Things To Do Today In London: Friday 12 April 2019

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Things to do

RADIO TIMES FESTIVAL: Hugely popular TV shows including Bodyguard, Line of Duty, The Durrells and Vera are all in the spotlight at the BFI Radio Times Festival this weekend. At a series of talks and panel discussions, hear from the likes of actress Keeley Hawes, Bodyguard writer Jed Mercurio and GBBO contestant Nadiya Hussain. BFI (Southbank), various prices, book ahead, 12-14 April

MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHY: A new exhibition opens today, showcasing previously unseen shots by music photographer Gerard McNamara. Marking his 40 years in the industry, the show includes photos of Kate Bush, The Clash, U2 and The Pretenders, among others. 3 Newburgh Street (Carnaby), free, just turn up, 12-21 April

GREENWICH PARK: Explorers of all ages can learn about spring in the Royal Parks on an exploration of Greenwich Park with the Field Studies Council. Use charts to identify different species, and find out what various creatures are up to at this time of year. Greenwich Park, £6, book ahead, 10am

ELIZABETH I: For one day only, Queen Elizabeth I returns to the streets of London. Performer Christopher Green assumes the role of monarch, wearing a replica of the iconic garments in the Armada portrait for a lengthy procession from Greenwich to Trafalgar Square, via the Thames. The 'Queen' is accompanied by 'ladies of the bedchamber' who are in reality members of the Amies Freedom Choir, and female survivors of human trafficking. Free, just turn up, 11.30am at Queen's House (Greenwich)-3.30pm at National Portrait Gallery (Trafalgar Square)

ABRAM GAMES: National Army Museum screens a documentary about Abram Games, the 20th century graphic artist who designed second world war posters. He's the subject of a current exhibition at the museum, and this documentary features interviews with the artist himself, and members of his family. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, just turn up, 2pm-3pm

LEAVE NO TRACE: Watch 2018 film Leave No Trace, about father Will and his teenage daughter who live in the forests of Portland, until social services force them to integrate back into society. The screening is part of a series looking at childhoods spent in difficult circumstances, and is followed by a panel discussion about the issues raised. Foundling Museum (Bloomsbury), £5/£3, book ahead, 7pm

THE VAMPYRE: 200 years after John Polidori's book The Vampyre, his monstrous creation is still influencing our perception of vampires in popular culture. Literature experts come together for a panel discussion about its lasting impact. British Library, £12/£8, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm

BENGALI NEW YEAR: A three-day festival celebrating Bengali New Year begins today, with traditional Bangla music, dancing and poetry, curated by poet and director Ahmed Kaysher. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), free, just turn up, 7.30pm

LONDON CITY VOICES: Think flower power and disco at this 1970s themed concert, headlined by choir London City Voices, who perform tracks by Abba, Elton John, Michael Jackson, and ELO. We caught them doing a pop-up performance at Cannon Street station at Christmas, and their rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody was spectacular. Troxy (Limehouse), from £18.50, book ahead, 7.30pm

GREEN BOOK: Recently released and Oscar-nominated, Green Book is a powerful film, telling the true story of African American pianist Dr Don Shirley and his working-class Italian-American chauffeur Tony Lip. On tour in the radical deep south of the USA in 1962, differences in opinion and ideology come to light. Harris Academy South Norwood, £8.50/£7/£5, book ahead, 7.45pm

Tube ponderings with Barry Heck

Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.

Fiendish Friday Quiz time: You probably know the St John’s Wood mackerel fact, but here’s something even more fiendish. Which is the only tube station to include none of the letters in the word ‘philosophophicopsychological’? Stuck? Go see the guy who worked it out.

Follow @HeckTube for more tube-related fun.

Good cause of the day

Book now for Music For Freedom, a concert at Rosslyn Hill Chapel in Hampstead on 23 April. It features a performance by the choir Petit Choeur Paris Sciences & Lettres, and raises money for Starfish Greathearts Foundation, a charity for vulnerable and orphaned children affected by HIV and poverty in South Africa. Find out more and book tickets.