Things to do this week is sponsored by STEM TECH FEST.
All week
JEWISH BOOK WEEK: There's an abundance of events going on for Jewish Book Week, a celebration of literature written by, for about the Jewish community. Highlights of the programme include a Middle Eastern cookbook, a debate about the death of democracy, and Anthony Horowitz talking about his latest novel. Various locations and prices, book ahead, 2-10 March
EVA VON SCHNIPPISCH: Germany’s greatest cabaret star is transformed into Britain’s No.1 spy in How Eva Von Schnippisch Won WWII. In this new theatre show, the second world war Official Secrecy Act is over, and Eva is ready to set the record straight. Waterloo Vaults, £15, book ahead, 6-10 March
ORCHIDS: Last call for one of the most Instagrammable annual events in London — the Kew Gardens Orchid Festival. Colombia is the theme this year, with plants from that country forming the bulk of the festival, and native Colombian wildlife recreated in fauna. We recommend visiting on a weekday if possible, to avoid the crowds. Kew Gardens, including in admission, booking recommended, until 10 March
SKIP GALLERY: Skip Gallery — literally an art gallery in a skip — moves from its east London home and sets up shop in Selfridges. Two artists take up residence — and the resulting work depends on what they experience while they're there. Selfridges, free, just turn up, 4-31 March
Monday 4 March
QUIZ AT THE END OF THE WORLD: Kick off World Book Day week with a quiz, hosted by Lauren James, author of The Quiet At The End Of The World. She hosts a panel event with friends Alice Oseman and Non Pratt, and chaired by Sanne Vliegenthart about human relationships and their impact on our lives, followed up by that quiz about young adult fiction. Waterstones Piccadilly, £6/£4, book ahead, 6.30pm
LIFE DRAWING:All levels of experience are welcome at this friendly life drawing class. A tutor is on hand to offer tips, and the models dress in costumes on a different exotic theme every time. All materials are provided. Hackney Picturehouse, £15, book ahead, 7pm
DONNA LEON: Historian and novelist Judith Flanders chats to author Donna Leon about Leon's latest book, Unto Us A Son Is Given, a murder mystery set in Venice. Daunt Books (Marylebone), £10, book ahead, 7pm
Tuesday 5 March
PANCAKE DAY: It's Shrove Tuesday which means it's absolutely acceptable to scoff pancakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. These London restaurants and cafes serve excellent pancakes, not just today but all year round — and if you're looking or vegan for gluten-free pancakes, check out this list.
KNITTING CABARET: Lost knitting songs from both world wars, hailing from Britain, Canada, America and France are performed in this knitting cabaret show. Bring your own needles and wool and work on your current project, clacking your needles in time to the music. ArtsDepot (North Finchley), from £12, book ahead, 2pm
SMARTPHONE PHOTOGRAPHY: Master the art of taking great photos on your smartphone at this masterclass. It's particularly aimed at those taking photos for business purposes, and covers the basics of improving your shots. British Library, £20, book ahead, 5.30pm-7.30pm
HASHTAG AUTHENTIC: Social media expert Sara Tasker hosts a live recording of her podcast, Hashtag Authentic, with bestselling author Dolly Alderton as a guest. They chat about social media, modern careers, and creativity on the internet. Waterstones Tottenham Court Road, £20/£7, book ahead, 6.30pm
DOUBLE FAKE: Photographer Alison Jackson is best-known for her spoof photos portraying celebrity lookalikes in unlikely scenarios. In this live show, she brings her art to life, revealing some of the secrets behind the photos and a few funny anecdotes too. Leicester Square Theatre £19.25, book ahead, 7pm (until 7 March)
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Code-breaking, robot building and bubbly
Ever wanted to race an Formula One car? What about learning how to break into a secret vault? The workshops on offer at STEM TECH FEST might seem straight out of a spy thriller, but they're all about celebrating real-life innovation in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
On International Women's Day — that's this Friday, FYI — inquiring minds are invited to a special, adults-only evening to celebrate all things STEM. Through mind-blowing sessions ranging from drone-flying to VR, guests from all walks of life can be inspired to get stuck into this traditionally male-dominated industry. As well as over a dozen workshops, expect plenty of networking opportunities, plus a happy hour bar to help get the conversation flowing.
Best of all, Londonist readers get £10 off when booking a standard ticket. Simply enter the code 'londonist' at check out to redeem your discount.
STEM TECH FEST. 7pm-10.30pm on Friday 8 March at St Mary's, Marylebone. Tickets cost £25 with our discount offer and can be bought here.
