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Listings
BLOOD: Today’s opportunity to donate blood is at City Temple by Holborn Viaduct. Free, see site for terms and conditions
JOYRIDE: Last December, Nathaniel Pimlott had his car stolen. The experience, while traumatic, also inspired Joyride — a new exhibition at Peckham Springs Gallery that uses the image of the car as a recognisable but abstract form to explore different emotional states. Free, just turn up, until 16 November
IRANIAN FILM: The fourth London Iranian Film Festival opens today. Tonight's event is sold out but take a look at what else is on and prebook so you don't miss out. See website for details, until 9 November
FILM: A couple of films start a brief run at the Institute of Contemporary Arts today: Gloria is a film about a Chilean woman making the most of her new found divorcee freedom, while Cutie and the Boxer is a documentary that looks at the 40-year marriage of famed ‘boxing’ painter Ushio Shinohara and his long-suffering wife Noriko. £10/£8, prebook, until 7 November
FREE TEA: teapigs is 7 years old today and to celebrate it's giving away cups of tea at various London cafes and train stations. Take a look at where you can get yours here, but be warned, they'll go quick!
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS: Halloween may only just have passed, but Day of the Dead is already upon us. Take a look at what you can do to celebrate around the capital here.
MARITIME: Take a trip to the National Maritime Museum today where kids can make a Navy hat, join a storytelling session about Nelson’s Column, or step into a step-dance workshop with their parents. All free, see site for further details
WRITE LIVE: Sarah Butler writes live for you, and is taking requests, at Woolfson & Tay as part of the Live Writing Series of events around London. Free, just turn up, from 11.30am
FIREWORKS: Remember, remember...remember that bonfire night is actually on 5 November? Well, you're right, but the celebrations are starting now with fireworks taking place in Camden, Hammersmith, Havering, Kingston and Lambeth tonight. There are even more tomorrow, take a look at our round up for more details.
REGULAR MUSEUM LATES: See in the weekend with a spot of culture at the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Royal Academy, or National Portrait Gallery. Free, check websites for closing times and events
CITY LIVERY: Trade and craft associations have flourished all over Europe for many centuries, but the City of London companies, now collectively known as the Livery, are unique in their survival, number and diversity. Tim Connell discusses why, at Guildhall Library. £5.95, prebook, 6pm
LIT: The Richmond Literature Festival starts with Keats House Poets and the Read Right Here project performing at the Old Town Hall. Free, prebook, 6pm
UNDERGROUND SUPPER: Try a supperclub on a decommissioned Victoria Line tube carriage, parked up near Walthamstow, with Grub Club. There are still tickets available at the time of writing. £42, prebook, 6.30pm
CRAP FILM: The Crap Film Club is back and oh boy is it a goody. In a Halloween special, it's at Lime Wharf with a screening of Frankenhooter – because nothing says “enjoy this annual celebration” quite like freak gardening accidents and exploding prostitutes. £4.50/£3.50, prebook, 7pm
ADDICTIVE CITIES: Amit Chaudhuri, Jeet Thayil and Ted Hodgkinson discuss addictive cities at the Free Word Centre, for the South Asian Literature Festival's closing night. £5, prebook, 7pm
ELECTRONICA: Katia Barrett collaborates with composer Dave Currie to present an electronic music project that draws on the history of the musical genre Chutney-Soca and makes reference to the Indo-Caribbean carnival scene. At The Biscuit Factory. Free, just turn up, 7-9pm
HALLOWEEN CHORUS: The London Gay Men's Chorus has teamed up with the London Gay Big Band for a Halloween Ball at Hackney Empire. Over 160 musicians will perform suitably-themed songs and the audience is encouraged to dress to match. £10-£30.50, 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
VICTORIAN VARIETY: Saints and sinners are both welcome for an evening of Victorian variety at Battersea Mess and Music Hall. There'll be burlesque, belly dancing, accordion playing, and even a gothic magician. £8/£5, prebook, 8.30pm
Reader Offer
London start-up Pact Coffee is offering caffeine hungry Londoners a bargain. Get your first 250g of fresh, hand-roasted coffee delivered direct to your door for only £1. Find out more about this offer and how to redeem it here.
Good Cause of the Day
Combat Stress is the leading UK charity specialising in the care of Veterans' mental health, and tomorrow it holds its Winter Fair at the Free Church Hall, Hampstead Garden Suburb to raise funds for the cause. There will be refreshments, various stalls, cakes, a tombola and goodies for the festive season. £2 (children free), just turn up, Saturday 2 November 11am-3pm
London Connection Puzzle
The complete set of clues for this week's puzzle are: MERCEDES, AURORA, REDOUBT and VINCIA. Spotted the London connection? We already have a winner, so no need to write in.
From the Archive
1 November has been a good day for alternative tube maps. Firstly, in 2010 we brought you the Pubs of the City of London Alternative Tube Map, and two years later it was the less practical but probably more pretty Electric Tube Map.
London Weather by Inclement Attlee
A grim day. It's going to rain like we're in a film-noir parody. But also, that annoying colleague you barely tolerate will insist on giving you a pinch and a punch for the first of the month. To get your own back, take his or her umbrella, decant therein a liberal helping of Pret porridge, then re-tighten the velcro. Voila, an unexpected oaty shower for your tedious tormentor.
