Things To Do This Week In London: 15-21 August 2022

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All week

Carnaby Summer Festival goes on all week

SUMMER SOUNDS: Head to King's Cross for the final week of Summer Sounds Music Festival, a programme of free open-air gigs. This week, catch Celtic fusion project We Are The Monsters, folk pianist and songwriter Belinda O' Hooley, English National Opera artists, and more — browse the full programme. FREE, until 21 August

CAMDEN FRINGE: We're in the final fortnight of this year's Camden Fringe, a celebration of theatre, comedy and music across several Camden venues. Watch autobiographical comedy show The Smell of Love, dark comedy play Keep it Down, or queer exploration physical theatre show What Makes A Body Terrifying, among others. Until 28 August

GREEN CITY: Another outing for City of London Corporation's free roaming exhibition Green City. This time, it can be seen on Hampstead Heath, displaying images of London's heaths, parks, commons and gardens from the London Metropolitan Archives collection. FREE, 15-31 August

OPERA FESTIVAL: Tête à Tête is a festival of new opera, bringing performances to a variety of venues across London starting this week, including a one-off beer opera, performed on the Bermondsey Beer Mile next week. Indian-inspired pieces and a sci-fi comedy opera are among the shows on offer before the festival ends. 15 August-11 September

This Bright Land continues at Somerset House

THIS BRIGHT LAND: Been past Somerset House recently? A large ferris wheel has taken over the external courtyard for This Bright Land, a month-long summer festival with various events going on throughout the week. As well as riding that wheel, look out for family-friendly film screenings, a global food market, beauty and wellness pop-ups and other activities. Until 29 August

SUMMER LIGHTS: Last chance to head to Canary Wharf for the daylight version of a lights festival. Summer Lights consists of sculptures and artworks and installations designed to look their best in sunlight. It's free, and there's plenty else going on in the area, including a mini golf course. FREE, until 20 August

CARNABY SUMMER FESTIVAL: Shopping district Carnaby celebrates summer with a huge free festival consisting of free workshops, masterclasses led by local businesses, live music performances, and offers, discounts and giveaways in shops and restaurants throughout the area. FREE, until 21 August

Last chance to see the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition. Photo: © Royal Academy of Arts, London / David Parry

ROYAL ACADEMY SUMMER EXHIBITION: A highlight of the London art calendar, the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition brings together established and emerging artists to display their work — and this is its final week. Prints, painting, film, photography, architectural works and sculpture all feature, and the theme this year is 'Climate', with Grayson Perry among those taking part. Until 21 August

BBC PROMS: Classical musical festival BBC Proms continues, with events predominantly taking place at the Royal Albert Hall. Concerts this week include Beethoven's First Piano Concerto, Handel's Solomon, and Cologne’s WDR Symphony Orchestra. Until 10 September

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS:  We're about halfway through the long school holidays now. If you're running out of ideas for keeping the whole family entertained (without spending a fortune!), fear not — our summer holidays events guide has plenty of inspiration.

Monday 15 August

A beautiful red brick law building
Explore the cloisters, courtyards, and passageways of London's Inns of Court. Image: M@/Londonist

50+ LINE DANCING: Anyone aged 50+ can take part in a line dancing lesson at Poplar Union. No experience is necessary as you'll learn the steps as you go, and there's time for tea, biscuits, and chatting to your fellow dancers too. 1pm-3pm

INNS OF COURT: Delve into the habitat of the wigged and gowned English barrister, on a guided tour of central London's Inns of Court. Expect cloisters, courtyards, and passageways aplenty — plus some pretty juicy stories from the world of London law. 2pm-4pm

LUNCHTIME CONCERT: The East London School of Music performs a free lunchtime concert starring its organ students. Head to St George's Hanover Square in Mayfair to see them in action, supported by other musicians. Entry is free, but donations are welcome as the school operates as a charity. 1.10pm-2.10pm

BROADWAY PARTY: Get your week off to a lively start at The Phoenix Arts Club's Broadway Party. Hayley Maybury — who performed in We Will Rock You — leads an evening of singing and dancing to tunes from the likes of Grease, Wicked, Mamma Mia, The Greatest Showman, Hairspray, Moulin Rouge, We Will Rock You, Frozen, Dream Girls, Six!, Phantom of the Opera and more. 7.30pm-10pm

HAPPY MONDAYS COMEDY: Head to the Amersham Arms for regular New Cross comedy night Happy Mondays. David Mills, Kyrah Gray, Spring Day, Pearse Egan, Luke Nixon and Mossy are on the line-up this week, with Siôn James as MC, as always. 8pm

Tuesday 16 August

Search for Dippy at Natural History Museum

COLOURFUL WEAVING: Got children to entertain? Pop along to Walthamstow's William Morris Gallery for Family Day — today, the focus is on colourful weaving activities, aimed at age 6+. Inspired by the current Althea McNish: Colour Is Mine exhibition, learn techniques to create your own vibrant weaving designs. FREE, 1pm-4pm

