Things to do this week is sponsored by The ABA Chelsea Rare Book Fair.
All week
WOMEN IN ARCHITECTURE: How many female architects can you name? Pay this exhibition a visit and you'll be able to reel them off. There's Zaha Hadid for one, whose oeuvre has earned her her own installation here. AA Gallery (Bedford Square), free, just turn up, ongoing
HALLOWEEN: Looking for some spectacularly spooky Halloween events in London? Check out our guides to the best Halloween happenings and film screenings occurring this week.
BALLET: The Royal Ballet celebrates the life of the late, legendary choreographer Kenneth MacMillan in this series of poignant dance performances. Royal Opera House, £4-£70, book ahead, until 1 November
DADDY ISSUES: Of Kith And Kin is a highly watchable production following a bantering urban couple in what looks like a Terry and June sitcom with Habitat furnishings. Bush Theatre, £10-£20, book ahead, until 25 November.
SOUTINE PORTRAITS: Our reviewer didn't think much of these contorted, fleshy portraits of 1920s hotel staff but maybe you'll feel differently. The Courtauld Gallery, £10.50, book ahead, until 21 January
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN: See Mel Brooks’ ingenious update of Young Frankenstein delivered as a spoof of both stage musicals and the horror movie genre. It’s ingenious, funny, clever and corny. Garrick Theatre, £20, book ahead, until 29 September 2018
Monday 30 October
ARCHITECTURE TOUR: Going behind the scenes at St Paul's Cathedral involves climbing 140 steps, negotiating a narrow passage and height restrictions, but the views will be worth it. St Paul's Cathedral, £10, book ahead, 3pm-4.30pm
DRAWN AT THE TOWER: Put your drawing skills to the test in this women and witchcraft-themed class, where dramatic costumed figures are your subjects. Tower of London, £25, book ahead, 6.45-9pm
TWISTED: Embark on an Oliver Twist-inspired adventure through the backstreets of Shoreditch, in which a young migrant has gone missing. Dress for the outdoors. Start at Rich Mix, various prices, book ahead, until 18 November
Tuesday 31 October
COOKERY CLUB: There's more to salads than limp lettuce and flavourless tomatoes, as you'll find out in today's salad and dressing session, (one of six if you feel like flexing your chef skills.) The Garden Museum (Lambeth), £20-£100 (for all six sessions), book ahead, 11am-1.30pm
VIKTOR WYND'S BIRTHDAY: Sip Hendrick's Gin while you take in the array of outlandish objects on display at this curiosity shop, which is celebrating its third birthday in true odd-ball style. The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities (Hackney), free, book ahead, 6pm-11pm
CHAPEL CHILLS: Settle in for a properly spooky night in this atmospheric venue, featuring cult classic The Wicker Man, accompanied by a live score. Hit the bar for creepy cocktails if it all gets a bit much. Union Chapel (Islington), £16.50, book ahead, 6.30pm
MUSEUM LATE: Spend Halloween surrounded by skeletons and skulls at the Grant Museum of Zoology's after-dark event. Grant Museum of Zoology, £6 (includes glass of wine), just turn up, 6.30pm-9pm
PSYCHO AT THE SHARD: Take your Halloween to new heights at this special screening of horror classic, Psycho from the top of The Shard, with a complimentary cocktail thrown in to steel your nerves. £40, book ahead, 8pm-11pm
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Read all about it: this book fair is full of rare treasures
The ABA Chelsea Rare Book Fair is coming to London, and there’s something here for every literature lover — whether you're a seasoned collector, or you just love getting stuck in to a good book.
With more than 80 exhibitors together under one roof, it’s the perfect opportunity to discover some unique and beautiful treasures, and for those less familiar with the world of rare books, even learn a thing or two. The relaxed atmosphere and expert exhibitors make it easy to get involved with book collecting, and free guided tours are ideal for those looking to start building a collection of their own.
And with prices starting at just a few pounds, budget needn’t be a barrier either. There’s a lot more than just books, too: original manuscripts, prints, posters, maps, photographs and artwork also feature at the event. It’s a great chance to pick up a one-of-a-kind Christmas gift for your loved ones (if you don’t snap everything up for yourself).
The ABA Chelsea Rare Book Fair takes place at the Chelsea Old Town Hall on Friday 3 November (2-7pm) and Saturday 4 November (11am-5pm). Book your free ticket now.
