Things to do this week is sponsored by Cocktails in the City.
All week
ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL: The UK Asian Film Festival brings its impressive programme to a close this week. Events include the UK premiere of The Incessant Fear Of Rape, about the threat to women in Delhi, the screen adaptation of Monica Ali's novel Brick Lane, and a Bollywood book launch. Various prices and locations, book ahead, until 7 April
LONDON HAT WEEK: Expect titfers galore at London Hat Week, a celebration of London's millinery prowess. Most events are aimed at those working in or aspiring to the hat-making industry, including workshops and classes, but there are also exhibitions, behind-the-scenes tours and other events for the more casual hat-admirer. See the full programme. Various locations and prices, book ahead, 4-10 April
POLISH FILM FESTIVAL: Kinoteka is a festival of Polish films and culture, celebrating both new releases and older but lesser-known classics. Highlights include an immersive musical and dining experience, a focus on new female filmmakers, the premiere of respected director Krzysztof Zanussi's new film Ether; and a night dedicated to ‘90s Polish rave culture. See the full programme. Various locations and prices, book ahead, 4-18 April
Monday 1 April
POP CHOIR: Enjoy a lively evening of music from the LSO Discovery Choir. They sing a medley of rock and pop songs, accompanied by a live band. LSO St Luke's (Old Street), £7, book ahead, 7pm
MEDIEVAL CATS: Felines have been featuring in literature and manuscripts as far back as Medieval times. Medieval specialist Kathleen Walker-Meikle talks about some of the depictions of cats dating from this period, including as treasured pets, fearsome mousers, or even associates of the devil. British Library, £12/£8, book ahead, 7.15pm-8.30pm
MIKE + THE MECHANICS: This supergroup of veteran rockers — spearheaded by Genesis founder Mike Rutherford — are back on the road. Bop along to hits old and new as the band's Looking Back Over My Shoulder tour arrives in London. Royal Albert Hall (Kensington), from £42.53 on StubHub while tickets last, book ahead, 7.30pm (sponsor)
FOOLS' COMEDY: On April Fool's Day, it'd be foolish not to have a laugh. Stuart Laws, Sarah Kendall, Bobby Mair, Saskia Preston and Brett Goldstein all showcase brand new material at this comedy show. The Bunker Theatre (Southwark), £6/£5, book ahead, 7.45pm
Tuesday 2 April
JEWISH WEST END: With Westminster Jews Free School, synagogues, and London's most famous literary pub, once run by Jewish landlords, the areas of Soho and Fitzrovia have a wealth of Jewish history. Join tour guide Rachel Kolsky to discover the Jewish connections of this busy area of the capital. Warren Street station, £10, book ahead, 2pm-3.30pm
TRAVEL GEEKS: Planning a trip Down Under? With top tips, technical know-how, and photo inspiration, National Geographic Traveller helps you bring your Aussie odyssey that step closer over a tipple or two. Get 20% off the award-winning travel magazine's Australia Itineraries evenings with the code LDN20. Wallacespace Clerkenwell, £8 with Londonist discount, book ahead, 6pm-8pm (sponsor)
LONDON MADE US: BBC Radio London host Robert Elms has written a new book about the capital. London Made Us looks back at how the capital has changed in his lifetime, with unpopular areas becoming desirable to live in, towers going up all over the place, accents changing, and much more. Hear him discuss the book, take part in a Q&A, and get your copy signed. Waterstones Tottenham Court Road, £20 with book/£7 without, book ahead, 6pm-9pm
CUTTY SARK 150: Tea clipper Cutty Sark is 150 this year, with plenty of events going on to celebrate. Tonight, board the dry-docked boat for a two-course meal, drinks, and a quiz-style challenge led by comedian and impressionist Jon Culshaw. We're told you don't need to be a Cutty Sark expert to be in with a chance of winning. All money raised goes towards the continued conservation of the ship. Cutty Sark (Greenwich), £65, book ahead, 6.45pm
DISCO'S DADDY: Giorgio Moroder, the Italian hit-machine dubbed the Father of Disco, comes to London for a rare live show. Don't miss the chance to get your groove on with the living legend who gifted the world Donna Summer's best ever bangers. Eventim Apollo (Hammersmith), from £42.53 on StubHub while tickets last, book ahead, 8pm (sponsor)
Sponsor message
A multi-sensory, subterranean cocktail celebration in Waterloo
25 bars. Seven immersive adventures. And a full weekend of cocktail innovation. Cocktails in the City is back for three days of mixology-based mayhem — and this year the UK's best cocktail festival is heading underground.
From Thursday to Saturday, Waterloo's The Vaults plays host to 25 of London's finest bars — including Mr Fogg's, Cahoots, B&H Buildings, Ella Canta, and Heads + Tails. Each hopes that their expertly crafted signature serves will win your vote, as you embark on an underground cocktail crawl to help find this year's Cocktail's in the City champ.
There's more to this year's festival than delicious drinks (though admittedly that makes up a good chunk of the appeal). Seven of The Vaults' railway arches have been totally transformed to suit a variety of moods — from secret gardens to a 1940s speakeasy.
Entry costs £20 and includes a free cocktail from the bar of your choice. All additional cocktails cost £7.50. Tickets can be bought here, but be speedy — last year's event completely sold out.
