If you’ve not already done so, you can subscribe to these daily listings and have them delivered to your inbox at 7am every morning. Alternatively, subscribe to Londonist Daily to hear about events further in the future.
GIVE BLOOD: Today’s opportunities to donate blood are at St Paul's Church Hall in Stoke Newington and Brewers Hall in the City of London. Free, just turn up, see site for times and conditions
TICKET ALERT: The ever-popular Film4 Summer Screen season at Somerset House was recently announced and general tickets go on sale today, so reserve your spot at your favourite screening now.
EVEREST: Oxo Gallery celebrates the 60th anniversary of the first successful conquest of Everest with Everest 1953 — a photographic exhibition featuring prints of the exhibition. Free, just turn up, until 9 June
KEATS: The Keats Festival kicks off at Keats House today for 10 days of poetry, performance and family events. See website for full details, until 2 June
STREET FOOTBALL: Mobile designers HTC have collaborated with Getty Images to produce Street Football: An Insider's Perspective — an exhibition at Top Office Machines. The exhibition showcases street football around the world and the different urban spaces that play out this international sport. Free, just turn up, until 28 May
BEER FESTIVAL: Real ales, ciders and barbecue food are on offer at this bank holiday beer festival at The Windsor Castle, Carshalton, which also features live entertainment throughout the weekend. Free, just turn up, until 27 May
SKETCH COMEDY: Comedy festival Sketchfest starts today and carries on through the weekend at The Victorian Vaults in Shoreditch. Acts include Allnut and Simpson, The Pin and the very wonderful Robin and Partridge. There are two double-billed shows a night. £12/£9 for a single show, £20/£15 for a day ticket and £50 for a weekend pass, prebook, until 26 May
JAZZ: The Royal Albert Hall’s free ignite jazz series continues today with the Peter Michaels Trio, who explore the elements which unite music from across the world. Free, just turn up, 12pm
MUSEUM LATES: Unwind after work with a spot of culture at the British Museum, National Gallery or National Portrait Gallery. Free, check websites for closing times and events
FICTION: LA Times Book Prize for Fiction winner Ben Fountain is at Bookseller Crow on the Hill in Crystal Palace. £3, prebook, 7.30pm
ROLLER SKATE: The Friday Night skate starts at Wellington Arch. Anyone who feels competent on skates is welcome to join. Free, just turn up, 8pm
PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON MARATHON: A couple of weeks ago we told you about the pretty stupendous opportunity to watch every Paul Thomas Anderson film in one sitting. Classics such as Boogie Nights, Magnolia and There Will Be Blood will be screened, so if you forgot to get your tickets the first time round, here is your last chance. £25, prebook, 9pm (finishes 10.35am the next day!)
Random London Fact of the Day
In 1865, a tunnel almost two miles long was completed between Holborn and Euston. Its purpose was to convey parcels and packages between post offices, using pressure differentials to pneumatically drive the carriage along. A verbose newspaper account of the time describes the construction with delightfully unwarranted Homeric allusions: "They have had to go up hill and down hill, to wind this way and that, to dodge the Charybdis of gas-pipes, to shun the Scylla of sewers, and to coquet with the underground Naiads of the water company." The line was later extended to the area of Gresham Street, but it was soon abandoned.
Unintentionally lewd Dickens quote of the Day
"'Aye!' cried Rosa, smiting herself passionately on the breast, 'look at me! Moan, and groan." David Copperfield, Chapter 56.
Good Cause of the Day
SOLAR PANELS FOR SCHOOLS: Camden-based carbon cutting organisation 10:10 has a project called Solar Schools. It provide teams of teachers, parents, volunteers and students with online and offline tools, training and support to help them reach out to their communities and crowdfund the cost of solar panels for their school roof. Right now, applications are open for new schools to take part next academic year but in order to be in with a chance of taking part they need to have started an application by 29 May. If you'd like to put your school forward for the scheme, follow the instructions here.
London Weather, by Inclement Attlee
This was the scene at Londonist Towers yesterday, when an unseasonal downpour of snow and rain made a recumbent slush puppy out of our balcony.
It's supposed to be late May. What the actual f*ck?
Reader Imola Unger predicts more extreme weather ahead, and sends us this artist's pre-construction of today's contrary weather. Holy Zeus!
