Things To Do This Weekend In London: 23-24 June 2018

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All weekend

An evening of discovery, dancing, and Ella Fitzgerald.

HOUSE AND GARDEN FESTIVAL:  The Art & Antiques Fair Olympia, HOUSE, Spirit of Summer and GROW London come together to create one big event, the House & Garden Festival. It's a celebration of quality craftsmanship, interior design, and garden trends. This Saturday and Sunday, PopUp Painting will also be pitching up to help you unleash your creativity. Olympia London, from £16, book ahead, 10.30am-5.30pm, 20-24 June

STREATHAM FOOD FESTIVAL: Go on a south London carb crawl that won't break the bank. 38 Streatham eateries are offering mini taster dishes for a fiver or less as part of Streatham Food Festival. Don't forget to pick up a score card for the chance to win a slap up meal for two. Various venues, £2-£5 per dish, just turn up, 21-24 June

ART HOUSE OPEN STUDIOS: Richmond upon Thames' art extravaganza returns to show off the borough's wealth of creative talent. Dozens of local artists will be opening up their homes and studios to showcase their work across a variety of mediums, including painting, printmaking, wood sculpture, jewellery, and ceramics. Various venues, free, just turn up, 22-24 June

STREATLIFE FOOD FESTIVAL: Fantastic street food, tip top drinks and stunning views over London - what's not to like? StrEATlife food festival at Alexandra Palace also has a DJ set by Edwin from FOALS on Saturday night, making it an ideal way to spend a summer weekend. Alexandra Palace, free entry (bring cash for the stalls), just turn up, 23-24 June (and other dates throughout the summer)

DANCE SHOW: Let choreographer Arielle Smith transport you to a 1940s soundscape in her first full length work, Lots of Varied Expectations. A study of human nature through dance, this performance explores how our own expectations can often limit us. Rosemary Branch Theatre (Haggerston), £10, book ahead, 23-24 June

CHARITY SHUCK-A-THON: There are a whopping 6,000 oysters waiting to be shucked at London Seafood Festival. See shuckers, chefs, and industry experts working their magic at The Wright Brothers' charity-shuck-a-thon, and then dig into three shells of slippery 'n salty goodness. Battersea Power Station, entry by charitable donation, just turn up, 2pm-6pm, 23-24 June

Saturday 23 June

Mark Refugee Week with east London musical outfit Hejira.

SEVEN NOSES: It's said that anyone who find all seven of the Soho noses will have infinite wealth. To us, that sounds like one heck of a reason to join this Seven Noses walking tour with Discovering London tour guide Peter Berthoud. As well as seeing the original seven noses, you'll see a bonus grand eighth nose, and a ghost nose, hearing the myths surrounding them as you go. Covent Garden station, £13, book ahead, 10am-noon

THAMESIDE TALES: Check out the old stomping ground of Bermondsey boys Michael Caine and Tommy Steele on a walking tour that takes you back to wartime Southwark. You'll explore the river, its people, and the more recent history of the docks. Meet at Bermondsey tube station, £6, book ahead, 11am-1pm

CINDERELLA AT THE MUSEUM: Inspired by Matthew Bourne's acclaimed wartime retelling of Cinderella, a group of dancers are pirouetting over to the atrium of the Imperial War Museum for a series of free, site-specific performances. See stories of family, evacuation, and community interspersed with the real-life testimonies of second world war evacuees. Imperial War Museum (Lambeth), free, just turn up, performances 11am-3pm

EAST VILLAGE WELLNESS DAY: Feeling tense? Loosen yourself up with a programme of free yoga and wellbeing workshops. From baby yoga to mandala making, there's something for everyone. Victory Park (Stratford), free, just turn up, 11am-4pm

RUSKIN PARK SUMMER FETE: There's nothing like a good old fashioned British fete. Expect donkey rides, a pop-up cinema, arts workshops, and all sorts of fun to be had under Ruskin Park bandstand. Ruskin Park (Denmark Hill), free entry, just turn up, 1pm-6pm

BEING THE BLUESTOCKINGS: Learn about the literary ladies of the Bluestocking Society with deputy curator of Dr Johnson's House, Helen Woollison. You'll discover how female writers fought to have their voices heard in the 18th century and beyond. Dr Johnson's House (Gough Square), included in museum admission, just turn up, 2pm

MEMORY LIBRARY: Let the whiff of chilli and paprika take you across the Atlantic at this new sensory theatre show built on the memories of London migrants. You'll hear stories and experience flavours from all over the globe, and be given the opportunity to share your own memories. The Old Library (Camberwell), free but charity donation encouraged, book ahead, 3pm-5pm

WALLS MUST FALL: As part of Refugee Week 2018, Quakers in Britain hosts an evening of spoken word, music and resistance. Featured artists include Hejira, The Nawi Collective, and Bards Without Borders. Friends House (Euston), £5, book ahead, 6pm-9pm

