Things To Do In London: Monday 11 May 2015

Sign up to our free Londonist Daily email to get today’s articles sent straight to your inbox at 5pm.

New hobby?

Feeling musical? Good. Take a look at our guide to where to learn mysterious plucked instruments in London.

Things To Do

Buttons are provided by YPlan.

Reinventing Alice at Waterloo Vaults

LITERATURE WEEK:
The British Academy's Literature Week starts today, with events running along the theme of fairy tales and folk tales. Free, until 17 May

LAST CHANCE:
Several free exhibitions close in the next month or so. Little Heroes: Roy’s People sees tiny superheroes take to the streets of London (free, until 9 May). You can see Ydessa Hendeles's crowd of creepy mannequins (£1) until 17 May. It’s a double bill of Torture And Textiles at Serpentine Galleries (both free) until 17 May. Henry Hudson’s Plasticine art needs to be seen up close to be believed (free, until 29 May)

TECHY EXHIBITION:
If you're a tech geek then you'll love the Intel Future Showcase, happening tonight at Kachette, close to Old Street station. On display are technology items and devices from both the past and the future. Free, prebook, from 5.30pm
*PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EVENT IS HAPPENING ON WEDNESDAY 13 MAY, APOLOGIES*

ALBUM SIGNING:
Cathal Smyth, better known as Chas Smash of Madness, is at Fopp in Covent Garden signing copies of his debut solo record A Comfortable Man. We’d recommend getting there early. 6pm

COCKTAIL MASTERCLASS:
Cartizze in Mayfair is giving you the chance to learn the art of cocktail making from the masters. Ticket includes a Bellini and nibbles on arrival, two cocktail demonstrations by mixologists and one cocktail you'll make yourself. £30, 6.30pm
Info & Buy

HAIKU:
Poet in the City is at King's Place for a celebration of the Haiku. From its Japanese origins to its modern influence, this event will explore the fascinating history and legacy of the three-line poem. £9.50, prebook, 7pm

WINE TASTING:
Head to Vivat Bacchus in Farringdon to learn about Chenin Blanc, a highly acidic white wine grape variety from the Loire valley of France. Go from novice to connoisseur in a single night. £15, 7pm
Info & Buy

ALICE IN WONDERLAND:
Reinventing Alice, at The Vaults in Waterloo, is a session on the different ways the famous Alice of Wonderland could be represented, with a backdrop of commissioned pieces by artists and musicians. £25, 7.30pm
Info & Buy

DRINK SHOP DO:
Whether you’re a beginner or an established crafter, this knotting workshop at Drink Shop Do will get you on the right track to creating your own knotted necklaces and bracelets. £12, prebook, 7.30pm

SHERLOCK HOLMES ESCAPE HUNT:
Escape London’s quest puts you in the shoes of fictional detective Sherlock Holmes. Scattered throughout an old house are a series of baffling clues. It’s up to you to solve them, Sherlock-style. £27, 8.30pm
Info & Buy

COMEDY IN THE DARK:
Comedy In The Dark at Udderbelly does exactly what it says on the tin. Comedians do their thing in the dark — the heightening of the audience senses makes the gags all the sharper. £16, 9pm
Info & Buy

Buttons are provided by YPlan.


Enter the night this summer at Black Cat Cabaret's Nocturne

It won the title of Best Production at the 2014 London Cabaret Awards, and now Nocturne is the brand new show flying high into London Wonderground this summer on Southbank. A Black Cat Cabaret classic, Nocturne sees soprano Lili La Scala guide the audience through a shadowy dream world, peppered with showgirl sirens, otherworldly acrobats, shady tricksters and other late night eccentrics. Expect live music, circus skills, visual splendour and oddities aplenty.

Nocturne is at London Wonderground from 15 May-11 September 2015, book tickets here.

image001

Today’s Things To Do In London is sponsored by London Wonderground.


Good Cause of the Day

Book tickets now for this event at Doodle Bar on 19 May. Fashion designer Henry Holland will be speaking alongside Alex Noble and Ligaya Salazara — we think tickets will go quickly. All profits from the night go to SpeakEasy and ChildHope charities.

Find more London events in our Free & Cheap events listings. Want to see your event in these last-minute listings? Email us at [email protected] 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.