Free And Cheap Events In London This Week: 1-7 April 2019

By Londonist Staff Last edited 60 months ago

Looks like this article is a bit old. Be aware that information may have changed since it was published.

Free And Cheap Events In London This Week: 1-7 April 2019

All week

See the rock 'n' roll photography of Mark Allan

TRACEY EMIN: It's the last week of Tracey Emin's current exhibition, A Fortnight Of Tears, which offers a refreshingly honest look at the divisive artist's own life. Read our full review. White Cube (Bermondsey), free, just turn up, until 7 April

DIOR EXHIBITION: Also closing this week is the Christian Dior exhibition. No, not that one — Proud Galleries exhibits a collection of fashion photography, showcasing Dior's works worn by the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe. Proud Galleries (Embankment), free, just turn up, until 7 April

CATCH YOUR BREATH: Breath and breathlessness are the subject of new exhibition Catch Your Breath, not just from a medical perspective, but also how breath allows us to do things like speak and sing. Art commissions, scientific research and medical objects all feature. Royal College of Physicians (Regent's Park), free, just turn up, 2 April-20 September

Browse at the Roy's People Art Fair

MATHEMATICAL PHOTOGRAPHY: Mathematical photography may seem like a juxtaposition — maths is scientific, photography is creative — but there's a whole exhibition dedicated to it. Photographer Justin Mullins uses photography as a medium to capture the beauty or ugliness of mathematics. Lauderdale House (Highgate), free, just turn up, 3-29 April

ROY'S PEOPLE: Artists from all disciplines sell their work direct to the public at the Roy's People Art Fair. As well as picking up a new work for your walls, watch live painting, creative workshops and interactive installations. Bargehouse (Oxo Tower), free, book ahead, 4-7 April

MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHY: David Bowie, Britney Spears, Tina Turner and Gorillaz are just some of the music stars that music photographer Mark Allan has worked with in his 30 year career. Some of his most striking pictures go on display in a new, free exhibition. Barbican Library, free, just turn up, 4 April-29 June

Monday 1 April

Create a motivational motif at Drink, Shop & Do

MOTIVATIONAL MOTIFS: New month, new you? Get fired up by sewing your own motivational motif wall hanging. All materials are provided, and the workshop takes place in a bar so there's plenty of booze to get your creative juices flowing. Drink, Shop & Do (King's Cross), £5, book ahead, from 6pm

GLOBAL WARMING: Canadian activists Matt Hern and Am Johal discuss their book Global Warming And The Sweetness Of Life, which they produced in collaboration with graphic novelist Joe Sacco. They visited the tar sands of northern Alberta — the world's biggest industrial site — to witness the ecological horror of extracting oil, and the people who survive on the employment it provides. Owl Bookshop (Kentish Town), £5, book ahead, 6.30pm

EXILED WRITERS: Hear writers and musicians who've been exiled from their home countries perform their latest work. Ethiopian exiled journalist Alemu Tabeje shares his poetry, Zimbabwean Hasani shares short stories, and London-based, Botswana-raised musician Otto Gumaelius specialises in the marimba and mbira music of southern Africa. Poetry Cafe (Covent Garden), £5/£3, just turn up, 7.30pm-10pm

Tuesday 2 April

The Pop-Up Choir perform in Brixton tonight

UNSPEAKABLE: Journalist and film-maker Harriet Shawcross reads from and discusses her new book, Unspeakable: The Things We Cannot Say. It stems from her own teenage experience when she stopped speaking for almost a year, leading her to question the limits of language and what makes us silent. Pages of Hackney, £5, book ahead, 7pm-9pm

POP-UP CHOIR: Enjoy a free performance by The Pop-Up Choir, who specialise in high-energy, crowd-pleasing tracks. They sing songs by Prince, Mark Ronson, Fleetwood Mac, Laura Mvula and plenty more well-known artists. Ritzy (Brixton), free, book ahead, 7.30pm

FORTEAN LONDON: London Fortean Society welcome professional magician-turned experimental psychologist Dr. Matthew L. Tompkins to talk about the crafts of mesmerisation and magic. He offers an insight into how the illusions and tricks of magicians and fraudulent mystics can teach us about the inner workings of our minds. The Miller (London Bridge), £5/£2, book ahead, 8pm

