Things to do
TOOTOPIA: A tribute to 'one of the coolest places on Earth', three-day festival Tootopia is a celebration of all things Tooting. A foodie trail wends through the area, along with tours, a market, and a pooch parade. 20-22 September
TWO LAST NIGHTS!: Foundling Museum unveils a new exhibition about show business in Georgian Britain. Two Last Nights! looks at how shows and concerts were put together in the 18th and 19th centuries, a time when many new theatres were being built. Advertising, ticket sales, audience behaviour and dress codes are all covered. Foundling Museum (Bloomsbury), included in admission, just turn up, 20 September-5 January
JEWISH LONDONERS: London Metropolitan Archives hosts a free talk about Jewish Londoners through history, based on documents and other materials from its collections. London Metropolitan Archives (Clerkenwell), free, book ahead, 11am-12.30pm
BLETCHLEY PARK: Famous for hosting the codebreakers in the second world war, Bletchley Park still remains something of a mystery. Find out more about it at this talk by Bletchley's own research historian Dr David Kenyon, who reveals the scale of the codebreaking operation, and the 'intelligence factory' which was created there. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, book ahead, 11.30am
BALLROOM DANCING: Dance your way into the weekend at this ballroom session. There's no need to bring a partner, and you can wear whatever you're comfortable in for an evening of social dancing aimed at dancers of all levels and abilities. Bishopsgate Institute (Liverpool Street), £10/£8, book ahead, 7pm
THE MOTH STORYTELLING: Five storytellers take to the stage as The Moth comes to Union Chapel. Hear them telling true, personal stories from their own lives, in a rather splendid setting. Union Chapel (Islington), £22.50, book ahead, 7pm
WIFI WARS: Test out the newest toys and games from video gaming comedy show WiFi Wars. Bring your phone or tablet, all charged up and ready to play along, in an evening that combines comedy with computer science. Royal Institution (Mayfair), £16/£10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
THE THUMPING TOMMYS: London-based Folk/Bluegrass/Americana band The Thumping Tommys bring their lively sound to the Golden Hinde for an evening of live Irish/American/English folk music. There's a bar on board to make sure things stay lively, too. The Golden Hinde (Bankside), £7.50/£10, book ahead, 7.30pm
LATE NIGHT: Firmly on our 'Ah, meant to see that when it was in the cinema' list is Late Night, a comedy film released earlier this year and starring Emma Thompson as a late-night TV presenter. Catch a screening of it, preceded by short film Gloss, based on a comedy pilot of a web series. Harris Academy South Norwood, £8.50/£7/£5, book ahead, 7.45pm-10pm
REGINALD D HUNTER: Respected comedian Reginald D Hunter performs a headline set off the back of his sell-out nationwide tour. He's supported by a special guest, along with Guilty Feminist co-host Jessica Fostekew, and rising star Sophie Duker. Bush Hall (Shepherd's Bush), £21.45, book ahead, 8pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
In north or north-east London with a depleted phone battery? Simply hop on board one of the new trains serving the Gospel Oak to Barking (GOBLIN) Overground route. Not only will you get free travel throughout September, you can also cadge a bit of electricity from one of the train's USB ports. At least, I think they're for phones. The 'Customer charging point' may be for recharging customers. Either way, you'll find four of them at the junctions between carriages. Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube for more travel tips and random tube trivia.
Good cause of the day
Head to Forty Hall in Enfield tonight for the Nightingale Charity Ball, raising money for local people affected by a cancer diagnosis. Enjoy live music, drinks and a three-course meal. Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- A London record store will sell over 300 records from Thurston Moore's personal collection.
- TfL bans short term letting ads.
- How to bag the best tables at London's hottest restaurants.
- London City Lionesses: a women's football team that's attempting to thrive without the men's game.
