Things To Do In London: Monday 28 July 2014

If you’ve not already done so, you can subscribe to these daily listings and have them delivered to your inbox at 7pm each evening, so you have enough time to plan for the day ahead. 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!

Learn to fire a cannon aboard the Golden Hinde II.

Listings

BLOOD: Today’s opportunities to donate blood are at YMCA Hall in Barbican, ASDA on Old Kent Road and Highgate Road Chapel in Gospel Oak. See site for terms and conditions

CIRCUS SCHOOL: Looking for ways to entertain the children in the holidays? How about Circus School? WAC Arts in Hampstead runs a week-long course for 6-11 year olds, starting today, and covering essential skills such as plate spinning and acrobatics. £15, prebook, until 1 August

ROYAL CHILDHOOD: The State Rooms of Buckingham Palace opened to the public for the summer on Saturday. They are used by The Queen and members of the Royal Family to receive and entertain their guests on state, ceremonial and official occasions. This year, there's also an exhibition about Royal Childhood, featuring toys from Queen Victoria's era, a christening font, and a rocking horse gifted from Barack and Michelle Obama to Prince George. From £19.75 (extra charge for exhibition), prebook, until 28 September

PIRATE DAY: The Golden Hinde II, moored in a dry dock just around the corner from Borough Market, has a pirate-themed family tour. Learn how to raise an anchor and fire cannons, and take part in a treasure hunt. £7/£5 (family ticket £20), prebook, 12pm-2pm

GOODBYE TO ALL THAT: Robert Graves's autobiography Goodbye to All That is one of the best known examples of World War One literature. Tonight at the British Library, writers from countries involved in the First World War respond to it in readings and conversation. Writers include Ales Steger, Ali Smith, Daniel Kehlmann,Erwin Mortier, Kamila Shamsie and Xiaolu Guo. £5-£8, prebook, 6.30pm

FREE SHAKESPEARE: Celebrate Shakespeare’s 450th birthday with free outdoor theatre performances at Canary Wharf’s Jubilee Park. Tonight is a performance of The Merry Wives of Windsor by The Principal Theatre Company. Free, just turn up, 6.45pm

GET CRAFTY: Learn the skill of screen printing at Drink Shop Do in King's Cross. Learn the whole process from creating your design, cutting stencils, and using them to design a tea towel. £15, prebook, 7pm

DEAD RAT CONCERT: Folk trio Dead Rat Orchestra begin their tour of England's canals and waterways at the London Canal Museum in King's Cross. Their set consists of songs and stories inspired by the English waterways. £8/£6, prebook, 7.30pm

Find more London events in our Free & Cheap events listings. Want to see your event in these last-minute listings? Email us at hello@londonist.com at least 48 hours before the event, and we will consider it for inclusion. Note, due to high volumes of email, we can’t always reply.


Camden Fringe

London's biggest performing arts festival, Camden Fringe, begins today. Everyday throughout the festival, we'll be bringing you our pick of shows to catch that day.

The Probleming is a horror comedy play by Steve Jordan, in which two university students join what they believe to be the Speculative Analysis Society, but what actually results in spending a night in a field with a guy in a bow tie. At Tristan Bates Theatre, until 2 August

Lili is the story of Lili Elbe, the world's first known transgender woman to undergo full realignment.  The show is devised by an entire trans cast and all roles are performed by people who identify themselves as trans. At Etcetera Theatre, until 2 August

Gerardine Coyne's Party Pieces sees comedy meet silliness in a four character exploration of the motivation behind parties and what the host of a party is trying to prove to the world. At Hen and Chickens Theatre, until 1 August


Good Cause of the Day

Take part in a yoga class today in aid of Room To Read. The organisation focuses on improving literacy and gender equality around the world, with the aim of ensuring that all children have access to an education. The class takes place at 77-79 Great Eastern Street in Shoreditch and costs £10, which goes to Room To Read. Bring your own yoga mat or hire one for £2. If you would like to take part, prebook by email.

From the Archive

Two years ago, the London 2012 Olympics were well underway, the sun was shining, and the transport and travel chaos that had been predicted for years never really materialised. Before the opening ceremony even took place, we were being shown images of what the Olympic Park would look like after the Games. Did this become a reality? Judge for yourself, from our video of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park when it reopened to the public earlier this year.