NEON NAKED LIFE DRAWING: Get creative at The Aeronaut in Acton, which hosts a neon naked life drawing session. Combine UV light and reactive body paints for a life drawing class with a twist, and experiment with colour, texture and light as you go, no drawing experience necessary. 6pm/8pm

SEARCH FOR DIPPY: Head to Natural History Museum for an interactive mystery night. The year is 1905 and you're attending a special preview of the newest display, Dippy the Diplodocus. When a note is found warning that several parts of Dippy will be stolen before the display is unveiled, you must follow clues around the museum to solve the mystery. Age 13+ 6.45pm-9pm

WOMEN ASTRONOMERS: Astronomers David Weintraub, Hiranya Peiris and Carole Mundel host a livestreamed Royal Institution event looking at female astronomers, why there were so few women working in the field in the past, and the trailblazing women who forged a path for female scientists in astronomy. 7pm-8.30pm

Wednesday 17 August

Ruby Lucy hosts a Naked Negroni session

SILK PAINTING: Ever wanted to try your hand at silk painting? Bermondsey's Fashion & Textile Museum hosts an introductory silk painting workshop. Spend the day learning the different techniques used to apply colour and create your own 16" silk square under expert guidance. 10.45am-4.30pm

NAKED NEGRONI: Waterloo-based hotel and bar Ruby Lucy holds a Naked Negroni evening. Take part in a naked life drawing session, consisting of multiple poses to sketch, with breaks in between, all while sipping on Ruby's take on a classic negroni. Drawing materials are provided and no experience is necessary. 6.30pm-8.30pm

VAGINA OBSCURA: Award-winning science journalist and author Rachel E. Gross is at the Old Operating Theatre Museum to discuss perhaps the most-misunderstood organ in the human body: the clitoris. She discusses what scientists are finally learning about it, why it took so long, and how new insights about female genitals are helping improve medical knowledge of all bodies. 7pm-8pm

CABBIE POETRY: Seven London poets have collaborated with seven London cabbies, to create a night of spoken word poetry imbued with the streets and landmarks of London. The event's called On the Cotton — which is taxi driver slang for the shortest distance between two places. 7.30pm-9.30pm

WOLF HALL: Join Footprints of London guide Mark Rowland for a virtual tour following in Tudor footsteps and trace the real London of Wolf Hall. Learn about the real locations linked to Hilary Mantel's novels Wolf Hall, Bring Up The Bodies, and The Mirror and the Light — many of them were destroyed by the Great Fire of London, but this event helps you trace the ones which do still exist. 8pm-9pm

Thursday 18 August

Jaubi bring the improvisational sounds of Lahore to Union Chapel

BY THE BOOK: The V&A hosts staff from the National Arts Library for an online event about how books inspired 19th century audiences. They discuss how 19th century audiences used literature and guidebooks to explore the landscape at a time when domestic tourism was becoming increasingly popular. FREE, 1pm-2pm

BANK LATE: The Bank of England Museum stays open late for an archaeology themed evening. Join a guided tour in search of the lost River Walbrook in the vicinity of the Bank, and see objects from the museum's collection relating to Roman Londinium. It's also a chance to explore the regular exhibitions and displays after hours. 5pm-8pm

NIGHT MARKET: No dinner plans? Head over to Canary Wharf to make use of the Night Market, a selection of street food stalls serving up dishes from burgers to bibimbaps, alongside a bar, live music, and free mini golf. 5pm-10pm

ELIZABETH OF YORK: Head to Southwark Cathedral to hear from bestselling author and historian Alison Weir. She discusses the latest in her Six Tudor Queens series, which takes a closer look at the life of Elizabeth of York, wife of Henry VII. 6.30pm-8pm

FEMININE POWER COLLAGE: Take part in a creative collage workshop celebrating feminine power. Find out how collage can be used as a tool for protest and expression of identity. All materials and refreshments are provided. 6.30pm-9pm

PAKISTANI IMPROV: Instrumental Pakistani quartet Jaubi play around with genres including North Indian Classical music, modal Jazz and Hip-Hop. Come to Union Chapel to soak up their music, which is rooted in structured improvisation, and composed by ear. 7pm

Friday 19 August

All Points East is back from today

HITHER GREEN CINEMA: Manor House Gardens in Hither Green is this weekend's Pop Up Screens location. Kick back in the open-air and watch Empire Records tonight, The Greatest Showman on Saturday, or Ghostbuster Afterlife on Sunday. 19-21 August

COUNTRY MUSIC CRUISE: Americana and Country music festival Nashville Meets London comes to Trinity Buoy Wharf for two days of live performances — but first, it kicks off with a country music river cruise on the Thames tonight. Absolute Radio Country presenter Matt Spracklen hosts, with performances by Kyle Daniel and Vicki Manser. Doors 6.45pm

ALL POINTS EAST: Disclosure, Gorillaz, Tame Impala, The Chemical Brothers, Charli XCX, Kraftwerk 3D, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds... just some of the impressive line-up at this year's All Points East Festival in Victoria Park, which also incorporates Field Day. Plus from Sunday-Wednesday (21-23), In The Neighbourhood is a free programme of summer events and activities open to all. 19-28 August

