Things To Do In London: Friday 22 January 2016

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Make a dress in a day. Image: Andrew Smith

From the archive:

There've been some naughty goings-on by some very naughty people. From a bill-swerving prime minster to a master forger, we've dug up 5 Great London Swindlers and all the dodgy dealings they got up to.

How Did Soho Get Its Name? Was it really from a hunting cry? All together now, "So-ho".  

Not only have we got some of the best places for a pint in the world here in London, we've also got the some of the best fictional pubs. Here's A Map Of Fictional London Pubs for you. Cheers!

Extra! Extra!

Catch up on all the day's biggest news stories.

Things to do today:

ANYONE CAN MAKE A DRESS: Let your inner Dior burst out at this dress making workshop, Anyone Can Make a Dress in a Day. Get to snips with pattern cutting, add fastenings and bring out your flair for fabric — all in this six-hour class. £49, prebook, 10am-4pm

DRAWING ON CHILDHOOD: With original artwork from James and the Giant Peach and Peter Pan this new exhibition at the Foundling Museum examines how child heroes have been brought to life by illustration. Drawing on Childhood features favourites by Roald Dahl, Jacqueline Wilson, JK Rowling plus three new specially-created heroes. £8.25/ £5.50, prebook, 10am-5pm

Get interactive with light. Image: Canary Wharf

CANARY WHARF LIGHTS UP: Canary Wharf's Winter Lights display lights up for the final time this Friday evening. 18 installations represent four continents in this inventive illuminated spectacular, you can even touch some of them. Free, just turn up, 4pm-9pm (best time to view)

PERFORMING MATTER: Stuff around us is constantly performing. Materials perform. Matter does things. Let Zoe Laughlin, co-founder of the Institute of Making, show you how science performs every day, through some of earth's wonderful matter — from shape-shifting paper clips to self-healing concrete. £14/£10, prebook, 6pm

COMEDY: Bridget Christie’s added a few dates at the Leicester Square Theatre of her Book For Her show. Find out why the Edinburgh favourite has been sending her knickers to the Treasury. She's even doing a book signing. Catch the award winner tonight and again early in February. £22.50, prebook, 7.15pm

DISCLAIMER- THE BOOK: Renee Knight drops into West End Lane Books to talk about her acclaimed psychological thriller, Disclaimer. She'll discuss her inspiration behind the novel and take questions in this informal chat. Free, prebook, 7.30pm   

JUST A LITTLE SAMBA: Say a final "tchau" to any January blues with Barrio East's Just a Little Samba Night. Brazilian dancers storm the place with vibrant Latin beats and loads of sparkle. Fancy dress is strongly encouraged, as is grabbing a Wonky Donkey cocktail. Because it's Friday. £5, prebook, 9pm

Win a year's free travel, or a night at a hotel and dinner:

Head on over to our rather splendid new showcase site in partnership with Dot London — londonist.london — to find out more.

Good cause of the day

Want a hug from a polar bear? Brave enough to run 10k in your shorts in January? There's still time to enter the Cancer Research Winter Run on 31 January. Last year, 15,000 people braved the chill to run 10km past iconic London landmarks. With a giant Snow Zone, Blast Off and 'polar bear hugs' at the finish line this year, it's even more wintery. A fun way to fundraise for Cancer Research while kicking off your 2016 exercise regime. Entry details on the website.