Things to do this week is sponsored on behalf of StubHub.
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MUSIC FESTIVAL: Piano music, choral performances and organ recitals are just some of the performances taking place in the final week of Barnes Music Festival, which draws attention to local talent as well an international performers. The events mainly take place in local churches, although there is a special guitar recital at London Wetlands Centre on Thursday. Various locations and prices, book ahead, until 24 March
PIRATES OF PENZANCE: Where better to see a production about pirates than on a real life ship? Alright, it's not quite a pirate ship, but Greenwich's former tea clipper makes a mighty fine setting for The Pirates of Penzance, Gilbert & Sullivan's famous opera. The show is part of the ship's 150th birthday celebrations. Cutty Sark (Greenwich), £28, book ahead, 20-24 March
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE: You've (probably) seen the 2006 film, now watch the musical. Little Miss Sunshine motors into the West End for a lively retelling of the road trip tale, which follows one family's journey across America in a campervan to get their daughter to a beauty pageant. Arcola Theatre, £10-£30, book ahead, 21 March-11 May
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF: Also opening in the West End this week is Fiddler On The Roof. This latest version transfers from the Menier Chocolate Factory, and stays true to the original story of Jewish father Tevye trying to maintain his religious and cultural traditions as his family changes. Playhouse Theatre, from £35.40, book ahead, 21 March-15 June
Monday 18 March
PIANO CONCERTOS: Both of Brahms' piano concertos — written 22 years apart in the composer's life — are performed by the Orchestra Of The Age Of Enlightenment at this concert. The works reflect certain periods in his life, the first being youthful and playful, and the latter more mature and structured. Southbank Centre, £10-£75, book ahead, 7pm
MAKING EVIL: What makes some people do things that most of us consider evil? Dr Julia Shaw combines science, psychology and philosophy to talk about criminal psychology in an event that may make you reconsider yourself... and your Google search history. Conway Hall (Holborn), £8/£4, book ahead, 7.30pm-9pm
FOLK MUSIC: Scottish-American folk musician Hannah Read celebrates the launch of her album, Way Out I'll Wander, with an intimate gig showcasing her impressive singing and fiddle playing. The Green Note (Camden), £10, book ahead, 8.30pm
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Folk rock, hip-hop and a classical spectacular: StubHub's picks of the week
Whatever your musical inclinations, StubHub's got the gig for you this week. On Thursday, the UK's most popular classical show returns to the Royal Albert Hall, bringing with it thundering cannons and indoor fireworks, as well as live masterpieces from the likes of Verdi, Vivaldi and Bizet. Join the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and various other virtuosos at this year's Classical Spectacular - tickets from £42.51 on StubHub*.
If folk rock's more your thing, head west to Eventim Apollo, where Scottish singer-songwriter Amy MacDonald performs her greatest hits plus a couple of new tracks, accompanied by a string section. StubHub's got tickets from £42.53*.
Finally, there's StubHub's Score of the Week — an evening with Donald Glover, A.K.A Childish Gambino, at The O2 Arena this Sunday. The Grammy-winning superstar — who released one of the best tracks of 2018 in This Is America — has support from R&B siren H.E.R. Get your tickets from just £42.53* on StubHub.
*While tickets last
Tuesday 19 March
HUMAN MARTIAN: Can humans really live on Mars? Find out about the first attempts to establish a human colony on the Red Planet as polar explorer Adrian Hayes, Chair of the Space Environment Working Group Iya Whiteley and Jill Stuart, an expert in the politics, ethics and law of outer space exploration, all share their views. Royal Institution (Mayfair), £16/£10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
THE BETSEY BOOK QUIZ: Bookworms: this is the pub quiz for you. Join this long-established quiz (formerly in Blackwells, Holborn) for its first night in a new home — appropriately, the Betsey Trotwood on Farringdon Road. The quiz will now take place on the third Tuesday of each month. Betsey Trotwood, £2 per person (teams of up to 5), just turn up, 7pm for 7.30pm start
GEORGE ELIOT: Highgate Cemetery's not short of famous residents, and tonight it's Marian Evans' turn to hog the spotlight. She's better known under her pen name, George Eliot, and this talk covers her life from journalist living in central London, to south London where she began writing, and on to her later residences in Regent's Park and Chelsea. Highgate Cemetery, £9, book ahead, 7.30pm