Wednesday 1 November
RECYCLED FUTURE: Obsolete computers, broken everyday objects, unwanted toys and all forms of plastic are brought to life in this exhibition, which has taken five years of sculpting/hoarding to create. Oxo Tower Wharf, free, just turn up, 11am-8pm, until 5 November
DUTCH FILM FEST: Expand your film genre repertoire at this film festival dedicated to all things Dutch and Flemish. Dutch Centre, £10, book ahead, 6.30pm-10pm (until 4 November)
IMPROV CLASS: Looking for a new hobby, new friends or new found confidence? This relaxed improv class should cater for all three. The Nursery Training Centre (Southwark), £16.32, book ahead, 7pm
QUARTER LIFE CRISIS: Follow this Londoner as she navigates Tinder, how to keep your student card and all the other things 20-somethings stress over. The Albany Theatre, £14/£10, book ahead, 7pm
Thursday 2 November
WAHACA DAY OF THE DEAD: Expect reenactments of traditional ceremonies, plenty of tacos and all the tequila you can handle at the tunnels underneath Waterloo. It's as close as you're going to get to the traditional Day of the Dead celebrations without hopping on a plane to Mexico. Funds raised will support victims of the recent Mexico earthquakes. The Vaults (Waterloo), £27.50, book ahead, until 4 November
PERSONALISED PACKAGING: Do you secretly get excited when you find a Coke bottle with your name on it? Find out why in this exhibition, which is all about the power of personalisation in packaging. Museum of Brands (Notting Hill), £9, book ahead, until 7 January
HACKOUSTIC VILLAGE: Expect sonic experiments, sound installations you can play with and lots experimental instruments at this four-day event. Musical genius or a cacophony? You decide. The Old Truman Brewery, £10/£6, book ahead, 10am-6pm, until 5 November
SKYLIGHT: Pretty much any activity is made instantly more fun when it's plonked on a rooftop. That includes ice skating, especially when there's fondue, mulled wine and cocktails involved. Skylight, Tobacco Dock, free entry (charge for activities), 5pm-11pm (opens today for the winter season)
EXPERIMENTAL ART: This night keeps things excited with its mixture of video art, short films and live performances, which put Middle Eastern culture and politics into sharp focus. Iklectik (Waterloo), £7/£10 on the door, book ahead, 7pm-10.30pm
IMMERSIVE COMEDY HOUSE PARTY: Wondering how you make comedy 'immersive'? Throw in some innuendo charades, tequila roulette and musical statues, of course. Old Queens Head (Islington), £6, book ahead, 7pm-10.30pm
Friday 3 November
ALLY PALLY FIREWORKS: We reckon you've chosen well if you end up here tonight: think spectacular fireworks, fire shows, parades, live music and more street food stalls than you can shake a sparkler at. Alexandra Palace, various prices, book ahead, until 4 November
BALL PIT BIRTHDAY: There's nothing like the childhood glee that comes with jumping into a giant pit of multicoloured balls. All kidults are most welcome at Ballie Ballerson's first birthday shindig. Ballie Ballerson (Shoreditch), £22.03-£27.47, book ahead, 6pm
CRIME SCENE IMPROV: Dream up bizarre murder mystery cases in your spare time? Then you'll find this event, in which the Chandeliers crime scene/comedy act perform your suggestions, a doddle. Museum of Comedy, £10, book ahead, 7pm-8pm
LIVE ROOFTOP MUSIC: If you fancy getting glammed up and unwinding to live music tonight, Kensington Roof Gardens is a fine choice. Singer songwriter Tina Toplak headlines the evening. The Roof Gardens (Kensington), £22, age 21+, book ahead, 7pm-10pm
STARGAZING: Perfect your lunar photography at this stargazing event, for anyone who enjoys looking at the moon but is always disappointed by their blurry iPhone snaps of it. Bethnal Green Nature Reserve, £22, book ahead, 8pm-10pm
Saturday 4 November
LONDON FIREWORKS: London's whizzing, popping displays are among the best in the country. This year's offerings range from council displays to children’s fireworks, ticketed-only events and fundraising conflagrations. Check out our London fireworks guide to make sure your bonfire night is a banger.
MORNING GLORYVILLE: Start your day with a face full of biodegradable glitter and a sober rave in a Mayan jungle as part of Morning Gloryville and Wahaca's Day of The Dead celebrations. The Vaults, £21.49, book ahead, 7am
PLAGUE TALES: Get suitably grossed out on this gory tour, telling the story of the plague. It is Hallo-week after all. (Your tour guide is the guy holding a stick with a rat on it). Tower Hill tube, £10/£9, book ahead, 2pm
KILO SALE: £15 could nab you an entire outfit if you choose carefully at this vintage sale, where you pay by weight. Pop Brixton, free entry, just turn up, 11am-5pm, until 5 November
Sunday 5 November
LONDON PHOTO FAIR: Since the 1980s this Sunday fair has been a meeting place for vintage photography dealers, collectors, curators and the camera curious. Bloomsbury Holiday Inn, £10/£5/£2, just turn up, 10am-4pm
SUNDAY SERMON: Hear human rights activist Shami Chakrabarti speak about the many benefits that would be brought about by women's equality. Cecil Sharp House, £20, book ahead, 11am
BRUSH AND BUBBLES: Get creative and let your hair down at this boozy painting class. Just don't dip your paint brush in the prosecco. View94 (Putney), £29.99, book ahead, 11am-1.30pm and 2.30pm-5pm
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