Free And Cheap Events In London This Week: 25-31 March 2019

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Free And Cheap Events In London This Week: 25-31 March 2019

All week

A Week With Marilyn at Galerie Prints

A WEEK WITH MARILYN: It's your final chance to see A Week With Marilyn, a free exhibition of photos of actress Marilyn Monroe from the Getty Image Archive. They were all taken by Ed Feingersh in one week in 1955 in New York, and some of them have rarely been seen before. Galerie Prints (Wimbledon), free, just turn up, until 30 March

AFRICAN SOLDIER: Also in its final week is Mimesis: African Soldier, an exhibition looking at the role that Africans and people of colour from across the globe played in the first world war. Artist John Akomfrah combines historical and newly-shot footage across several screens to commemorate the people who lost their lives. Imperial War Museum (Lambeth), free, just turn up, until 31 March

MIKE BERNARD: Works by painter Mike Bernard are on display, and are well worth a look. The artist uses oil, acrylic, watercolour and collage to recreate famous landmarks from as far afield as Venice's Rilato Bridge, to those more familiar to Londoners, including Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey and Battersea Power Station.  Wimbledon Fine Art, free, just turn up, until 31 March

PENGUIN CLASSICS: All 1,200+ Penguin Classics books are available to buy at the publisher's week-long pop-up shop, making it something of a book lover's dream. Events including walks, talks and workshops run throughout the week too — full programme available here. 133 Bethnal Green Road, free entry to shop (charge for some events), 25-31 March

THREE SCORE & TEN: Three Score & Ten is an exhibition-cum-anthology of literary quotes illustrating each year of life from conception to death. Artist Wayne Gooderham has spent more than a decade compiling the quotes, to represent the physical and psychological changes we go through in each year of our lives. Burley Fisher Books (Dalston), free, just turn up, until 1 May 2019

Monday 25 March

Facing up to the homelessness crisis

RIGHT TO A HOME: Homelessness in Euston comes under the microscope in this panel discussion, which brings experts together to cover the reality of living on the streets, what can be done, and the projects they'd like to see funded to help people off the streets. Those taking part include social campaigner David Tovey and Phil Kerry from the New Horizon Youth Centre. 17 Triton Street (Regent's Park), free, book ahead, 6.30pm-9.30pm

HEADS AND BODIES: Feel like creating a monster? Head to The Book Club where you can join strangers in playing Heads and Bodies, the childhood game where everyone takes it in turns to draw part of a body, oblivious to everyone else's doodles, with hilarious/terrifying consequences. The Book Club (Shoreditch), free, just turn up, 7pm-8.30pm

Tuesday 26 March

Look into the future of humankind at Somerset House

POST-APOCALYPTIC CHILD: Somerset House presents the final event in its series based on the premise that we are at the end of the world as we know it. Delve into the future of our planet and its inhabitants, particularly looking at how we can challenge the ever-growing power of those in charge of emerging technologies, who are using data collection, social media addiction and fake news to advance their own interests. Somerset House, pay what you can, book ahead, 6.45pm-8.45pm

HEDGEHOG ART: Attend the launch of a new exhibition of hedgehog art from local artists, both young and old. Michel Birkenwald of Barnes Hedgehogs reveals the art, and talks about the aims of the Barnes Hedgehogs campaign. OSO Arts Centre (Barnes), free, book ahead, 7pm

POETRY UNPLUGGED: Sign up for an open mic slot to take part in this weekly poetry night and showcase your work. Slots last 4-5 minutes, but if you don't want to perform, you're welcome to just sit back and enjoy the show. Poetry Cafe (Covent Garden), £5/£4, just turn up, 7.30pm-10.30pm

Wednesday 27 March

Dash Cafe focuses on Europe's borders

MUSEUM LATES: It's the final Wednesday of the month, which means Science Museum is open late for adults-only. UNESCO World Heritage Sites are the theme of tonight's event, with talks and activities covering everything from Stonehenge to Cornish mines to ocean exploration. Science Museum (South Kensington), free, book ahead, 6.45pm-10pm