GLITTER BAR: If you're heading to All Points East (above), or just for an epic night out, swing by Yotel Shoreditch where there's a free pop-up glitter bar, with all the sparkles and colour you could need to complete your outfit. FREE, 1pm-5pm

CARNIVAL REFRESHER: Get warmed up for Notting Hill Carnival next weekend with a free Carnival Refresher event in Deptford. The open-air, family-friendly party — part of Lewisham Borough of Culture — features reggae sound systems, dancehall DJs, Afrobeat dancers,  a bouncy castles, face painting and Caribbean food. FREE, 2pm-8pm

Saturday 20 August

Image: Thamesmead Festival

THAMESMEAD FESTIVAL: Southmere Park hosts Thamesmead Festival, a celebration of the local area. Highlights this year include Fields of EveryWhen: a hot air balloon 'tapestried' with stories from the area, which will hover above the festival site, and act as a floating gallery — plus performances from Thamesmead-based street dance group Dynamix, local singer Samm Henshaw and Britain's Got Talent champions Twist and Pulse. 20 August

POPLAR PICNIC: Head down to Poplar Union for the Poplar Picnic, a free, family-friendly festival in Bartlett Park, alongside the arts centre. Expect live music, stalls, wellbeing activities, food and drink — take along a picnic rug and soak in the atmosphere. FREE, 12pm-4pm

KIDS' COMEDY: Take the whole family along to Hawley Wharf in Camden Market for Comedy Club 4 Kids — it's just like a normal comedy show stand-ups, sketch acts and cabaret stars, but the jokes are tailored for those age 6+ and their families.12.30pm-1.30pm

BUTTERFLY BALL: Part of This Bright Land (see above), Somerset House hosts Vogue Rites for The Butterfly Ball, a night honouring transformation and joy within the Voguing community. See members of the community walk the runway, competing in categories across fashion, beauty, realness and performance. 6pm-10.30pm

IMPROV DEATHMATCH: Two teams go into battle at Aces and Eights to see who can make the audience laugh hardest. As part of the audience, you get to shout what the scenes, sketches and songs play out in front of you. The weirder the better, in our opinion. 9.30pm

Sunday 21 August

Young V&A's Reinvent Festival continues. Image courtesy of Young V&A

BABY BROADWAY: A cast of West End actors performs Baby Broadway, a show of songs from the musicals (think Mary Poppins, Mamma Mia!, Grease, Disney...) suitable for all ages. It's a relaxed performance, so littles ones are free to move around, and join in with singing, dancing and clapping. Takes place at Hawley Wharf in Camden Market. 12pm-12.45pm

CREATE AND PLAY: As part of the Young V&A Museum (previously known as the Museum of Childhood) Reinvent Festival, there's a Create & Play session at All Points East festival in Victoria Park. Take 3-11 year olds along today or tomorrow to make the most of an outdoor play pop-up, with large-scale play kits to creatE a huge tower, a boat to sail away on, or a den to hide in. No festival ticket necessary. FREE, 12pm-4pm (repeated on Monday)

JERK COOKOUT: Forest Hill's Horniman Museum Gardens hosts The Original Jerk Cookout, a celebration of the 60th anniversary of Jamaican independence. Live music is spread across the stage and the bandstand, with a Cookout Village serving up dishes from all over the world. Kids are kept occupied with storytelling, bubbles, bouncy castles and other activities. 12pm-7pm

LIONESSES: See the Lionesses live in action — the London City Lionesses that is — as they take on Crystal Palace at their home ground in Dartford. 12.30pm

PAINTING & PROSECCO: Try your hand at creating your own version of artist Annie Dalton's Art Deco Summer Seascape. At this Painting & Prosecco event, all art supplies are provided, as is a glass of prosecco to get you started, and a practicing artist is on hand to offer advice and guidance. Takes place at London Art Bar in Holborn. 3pm-5.30pm

Urban oddity of the week

A urine deflection device or wazzbaffle, taking the form of a sloped surface tilting away from a white wall

If you're heading to the Bank Late (see Thursday), keep your eyes peeled for this vintage wazzbaffle. A wazzbaffle is a sloped surface designed to deter gentlemen from attending to nature against a wall. This specimen is decades-old and protects a corner along the north wall of the Bank.

Once you get an eye for wazzbaffles, you'll spot them everywhere — sometimes built into the architecture, othertimes bolted on as an afterthought. They're hard to miss... in more ways than one.

Good cause of the week

Want to abseil opposite the Houses of Parliament without having to star in a Mission Impossible movie? Then join St Thomas' Abseil 2022 on 23-24 September. The event raises money for children's charity Evelina London, which focuses on making life brighter for kids undergoing medical care.

To take part, you need to commit to raising a minimum of £300 sponsorship, and be prepared to abseil around 50 metres (160ft) down the hospital. Places are now limited, so sign up soon.