Things To Do In London Today: Thursday 19 May 2016

Today's Things To Do is sponsored by Spin: The Cycling Festival

Always be in the know about what's going on in London by signing up to our free email newsletters.

Head to the Strand for Photo London. Image: Nick.Haigh

Must-read stuff:

For Londonist in video form, subscribe to our awesome YouTube channel.

Old MacDonald would be pretty jealous of London's only underground farm.

From container living, to Salter's Cat — Bermondsey shows off its pretty side in our gallery.

Bite-sized news

All today's London news, cut up into digestible pieces, then served on a platter of fact with a jus of sarcasm.   

Things to do today:  

PHOTO FESTIVAL: It's all about earth, wind, fire and air at this year's London Photo Festival. To see some of the capital's finest snaps, head to Borough High Street and take a look at the work of photographers from across the globe. Free, just turn up, 10.30am-6pm

ART16: Wander a world of art without leaving London at Art16 this weekend. It's as eclectic as ever, with pieces by emerging artists, talks from experts and food residencies. Take advantage of the exclusive offer for Londonist readers: use promo code 'LOND241' to get your discount. £15, prebook, 11am-7pm (5pm Sunday)

PHOTO LONDON: It's snap happy across the city today with the opening of Photo London at Somerset House. 80 leading galleries, Discovery — a celebration of emerging artists, installations and three major exhibitions pack into the beautiful space on the Strand. £27/£21.60, prebook, 12pm-6pm

DAVID WALLIAMS: Meet the acclaimed children's author and all round funny man, David Walliams, with illustrator, Tony Ross, as they launch their latest book, The World's Worst Children, at Waterstones Piccadilly. £7.49 (including book), prebook, 5.30pm

BOTANICAL OPEN EVENING: Go behind the scenes of South London Botanical Institute this evening as they welcome visitors to their captivating garden for a wander and glass of wine. TBC, just turn up, 6pm


More things to do after this sponsor message.

Reader offer: Two tickets to Spin — The Cycling Festival for just £15  

Spin — the festival all cyclists have been waiting for — returns to London this weekend and we've got an exclusive offer for Londonist readers.  

Get two tickets for just £15 (normally £26): head to the Spin website and quote LONDONIST at the checkout (offer expires 19 May).

See over 150 of the most innovative cycling brands as they present stylish products, kit and ideas for seasoned velophiles, bicycle beginners, and everyone in-between.

With road brands like Bianchi, Cinelli, and Brother, urban names like Chapeau!, Molten, and Selva, and never-seen-before products from start-ups like Beeline and Lumos — looking good on two wheels has never been so easy. Plus there's DJ sets, frame-building, craft beer, BMX battles, nude cyclist life drawing sessions and Edinburgh fringe performances to boot.

Whether you're a road cyclist, weekend warrior, super commuter, single speeder, art lover or coffee aficionado — there's something for you at Spin this weekend.

Spin: The Cycling Festival takes place at The Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane from 20-22 May.

Today's Things To Do In London is sponsored by Spin: The Cycling Festival


POVERTY: Challenge myths around the UK's poverty statistics at this event with Al-Mizan Charitable Trust. Join the debate at Mander Hall and find out more about the common views on poverty — and hear a variety of experts, including journalists, researchers and debt specialists, debate them. Donation, prebook, 6.30pm

Twice the choir power tonight with Camden Voices and Trade Winds. Image: Camden Voices

MUSIC GLUE: Two of London's most dynamic choirs fuse their vocals for an evening of explosive song — soul, jazz, folk and more. Hear Camden Voices and Trade Winds as they blaze the stage at Rosslyn Hill Chapel. £10, prebook, 7.30pm

POETRY: Stand Up & Slam smashes into Camden Comedy Club this week with its hybrid of comedy and performance poetry. It's an epic battle of two forms of the spoken word — and you decide who wins. £6/£5, prebook, 8pm

COMEDY: Get a sneak preview of Emma Sidi's latest comedy cook up, Telenovela, before she heads to Edinburgh. Drop into the Hen and Chickens Theatre Bar for her hilarious take on Mexican soap opera. Free, just turn up, 9.30pm


Good cause of the day

Face Off for the Forces this Saturday as British Army ice hockey team, The Blades, go head to head with puck rookies, London Prides. In aid of Walking with the Wounded, the two teams will battle at Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre. £27.57-£30, prebook, 7pm, 21 May