Your Sunday morning best-of-Londonist weekly round-up. Want to get this as an email? Sign up for Sunday Best here.
Must-read articles
- People who used to work at the Royal Docks have been sharing their memories of the area — hear their tales.
- Harrods: louche palace for the bolshy, or treasured London institution?
- If you're an eager beaver thinking about Christmas shopping already, we've got some ideas for the London fashion lover in your life (more ideas to come between now and Christmas).
- The 1970s are returning to London's restaurants with a vengeance.
- It's not all high rises and concrete in Edmonton y'know — check out these photos of N9.
- Must-know info to survive the next six weeks: which is the best Christmas sandwich in London?
- How to live the 1960s in the London of 2015.
Did you know...
- ...there are still around 1,500 gas lamps on London streets. We spoke to the people responsible for maintaining them.
- ...this week was the 80th anniversary of the disaster which inspired the launch of the 999 emergency phone line.
- ..."knocker-up" used to be an actual London job title. And it's not what you're probably thinking.
- ...when your London postcode was created?
- ...what the most common species of bird in London is? Find out here.
- ...where the first electrically lit house in London was?
- ...that you can swim in the buff in central London every week?
London news
- TfL announces 2016 transport fares — how much will you be paying?
- Meanwhile, Sadiq Khan claims that he would freeze transport fares for four years — we're sceptical.
- A new report suggests that more housing help is needed for Londoners on low-middle incomes.
- You can use your Oyster card on the Gatwick Express from January. Before you get too excited though, read this.
- London boy donates the coat off his back to homeless coat appeal.
Tickets and offers
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SECRET HISTORY TOUR:
Take a behind the scenes tour of the Royal Albert Hall and hear stories of its history, including visits by the Kray twins and Winston Churchill. £10, 15-2o November
Get Tickets
CREATIVE WRITING COURSE:
Literary newbies and established writers are invited to take part in this creative writing course in Stoke Newington. Enjoy a tipple while you learn how to organise your creative writing process. £6, 17 November
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SANDI THOM:
Scottish singer Sandi Thom (most famous for her 2006 song I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker) performs an intimate set at The Jazz Cafe in Camden. £16.50, 17 November
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SINGING WORKSHOP:
Get your lungs warmed up to take part in this singing workshop, aimed at singers of all levels. Learn songs from blues, world, folk and African traditions at WAC Arts in Belsize Park. £6, 19 November
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SUN MU FILM SCREENING:
Head to The Frontline Club in Paddington for a screening of I am Sun Mu, a documentary about North Korean defector and pop artist Sun Mu, followed by a Q&A with director Adam Sjöberg. £10, 20 November
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RACE OF CHAMPIONS:
See some of the world's best racing drivers at the Race of Champions in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Stars of F1, Le Mans, WRC, MotoGP and touring cars battle it out in the annual end-of-season competition. From £21, 20-21 November
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WINTER ON THE ROOF:
The Prince of Wales in Brixton hosts a mini winter wonderland on the (warm, covered) rooftop. The music spans three floors and several genres, with drinks available from the winter cocktail bar. £8/£10, 21 November
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Join us for a night of London booze
At this special event with Conway Hall, we drink in London's rich and boozy culture (responsibly, of course), looking at the history of London’s beer and gin life; and touching on pubs past, present and future.
Sample the wares of Five Points, Brew By Numbers, Wild Card, Hop Stuff and more, and hear from experts including author Pete Brown, sommelier Melissa Cole and writer Richard Barnett.
London Is Drinking, 30 November, 7.30pm-9pm (the bar is open from 6.30pm, and then after the event until about 10pm), Conway Hall. Tickets £8, £5 concessions available here.
Top reviews
- ART: See great paintings of the early Renaissance at the National Gallery ★★★★☆
- ART: We found Calder's mobiles at Tate Modern moving. Except for those which don't move ★★★★☆
- ART: He may be better known for doodling Winnie the Pooh, but EH Shepard's war art has gone on display ★★★☆☆
- STAGE: The English National Opera triumphs with this underrated Verdi masterpiece ★★★★☆
Things to do
- Find your nearest free running club and get pavement-pounding this winter.
- Debate football, feminism and housing with Guardian writers.
- Toast the upcoming Routemaster anniversary at this evening of transport trivia.
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