Your Sunday morning best-of-Londonist weekly round-up, this week sponsored by our media partner The Wallace Collection. Don't miss Le Roi Soleil: Party like it's 1699, happening on 2 October.
Must-read articles
- Fancy going for a swim in Royal Victoria Docks? Now you can.
- Video: we've been out to look at Walthamstow's mini Holland cycling scheme, which is dividing local residents.
- See some of the best behind the scenes snaps from Open House last weekend.
- Know someone who's just moved to London? Share our guide to London for newbies with them.
- 11 things we learnt from London Fashion Week.
- What could be better than the Garden Bridge? A bonfire, among other things, apparently.
- Mmmm... meatballs. We've been on the hunt for London's best orbs of meaty goodness.
London news
- This one decision could affect all London renters.
- "We have nothing to fear from people who are different," says Sadiq Khan.
- Dave Hill gives us the story so far on the redevelopment at Earls Court, while residents whose homes are going to be demolished say "we're just in the way".
Tickets and offers
Buttons are provided by YPlan.
PANEL DISCUSSION: Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan’s latest book, The Red Web, uncovers the history of Russian surveillance. Join them for a talk about their book, from digital dictators to online revolutionaries, at the Frontline Club in Paddington. 29 September, 7pm. Tickets £12.50.
FILM FESTIVAL AFTER PARTY: Celebrate the final night of the Raindance Film Festival at the Shortlist Gala at Café de Paris in Soho. Live music from Lois & The Love, Atari Teenage Riot and Lois Winstone. 30 September, 9pm. Tickets £10.
OLD SCHOOL CHINATOWN: The Blue Lotus Opium Den at Mayfair's Carousel recreates the decadence of 1870s Chinatown with dim sum, cocktails and 'insalubrious' entertainment. 30 September-3 October, 7pm. Tickets £38.
BAKE OFF LIVE: If you love Great British Bake Off, you'll want to nab tickets to The London Cake and Bake Show at ExCel London, Docklands. Get baking, tasting and learning. 2-4 October, 10am. Tickets £9.
MUSIC FOR MUSEUMS: The Whitechapel Gallery pushes boundaries once again with this art-meets-music series. Vocals, film and performance combine in this set from Paul Abbott, Cara Tolmie and Mikhail Karikis. 3 October, 4pm. Tickets £10.
WRESTLING: Enjoy a drama-and lycra-filled afternoon in Edmonton at the Millfield Theatre. See title fighters and young hopefuls with attitude. 4 October, 2.30pm. Tickets £14.60.
Buttons are provided by YPlan.
Curiouser and curiouser
- When do you reckon London first had horseless buses? Go on, guess.
- Video: ever noticed that there's hardly any nature on the Underground?
- Barts Pathology Museum is quite a specimen. Here's a potted history.
- From planning laws to hedge growth, see how St Paul's Cathedral influences the rest of London.
- Now this is secret London: our latest podcast comes from the bascules beneath Tower Bridge.
- Discover places to get your brain working this autumn.
Top reviews
- There's not a lot we can reveal about You Me Bum Bum Train... except that it's a phenomenal experience ★★★★★
- The World Goes Pop at Tate Modern aims to challenge our perceptions of Pop Art ★★★★☆
- See stunning photos including the Milky Way rising above the Pyrenees at the Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition ★★★★★
- We've got mixed feelings about the British Museum's exhibition about the Celts ★★★☆
- We don't like Kricket, oh no, we love it ★★★★☆
Things to do
- Comedian Robin Ince is hosting a science pub quiz, and we're a bit excited.
- Why not visit this community garden — a year ago it was all wasteland.
- Huge free al fresco arts festival Lumiere London is coming.
- Explore haunted London during the Month of the Dead.
- Chocoholics rejoice! The Chocolate Show is back.
Party like it's 1699 at The Wallace Collection on Friday
The historical Hertford House opens its doors late and marks 300 years since the death of hedonistic monarch Louis XIV with a one-off late event, Le Roi Soleil: Party Like it's 1699.
How exactly do you party like the Sun King? Think bling mirror installations, mask making, a perfume apothecary, Baroque 'n' roll music and behind-the-scenes tours. The event is part of Louis XIV: a season of talks, films and special events dedicated to France's wildest king.
Le Roi Soleil: Party like it's 1699 takes place at 6pm on 2 October at The Wallace Collection, Hertford House, Manchester Square, W1U 3BN. Tickets are £12 and can be bought on the Wallace Collection website.
Londonist is proud media partner to The Wallace Collection and its Friday Lates series.
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