eye in snow; London Eye and Shard in a thunderstorm; and a car in the wind. That's what London can expect over the coming six days, and the BBC more-or-less concurs.