LOST CHILDREN ARCHIVE: Lost Children Archive is a new novel about a New York family who set out on a road trip to the regions of the US which used to be Mexico. Meanwhile, thousands of children are journeying north, travelling to the US border from Central America and Mexico. Tonight, author Valeria Luiselli — a Mexican herself — discusses the book, focusing on its theme of being human in an inhuman world. Southbank Centre, £12, book ahead, 7.30pm
Wednesday 20 March
CHARING CROSS ROAD: Built in 1887, Charing Cross Road holds a lot of history. Hear about the area's famous bookshops, the Jacey cinema, Tin Pan Alley and the Moo Cow milk bar in this photographic history talk. Society of Genealogists (Islington), £8, book ahead, 2pm-3pm
CSI PREDATOR: Aimed at ages 16+, CSI Predator is a look at the world of veterinary science through an evening of activities and presentations by experts. Pathologists and veterinarian offer their expertise, and a live dissection is screened from the anatomy lecture theatre. Royal Institution (Mayfair), £16/£10/£7, book ahead, 6pm-9.30pm
STAN AND OLLIE: Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly take on the roles of comedy duo Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy in 2018 film Stan & Ollie. Unresolved arguments and declining health come to the fore in this film based on their final tour. Harris Academy South Norwood, £8.50/£7/£5, book ahead, 7.45pm
Thursday 21 March
SKETCHY LADIES: A cracking line-up of female-only comedians, including Kirstie Swain — writer of the hit comedy-drama Pure — and hosts, Ladylikes. This is also one of your last chances to visit the Water Poet before it closes for good. The Water Poet (Shoreditch), pay what you can, just turn up, 7pm
MACBETH: Double, double, toil and trouble... The Scottish Play is transplanted to London in 1987 in this latest production, a corporate thriller which explores the pressures faced by first-generation British-born children of immigrants. Jacksons Lane (Highgate), £10-£16, book ahead, 7.30pm (repeated tomorrow)
LIVES OF LONDONERS: Former BBC correspondent Kurt Barling — now a professor of journalism — appears at the Talkie's Here Film Festival to show news and documentary footage from his time specialising in the capital. It all comes together to form a narrative of a city undergoing change. Dudgale Centre (Enfield), £6.50, book ahead, 7.45pm
WORK IN PROGRESS: Comedian Tom Basden tries out new ideas in this work-in-progress show, no doubt in preparation for Edinburgh Fringe. Expect jokes, stand-up comedy and songs. The Bill Murray (Islington), £6, book ahead, 9.30pm
Friday 22 March
QUEER SQUATTING: Three queer speakers with histories of squatting in London open up about their experiences, tying it in with London's radical queer history and disrupting conventional understandings of squatting. It's a tactic used by many LGBTQ people to survive and to experiment with creating spaces in which to thrive. Sutton House (Hackney), £10/£5, book ahead, 6.30pm-9pm
OPERA AT THE PALACE: No, not that palace. Fulham Palace hosts a full-blown opera performance, with up-and-coming stars from the National Opera Studio showcasing their talents. For an extra-fancy night out, book a ticket for a three-course meal at the palace before the show. Fulham Palace, £25/£65 with dinner, book ahead, 6pm/7.30pm
FRAGMENTS: Explore Foundling Museum's Bedrooms of London exhibition after hours, and enjoy poetry and discussions courtesy of Poet In The City. The exhibition features photos of the bedrooms of London children living in poverty, and Poet In The City uses creativity to offer different takes on some of the issues raised. Foundling Museum (Bloomsbury), £10/£8, book ahead, 7pm
Saturday 23 March
RAILWAY MODELLING: The London Festival of Railway Modelling comes to Alexandra Palace, bringing 40 layouts from all over the world, and 120 exhibitors selling and trading must-have items, as well as more specialist and unique objects including rarer scales and gauges. Get inspired at expert demonstrations. Alexandra Palace, from £10, book ahead, 23-24 March
STORIES OF WOMEN: From a notorious 1815 poisoning case to the forgotten daughters of King Edward I, the stories of women throughout history are told at this day of talks. Hear from experts including historians and authors about the lives of Tudor women and young Englishwomen traded for tobacco in early Virginia, in what sounds like a fascinating day. Southwark Cathedral, £12.50/£10, book ahead, 10am-4.50pm
Sunday 24 March
DAN SNOW: Historian Dan Snow hosts a gala evening to mark the 75th anniversary of the Great Escape. Music comes courtesy of The D-Day Darlings and other special guests, and the evening culminates in a screening of the 1963 Steve McQueen film. Eventim Apollo (Hammersmith), from £49.75, book ahead, 6pm
LIFE DRAWING: Put pencil to paper at this life drawing class, in the beautiful setting of Union Chapel. Artist Joanna McCormick leads the relaxed session, with five models doing yoga, acrobatics and feats of strength throughout. Union Chapel (Islington), £21/£15, book ahead, 6pm
