Things To Do In London Today: Tuesday 5 November 2013

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. And help spread the word to your friends who haven’t discovered us yet!

You may see these strange formations in the sky tonight.

Photo by distillated from the Londonist Flickr pool.

Listings

BLOOD: Today’s opportunity to donate blood is at Cathedral Hall, Victoria. Free, see site for terms and conditions

BANG! SCRIZZ! TOFFEE APPLES!: It may not be a favourite of household pets, but Bonfire Night is here and there are various firework displays taking place around London. Take a look at our round-up for where to go to enjoy that snap, crackle and pop. No wait, that's something else.

BATTLEFIELD MUSICIANS: Stephen Mason of the International Military Music Society describes some of the battlefield experiences of British Military bands, and examples of the musicians’ bravery during the World Wars, at Guildhall Library. Free, prebook, 2-3pm

REGIONAL THEATRE: The National Theatre has been looking to the future with a series of platform events, the final one of which takes place today and focuses on how regional theatres have to work to ensure their survival. £4/£3, prebook, 5.45pm

UNDERGROUND POEMS: Join John Hegley, train buff, poet and comedian and fellow poet Cicely Herbert, as they read a selection of poems celebrating London and trains at the London Transport Museum. £15/£12 (includes a drink), prebook, 6.30pm

HOLLYWOOD AND HITLER: If you missed historian Ben Urwand's talk about Hollywood’s dealings with Nazi Germany yesterday then do not fret, he is at Waterstones Gower Street tonight talking on the same subject. £5/£3, just turn up, 6.45pm

GIG: Classic rock legend Peter Frampton performs at the Roundhouse tonight. Expect to hear material from across his expansive back catalogue. £34.50, prebook, 7pm

DUTCH POET: Palestinian-Dutch Ramsey Nasr is an award-winning poet, actor and author. He was Poet Laureate of the Netherlands between 2009 and 2012 and tonight he talks at the Dutch Centre. £5/£3, prebook, 7pm

GEORGIAN LONDON: Find out about Georgian London with Lucy Inglis at the Big Green Bookshop. £3, prebook, 7pm

ACADEMIC COMEDY: The fabulous mix of comedians and UCL academics of Bright Club hits Bloomsbury Theatre once more, date-appropriately about fire. Matt Richardson, Holly Walsh and Lady Carol are joined by researchers whose insights will be as funny as they are fascinating. £8 + bf, prebook, 7.30pm

FRENCH COMEDY: The International Comedy Club arrives at the Comedy Café Theatre in Shoreditch, to host international comedians performing in their native languages. France kicks things off with sets tonight from Bun Hay Mean and Farid Chamekh. £10, prebook, 8.30pm


Good Cause of the Day

Join a comedy fundraiser tomorrow in aid of Save The Children. A truly excellent line-up, comprising Ray Peacock, Adam Buxton, James Acaster, Rob Beckett, Matt Richardson, Joe Wilkinson, Keith Farnam and Holly Walsh, will perform at Bloomsbury Theatre to make you Laugh Till It Hurts. £15/£12.50, prebook, Wednesday 6 November at 7.30pm

London Connection Puzzle

A new puzzle begins today. Your first clue-word is LOUIS. Don't send guesses in yet, but have a think about what it might be, then get ready to email in tomorrow when clue 2 is revealed. Thanks to Michael Hewson for setting this one.

From the Archive

On this day two years ago, we took a look at some stunning aerial photographs of London, including shots of the Shard and Olympic Park under construction. It is also (roughly) the one year anniversary of these listings reaching you as a newsletter each morning. Happy Birthday, Things To Do In London Today newsletter! Go off and celebrate, but don't have too many, you need to be up and ready to go again at 7am tomorrow morning.

London Weather by Inclement Attlee

How does that old Guy Fawkes rhyme go?

Remember, remember, the fifth of November: gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason, to forecast the season, as something which it is not.
Gusts of wind and dire murk
Unite to kill your firework
Chilly skies and rain conspire
To meanly piss on your bonfire
And Pauline Quirke's
Fireworks
But Michael Buerk's
Does not

[Editor's note: Mr Attlee has been inhaling too much sulphur. We are seeking someone less prone to bouts of chemically induced surreality for this weather column.]