SEX AND POLITICS: Lucy-Anne Holmes and Robert Woodshaw discuss the passions and frustrations that led them to write about sex and politics. Holmes, founder of the No More Page 3 campaign, talks about her memoir Don’t Hold My Head Down, while Woodshaw offers an insight into his debut novel, The Iron Bird. Housmans Bookshop (King's Cross), £3, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm

DASH CAFE: With all the Brexit kerfuffle going on, Dash Cafe takes a look at what life is like on Europe's borders, through art, literature, film, music and economics. Visual artist Mariana Gordan, economist Martin Sandbu, and musician Lori Secanska all offer their thoughts. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £5, book ahead, 7.30pm-11pm

Thursday 28 March

Made London comes to Canary Wharf

MADE LONDON: Contemporary art and design fair Made London pops up in Canary Wharf showcasing homeware, fashion, jewellery, lighting and furniture from a range of designers. Even if the items are out of your price range, it's free to have a browse. East Wintergarden (Canary Wharf), free, just turn up, 28-31 March

LUNCHTIME CONCERT: The final lunchtime concert in LSE's Lent Term series sees violinist Ben Baker perform works by Beethoven and Schumann, accompanied by Daniel Lebhardt on piano. LSE (Holborn), free, just turn up, 1.05pm-2pm

POETIC AFTERLIFE: Dr Matthew Ward looks at how poet Byron influenced other writers even after his death, and how his Romantic ideas can be seen in their work. Particular focus is on Matthew Arnold’s criticism and poetry. Keats House (Hampstead), £5, book ahead, 6.30pm-8pm

Friday 29 March

Natural History Museum stays open late

BATTLEFIELDS: Find out about the role the Royal Parks and Royal Hospital Chelsea played in the first world war in a free exhibition. Images, and histories and commemorations by those who experienced it help to tell the stories from war through to demobilisation and peacetime. Wren House (Royal Hospital Chelsea), free, just turn up, 29-31 March

MUSEUM LATE: Anything nature can do, we can do better — that's the premise of tonight's Natural History Museum late night opening. Find out about instances where humans have taken inspiration from nature in creating the manmade world through talks and workshops, or simply explore the galleries and exhibition after hours. Natural History Museum (South Kensington), free entry (charge for some exhibitions and activities), just turn up, 6pm-10pm

GOODBYE EUROPE: At time of writing, we may or may not be leaving the EU today. Either way, short film experts 1000 Londoners host a screening called Goodbye Europe. It's an anthology of short films about people from every one of the 28 EU countries who are now living in London, all filmed in these last few months before Brexit. Hackney Picturehouse, £5, book ahead, 7pm

Saturday 30 March

Earth Hour 2018 in London, Image: Shutterstock

CREATURE CREATIONS: For free family fun, head to Creature Creations at the Grant Museum of Zoology. Materials are provided for you to create an artwork inspired by the weird and wonderful creatures in the museum's fantastic collection. Grant Museum (UCL), free, just turn up, 1pm-4pm

EARTH HOUR: WWF's Earth Hour takes place tonight. The annual, worldwide event encourages everyone to switch off their lights for an hour in support of climate change awareness. You can take part at home, as major London landmarks go dark to mark the occasion — a rare sight indeed. Free, 8.30pm-9.30pm

Sunday 31 March

Catch a free live performance at Royal Opera House

JAZZ JAM: A bookshop may not be the obvious place to go for a lively jazz jam, but that's exactly what you'll get at Foyles. London-based jazz trio Arthur O'Hara, Chelsea Carmichael and Ed Harley kickstart the event with a lively set, then the floor is open to anyone who wants to perform. Everyone's welcome to watch, from hardcore jazz fans to casual passers-by and parents with young children. Foyles Charing Cross Road, free, book ahead, 12pm-3pm

LIVE AT LUNCH: For a more sedate musical performance, try Live at Lunch. These free shows feature artists from the Royal Opera House or guest performers — turn up on the day and be surprised. Royal Opera House (Covent Garden), free, just turn up, 1pm-1.45pm

Last Updated 22 March 2019