Wednesday 6 March
NOTFLIX: Starring an all-female cast, Notflix is an improvised comedy show which uses audience suggestions of recently watched films to create a brand new, fully improvised, one-night-only musical. The show changes every time, so you never know what to expect. Waterloo Vaults, £12, book ahead, 6.15pm (6-10 March)
VAGINA RE-EDUCATION: The consequences of a lack of complete sex education for women are the subject of a debate tonight. Author Lynn Enright discusses her new book Vagina: A Re-education with Laura Coryton, leader of the campaign against tampon tax, and author of Speak Up! They share their own experiences and discuss subjects such as period poverty and FGM, followed by a Q&A. Waterstones Gower Street, £10/£8, book ahead, 6.30pm
FILM QUIZ: Love and basketball combine in a film quiz which tests your knowledge of both subjects. The films to swot up on are Love Jones, Love and Basketball, The Best Man, and Boomerang. Hackney Picturehouse, £10, book ahead, 7.30pm
Thursday 7 March
FILM FESTIVAL: The 10th edition of Crystal Palace International Film Festival begins today. Over three weeks, watch short films, UK premieres, local productions, documentaries and more. See the full schedule. Various locations and prices, book ahead, 7-30 March
MODERN SISTERHOOD: Just before International Women's Day, the concept of modern sisterhood — and how it can be used to change the world — is discussed. The panel includes Daisy Buchanan, author of The Sisterhood, Charlie Craggs, author of To My Trans Sisters, and Sara Gulamali co-founder of photography project Muslim Sisterhood. Waterstones Gower Street, £10/£8, book ahead, 6.30pm
TWENTY ONE PILOTS: Alt-hip hop duo Twenty One Pilots come to Wembley for the London leg of their acclaimed Bandito Tour — you can find tickets at StubHub. Expect gravity defying-stunts and spectacular theatrics as well as the hits you know and love. SSE Arena Wembley, from £32 on StubHub while tickets last, book ahead, 7.30pm, until 9 March (sponsor)
BREXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP: Ready to laugh about Brexit yet? Comedian Matt Forde brings his show Brexit Through The Gift Shop back to Southbank Centre after a successful run last year — and it's his last show as an EU citizen. Southbank Centre, £17.50, book ahead, 8pm
NEVER MIND THE BACKSTOP: Another Brexit comedy show — this time, several European comedians based here in Britain say farewell to the EU as we know it. On the bill are Radu Isac (Romania), Arielle Souma (France), Luca Cupani (Italy), Alice Frick (Austria) and Steve Hili (Malta). Camden Comedy Club, £6, book ahead, 8pm
Friday 8 March
WOMEN OF THE WORLD: It's International Women's Day, which means Southbank Centre's Women of the World festival returns. Over two days, panel discussions, talks and performances from the likes of activist Angela Davis, author Naomi Klein, and comedian Sandi Toksvig are on the schedule. Southbank Centre, various prices and times, 8-9 March
GLAMOUR FEST: Described as a 'beauty lover's theme park', The Glamour Beauty Festival returns to Chelsea for three days of talks, workshops, treatments and goodie bags. Brands including Molton Brown, Elizabeth Arden and Ellie Saab are all represented. Saatchi Gallery (Chelsea), £49-£80, book ahead, 8-10 March
COUNTRY TO COUNTRY: Dig out those cowboy boots and fringe shirts, because Europe's biggest country music festival (and StubHub's score of the week) is coming to The O2. Keith Urban headlines tonight, with Lady Antebellum and Chris Stapleton gracing the main stage over the weekend. The O2 Arena (Greenwich Peninsula), from £40 on StubHub while tickets last, book ahead, 6pm, until 10 March (sponsor)
WOMEN'S DAY: Find out how teen books are challenging sexism in schools, with authors Laura Bates, Holly Bourne, Laura Steven and Laura Coryton (no, that's not a typo, there really are three Lauras on the panel). They touch on subjects including slut-shaming, misogyny, activism and revenge porn. Waterstones Piccadilly, £6/£4, book ahead, 6.30pm
FEMALE COMPOSERS: Morley College celebrates the work of female composers in a concert of their music — albeit performed by a man. Morley tutor and concert pianist Nikos Stavlas performs compositions spanning three centuries by Clara Schumann, Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre, Marianne Martinez, Fanny Mendelssohn, Sofia Gubaidulina, Amy Beach, and Cecilia McDowall. Morley College (Lambeth), £10, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
CUTTY SARK 150: The Cutty Sark turns 150 this year, and the celebrations begin tonight with a concert on board the former tea clipper. The BBC Singers perform a range of songs, inspired by the many countries the ship would have visited in its seafaring days. Cutty Sark (Greenwich), £15, book ahead, 8pm
Saturday 9 March
VEGAN LIFE: At this vegan food festival, focus is very much on what vegans can eat, rather than what they have to avoid. Pizza, ice cream and curry are all on the menu, with plenty of masterclasses to show you how to whip up the tasty dishes at home. Alexandra Palace, £10-£19, book ahead, 9-10 March
FINDING A BED: Find out about homes and homelessness in Victorian London in a talk by Professor Jane Hamlett and Dr Vicky Holmes. Foundling Museum (Bloomsbury), included in museum admission, just turn up, 3pm
THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD: Watch Peter Jackson’s BAFTA-nominated 2018 documentary They Shall Not Grow Old. The fascinating and moving film features restored and colourised archive footage of life on the front line in the first world war, and was released to coincide with the centenary of the Armistice. Local historian John Hickman introduces the film. Harris Academy South Norwood, £8.50/£7/£5, book ahead, 4pm
WHAT WORDS ARE OURS: Poetry meets cabaret in What Words Are Ours?. The show brings together drag artists, BSL poets, spoken word and political satire. Roundhouse (Camden), £10, book ahead, 8pm
Sunday 10 March
KIDS' THEATRE: Family theatre show Grandad's Island is the story of Grandad and Sid, who set off on an adventure together. It's based on Benji Davies' book of the same name. ArtsDepot (North Finchley), from £9, book ahead, 11am/2pm
ADA SALTER: Ada Salter was impressively London's first female mayor, but equally important were her achievements in her local area. Together with her husband, Dr Alfred Salter, she helped to improve housing, healthcare and employment for Bermondsey residents. Find out more on this walking tour. Bermondsey station, £12/£9, book ahead, 2pm-4pm
VAN GOGH: Walter DeForest takes on the role of Van Gogh in this interactive family event. Take part in painting alongside 'Van Gogh' and observe him at work, and round off your afternoon with a meal, included in the ticket price. Draper Hall (Elephant & Castle), £6/£4, book ahead, 5pm-8pm
