Things to do this week is sponsored by Cityread.
All week
ANUVAB PAL: Who says the tragedies of history aren't comedy? Everyone except comic genius Anuv Pal, it seems. He's on a mission to understand why he has no country of his own, in a hilarious and necessary dissection of British colonialism. Soho Theatre (London), from £10, book ahead, 1 May-5 May
ROYAL-TEA: Celebrate the impending nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with a specially-themed afternoon tea at a luxury 5 star hotel. As well as cute cakes, finger sandwiches and an array of teas, you'll also be served a glass of their finest Taittinger Champagne. Royal Horseguards Hotel (Westminster), £39.50, book ahead, 1 May-30 May
Monday 30 April
DIY ARM CANDY: Make a bespoke bag at this screen printing masterclass. In just three hours, learn how to turn your tote bag dreams into reality. Drink Shop & Do (King's Cross), £35, book ahead, 7pm
GIN OFF: Just one gin can emerge victorious at Graphic Bar's annual Gin Off. 16 brands go head-to-head to win the coveted prize, from old favourites like Beefeater, to Scand-cool 'foraged gin' Vidda. Your ticket gets you four cocktails to help you reach your decision. Graphic Bar (Soho), £13.07, book ahead, 6pm-11.30pm
MONIKAH LEE: Be part of a live studio audience at no holds barred TV chat show The Talks With Monikah Lee. The host provides a platform to discuss social, political and other engaging issues with guests ranging from academics to celebrities. Previous interviewees include Nicki Minaj's new favourite rapper, Ms Banks, and activist Harnaam Kaur. Proud Cabaret, from £10, book ahead, 6.30pm-10.30pm
CHARITY COMEDY NIGHT: Get ready to laugh your socks off at a mega charity comedy night. The mystery headliner is yet to be announced, but Tim Key, Sara Pascoe, James Acaster, Matt Ewins and Richard Gadd are all confirmed. All the money raised goes to Survivors Manchester — a voluntary organisation that aims to facilitate a safe space for survivors of sexual abuse. Pleasance Theatre (Islington), £15, book ahead, 7.30pm-9.30pm
Tuesday 1 May
BOWIE'S BRIXTON: Walk the same streets as David Bowie on a tour that traces postwar Brixton's histories through the eyes of the late, great rock star. Explore the faded opulence, pop culture and hidden stories of the district, from the 1950s to the present day. Stockwell tube station, £6, book ahead, 6pm-8pm
GERMAN WINE TASTING: Germany might not be renowned for its wine-making, but its vino is definitely having a bit of a moment. With over 200 varieties for your to sample at the G-Force Wine Tasting, you'll have more than a few Rieslings to be cheerful. To line your stomach, killer tacos and classic Wurst are included in the ticket price. Prost to that! Phonica Records (Soho), £25, book ahead, 6.30pm-9pm
SARAH BLASKO: Singer and musician Sarah Blasko is coming to London for a rare solo show. She's bringing the best pop power ballads this side of 2018, though, according to Lauren Laverne, she'd even make the phone book sound magical. Islington Assembly Hall, £18, book ahead, 7pm-9.30pm
WELCOME SESSIONS LAUNCH: Welcome Cinema + Kitchen are launching their new season of films that gives a voice to the refugee diaspora with a celebratory shindig that's complete with complimentary cocktails, canapés cooked up by a BBC Cook of the Year nominee, and a Verve swag bag. There's also plenty of live tunes to see you through the night. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), from £18, book ahead, 9pm-12am
Wednesday 2 May
CHAI AND CHILL: Meditate your way to chillville at a mindful tea-drinking event. Immerse yourself in the aromatic flavours of chai while guided meditation helps you wash away the stress of the day. Pamban Chai and Coffee House (Camden Market), £16, book ahead, 6pm-7.30pm
LONDON DREAMTIME: Hear the strange tale of Mary Overie and other myths and legends by candlelight in Southwark Cathedral. George Hoyle provides live music as Vanessa Woolf regales you with her tales. Southwark Cathedral (Southwark), £10, book ahead, 7pm-8pm
WE WERE KINGS: The living descendants of the last King of Burma, Thibaw, make their way to the big screen in award-winning documentary We Were Kings. All proceeds go to the Angus McDonald Trust. which works with children and adults living with TB and HIV in the slum areas of Yangon in Burma, Faraday Theatre, Royal Institution (Mayfair), £15, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
SPACE YOGA: Take a tour of the cosmos at a yoga class that's totally out of this world. Taught by a certified yoga teacher and a space scientist, this intergalactic asana session uses yoga to experiment with gravity and explore weightlessness. The Book Club (Shoreditch), £15, book ahead, 7.30pm-9.30pm
Sponsor message
Discover London through its stories with Cityread Festival
Looking for a new book to lose yourself in?
Jessie Burton's The Muse is the focus of this year's Cityread Festival — back for its seventh annual celebration this May.
The novel — set in sixties London — defines the month-long programme of events, taking place across 26 London boroughs. Think of it like a massive interactive book group, with everyone reading the same page-turner...
Just some of the events for bookworms to look forward to include a month-long interactive audio-digital installation, live music events, life-drawing classes, and workshops exploring stories from the streets of Soho, art and women in 1960s London.