DAEMONIA NYMPHE: Following collaborations with the National Theatre of Northern Greece and fashion house Gucci, Daemonia Nymphe return to London for their first live show in three years. This ethereal world music ensemble will be playing the score to Macbeth, as well as new fragments of ancient Greek music, performed on 'ancient' Greek instruments. O2 Academy Islington, £17, book ahead, 6pm

THE KING AND I: It's 1860s Bangkok, and an unconventional relationship is blossoming between the King of Siam and a certain British schoolteacher. One of the greatest golden age musicals comes from to the West End from Broadway in the form of Lincoln Center Theater's critically acclaimed production of Rodger and Hammerstein's The King and I. Expect sumptuous costumes, the score you know and love, and plenty of romance. The London Palladium, from £29,50, book ahead, until 29 September


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Sounds Like London: our picks this weekend

June brings the Mayor of London's Sounds Like London campaign to the capital — a month-long celebration of both women in music and London's grassroots music scene. Here's our pick of this weekend's Sounds Like London events.

SPIZZ ENERGI: Feel the heat, feel the fun at Spizz Energi's punky reggae party, with a dash of paganism and a hint of sci-fi. Your guess is as good as ours. Dublin Castle, £8.80, 7.30pm, 23 June

SEVEN DIALS SOUNDTRACK: Spend your day in a thankfully traffic-free Seven Dials, for free music, food, a music themed tombola and much more. Seven Dials, free, noon- 6pm, 23 June

GIRLS TO THE FRONT: One of the most exciting things about Sounds Like London is its championing of female artists, and this gig is emblematic of that. From indie folk to seductive jazz, Girls to the Front has it all covered. Green Note, £13.75, 5.30pm, 24 June

JAH WOBBLE: Music industry mainstay and ex-Public Image Limited member Jah Wobble, brings his incredibly named backing group, Invaders of the Heart, to the Half Moon in Putney. Half Moon, £18.70, 8pm, 24 June


Sunday 24 June

Kick off your Sunday with a bit of footie-themed theatre.

CITY OF LONDON CEMETERY: Unearth the secrets of the City of London Corporation's Cemetery and Crematorium on a guided history walk though its Grade I listed grounds. Manor Park, free, book ahead, 10am

KEEPY UPPY: The beautiful game gets the theatrical treatment in a football-themed play for kids featuring popping rhymes, fab footie moves and a toe tapping live score. Artsdepot (Finchley), £8, book ahead, 11am/2pm

HIGHGATE HISTORY TOUR: There's so much more to the north London neighbourhood of Highgate than posh mums and Karl Marx's grave, as you'll find out on a walking tour that traces its early history and 20th century experiments in urban living. Meet on the Green opposite the Woodman pub, £12, book ahead, 11.30am-1.30pm

DINOSAUR ART: OKIDO'S science and art workshops help stimulate curious little minds through creative play and scientific experiment. Bring your 3-7 year-old to Dulwich for their dino-themed session. Copper Beech Cafe (Red Post Hill), £8, book ahead, 11.45am-4.30pm

WOMEN IN WESTMINSTER: An exciting line-up of female political voices discusses the impact of #MeToo in the context of contemporary British politics. Featured speakers include FT columnist Kate Maltby, former Ed Miliband advisor Ayesha Hazarika, and former political journo Jackie Ashley. King's Place (King's Cross), £14.50, book ahead, noon

LONDON RIVERS WEEK: Become a dragonfly detective, have a go at river dipping, and find out how you can help protect the city's waterways as London Rivers Week launches. This is the first of seven days of events dedicated to the appreciation and conservation of London's life-giving water. Meet by the cafe at Ladywell Park (Lewisham), free, just turn up, noon-3pm

BANKSIDE'S GREAT GET TOGETHER: This day-long street party in honour of late MP Jo Cox returns to Bankside for the second year running. Expect wacky races, a headdress parade and an amazing human tower. From Flat Iron Square to Union Street, free entry, just turn up, noon-9pm

ARCHITOUR: With your museum passport in hand, get ready to travel through time, space, and architecture in the three Georgian terraces that comprise Sir John Soane's Museum. On this free self-led tour, you'll encounter the Egyptian sarcophagus, Greek columns, Roman sculpture, Renaissance reliefs and neo-classical portraiture in an exploration of architectural identity. Sir John Soane's Museum (Lincoln's Inn Fields), free, just turn up, 1pm-4pm

CONWAY HALL CONCERT SPECIAL: In 1887, Conway Hall began providing a rare platform for female musicians in the form of special concerts held on the day of rest. Now, they're taking you all the back to the late 19th century with a programme of chamber music entirely composed by British women in the early years of the Sunday Concerts. Conway Hall (Holborn), £10, book ahead, 6.30pm-8.30pm