Things To Do This Week In London: 29 October-4 November 2018

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Things to do this week is sponsored by Films in Concert at Royal Albert Hall.

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Haunting happenings in the crypt of a Gothic church

HALLOWEEN: Looking for spooky things to do in London? Check out our guide to Halloween events, or if you’re feeling really brave, book tickets to one of these Halloween film screenings. Plus, there's plenty of limited edition Halloween food and drink to tuck into as well.

DAY OF THE DEAD: Hot on the heels of Halloween is the Mexican festival of Día de los Muertos — Day of the Dead. Mexican it may be, but more and more London venues mark it every year — take a look at this year's events.

BONFIRE NIGHT: If it's fireworks you're after, we've got you covered. We've collected a huge array of sparkly displays taking place all over London for our Bonfire Night roundup.

CHRISTMAS FAIR: It may only be October, but that doesn't mean it's too early for a spot of Christmas shopping. Get into the festive spirit at the Spirit of Christmas fair which has 825 boutique retailers and designer-makers, plus a flurry of winter workshops including wreath-making, cupcake decorating, and champagne tasting. Find out more about London's 2018 Christmas markets. Olympia London, from £20.50, book ahead, 29 October-4 November

THE BEAUTIFUL AND THE DAMNED: Where better for an art exhibition dedicated to all things macabre than the crypt of a Gothic church? Don't miss Saturday's costume party, featuring spooky candlelit storytelling, avant garde rock-cabaret, and a gloriously gory spread of sweet treats. Vout-O-Reenees (Tower Hamlets), free exhibition/£9 for party tickets, book ahead, 30 October-16 November

WILD AT HEART: Animal lover or not, year on year the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is an absolute must-see for its majestic depictions of the planet we call home. You can see what we thought of this year's picks here. Natural History Museum (South Kensington), £13.50, book ahead, until 30 June 2019

Monday 29 October

Christian Zacharias performs alongside the English Chamber Orchestra

THE BARBICAN ESTATE AT 50: Fifty years ago, a world-class piece of Brutalist architecture and a key part of social housing history was born. Drawing on interviews with residents past and present, Barbican Estate author and former resident Stefi Orazi invites you to take a closer look at the landmark estate. Foyles (Charing Cross Road), £8, book ahead, 7pm-8pm

LEMONADE REMADE: When Beyonce gives you Lemonade, you make sure you appreciate the iconic visual album for all its worth. That's exactly what a team of talented London creatives are doing, with their immersive live reimagining of the seminal record. XOYO (Shoreditch), £15-£17, book ahead, 7pm-10pm

ENGLISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA: Pianist and conductor Christian Zacharias performs Beethoven's Third Piano Concerto. He also conducts the English Chamber Orchestra as they treat you to Schoenberg's Verklärte Nacht. Southbank Centre, £15, book ahead, 7.30pm

Tuesday 30 October

Portuguese grub, delicious wine and sparkling conversation at Bar Douro

EXTREME ENGINEERING: Discover the feats of engineering that went into making polar research ship The RSS Sir David Attenborough — aka Boaty McBoatFace — at this evening lecture. Captain Tim Stockings explains how the multi-million pound modernisation programme is crucial to Britain remaining at the forefront of research in Antarctica. Royal Academy of Engineering (The Mall), £10, book ahead, 6.30pm

SPECTACULAR CINEMA: Overwhelmed by the sheer volume of Halloween hijinks in London? Head to the Amersham Arms, have a nice cold pint and wait for all of it to blow over with a screening of cult classic Shaun of the Dead. For an extra £2.50, you get to visit a key film location beforehand. Amersham Arms (New Cross), from £5, book ahead, 7pm

WINE AND DINE: On tonight's menu at Bar Douro? Portuguese delicacies, sparkling conversation, and an absolutely massive selection of wine. Join esteemed winemakers Pedro Ribeiro and Catarina Vieira for a very special dinner featuring 10 perfectly paired whites and reds. Bar Douro (Flat Iron Square), £50, book ahead, 7pm

Wednesday 31 October

A haunting evening at Handel & Hendrix's old houses

DOCKS AFTER DARK: Take a lamplit tour of the docks after dark and discover the spine-tingling tales of the men, women, and children who worked there. Your ticket includes a glass of prosecco to calm your nerves. Museum of London Docklands (Canary Wharf), £25, book ahead, 6.30pm

HANDEL, HENDRIX, HALLOWEEN: Explore the more macabre aspects of two of the world's most legendary musicians after dark at their former abodes. Ghoulish Georgians will be resurrected, terrifying tarot readings shall be doled out, and you'll create psychedelic pagan-inspired posters — all to the beat of hauntingly beautiful Baroque music. Handel & Hendrix in London (Mayfair), £15, book ahead, 7pm-10pm

FLOATING WORLD: Travel back in time to a 17th century Japanese teahouse which conceals all manner of extravagant and sensual pursuits. Get kitted out in full kimono, indulge in a three course meal, and discover the erotic art of Shunga. The Lacy Nook (Stoke Newington), £45, book ahead, 7pm-10.30pm (repeated tomorrow)

THE ANTI-SLAM: The only thing scary about this poetry night is the truly terrible rhymes. Giving new meaning to the phrase 'so bad it's good', Camden Comedy Club invites London's finest bards, comedians, and theatre-makers to create the most hilariously awful poems possible. Camden Comedy Club, £7, book ahead, 8pm


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Watch movie masterpiece Amadeus, accompanied by a live orchestra and choir

We've all seen (and heard) the 1984 masterpiece Amadeus. The rollicking riot of a Mozart biopic is the most acclaimed film ever made about classical music.

