Things To Do Today In London: Friday 2 June 2017

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The Doodle Man at Brockley Street Art Festival

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ART FESTIVAL: This year’s Brockley Street Art Festival brings together south-east London’s arts community. Local, national and international artists will display a showcase of stunning murals and Sam The Doodle Man Cox will be bringing his awe-inspiring Obsessive Compulsive Doodling to the festival. Along the Brockley Corridor, free, just turn up, 9am-6pm

INNOVATE: Fancy a challenge? The City Centre youth panel has designed a new pop-up structure for the bustling precinct next to St Paul’s Cathedral, but they need your help to put it up in a day. Young people, professionals and the public will work together to build an awesome new structure within the City limits. Paternoster Square, free, just turn up, 10.30am

RETROFIT: In response to London's changing face, Gwyn Richards from the City of London Corporation will lead a panel of experts to discuss recent retrofit of historic buildings, and draw out the unique stories of how those buildings have been used in different ways over time. The City Centre (City of London), free, book ahead, 6pm-8pm

LATE AT TATE: Tate Britain explores what queer nightlife means to young Londoners today in Platinum Paradise, curated exclusively by 18-25 year olds from Tate Collective London. This exemplary display offers a contemporary response to Tate Britain’s major exhibition Queer British Art 1861-1967. Tate Britain, Millbank, free, just turn up, 6pm-10pm

NEXTUP COMEDY: Three critically acclaimed comedians invite you to spend the evening in fits of laughter as they film a one-off comedy special live for NextUp, billed as a ‘Netflix for British Comedy’. Award-winning musical comedian and improviser Rachel Parris will be introducing you to the newest talent in comedy so you can say you saw them before they were famous. 2 Northdown, £4, book ahead, 7pm-8pm

The Magic Hour

SEEING SCULPTURE: Photographer Gemma Levine and curator Ann Harezlak join forces for a Victoria and Albert Museum Late to discuss Levine's career in British Portraiture and collaboration with sculptor Henry Moore. She has photographed leading figures, from Diana and Tony Blair to David Hockney and Anthony Caro. V&A Museum, £7-£10, just turn up, 7pm-8pm

WEST SIDE STORY: Film buffs, get excited for this year's East End Film Festival which is taking place every weekend in June. Friday is all jazz hands, flicks and kicks as they begin with the classic film West Side Story. Old Spitalfields Market, free, book ahead, 7pm-11pm

MAGIC HOUR: Watching The Magic Hour is like being given a glimpse into the infamous Magic Circle. Tony Middleton will take you on a journey of magic, intrigue and deception in a private wood panelled drawing room at one of the city's most prestigious 5-star hotels. The Park Lane Hotel, £29, book ahead, 8pm

BIG SOUND: The Fellas are a 7-piece party band with a sound big enough to fill the dancefloor. These well-dressed young gents have delighted audiences with a blend of soul, funk and hip-hop thump. Catch them on their last performance for a late night boogie. 100 Wardour Street, free, book ahead, 8.30pm-3am


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Get your fill of old books at the London Antiquarian Book Fair

Bookcase need restocking? Head to the London International Antiquarian Book Fair — one of the world’s biggest book fairs — to get a few more volumes for the shelves. It's all about the vintage novels, collectors’ items and limited editions.

More than 150 book dealers will be flogging their wares at Olympia from 1-3 June, with everything from signed copies to leather-bound volumes, and even special edition pop art on offer. Even better, entry to the London International Antiquarian Book Fair is completely free. Head here for more information about the event.


Art review: compressed commuters

Copyright Michael Wolf

Michael Wolf has taken pictures of Japanese commuters through condensation on windows, so they look all distorted as they are squeezed onto a train. Nobody looks particularly happy with their circumstances and we think we can all identify with that. Michael Wolf: Compression at Flowers East, 82 Kingsland Road, E2 8DP. Until 1 July, free. ★★★☆☆ (Tuesday-Saturday)

Food review: getting hopped up

This taproom’s serving a standard but well-executed food menu: IPA-battered fish and chips might not be blowing anybody's minds with the novelty, but the batter's crunchy, the fish is soft and the fries are dusted with garlic-and-hop salt. Cajun gumbo and IPA hummus are both worth a repeat order, too. The drinks are where they’re nailing it, though. We're not convinced by the NegronIPA — it's lengthened with ale and loses the sticky, bitter punch a Negroni usually packs. But we're extremely convinced by the on-site microbrewery: their Westwood Pale's a light, just-about-sessionable APA that tastes like summer. They've also got an impressive menu of outsider beers, but the installation of a revamped brewery system promises an expansion of their own range, with talk of experimental small-batch sours on the horizon. Four stars for food, three for the atmosphere — chainy but friendly — and a solid five for the brews. Brewhouse & Kitchen, Torrens Street, EC1V 1NQ ★★★★☆ Lydia Manch

Theatre review: horrifying, in a good way

Last chance to see Jakop Ahlbom’s Horror which was invited back to frighten more people after it was such a hit when it appeared at the Peacock Theatre as part of the London International Mime Festival. The stage magic and creepy music will give anyone the willies and, while this is more Hitchcock than Hammer, there are plenty of cheeky nods to more modern scary movies (including Evil Dead, The Ring and Paranormal Activity). Some of the drama is a tad hokey but isn’t that part of the fun of every great horror flick. Horror, Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street, London WC2A 2HT, £15-£32, until 10 June ★★★★☆

Good cause for the day

The glorious gardens of Lambeth Palace would like to invite you to visit the oldest continuously cultivated garden in London and help support their partner charity, which this month is Christian Aid. The magnificent tulip tree is in full bloom, the roses smell like real roses, and there are acres of herbaceous borders and wonderful plants to enjoy. Entry is £5 for adults, children and friendly dogs come free. Lambeth Palace Gardens, £5, just turn up, 12pm-3pm