Things to do
BROWN TANGLE: Young British Asian artists take over Rich Mix for two days for Brown Tangle, a British Asian arts festival. Dance, cabaret, artist workshops and open mic sessions are on the programme across both days — see the full line-up. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), various prices, book ahead, 25-26 October
COMIC CON: Fancy dress at the ready — Comic Con is in town. For three days, comic book characters, cosplayers and special guests take over ExCel. Stock up on merch, meet celebrities including Simon Pegg and Mark Gatiss, and revel in the impressive costumes on display. ExCel, from £17.50, book ahead, 25-27 October
FREE FISH AND CHIPS: Mark the end of half term with free fish and chips. Chippy Sutton and Sons is giving away 100 free portions today, on a first come, first served basis. Turn up, utter the code words 'Sarsons Secret', and if you're one of the lucky first 100, you'll get a free adult portion when you buy a kids' portion. Sutton and Sons (Islington/Hackney/Stoke Newington), just turn up, all day
CIVIL WAR PETITIONS: See researcher Dr Ismini Pells discuss military welfare during the British civil wars, in a free lecture. Find out about the first war pensions for wounded soldiers, for which veterans or their bereaved relatives had to submit a petition. Now, these petitions give an insight into the impact the war had on ordinary British families. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, book ahead, 11.30am
LUNCHTIME CONCERT: Take your packed lunch along to Bishopsgate Institute's lunchtime concert, designed to introduce you to musical genres or instruments you may not be familiar with. Today, duo Zashiki Warashi combine Japanese taiko with Western flute for a piece on the theme of life and death. Bishopsgate Institute (Liverpool Street), free. just turn up, 1pm
THE ELEPHANT QUEEN: Watch 2018 film The Elephant Queen, set in Kenya and following elephant matriarch Athena's attempts to protect her family when they're forced to leave their watering hole. Chiwetel Ejiofor narrates their fight for survival, among threats such as poaching and collapsed ecosystems. Bertha DocHouse (Bloomsbury), £9/£7/£5, book ahead, 4pm
MUSEUM LATE: It's Doctor Who night at the Natural History Museum, as TV's time-traveller is the theme of this month's late night opening. Take a selfie with the TARDIS, learn about the science facts behind the science fiction depicted on the show, or simply browse the usual displays and exhibitions after hours. Natural History Museum (South Kensington), free, just turn up, 6pm-10pm
AUTUMN WILDS: Head to The Garden Museum after work for an autumnal late. Sip a spiced gin cocktail, take part in a sketching session, make your own Jack o'lantern for Halloween, or be one of the first to see new ceramic installation Lambeth Wilds, which celebrates wild plants. Garden Museum (Lambeth), £15/£9, book ahead, 6.30pm-9pm
BLADE RUNNER LIVE: Ridley Scott's cult classic film Blade Runner is shown on an epic HD film, while the soundtrack is performed in sync. The 11-piece Avex Ensemble perform the synthesizer-led score as Harrison Ford and co. cavort about on screen. Royal Albert Hall, £20.50-£70, book ahead, 7.30pm
BOOKSMART: Watch a screening of Booksmart, a comedy film released earlier this year about two teenagers coming-of-age on their high school graduation night. Local cinema Screen 25 is at risk of closure at the end of the month, so this is an excuse to have a night out while offering your support. Harris Academy South Norwood, £8.50/£7/£5, book ahead, 7.45pm
LIVE COMEDY: Anarchic comedy show The Funpackers brings together a line-up including Laura Davis, Hatty Ashdown, Basil Jamm, Stuart Turner, Harry Pugh and Nobumi Kobayashi for an evening of laughs. The Cabbage Patch (Twickenham), £7, book ahead, 8pm-11pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
Tube know-it-all Geoff Marshall has just walked into the office as I'm writing this. "Geoff, Geoff, give me a tube fact," I say. "Easy," he replies. "The longest tube station name, including punctuation, is King's Cross St Pancras at 23 characters." And that's why we love him.
Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube. Follow Geoff Marshall on @Geofftech.
Good cause of the day
Wine tasting quiz Call My Bluff takes place tonight, raising money for The Red Cross. Enjoy a champagne reception, wine tasting quiz and cheese dinner, and prove that you know your sauvignon from your soave. Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- 100% electric black cab launches.
- Design Museum in financial woes.
- The man who watches ships.
- The last rag-and-bone man in London.
- HM Government's electronic Brexit display has a melt down.
