Free And Cheap London Events: 18-24 January 2016

By Londonist Last edited 98 months ago
Free And Cheap London Events: 18-24 January 2016

All week

Make your exercise regime spiral this weekend. Image: The Monument

THE MONUMENT LUNCHTIME CHALLENGE: Get fit in your lunch break by climbing the tallest isolated column in the world. It takes around 10 minutes to get to the top of The Monument, but see if you can beat the record of 2 minutes, 40 seconds. You get a certificate at the end to prove your athletic prowess and the chance to say you've exercised inside a Christopher Wren-designed landmark, all while burning calories. £4 cash only, just turn up.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND: The British Library has put on a fantastic display exploring the world of Alice through illustrations, books and lots of other items packed into its popular exhibition, Alice Travels Down The Rabbit-hole. Highlights include a version of the book with Salvador Dali illustrations, a sculpture of the bottom half of Alice, legs up in the air as she disappears down the rabbit-hole and even Wonderland-inspired video games — visitors are encouraged to pick up a gamepad and have a play. Free, just turn up, until 17 April.

SLIPPERY AND AMORPHOUS: See some of the best in British contemporary painting displayed at The Crypt in St Marylebone Parish Church. Enjoy work from Nadine Feinson, James Petrucci, Ilona Szalay and many other artists in the historic surroundings of this central London church. Free, just turn up, until 26 March.

Monday 18 January

1000 LONDONERS: CITY OF DOG: See the city from the eyes of man's best friend at this night of short films at Hackney Attic. Chocolate Films bring Londoners and their dogs to the big screen, including Londonist’s own house pooch Toby. £5, prebook, 7pm

EMOTIONS: DO THEY CONTROL US?: Emotions play a major part in our decision-making process, but what exactly are they? Where do they come from? And what are they good for? This LSE event gets the discussion started with prominent researchers including Thomas Dixon, Director of Centre for the History of the Emotions, and Benedetto De Martino, Senior Research Fellow from the University of Cambridge. Free, just turn up, 6.30pm-8pm

Tuesday 19 January

LUNCHTIME YARN: Get your needles ready for this lunchtime knitting session in the tranquil surroundings of the Fleming Collection gallery. Help make clothing and blankets for charity Knit for Peace, who supply those in need in countries including Rwanda and India. All levels of experience are welcome at Lunchtime Yarn and with all materials and refreshments supplied, just bring yourself and your enthusiasm. Free, just turn up, 1pm-3pm

FILM: RACE TO NOWHERE: Make your way to Halcyon London International School for a showing of Race to Nowhere. Made by a mother concerned about the high-pressure facing children in schools, the New York Times called this thought-provoking documentary a "must see". Free, prebook, 6.15pm

Wednesday 20 January

GUILDHALL LIBRARY: If books are your bag, go behind the scenes at the collection of over 200,000 titles at Histories and Treasures of Guildhall Library. Join specialist librarians for an insight into the library's past and a tour of the historic building. You'll also be able to take a sneaky peek at some of the collection's treasures. Free, prebook, 2pm

SARAH JOHNS MUSIC PARTY: This music and visuals event at the brand new Machine No.3 bar in Hackney features Sarah Johns Music Party — a vocal/guitar/synth mash up with live visuals. Enjoy stripped-back sounds influenced by Talking Heads, Samba and even cheerleaders. If her stunning videos are anything to go by, this will be an experimental night. Free, just turn up, 8pm

Thursday 21 January

MAKE YOUR OWN FITNESS VIDEO: Third Space invites you to become your own Mr (or Ms) Motivator in your personal fitness video to celebrate the launch of its new gym. The 360 Degree Camera Experience lets you make your own flying fitness video — lycra optional. Free, see website for details, 10am-6pm

BURLESQUE TASTER CLASS: Bring your feather boa to this Little Lady Luscious burlesque class at the Four Thieves and get in touch with your Dita Von Teese side. In this taster class, you'll learn the basics of burlesque under the guidance of instructor, Emily. See how to shimmy, tease and sparkle your way around the stage. Both men and women are welcome. Free, prebook, 7pm

KILLER TRIO: Crime writers Tim Baker (The Long Oblivion), Claire McGowan (The Fall) and Rod Reynolds (The Dark Inside) will be talking about their new books at Bookseller Crow in Crystal Palace. This killer trio will read from their newest novels and there'll be a chance to chat about all things crime. £3, just turn up, 7.30pm

Friday 22 January

ANNIE LEIBOVITZ: WOMEN: Wapping Power station is the unusual venue for this display of American portrait photographer Annie Leibovitz's selection of famous females. The images range from Adele to Caitlyn Jenner, Wendy Deng and Taylor Swift among others. Free, just turn up, 10am-8pm, until 7 February

PHOTOFOCUS ON LONDON: Join this free photo walk with Photofocus, starting at Embankment and following the Thames past some of the most photogenic corners of London. Bring your camera and get snapping such landmarks as the London Eye, St Paul's Catherdral and Big Ben on this three hour photographic wander. Free, prebook, 5pm

ANGEL COMEDY: Neil MacFarlane, Alasdair Beckett King and Richard Todd provide the laughs at the north London comedy club, Angel Comedy. Arriving early is recommend for this popular night. Free, just turn up, 8pm

Saturday 23 January

Get swishing. Image: John Philips

RAGS REVIVAL: If your winter wardrobe needs sprucing up, you need to get swishing (the art of swapping pre-loved clothes). Rags Revival and environmental charity Hubbub host swapping events all over London this weekend so you can take along your clean, unwanted clothes and switch them for something you really want to wear. Don't waste your unloved clothes, swap and make some new winter outfits. Free, see website for details, 12pm (Haringey), 4pm (Enfield)

DAYLIGHT MUSIC: Travel back in time with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Experience Ensemble, returning to Daylight Music at Union Chapel after their popular performances last year. This Saturday's show features OK Bertie! performing a set with an iPad app, fusing jazz, pop and world music. Also see Irish electro musician Roger Doyle — whose recent work includes soundtracks for films for the National Symphony Orchestra and The Crash Ensemble. Free (suggested donation £5), just turn up, 12pm

THE DOGHOUSE JAM: This live art and music night gets its first 2016 outing at The Dog House pub in Kennington tonight. Expect funk, soul, hip hop and electronic sounds mashed up with poetry and a specially curated live art performance.  Free, just turn up, 7pm

Sunday 24 January

MALA TRIBICH: As part of this Sunday's Holocaust Memorial Day, the Jewish Museum London hosts Witness The Witness: Mala Tribich, a fascinating presentation from Holocaust survivor, Mala Tribich MBE. After the German invasion of Poland in 1939, Mala survived life in a ghetto until being deported to concentration camps Ravensbruck and Bergen Belsen and being liberated in 1945. This is a unique opportunity to hear her story and ask questions. Free, prebook, 10.30am-12.30pm

MICHAEL ROSEN'S BEAR HUNT:  The work of former Children's Laureate, Michael Rosen, is brought to life in this immersive event at Discover: Children's Story Centre. Step inside an enormous chocolate cake and splash your way through a bear hunt. Young children can enjoy a Bear Hunt trail, while older children can go on a fun fact finding mission on Michael Rosen and create poems of their own to take away. £5, just turn up, 11am-5pm

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Last Updated 21 January 2016