Things To Do This Week In London: 7-13 January 2019

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All week

London International Mime Festival begins this week

MAISIE ADAMS: Comedian Maisie Adams brings her show Vague — which debuted at Edinburgh — to London, sharing her experiences of navigating the recklessness of youth while dealing with a medical condition that required her to be a ‘Sensible Susan’. Soho Theatre, from £12, book ahead,  7-12 January

ICE RINK: It's the final week of the seasonal ice rink at Somerset House, set in the stunning Edmond J. Safra Fountain Courtyard. It'll probably be a bit quieter now the Christmas rush is over, so you have a bit more space to practice your pirouettes. Somerset House (Aldwych), from £11/£8.50, book ahead, until 13 January

I OBJECT: You've only got a couple more weeks to see I Object, the exhibition curated by Ian Hislop all about the rebels and dissenters of history. See a builder's 'up yours' to a king, and find out why China had to withdraw some commemorative stamps. British Museum, £12, book ahead, until 20 January

MIME FESTIVAL: London International Mime Festival brings acts from all over the world to the capital, celebrating all forms of contemporary visual theatre. Puppetry, acrobatics and silent films all feature, along with workshops and artists' talks and discussions. Various locations and prices, book ahead, 9 January-3 February

Monday 7 January

Folk On Monday in Camden

FOLK ON MONDAY: Folk On Monday is a regular event which highlights the talents of London's best folk musicians. Tonight, fiddle player Matt Tighe and bodhrán (Irish drum) player Tad Sargent take to the stage. The Green Note (Camden), £8, book ahead, 8.30pm

Tuesday 8 January

Improve your photography skills at British Library

SMARTPHONE PHOTOGRAPHY: This smartphone photography workshop is aimed at business owners who need better photos to promote their business but can't afford a photographer. Over the course of the workshop, learn some tips and tricks to improve your photography. British Library, £20, book ahead, 5.30pm-7.30pm

LIFE OF ADVENTURE: Hear about the adventurous life of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man ever to complete a single-handed, non-stop circumnavigation of the world. Now, 50 years later, he's discussing his experiences. Conway Hall (Holborn), £35-£40, book ahead, 6.45pm-8pm

POPBITCH QUIZ: Weekly gossip email newsletter Popbitch offers up a quiz, so swot up on your music, pop culture and trivia, and get ready to take part in filthy arts and craft challenges. Maximum of six in a team, and prizes to be won. Smiths of Smithfield, £5, book ahead, 7.30pm

LIVE COMEDY: Gits and Shiggles comedy night brings comedy Shappi Khorsandi to the stage, supported by fellow comedians Rob Oldham, Rhys James and Masud Milas. Half Moon (Putney), £8/£12, book ahead, 8pm

Wednesday 9 January

CURATOR TALK: Roman Vishniac was a Russian-born American photographer, best-known for his photos capturing Jewish life in Europe between the two world wars. Jewish Museum currently has a retrospective exhibition of his work, and today there's a chance to hear from the curator. Jewish Museum (Camden), £8.50/£6.50 (includes entry to the exhibition), book ahead, 2pm-2.30pm

THE WAR HORSE: Art historian Dr Jonathan Black and horse-racing journalist and presenter Brough Scott headline an evening of talks surrounding the current exhibition of work by war artist Alfred Munnings. National Army Museum (Chelsea), £15, book ahead, 6pm-8.15pm

Thursday 10 January

Tour the conservation studios at British Library

CONSERVATION STUDIOS: Find out how the staff at the British Library care for the objects in its collections on a behind the scenes tour of its conservation studios, which lets you in on some of the techniques they use. Takes place the first Thursday of each month. British Library, £10/£8, book ahead, 2pm

FABRIC HISTORY: Celebrate the launch of Kassia St Clair's new book, The Golden Thread, with an evening looking at how fabric has changed history, from the mummification techniques used in Ancient Egypt, to the high-tech fabrics used to make an astronaut's space suit. Fashion & Textile Museum (Bermondsey), £15/£12, book ahead, 6pm-8pm

Friday 11 January

Take a tour of Buckingham Palace

WELCOME TO THE FOREST: This festival is the launch weekend of Waltham Forest's year as London Borough of Culture. A site-specific film illuminates the Town Hall, new music has been specially commissioned, and a neon-lit carnival and epic lighting installation are all part of the fun. Various locations, free, just turn up, 11-13 January

SHORT FILM FESTIVAL: London Short Film Festival 2019 begins today, bringing more than 50 short films to various venues. Haunted houses, psycho puppets and Paul McCartney conspiracy theories all feature, and many of the films receive their premieres. Various locations and prices, book ahead, 11-20 January

BUCKINGHAM PALACE: Every Friday-Sunday until 3 February, Buckingham Palace runs exclusive guided tours. Visit the State Rooms with an expert guide, and finish your afternoon with a glass of champagne. £85, book ahead, various times, until 3 February

DIETING AND OBESITY: At a time of year when we're bombarded with diets and health fads, find out what actually works. In this lecture, geneticist Dr Giles Yeo discusses his new ‘anti-diet’ diet book, about how we can break the cycle of misinformation surrounding diets. The Royal Institution, £16/£10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm

BOWIE BOOGIE: The Ritzy marks the birthday of local boy, late singer David Bowie, with a special live rendition of seminal (although that adjective could be used for much of his oeuvre) album, Diamond Dogs, plus glitter, face painting and plenty of dancing. Ritzy (Brixton), £7, book ahead, 9pm-2am

Saturday 12 January

Comedian Robyn Perkins offers previews of her new show

MINDFUL DRINKING: Low-alcohol and alcohol-free drinks are in the spotlight at the Mindful Drinking Festival. Take part in tastings and workshops, and hear from the producers of the beverages that offer an alternative to booze. The Old Truman Brewery (Brick Lane), free, just turn up, 12-13 January

MATING SELECTION: Get a preview of comedian Robyn Perkins' latest show, Mating Selection. It's inspired by her true experience on a live dating show, and takes an honest look at modern-day dating. The Bill Murray (Islington), £5, book ahead, 4pm-5pm

ULTIMATE BEATLES: Great costumes, Liverpudlian wit, and amazing musicianship are all part of Ultimate Beatles' tribute act. They perform Beatles songs from 1967 to 1970, including songs from the Sgt Pepper's and Let It Be. The Half Moon (Putney), £10/£12, book ahead, 8pm

Sunday 13 January

Sofie Hagen appears at the Chortle Comedy Book Festival

COMEDY BOOK FESTIVAL: Comedy website Chortle brings a host of comedians to the British Library to talk about their books. The Chortle Comedy Book Festival line-up includes Alex Horne, Jessie Cave, Robin Ince and Sofie Hagen. British Library, various prices, book ahead, 1pm

CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS: Civil partnerships should be available to all, not just same-sex couples. That's the premise of today's Thinking On Sunday event, which hears from Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan, who have been campaigning for equal civil partnerships since 2014. Conway Hall (Holborn), £8/£4, book ahead, 3pm-4.30pm

UPCYCLED SOUNDS: Singer-songwriter Rosie Caldecott performs an intimate gig on board The Golden Hinde, following the release of her debut EP. The Golden Hinde (Bankside), £7.50/£10, book ahead, 7.30pm-10pm