All week
WATER AID: There are only a couple more days to see The Water Effect, a photography exhibition highlighting the resilience of residents of West Africa who have no access to clean water. International charity WaterAid commissioned photographers Joey Lawrence and Guilhem Alandry to take the photos as part of a fundraising appeal. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), free, donations welcome, just turn up, until 27 February
LONDON SKETCHES: Also in its final days is Towers of the City and Finsbury, an exhibition of sketches of local tower blocks. Artist Jane Northcote created the sketches from the area around Barbican, and uses them to highlight the juxtaposition between old and new buildings. Barbican Library, free, just turn up, until 27 February
DIFFERENCE FESTIVAL: This week-long free festival — organised by the University of Westminster —focuses on radical ideas to make a difference to the world. Highlights include a look at radical trans representation in film, and a discussion which resists voyeurism in film-making about forced migration. University of Westminster, free, book ahead, 25 February-1 March
LOOKING FOR GEORGIA: Work by mixed media artist Lydia Bauman goes on display, inspired by her travels across New Mexico, where she went to follow in the footsteps of American artist, Georgia O'Keeffe. Her travels were documented by photographer Karl Dudman, with some of his shots on display in this exhibition. Mall Galleries (The Mall), free, just turn up, 25 February-2 March
Monday 25 February
LONDON IN MOTION: North Londoner Robert Paul was a pioneering film maker when he was working over 100 years ago. Today, film scholar Professor Ian Christie talks about Paul's work in portraying his home city and showing it to the world. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm
ANGEL COMEDY: Comedy improv troupe Shoot From The Hip perform a free show, whipped up right in front of you. The Camden Head (Islington), free, just turn up, 8pm-10pm
Tuesday 26 February
BRAIN PARASITES: Zombie ants and fearless mice are some of the creatures discussed in this free lecture on brain parasites. By looking at how brain parasites change the effects of their hosts in other species, we can learn more about how our own brains work. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm
PUBLIC ART: Benjamin O’Connor, Director of The City Centre chats to artist Thomas J Price, co-director of Sculpture in the City Stella Ioannou and other experts about public art projects currently happening in the City of London, and the challenges faced by creatives looking to make their mark on London’s public realm. The City Centre (City of London), free, book ahead, 6pm-7.30pm
COMEDY TAVERN: Comedian Elie Kraft hosts a night of laughs in north London, with Jim Campbell, Eryn Tett and Adam Riley also among those on the line-up. North London Tavern (Kilburn), £5, book ahead, 8pm-10pm
Wednesday 27 February
LUNCHTIME LECTURE: To coincide with the new display of his work, V&A curators discuss photographer Ivan Kyncl in this free lunchtime lecture. Kyncl arrived as a refugee in 1980, and established a career photographing stage shows, musicals and operas, honing his style to capture the emotion of the production. V&A Museum (South Kensington), free, just turn up, 1pm-1.45pm
NEW COMEDY: Comedians Kerry Godliman and Jen Brister try out new material for the first time — offering you the chance to be the first to see the shows, at a bargain price. The Bill Murray (Islington), £5, book ahead, 6.45pm-7.45pm
DASH CAFE: Destination Europe is the timely theme of this month's Dash Cafe, with the premiere screening of short films by Swedish actress and filmmaker Bahar Par. Actor, writer and translator Houda Echouafni, and Tom Green of Counterpoints Arts also appear, to delve into what European migration means today. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £5, book ahead, 7.30pm-10.30pm
Thursday 28 February
SPARE PARTS: New exhibition Spare Parts looks at the science behind organ transplants and tissue regeneration in the human body. Can (and should) we be creating 'spare parts' outside of our bodies — for example, by 3D printing? A programme of events including talks and film screenings runs alongside the exhibition. Science Gallery (London Bridge), free, just turn up, 28 February-12 May
GENDER, MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE: Why does the church still hold such strict views about divorce and same-sex marriage? In this Gresham College talk, the Revd Canon Professor Richard Burridge discusses the relevant sections of the New Testament and asks whether a biblical view of sexuality and gender is relevant in today's ethical debates. Barnard's Inn Hall (Holborn), free, just turn up,1pm-2pm
ADVENTURES AT SEA: Join Jeanie Smith, Assistant Librarian at Guildhall Library for a closer look at documents relating to the history of the Merchant Navy. Photos, brochures and menus all feature, including some of the collection's more recent acquisitions. Guildhall Library, free, book ahead, 2pm-3pm
OBJECTS OF DESIRE: Egyptologist John J Johnston hosts an evening at the Petrie Museum, as part of LGBTQ+ History Month. Learn more about specific objects in the museum collection, which relate specific interests or research. Petrie Museum (UCL), £5, book ahead, 6pm-8pm
Friday 1 March
LIVE MUSIC: The Patchwork Jazz Orchestra — consisting of 17 musicians, with no leader — perform some of their hits in a free concert. Expect an eclectic mix — they cover everything from drum and bass to funeral marches, and fairytale ballads to calypso. Southbank Centre, free, just turn up, 5.30pm
HISTORIC FICTION: Latvian author Nora Ikstena chats to writer and book blogger Eric Karl Anderson about her best-selling novel, Soviet Milk, and her experiences of writing true history as fiction. Westminster Reference Library (Leicester Square) , free, book ahead, 6.30pm-8pm
DEAR SPOCK: Harry Potter, Spock and Sonic the Hedgehog are some of the characters getting an airing at this fan fiction comedy night. Comedians and performers read out their attempts at fan fiction, both recent scribbling and writing dating back to their teenage years. The Canvas Cafe (Spitalfields), £3, book ahead, 7pm-10.30pm
Saturday 2 March
SUN FAMILY FESTIVAL: Ask experts all the questions you've ever had about our star, take part in craft activities inspired by the Sun, and enjoy storytelling and workshops at this family-friendly activity day. Science Museum, free, just turn up, 2-3 March
WOMEN AND ARMY: Female members of the Army are the focus of this day of family-friendly talks and performances. Find out what roles women have played in our Armed Forces, hear the story of a woman who disguised herself as a man to join up, and enjoy performances from the Military Wives Choirs. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, just turn up, 10am-4pm
SINGING WORKSHOP: Sign yourself up for a free choir singing workshop. No experience of expertise is required, and choir director Dominic Stitchbury claims he can get you singing in harmony, whether you can hold a note or not. Draper Hall (Elephant & Castle), free, book ahead, 1.30pm-3pm
Sunday 3 March
FAMILY DAY: Storytelling, glider racing and robot creation are some of the activities on offer at this free family day. Food and drink is sold in the cafe all day, Second Home (London Fields), free, book ahead, 10am-4pm
RECORD FAIR: Avid collectors and casual fans are welcome at Hackney Record Fair. Over 50 stallholders are selling hundreds of crates of vinyl, so you may well unearth an old classic, or discover a new favourite. Earth (Hackney), £2 entry, just turn up, 11am-6pm
DELETED SCENES: Self-proclaimed comedy idiots Ed Aczel and Joz Norris unite onstage for the first time to present a hand-picked selection of all the sketches, characters and ideas that weren’t good enough to make it into any of their acclaimed short films. The Taproom (Islington), free, just turn up, 7.30pm-10pm