Wednesday 3 April

Meet 'Fanny Brawne' at Keats House

MEET FANNY BRAWNE: John Keats was once engaged to fellow poet Fanny Brawne, who later became his muse. Keats House celebrates the 200th anniversary of her family becoming Keats' neighbour — which is how they met — with special tours of the house led by actors in character. Keats House (Hampstead), £2, book ahead, 11.30am/1.30pm/3pm

LUNCHTIME LECTURE: The name Svetlana Lloyd may not ring any bells, but she was a 'mannequin' model at the House of Dior, at the time of Christian Dior's final fashion collection. Hear her talk about how the fashion house functioned, and offer some insight into the life of Dior himself. V&A Museum (South Kensington), free, just turn up, 1pm-1.45pm

PEGGY PARTY: Known as the 'queen mother of Latin and ballroom dancing', Peggy Spencer OBE was a professional dancer and choreographer, largely responsible for popularising the dance forms. Bishopsgate Institute has acquired her archive for all to access, and celebrates with a party in her name. Have a browse of the archives, meet those who knew her, and, of course, have a dance. Bishopsgate Institute (Liverpool Street), free, book ahead, 7pm-9.30pm

Thursday 4 April

See the Battle Tank outside National Army Museum

BATTLE TANK: Not what you see every day — a Battle Tank parks up outside the National Army Museum for 12 hours, for the public to have a closer look. Climb aboard, meet the vehicle's crew, and find out what the Challenger 2 actually does — it's all to mark the 80th anniversary of the Royal Armoured Corps. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, just turn up, 8am-8pm

JEWS IN POP: James Bond, Doctor Who, Carry On and many other 20th century entertainment icons were brought into creation by Jews. Hear Professor Nathan Abrams talks about how Jews transformed the British entertainment industry in this one-off lecture. Jewish Museum (Camden), free, book ahead, 3pm

DEAD CATS DON'T MEOW: Attend the launch of poetry book Dead Cats Don't Meow, the latest offering from renowned author Tolu’ A. Akinyemi. He performs some of his works, talks about his inspiration, and signs copies. Poetry Cafe (Covent Garden), free, book ahead, 7pm-9.30pm

Friday 5 April

Lambeth Palace Gardens opens to the public

PALACE GARDENS: It's the first Lambeth Palace Garden open day of 2019. Step into the Archbishop of Canterbury's garden and see what's behind that imposing brick wall. It's all rather enchanting, as we found out when we visited. Lambeth Palace, £5 (for charity), just turn up, 12pm-3pm

BISHOP OF LONDON: The Right Reverend & Right Honourable Sarah Mullally — Bishop of London — talks about her experiences in her role, and her thoughts on women in leadership more generally. Despite being the 133rd Bishop of London, she's the first women to hold the role. LSE (Holborn), free, book ahead, 6.30pm-8pm

Saturday 6 April

Browse stalls at the Crafty Fox Market

CRAFT MARKET: Our favourite spot for picking up cards, gifts and homewares, Crafty Fox Market is back in Elephant & Castle with a new host of traders. As well as stalls to browse and goodies to buy, there are workshops taking place all weekend, including collage (free) and felt flowers (charge, booking required). Mercato Metropolitano (Elephant & Castle), free entry, just turn up, 6-7 April

GAMES PARADE: For many, the highlight of London Games Festival is the Games Character Parade. Watch as people dressed as video games characters and in cosplay take the streets of the City of London to celebrate all things gaming. There are also family-friendly activities, crafts and exhibits for those not taking part in the parade itself. Guildhall Yard (City of London), free, just turn up to watch/book to take part, 10.30am-4pm

CANALETTO: The Marriage of the Sea is a traditional Venetian festival, highlighted in 18th century paintings by Canaletto. In this illustrated talk by curator Peter Kerber, learn more about the ceremony, which dates back to 1000AD, through the personal letters, paintings and journals of Canaletto. Dulwich Picture Gallery, free, book ahead, 3pm-4pm

Sunday 7 April

Find a spot to watch the Boat Race. Image: Shutterstock

BENGAL TO BETHNAL GREEN: Local Bengali artists join forces with musicians from the Grand Union Orchestra and singer Suzana Ansari for an afternoon of Bengali songs. Some are traditional tunes, others blend Bengali influences with those of the local East End area. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), free, just turn up, 3.30pm

BOAT RACE: Get to the banks of the Thames early to find a decent spot for watching the Oxford Cambridge Boat Race. The four mile course begins at Putney Bridge and goes west to Chiswick Bridge. Free, just turn up, women's race 2.13pm/men's race 3.10pm

Last Updated 29 March 2019