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Things to do
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TALK ON AI WEI WEI:
Find out everything you need to know about Chinese contemporary art master Ai Wei Wei ahead of his new show at the Royal Academy. The curatorial director of Lisson Gallery, which represents the star artist, talks at Richmond Old Town Hall. £12, prebook, 10am
SCOTTISH ART EXHIBITION:
Northern Lights: Aberdeen Art Gallery at the Fleming Collection opens today. While the Scottish gallery undergoes renovation, Londoners get a chance to enjoy this usually faraway collection in Mayfair, including work by Turner. Until 27 January. Free, just turn up, 10am
AFTERNOON TEA:
Afternoon Tea Week may sadly be over but that doesn't mean you shouldn't continue to indulge in finger sandwiches and fancy cakes, and let the great scone cream-or-jam-first debate rage on. Treat yourself and a civilised companion at Mews of Mayfair until 14 September, £25, prebook, between noon and 5pm
WRITING AND ART WORKSHOP:
Bring along an object of significance to you to get your creative juices flowing at Telling Your Story. The Free Space Gallery in Kentish Town hosts this workshop for all ages and abilities. £5 suggested donation, prebook, 6.30pm
LGBT FESTIVAL:
Hackney Showroom launches Queer Show and Tell with a screening of short film Drag is my Ecstasy (a behind-the-scenes peek at life in and out of drag) and a rehearsed reading of work-in-progress Hoops (about love triangles and wooden spoon fights). Free and £4 respectively, prebook, 6.45pm and 7.30pm
BANKSY CLASS:
Paint Banksy! at Davy's, Canary Wharf, gives participants the chance to get creative, street-art-style. Girl with a Balloon serves as inspiration for this pop-up painting session. £25, prebook, 7pm
POETRY READING:
Join host-creators John Osborne and Molly Naylor at The Proud Archivist Poetry Party. This new showcase for spoken word in Haggerston should speak to all ages and backgrounds. £8 including a drink, prebook, 7.30pm
HARMONICA CLASS:
Get to grips with the pocket-sized instrument with Antidote in Stoke Newington. It's perfect for a variety of genres, so whatever your musical taste, bring your harmonica down to Church Street or buy one on the night. £8, prebook, 7.30pm
GHOSTBUSTERS:
Luna Cinema hasn't yet given up on summer and nor should you. Battersea Park is the setting for this showing of the New York classic, Ghostbusters. Remember: if someone asks you if you're a god, say yes. £14.50, prebook, 7.30pm
VARIETY SHOW:
Try not to get your knickers in a twist at the eye-popping, gravity-defying shenanigans of the scantily-clad Briefs boys at the Spiegeltent on the South Bank. The show returns to London Wonderground after 2014's sold-out run and a world tour. Tonight, and dates throughout September. £32, prebook, 7.30pm
COMEDY:
Go to the Old Queen’s Head in Angel for a bunch of comics coming down after Edinburgh: Simon Munnery, Nish Kumar, Lolly Adefope, Goose, Spencer Jones and Luke McQueen. £5, prebook, 8pm
JERRY LEE LEWIS TRIBUTE:
Linda Gail Lewis, sister to rock'n'roller Jerry Lee and boogie-woogie maestro in her own right, performs with her daughter Anna Marie and band Some Like It Hot. Catch this dynasty of talent at Boisdale of Canary Wharf, £10, prebook, 9.30pm
Good cause of the day
Baritone Njabulo Madlala and fellow musicians from the Rainbow Nation present A South African Songbook: Sounds For Hope And Progress in support of six charities who together work to alleviate poverty in South Africa. Opera, classical music and traditional songs will fill St James's Church in Piccadilly. From £15, prebook, 7pm
Explore Londonist
If your appetite for London's never-ending offerings is not yet sated, head over to the Things To Do corner of Londonist for more ideas and inspiration.
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