Free And Cheap Events In London This Week: 11-17 February 2019

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Free And Cheap Events In London This Week: 11-17 February 2019

All week

A free hip hop dance workshop, part of Imagine Children's Festival

MOTHERHOOD: The art of being a mum is explored in this exhibition by two figurative artists. Amy Shuckburgh reveals a new series of paintings and drawings in oil and pastel showing motherhood in intimate detail. Arabella Brooke’s bronze figures use the female form as a way of expressing universal questions about identity and meaning. All works are for sale, starting at £200. Olympia Auctions (Kensington), free, just turn up, 11-17 February

INTERNATIONAL FASHION: Coinciding with London Fashion Week, this exhibition gives those of us without front row seats a chance to clap eyes on work by the latest designers. 16 creatives from countries as diverse as Sri Lanka, Uruguay and South Africa showcase designs inspired by their homelands. Somerset House, free, just turn up, 11-24 February

IMAGINE CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL: The annual celebration of children's literature, theatre and music is back at Southbank Centre for more than a week of author talks and creative workshops. Let the kids loose in an illuminated, noisy sandpit or get creative on a giant chalkboard. Some events are free, others are charged, and some require booking while others are drop-in. Check the full programme for details. Southbank Centre, 13-24 February

Monday 11 February

Delve into board games at Ritzy

BOARD GAMES: Don your lucky socks (or pants) on and head upstairs at the Ritzy for a night of board games that you probably haven't heard of before. Forget Scrabble and Monopoly, and learn how to master Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride and King of Tokyo instead. Ritzy Brixton, free, book ahead, 6.30pm-11pm

NEW MUSIC: Singer-songwriters, bands, poets and performance artists from across the UK and Europe are on stage tonight in a bid to get their work — and their name — out there. Half Moon (Putney), £2.50, book ahead, 8pm

NEW COMEDY: If you haven't heard of comedian Darren Harriott, you soon will. See him trying out new material ahead of its appearance on his upcoming Radio 4 series. The Bill Murray (Islington), free to turn up (or £5 to reserve a seat), 9.30pm-10.30pm

Tuesday 12 February

Guy Candy at the British Academy

GUY CANDY: Website TubeCrush is somewhere for people to anonymously post pictures of the 'guy candy' they spot on their commute — but what about the ethics and moral dilemmas around posting photos of people without their consent? Dr Adrienne Evans draws on her recent research to discuss modern etiquette. British Academy (Trafalgar Square), £5/£3, book ahead, 6.30pm-7.30pm

EUROPE HISTORY: Guardian columnist and BBC broadcaster Simon Jenkins offers a timely talk about the lessons to be learned from European history, to coincide with his new book on the topic. LSE (Holborn), free, just turn up, 6.30pm-8pm

WOLVES OF COURT: Lauren Mackay, historian and author, is challenging the usual perceptions of Anne Boleyn's father as a desperate courtier who sacrificed his daughters to the royal bedchamber. In extensive research for hew new book, she discovered another side to Thomas Boleyn — a loyal ambassador to the Tudor Court and respected throughout Europe. Hear Mackay talk about this perception, to coincide with the book's launch. Southwark Cathedral, £3/£1, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm

Wednesday 13 February

Knitting Kittens at Battersea

KNITTING KITTENS: Needles and wool at the ready for this monthly knitting session where you can make toys or blankets for the residents at Battersea — or for your own pet. It's a fun, informal evening and a great way to meet other knitters. Battersea Animals' Home, £2 (further donations welcome), just turn up, 5pm-8pm

OPEN WATERS: Nicola Rodriguez chats all things sailing with Kitiara Pascoe, to mark the launch of Rodriguez's new book, Sail Away. Pascoe's not short of a sailing tale herself — her book, In Bed With The Atlantic, talks about overcoming her anxiety in order to sail. Stanfords (Covent Garden), £4, book ahead, 6.30pm-7.45pm

LOVE LETTERS: Illustrator Deborah Brown launches her book Love Letters, about the ups and downs of relationships and family life. If you ask nicely, she might sign a copy for you — so that's the Valentine's Day pressie sorted. Stoke Newington Bookshop, free, book ahead, 6.30pm-8pm