Now you can watch it accompanied by a LIVE orchestra — in the mind-blowing setting of the Royal Albert Hall.

This November, Amadeus (winner of eight Academy Awards, four BAFTAs and four Golden Globes) is screened alongside a live orchestra and choir. We're sure that the bombastic Amadeus himself would have approved.

Even more thrilling, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields — who recorded the original music — will perform, alongside the Philharmonia Chorus, conducted by Ludwig Wicki.

The movie that was voted one of the American Film Institute’s best 100 movies of the 20th century is about to get even better!

Amadeus Live is at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday 2 November. Tickets from £24.


Thursday 1 November

Scottish folk outfit Breabach come to Walthamstow

SHORT SERIES FESTIVAL: If going down YouTube rabbit holes is your guilty pleasure, we've found the festival for you. At this international celebration of online storytelling, featuring screenings of the best web series and short films on the web, you're sure to meet a kindred spirit or too. City Lit (Covent Garden), from £8, book ahead, until 3 November

BREABACH: Featuring twin bagpipes, Gaelic vocals, and even a spot of step dance, this folk band is more Scottish than a tartan-clad haggis. See Breabach perform live as part of the London Roots Festival 2018. St Mary's Music Hall (Walthamstow), £18, book ahead, 6.30pm

REGENCY REVELRY: In the absence of on-demand TV and quality online content creation (hello!), what on earth did our early 19th century predecessors do to pass the time? Loads of gambling, apparently. Rub shoulders with the crème de la crème of Regency society at an evening of era-appropriate card games, booze and music. Apsley House (Piccadilly), £20, book ahead, 7pm-9pm

DAY OF THE DEAD STORYTELLING: Inspired by the Mexican festival of remembrance, Crick Crack Club's renowned raconteurs present a night of Día de los Muertos storytelling. Expect ritual, tales, and all manner of magical mayhem. Find more Day of the Dead events in London. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £9, book ahead, 7.30pm

Friday 2 November

Reginald D Hunter performs live in Dulwich

AUSTEN-TATIOUS: Fans of Jane Austen often point to the writer's brilliant wit when explaining their adoration. But how much do you know about her comic gifts' influence on later authors like Evelyn Waugh and Barbara Pym? Find out at this evening lecture. National Portrait Gallery, £10, book ahead, 7pm

CAIROKEE: Sing along to Cairokee, an Egyptian band that combines rock and electronica with a hint of pop and chaabi. This live show opens with a spoken word performance, courtesy of award-winning Palestinian actor and writer Dana Dajani. Jazz Cafe (Camden), £22.50, book ahead, 7pm-11pm

REGINALD D HUNTER: Our favourite Georgia-hailing provocateur returns to to south east London for another Plosive stand-up night. Reginald D Hunter is joined by fellow jokesters Rose Matafeo, Brett Goldstein and Suzi Ruffell. The MCT at Alleyn's (Dulwich), £17, book ahead, 8pm-10.15pm

Saturday 3 November

Shopping, street food, and grooving at The Birdhaus

STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU: Spend the morning exploring London's 'Middle City'...aka the bit sandwiched between the City and Westminster. On this guided walk, The London Ambler regales you with tales of 7th century Saxons, wealthy Tudor noblemen, and Victorian gossip. Villiers Street (Embankment), £12, book ahead, 10.30am-12.30pm

THE BIRDHAUS: Brick Lane on a weekend is always a safe bet for beautiful indie and vintage finds, but there are even more treasures to be discovered with the return of The Birdhaus market. Duck in to 93 Feet East for shopping, cocktails, live art, and top tunes. 93 Feet East (Brick Lane), free entry, just turn up, 11am-5pm

ROCK PAPER SCISSORS: Do you have what it takes to be crowned the rock paper scissors European Champion? There's a cash prize for the person who shatters (or cuts, or smothers) the competition. Knights Templar Pub (Chancery Lane), £15, book ahead, 6pm-10pm

FLEETWOOD BAC: Can't afford those eye-wateringly expensive Fleetwood Mac tickets? Opt for Fleetwood Bac instead — the Mick Fleetwood-approved tribute show that'll take you right back to the band's hey-day. The Half Moon (Putney), £12-£14, book ahead, 8pm

Sunday 4 November

Come to terms with your dragons with Take Flight

GREAT BRITISH FRY UP: With the help of some the UK's best independent suppliers and MasterChef 2017 finalist Steve Kielty, The Great British Fry Up promises to serve you the best Full English breakfast ever created. A bold claim — one that you must surely put to the test. MEATliquor (King's Cross), £20, book ahead, 10am-4pm

YOU'VE GOT DRAGONS: What's a kid with the bad case of the dragons to do? Bring your little ones to find out at this intergenerational  show featuring live music, creative captioning, and interwoven BSL. Jacksons Lane (Highgate), £9.95, book ahead, 12pm/3pm

MURIEL SPARK'S PECKHAM: You might have heard of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, but did you know that Scottish author Dame Muriel Spark also wrote a novel set in 1950s Peckham Rye? Discover the south east London neighbourhood of years gone by on a guided walk. 1950s dress is highly encouraged! Meet at Peckham Rye Station, £15, book ahead, 2.30pm-4.30pm