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Last year, with rumours circulating that the Gherkin building was to be sold, we offered up some alternative uses for it, should the new owners not be happy to rent it out as premium office space.
Things To Do
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ART15:
Art fair Art15 begins at Olympia London today, with over 150 gallery displays from 40 different countries representing a full range of artists from the ages of 25 to 93. There’ll be art installations, panel discussions, food from great chefs and expert tours. Director Kate Bryan spoke to Londonist about how it's different from other art fairs. Londonist readers can get 2-for-1 tickets. £15/£10, prebook, until 23 May
AN AUDIENCE WITH ADVENTURE:
The Kendal Mountain Film Festival presents an evening of adventure films at UCL's Kennedy Lecture Theatre. There will also be an expert adventurers' panel session with an on-stage Q&A with three adventure industry experts. £20, prebook, 6pm
INDONESIAN FEAST:
Sample your way through 13 dishes from across Indonesia at Stage 3 at Hackney Empire. Wash it down with South East Asian-inspired cocktails, beers and wines from the bar, while listening to music from the Dizzy house band. £27.50, 7pm
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SYRIAN CONFLICT:
Novelist and journalist Jonathan Littell, Syrian film producer and activist Orwa Nyrabia and correspondent and writer Anthony Loyd, form the panel at Frontline Club in Paddington. The topic is the conflict in Syria, the current situation, and whether it could be coming to an end soon. £12.50, 7pm
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WINE TASTING:
This wine tasting class at The Mitre in Greenwich focuses on southern Europe’s greatest vineyards. Try six different varieties to learn the difference between Spain, Portugal and Italy’s greatest grapes. £25, 7pm
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GOSPEL KARAOKE:
Karaoke meets gospel music at Queen of Hoxton in Shoreditch tonight. Think Tina Turner and Whitney Houston meet Sister Act. Age 18+. £7-£12, 7pm
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COMEDY:
Part TED-style talk, part improv comedy show, The Wunderkammer from Do Not Adjust Your Stage invites guests Joseph Morpurgo and Dr Mike Galsworthy to talk music and animal behaviour at Theatre Delicatessen in Farringdon. £7, 7.15pm
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WILDLIFE TALK:
Is there a future for tigers, rhinos and elephants in the wild? Tonight at the Royal Geographical Society, four experts discuss how we can collectively win the battle to keep iconic species in the wild. Featuring representatives from Travel Operators For Tigers and WWF US. £15, prebook, 7.30pm
SHAMI CHAKRABARTI:
Dulwich Books holds an event with Shami Chakrabarti, director of human rights organisation Liberty, at Alleyns School. She will talk about how our fundamental rights and freedoms have changed since 9/11, and how governments are trading off greater security in exchange for less freedom. £12/£6, prebook, 7.30pm
CLONE A MAMMOTH:
Beth Shapiro, evolutionary biologist and pioneer in ancient DNA research, is at the Royal Institution to discuss the possiblity of bringing extinct species, such as woolly mammoths and passenger pigeons back to life. £12/£8/£6, prebook, 7.30pm
MUSIC SHOWCASE:
Head to The Troubadour on Old Brompton Road for a showcase of performances by five musicians, including 16 year old Natalie Shay, who won London's Big Busking Competition. One of the performers will get the chance to record with a Grammy-winning engineer. £7, prebook, 7.30pm
QUENTIN TARANTINO:
Goat in Chelsea throws a Quentin Tarantino themed party, complete with Tarantino themed cocktails and film music. There's a prize for best dressed character and everyone gets a free cocktail. Age 18+. £5, 9pm
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Share burger joy at Gourmet Burger Kitchen this week
Indulge in a tasty burger during your lunch break this week: GBK is offering you the chance to shout your burger loving friends a free lunch. Wait, what?
From Monday to Thursday this week, grab a burger and side from the GBK 15 Minute Lunch Menu (starting from £5.95) and treat your chosen friend with a second one for free. Choose from classic beef, cheese, chicken or veggie burger and accompany it with fries, GBK homeslaw or a salad.
From 9am today, click here to be in with a chance of grabbing a free burger for your friend. There are 250 available each day so make sure you’re ready!
Terms and Conditions: Buy any lunch menu and receive one free 4oz lunch menu to the value of £6.95. Offer does not include lunch menu upgrades to 6oz. Valid at GBK restaurants within the UK mainland only, until 21st May 5pm. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer, set menu or GBK app reward. Offer limited to 250 free lunches per day. Eat in only.
Today’s Things to do in London is sponsored by Gourmet Burger Kitchen.
Good Cause of the Day
Hestia's annual comedy night takes places tonight at Dingwall's in Camden to raise funds for women and children across London who are escaping domestic abuse. The line-up includes Shazia Mirza, Roisin Conaty and Jason Patterson. Tickets are £10/£13, book here.
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.