OUTING THE PAST: Several speakers talk about a range of LGBTQ+ subjects at Bishopsgate Institute, using the venue's impressive archives and collections to explore queer histories. Stonewall co-founder Lisa Power and Stuart Milk of the Harvey Milk Foundation are among the guests. Bishopsgate Institute (Liverpool Street), free, book ahead, 6.45pm

BLACK PANTHER: One of the biggest films of 2018, fantasy/sci-fi blockbuster Black Panther is the story of T'Challa, who returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king after the death of his father. Watch the film, then take part in a panel discussion about some of the themes it portrays. Francis Crick Institute (King's Cross), free, book ahead, 7pm-10pm

Thursday 14 February

Jubilee String Quartet perform a free lunchtime concert

JUBILEE STRING QUARTET: The impressive Shaw Library is the setting for this week's lunchtime concert, performed by the Jubilee String Quartet. On violin, viola and cello, the group perform music by Haydn, Schubert and Bartók. LSE (Holborn), free, just turn up, 1.05pm-2pm

LOVE MUSEUMS: You won't find many Valentine's themed events for under a fiver, but if it's romance on a budget you're after, head to the Grant Museum of Zoology for games, crafts, music and themed cocktails on a love theme. Grant Museum (UCL), £5, book ahead, 6pm-9pm

THE LORE OF LOVE: This month's South East London Folklore Society event is rather aptly on the theme of love. Hear tales of romance-themed folklore, mainly stemming from here in Britain, with some voodoo and love charms thrown in. The Old King's Head (Borough), £5/£2.50, booking recommended, 8pm

Friday 15 February

Watch Fish Tank at Foundling Museum

SAS ITALIAN JOB: Hear from Damian Lewis, author of SAS Italian Job, about a second world war mission to destroy an apparently indestructible Nazi fortress in northern Italy. Lewis signs copies of the book after the talk. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, book ahead, 11.30am

INDONESIAN CULTURE: Fashion, art, music and food all feature in this celebration of Indonesian culture, raising awareness of the tradition and cuisine of 17,000 Indonesian islands. Asia House (Marylebone), free, book ahead, 6pm-9pm

FISH TANK: Watch 2009 film Fish Tank, about the life of rebellious teenager Mia, followed by a panel discussion of some of its themes by film critic Danny Leigh, Chief Executive of The Childhood Trust Laurence Guinness, and Steve Baker of the Association of Child Psychotherapists. It's the first in a series of events looking at how children survive in difficult home situations. Foundling Museum (Bloomsbury), £5/£3, book ahead, 7pm

Saturday 16 February

Tour the Roman fort with Museum of London

HALF TERM: With the kids off school from today, take a look at our guide to things to do in London in February half term, including plenty of events and activities for a low budget.

PALACE ARCHAEOLOGY: Find out what was uncovered at last October's 'community dig' at Fulham Palace. Pottery, bone and plaster specialists discuss some of the objects that were found in the grounds of the former bishops' residence. Fulham Palace, free, just turn up, 1pm-2pm

ROMAN FORT: This guided tour visits London's Roman fort gate, the remains of a Roman military fort located underneath the Museum of London. Expert guides tell the history of the structure, where Roman sentries controlled access to Londinium. Museum of London, £5, book ahead, 2pm

CLOTHES SWISH: Bored of your wardrobe? Replace clothes you don't wear any more with some new (to you) togs to liven things up. Take your clean, good-quality clothes along to the Swish and Style, and return home with something donated by a fellow swisher. Gnome House (Waltham Forest), free entry, just turn up, 2pm-5pm

Sunday 17 February

Pups and Prosecco in Greenwich

PUPS AND PROSECCO: Take Fido along to this dog-friendly day of fun, and you may well find out your dog is more cultured that you are. As well as admiring the artwork together, mingle with other pooches and their owners — including Britain's Got Talent contestants Mahny and Robbie, who invented dog yoga — and take home a free bag of dog treats. Fine Art (Greenwich), free, book ahead, 10am-1pm

SOUTHWARK ARCHAEOLOGY: Hear from Gill King, Senior Planner in Archaeology at Southwark Council, at this Peckham Society event. She discusses the historical heritage of what is often claimed to be London's most historical borough, including examples of industrial archaeology dating back to the 19th century. Goose Green Centre (East Dulwich), free, just turn up, 3pm-4.30pm

Last Updated 08 February 2019