Wednesday 3 April
POST-WAR CITY: When much of London was destroyed by the Blitz, it gave planners a chance to redesign many areas when rebuilding. Join this guided walk to find out how post-war buildings shaped the City of London into what it is today. Barbican, £10, book ahead, 11am-1pm
COCKNEY SIKH: Suresh Singh grew up in Spitalfields and Brick Lane, and has now written a book, Memoirs Of A Cockney Sikh, about his family's experiences. It tells his father's story of arriving in London from Punjab in 1949 and creating a life here. Hear Singh talk about his East End childhood tonight. Bishopsgate Institute (Liverpool Street), £7/£5, book ahead, 7pm
A STAR IS BORN: Not seen smash-hit film A Star Is Born yet? Here's your chance. Bradley Cooper directs, and plays seasoned musician Jackson Maine, who discovers — and falls in love with — struggling artist Ally, played by Lady Gaga. Harris Academy South Norwood, £8.50/£7/£5, book ahead, 7.45pm
Thursday 4 April
VEGAN NIGHTS: Regular vegan street food market Vegan Nights brings more than 40 vegan food stalls to east London, along with live music and DJs. Tonight's event also celebrates the launch of new vegan cookbook Bish Bash Bosh! with authors Henry Firth and Ian Theasby doing live cooking demos. 93 Feet East (Brick Lane), from £10, book ahead, from 5pm
BOOK LAUNCH: Joanne Harris, author of 1999 novel Chocolat which was turned int0 a film starring Johnny Depp, launches her new book, The Strawberry Thief. It features the same characters (as did 2007 novel The Lollipop Shoes) but picks up several years later, when Vianne Rocher has settled into the village that once rejected her. At tonight's launch party, expect live readings, music, wine and book signings. Waterstones Hampstead, £7/£5, book ahead, 6.30pm
CONEY ISLAND: New York's Coney Island is often seen at the epitome of Americana, and artist Rafael (Randy) Klein grew up there, although he now lives here in London. He chats about his experiences of Lost Americana through his artist’s books and short films, which look back on the American Experience from the perspective of a transplanted New Yorker. British Library, £6/£4, book ahead, 7.15pm-8.30pm
Friday 5 April
BEASTS OF LONDON: Oh boy, are we excited for this one. Beasts of London opens at Museum of London today, looking back at the animals that have lived in London, from Roman times to present day. The interactive experience has celebrities including Brian Blessed, Pam Ferris and Kate Moss voicing the creatures. Museum of London, from £8 adult/£4 child, book ahead, until 5 January 2020
FOOD POVERTY: Guardian food critic Grace Dent and activist and food writer Jack Monroe discuss food poverty and inequality in contemporary Britain. Jack is known for campaigning on food poverty issues, particularly hunger relief, and specialises in writing budget recipes. British Library, £15/£10, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
ANTARCTICA'S CLUES: You may think Antarctica is just a load of ice, but Lavenia Ratnarajah knows different. The oceanographer talks about what she's learnt from her Antarctic research expeditions, including how creatures from microscopic plants to huge whales leave behind clues as to how they live there. Royal Institution (Mayfair), £16/£10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
Saturday 6 April
CRAFTING: All manner of pastimes are represented at Crafting at Ally Pally. Wander around stalls and stock up your craft stash, see some of the latest products in the crafting world, and watch live demonstrations from experts to inspire your next project. Alexandra Palace, £5-£11, book ahead, 6-7 April
POWER UP: If you love video games, you need to know about Power Up at Science Museum. Play video games from the last 40 years on 160 consoles. Single and multi-player games are available, from modern releases and fans of all things retro — think Pacman, Minecraft and Mario Kart. Science Museum (South Kensington), from £8, book ahead, 6-22 April
SOHO STREETS: Join Discovering London tour guide Peter Berthoud to visit every street in Soho in a single day. With around 119 streets, mews, and other thoroughfares, that's no mean feat, but Peter keeps your entertained with fascinating stories of the area that you won't have read in guide books. Oh, and pubs — there are plenty of pub stops to keep you hydrated. Oxford Circus, £35, book ahead, 10am-4.30pm
BOBBIN BIKES SAMPLE SALE: Want to make your kid's day, week and year? Bobbin — maker of those beautiful, brightly-coloured bicycles coveted by style-conscious cyclists of all ages — can help. Get your little one a gorgeous new set of wheels (or bike-related accessory) for up to 50% off at today's sample sale. There may even be a few cycling goodies for grown-ups, too... Second Home (London Fields), free entry, get your tickets from 9.45am ahead of the sale starting at 11am (sponsor)
Sunday 7 April
CAMDEN WALKING TOUR: From Roundhouse to Winehouse, tour guide Rachel Kolsky leads a walk themed on Camden's musical heritage. From piano-making to Pink Floyd to MTV, the area's got something of an eclectic musical history. Jewish Museum (Camden), £15, book ahead, 11am-1pm
GOAT RACE: If you're watching the Oxford Cambridge Boat Race today, you're doing it wrong. The Goat Race is where it's at. Watch two goats, one representing each university, race each other around the cobbles of Spitalfields City Farm, cheered on by a very lively crowd. Tickets for this one always sell out so book asap. Spitalfields City Farm, £17.50, book ahead, 12pm
FACES WE LOST: 2017 documentary The Faces We Lost explores how Rwandans use personal photographs to commemorate loved ones who died in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, which claimed the lives of nearly a million people in just 100 days. This screening is followed by a Q&A with the film’s director Piotr Ceiplak and Co-Founder of the Ishami Foundation Eric Murangwa MBE. Bertha DocHouse (Bloomsbury), £12/£10, book ahead, 4pm
