Things to do
HALF TERM: Parents: how many times have you heard "I'm booooored" so far this week? Make the rest of half term thoroughly unboring with our guide to school holiday events in London — there's a Roman jewellery workshop today.
LONDON HISTORY DAY: Today is London History Day, a celebration of what makes London unique, masterminded by Historic England. Events going on around the capital include an exhibition about the ladies who were involved in building Waterloo Bridge (LSE, free, just turn up, 2.30pm-5pm) and a special event at London Fire Brigade Museum which looks at the history of the Brigade, and its role during the second world war (free, book ahead, 10am-3pm).
FANTASTIC FEATS: Today see the launch of a six-month programme of events marking the triumphs of engineering and architecture in London. Fantastic Feats begins with Architecture of London, a Guildhall exhibition of 400 years of architecture in London, seen through the eyes of artists including Canaletto and Lucian Freud. Exhibition is £10, book ahead, 31 May-1 December
DRAGONFLY WALK: As part of London Rivers Week, take part in a dragonfly walk along the Grand Union Canal. Learn about the winged insects, how to identify them, and what the contribute to London's ecology, and record them for a scientific survey. Hayes and Harlington station, free, book ahead, 11am-2.30pm
MASSACRE REVISITED: History lecturer Kim A Wagner talks about the Amritsar Massacre of 1919, during which hundreds of people were killed at Jallianwala Bagh. Specific focus is on the ordinary people — both British and Indian — who were caught up in the discontent. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, book ahead, 11.30am
MUSEUM LATE: It's the last Friday of the month, which means Natural History Museum is open late for exhibitions, talks and science demos. Earth's evolution is tonight's theme, with a lecture on human evolution, and pop-up science stations focusing on DNA tests. Food and drink are available to buy throughout the evening. Natural History Museum (South Kensington), free, just turn up, 6pm-10pm
THE SCREAM: Tying in with the current Edvard Munch exhibition, tonight's discussion focuses on his most famous work, The Scream. Broadcaster and art historian Dr Janina Ramirez talks about why the painting is so striking, and why some artworks become well-known while others sink into obscurity. British Museum, £8/£6, book ahead, 6.30pm-7.45pm
SUMMER ON SCREEN: If you've not yet seen last year's blockbuster film Bohemian Rhapsody, watch it for free tonight — with a screening of 1992's Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert thrown in too. It's the first event of Wembley Park's Summer on Screen, a series of free outdoor film screenings. Wembley Park, free, just turn up, 7pm
HIP HOP BINGO: You're unlikely to find a single blue rinse in the Hip Hop Bingo hall. The game of balls is given an r'n'b twist, with lip sync battles and dance-offs woven among the number calling, and an r'n'b soundtrack all night long. Infernos (Clapham), £14, book ahead, from 7pm
MID 90S: A group of Los Angeles skateboarders in the mid-90s are the subject of the coming of age film of the same name. A 16mm film and fish eye lens combine to create a cinematography that's a love letter to skating culture. Harris Academy South Norwood, £8.50/£7/£5, book ahead, 7.45pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
What would you say is London's most central tube station. Is it Bank, right in the heart of the Square Mile? How about Charing Cross, which shares its name with the point from which distances to London are measured? Neither is correct if we're talking about the geographic centre of London. This turns out to be south of the river, which Londonist pinpointed to Greet House, Frazier Street. The nearest tube station, then, is Lambeth North.
Good cause of the day
Catfest, a three-day fundraising festival in Catford, begins today, with various live music performances raising money for mental health charity Mind. Find out more.
What we're reading
- One of London's postboxes has gone blue.
- St Paul's Cathedral will soon allow photography inside.
- A 1930s cinema in Walthamstow is to be revived as a comedy club.
- Barbican residents association objects to plans that would see a corner of the complex redeveloped.
