What we're reading
- The planned 'Tulip' tower could confuse air traffic controllers, apparently.
- Neighbours aren't happy about plans for a 24/7 McDonald's in Notting Hill.
- London's oldest football club gets go-ahead for new ground.
- Teenager given suspended sentence for 'zombie knife' crime.
- Caught up in traffic around London Bridge? This is why.
Things to do
LUSH FILM FEST: There's no soap-sudding at this film festival, which promises to "tell the stories that need to be told". Topics as diverse as knife crime and animal extinction are screened, alongside workshops for budding filmmakers. Cosmetics brand Lush is the organiser. Lush Studio (Soho), free, book ahead, 30 November-1 December
ILLUSTRATION FAIR: Artworks, prints, workshops and talks take over OXO Tower Wharf for this three-day illustration fair. Meet your favourite artists and buy their work directly, or pick up some tips for your own artistic pursuits. OXO Tower Wharf, £10-£12, book ahead, 30 November-2 December
FRONTLINE MEMORIES: Soldiers are the only ones who can give personal accounts of what life on the frontline of the first world war was like — but how have their accounts and recollections shaped our collective perception of the war? And how is the war remembered differently inEngland, France, and Germany? That's the topic of this talk. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, book ahead, 11.30am
THE MAYFLOWER STORY: In 2020 it'll be 400 years since The Mayflower ship landed in what is now New England and begun colonising the area. 56 years later, many of the indigenous people were being shipped of to the Caribbean as slaves. This talk discusses whether we should be celebrating the 400th anniversary, or whether to do so would be to celebrate acts of genocide and slavery. UCL (Gordon Square), free, book ahead, 5.30pm-7.30pm
NHM LATE: For the final Natural History Museum Late of 2018, the theme is the environment. Topics covered include seas of plastic, disappearing forests and struggling coral reefs, with talks from experts, pop-up science stations, and other activities. If that topic sounds a bit bleak for a Friday night, simply browse the museum's galleries with a drink in hand. Natural History Museum (South Kensington), free entry (charge and booking required for some events), just turn up, 6pm-10pm
ANIMATION FESTIVAL: The London International Animation Festival launches tonight. The opening gala features work by — and discussions with — exciting UK-based designers Will Anderson and Ainslie Henderson, whose animations have included insane pigeons and stifled musicians. Barbican, £15, book ahead, 6.30pm
SURREALIST BALL: No costume, no entry is the number one rule at this surrealist costume ball — you've been warned. It celebrates the meeting of two great minds, Sigmund Freud and Salvador Dalí, 80 years ago. We're promised flowers, soundscapes and electronic beats on a Freudian dancefloor — basically, don't be tame when it comes to that costume. Freud Museum (Hampstead), £20-£25, book ahead, 7pm-10.30pm
GEOMETRIC LONDON: Pick up a paintbrush and recreate aspects of the London skyline in a geometric, colourful style. Paint Jam takes place in a pop-up art studio, with prosecco, mince pies and a DJ to get your creative juices flowing. All materials included, and you can take your new artwork home. Battersea Power Station, £40, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
MCQUEEN: Watch 2018 documentary McQueen, about legendary fashion designer Alexander McQueen. Born Lee Alexander McQueen, and led a unremarkable upbringing in London's East End before becoming a world famous artist and fashion designer. Harris Academy South Norwood, £8.50/£7.50/£5, book ahead, 7.45pm
Good cause of the day
Book now for this charity comedy show, starring Nish Kumar (MC), Katherine Ryan, Stewart Lee, Simon Amstell, Sofie Hagen, Angela Barnes, Mawaan Rizwan, Rose Matafeo and more. It raises money for charity Help Refugees — which recently launched the Choose Love pop-up shop in Carnaby. The Choose Laughs comedy night takes place on 9 December, tickets available here.
