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Go head over heels for London Art Fair
Start off with these:
Last week we went wild for electrics at Lumiere London, but did you know we still have over 1,500 gas lights in the capital? Meet London's Last Gas Lamp Lighters in our video.
You hear some funny stuff on public transport. We asked Londonist readers The Funniest Things You've Heard Tube Drivers Say. Who knew they sometimes provide musical accompaniment?
Thinking of taking the whole family to a gallery this weekend? We found the 10 Best Family-Friendly Art Galleries in London.
Extra! Extra!
Catch up with all the day's biggest news stories.
Things to do today:
LONDON ART FAIR: The 28th London Art Fair opens today in Islington, with Photography Focus Day. Be spoilt for choice with talks throughout the day, a selection of tours presented by Sotheby's and, of course, world class art everywhere you turn. £20, prebook, 11am- 9pm, until 24 January
PACKED LUNCH: Learn something new this Wednesday at Wellcome Collection in Packed Lunch: Healthy Bones. Leading scientist, Dr Amelia Moore discusses her latest research into osteoporosis, which affects half of women over the age of 50. Hear about her pioneering work and find out how we can keep our bones healthy in this informal lunchtime lecture. Free, just turn up, 1pm- 2pm
THE POP-UP PROBLEM: New pop-up businesses continue to appear across London, but what's the responsibility of artists involved in regeneration? Camden People's Theatre hosts a panel discussion as part of Whose London Is It Anyway? All the important gentrification questions asked. £5, prebook, 6pm
FROM DAY INTO NIGHT - WALKING THE GINGER LINE: In just one day, author, Ian Sinclair walked the length of the London Overground or "ginger line," as it's affectionately known. 33 stations and 35 miles later, what did he discover about the areas he travelled through? Join Iain at the London Transport Museum as discusses his journey. £10/£8, prebook, 7pm
SHORTS ON TAP: It's not too cold for shorts at Americana - 7 American Short Films. Be excited and inspired by stories from across the pond and network with film lovers at this first event in the Road Map series from Shorts on Tap. £3, prebook, 7pm
HALLELUJAH FOR LEONARD COHEN: Celebrate the songwriting genius of Leonard Cohen at The Monarch. Sip a special LC cocktail, hear poetry readings and musicians play their favourite Cohen numbers. Free, just turn up, 7pm
MUSIC TO DRAW ON: Splash some colour into your year at Cafe 1001's Live Hazard Collective Music and Illustration Party. Yes, you heard right. As DJs play house and blues, illustrators will be live drawing and hoping you'll join in too. £5, just turn up, 8pm
STEELY LAUGHS: Comedian, Mark Steel, who you’ll have seen on Have I Got News For You. and whose column you probably read in The Independent, is working up new material at Leicester Square Theatre tonight and tomorrow. £10, prebook, 9.15pm
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
TwoBox Productions warm your wintry heart with Rent, the Tony award-winning rock musical. This electric story of impoverished New York artists, living in the shadow of HIV, comes to the Two Brewers, Clapham. A proportion of the proceeds will be donated to the National Aids Trust, so get foot tapping to this Broadway classic. £11.49- £16.64, prebook, various times. Until 30 January.