Cityread London takes place throughout May. Click here to find out more.
Thursday 3 May
VEGAN NIGHTS: What The Pitta, Greedy Khao, Spice Box and many more are coming to Brick Lane for a plant-based foodie's dream night. As well as 20+ traders, they'll have live acts and a pop up from grime musician mecca Cook Daily. 93 Feet East (Brick Lane), from £5, book ahead, 5pm-11pm
TUNNEL SHAFT SCREENINGS: Three of the world’s best adventure films feature in this unique underground cinema experience — right in the heart of a Grade II* listed railway tunnel shaft. Creepy… Brunel Museum (Rotherhithe), £25, book ahead, 6.30pm-10pm (partner)
AMERICAN IN PARIS: St Paul's magnificent 7246-pipe cathedral organ joins forces with a full symphony orchestra in an American/French, French/American musical spectacular that culminates in Saint-Saëns’ classic Organ Symphony. Along the way, you'll encounter the Barber’s epic Toccata Festiva and Gershwin’s iconic An American in Paris, complete with car horns. St Paul's Cathedral, from £12, book ahead, 7pm
LAND OF NOD: Somewhere in Croydon, a young man has been killed and the suspect is on the run. Join the manhunt for a murderer where all is not what it seems in a daring new show that is part treasure hunt, part immersive theatre. Parabolic Theatre (Croydon), £20, book ahead, 7.30pm, until 20 May
STEPHEN BAILEY: Potty mouthed gossip Stephen Bailey is coming to Soho Theatre's underground comedy venue that's 1920s Berlin meets 1950s New York meets contemporary Soho. As well as being a working-class, ginger, gay, northern comic, he is also a black belt in Tae Kwon-Do (best not heckle him, then). Soho Theatre, from £11, book ahead, until 5 May
Friday 4 May
PANCAKES AND BOOZE: May the 4th be with you at a premier pop up art event that'll take you to a gallery far, far away. London Pancakes & Booze Art Show showcases the work of 75 emerging artists, as well as offering free pancakes, live bodypainting, and a craft beer and cocktail bar. As it's Star Wars day, cosplayers get in for free — and there's complimentary shots for Storm Troopers. Studio Spaces (Tobacco Docks), £10/free for Star Wars cosplayers, just turn up, 7pm-1am
A RAY OF SUNSHINE: The unmissable Avery Sunshine returns to Hideaway Jazz Club tonight to deliver stunning soul sensibilities and jazzy grooves. Her shows always sell out, so it's one to book early. Hideaway Jazz Club (Streatham), £23, book ahead, 7pm-11.30pm
DISCO DISCO: A company of artists with learning disabilities bring their absurd and surreal new performance to Croydon. Before that, Sarah Blanc tries out all manner of over the counter beauty contraptions before your very eyes in a bizarre but brilliant double bill (a Take That-themed Haiku might make an appearance — you have been warned). Matthews Yard Theatre (Croydon), book ahead, £10, 7.30pm-9pm
Saturday 5 May
CRAFTY FOX MARKET: Get ready to discover some super bargains at Crafty Fox's samples and seconds sale. As well as massive discounts on treasures from 30 handpicked stallholders, there's free card making and the chance to knit your own necklace. Mercato Metropolitano (Elephant & Castle), free entry, just turn up, 11am-5pm
BABA THE BAD BABOON: After Baba the baboon steals Ool's magic keys, will warrior goddess Poluknalai be able to save the world from environmental chaos? Find out in this new musical written especially for young ones. St Mary's Church, Putney Bridge (Putney), £15, 2pm-3pm, until 20 May
CHIMNEYS AND TUNNELS: Track Greenwich's unmarked monuments and buried tubes on a walking tour that seeks out stories of power, pollution and danger. Your ticket includes a smokey snack. Meet by Greenwich Pier Ticket Office, £15, book ahead, 2.30pm-5pm
SLIME AND FIZZ: Things are about to get messy at Gallery Different. You'll whip up your very own sparkling slime concoction while sipping champagne, before diving head first into a ball pit or orbeez-filled bathtub. Gallery Different (Fitzrovia), from £20, book ahead, 8pm-11pm
Sunday 6 May
MAY DAY FARM FUN: Enjoy a range of outdoor activities for all the family at Kentish Town City Farm's May Day celebration. Get your little one's face painted, or meet the farm's adorable four-legged residents and earn a certificate in goat grooming. There's also plenty of tasty treats on offer, including the farm's very own batch of honey. Kentish Town City Farm (Gospel Oak), £1 entry (kids 50p), just turn up, 12pm-4pm
BEER, BEATS AND BOUTIQUE: This one does exactly what it says on the tin. Enjoy fine craft beer and browse a range of boutique ware including bespoke jewellery and vintage clothing while listening to a thumping soundtrack courtesy of Ransom Note Records. The Star of Kings (King' Cross), free entry, just turn up, 12pm-7pm
PORTOBELLO LIVE: A mix of music, spoken word, film, performance and art returns to one of London's most iconic streets. Portobello Live's 2018 lineup includes DJ and filmmaker Don Letts, ska and reggae legends Gaz Mayall and The Trojans, and former Sex Pistol Glen Matlock, to name but a few — giving you maximum bang for you buck. Portobello Road, (Notting Hill), £20, from noon
