Things to do today is sponsored by the Institution of Civil Engineers.
What we're reading
- Everything known so far about the Westminster terror attack.
- Business as usual for defiant Londoners the next day.
- The Metropolitan Police Federation are raising money for PC Keith Palmer, who tragically lost his life in the attack.
- The other two victims are US tourist Kurt Cochran and Spanish teacher Aysha Frade.
- You're not even in our top five worries, Londoners tell extremists.
Things to do today
POP-UP MUSEUM: The National Maritime Museum is in Lewisham shopping centre; explore the museum's collections and come up with your own sailor's ditty box. Lewisham Shopping Centre, free, just turn up, 10am-5pm (closed Mondays)
FLORIMANIA: This Mother's Day weekend, Hampton Court Palace brings you Florimania, a festival of flowers that remembers royal women throughout history. Hampton Court Palace, price of admission to entire Palace £20.90/£17.10/£10.45, just turn up, 10am-6pm
TIME TRUCK: It's Shakespeare Week, so why not hop aboard the Time Truck outside Hackney Town Hall, and learn about the Curtain Road theatre where Shakespeare put on plays. You'll get to see what archaeologists discovered when uncovering the theatre, as well as talking to the people who did it. Hackney Town Hall, free, just turn up, noon-6pm
WHOSE AMERICAN DREAM?: Tying into the current American Dream exhibition at The British Museum, this talk explores how the American Dream differs to varying groups across the nation. The British Museum, £5/£3, book ahead, 6.30pm-7.30pm
BEING ARCHIVED: Award winning novelist Will Self's archives have been acquired by the British Library. He talks to Hanif Kureishi — also archived — on this strange sensation. British Library, £12/£8, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
POETRY LAUNCH: The Emma Press launches its latest poetry pamphlets, by Andrew Wynn Owen, Emma Simon and Jack Nicholls. Head to the launch party to hear readings by the writers. The Betsey Trotwood, free, book ahead, 7pm-10pm
FREE MUSIC: Jazz pianist Will Bartlett is the latest musician on the Friday night music line-up at Verdi Italian Kitchen. Royal Albert Hall, free entry, book ahead, 7.30pm
BIRTHDAY LECTURE: Today is William Morris's birthday. Celebrate with a lecture on Morris's determination to save historic architecture, at the Walthamstow gallery named after him. William Morris Gallery, £10/£5, book ahead, 7.30pm
PSYCHEDELIC FOLK: Vivacious singer songwriter, Djanan Turan, and her eponymous psychedelic folk night take over The Library in Covent Garden. The Library Club, free, book ahead, 7.30pm
MUSICAL MASH-UP: Two highly skilled musicians — one Iranian, the other Kurdish — join forces to combine their music and make something unique and creative. Rich Mix, £12/£15, book ahead, 8pm
Sponsor message
A strong design for Guy's Cancer Centre
The state-of-the-art Guy's Cancer Centre is one of the shortlisted contenders for the ICE London Civil Engineering Awards.
It's the first of its kind to have a strong enough structure to support the weighty radiotherapy equipment above ground level. This means there'll be no more basement therapy at Guy's — a pretty good reason for the centre to be given the winning title at the ICE Awards. Think Guy's stands a chance? Have your say and cast your vote here.
Comedy review: Munnery saves the best till last
With 30-odd years' experience in the bag, Simon Munnery knows how to end a gig in style. The last 15 minutes of Standing Still is a riot — an elderly date couple fawning over skiing holidays, and anecdotes of Munnery's own gigs that went awry ("you'll never play the Buxton Fringe again!"). The rest of the show's concocted of gentle songs, skits and readings including a segment on the Poor Law, and what happens when the comedian takes his dog to Bedford market. Munnery never found superstar status, but spending an hour in his oddball company is like sipping a lovely comedy-flavoured Cup-a-Soup. Simon Munnery: Standing Still, Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, W1D 3NE, £9-£14, until 25 March ★★★★☆ Will Noble
Art review: create your own Star Wars character
Stormtrooper outfits, models of the spacecraft from Star Wars, Yoda, Chewbacca and Darth Maul. This is a treasure trove of props from the world-renowned films. The additional part is the opportunity to create your own character by answering questions along the way. Strangely enough this mix of Lucasfilm meets Myers-Briggs works out well, with us enjoying our final creation as a mix of Darth Maul and Bobba Fett.
The information around how family and environment shaped each character in this universe is often laid on a bit thick but Star Wars fans and children will love this show. Star Wars: Identities at The O2, until 3 September, £20 ★★★★☆ (Open every day) Tabish Khan
Theatre review: mixing pop and politics
Protest songs from the time of Rosa Parks to Standing Rock are brought to life by students and graduates of Chickenshed's inclusive theatre programme. The show is packed with singing, dance, acrobatics, archive footage and a glimmering bus ferrying riders on the long road to freedom. It's a timely celebration of those willing to raise their voices to make the world better. Blowin' in The Wind, Chickenshed Theatre, Chase Side, N14 4PE, £10-£20, 17 March- 2 April ★★★★☆ [Tuesday-Friday] Alice Grahame
Good cause for the day
TEENAGE CANCER TRUST: Teenage Cancer Trust is taking over the Royal Albert Hall at the end of the month, putting on some top drawer music and comedy. Ed Sheeran, The Who, Olly Murs, Paul Weller, Romesh Ranganathan are among those appearing at the fundraising events. A great time to be had, in aid of an important cause. Royal Albert Hall, various prices, book ahead, 27 March-2 April