Things to do
IMAGINARY CITIES: New display Imaginary Cities opens today, looking at how new digital technology could change the way museums store and display their collections in future. Works by artist in residence Michael Takeo Magrude combine traditional materials such as historic urban maps with cutting-edge digital technologies to create fictional cityscapes for the Information Age. British Library, free, just turn up, 5 April-14 July
BEASTS OF LONDON: One of the most-hyped exhibitions of the year, Beasts of London opens at Museum of London today. Less traditional exhibition, more digital immersive experience, it tells the city's history through its animal residents, all of whom are voiced by celebrities. Read our full review. Museum of London, from £8 adult/£4 child, book ahead, 5 April 2019-5 January 2020
SWINGING LONDON: The Fashion & Textile Museum stays open late for Friday Evening Fizz, a chance to see the current Swinging London exhibition after hours with a drink in hand. The exhibition focuses on the fashion, design and art of the Chelsea Set, including designers Mary Quant and Terence Conran. Fashion & Textile Museum (Bermondsey), £12, book ahead, 5pm-7.15pm
LAST BREATH: Watch newly-released documentary Last Breath, the true life-or-death story of diver Chris Lemons who got trapped 300ft down in the North Sea while diving to an oil well. A storm caused loss of power to the ship that Lemons and his diving partner were tethered to, a story told here through interviews, reconstruction and real-life footage. Screening followed by a Q&A with directors Alex Parkinson and Richard da Costa. Bertha DocHouse (Bloomsbury), £12/£10, book ahead, 6.30pm
SWING DANCING: Boogie your way into the weekend at a lively evening of swing dancing. Swing Den is aimed at beginners — although everyone is welcome — and starts with a taster lesson, followed by social dancing. Bishopsgate Institute (Liverpool Street), £8/£5, book ahead, 7pm
ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION: Antarctica may seem like a mystery compared to other parts of the planet, but there's plenty to be learned from the continent. Oceanographer Lavenia Ratnarajah discusses her Antarctic expeditions and the cryptic clues left behind from small microscopic plants to large baleen whales. Royal Institution (Mayfair), £16/£10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
FOOD POVERTY: Food writer Jack Monroe and columnist Grace Dent team up to discuss food poverty and inequality in contemporary Britain. Monroe's own career began writing budget recipes due to challenging financial circumstances. British Library, £15/£10, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
SHAZIA MIRZA: Comedian Shazia Mirza tries out new gags at a work in progress show featuring crocodiles, cranks, solitary confinement and alpha males. ArtsDepot (North Finchley), from £12, book ahead, 7.30pm
ALGORAVE: Raves and libraries don't usually go together, but things get techno at British Library's algorave, which brings algorithms to life using music and visuals. There's a bar open all evening, and plenty of demonstrations and things to see alongside the rave itself. British Library, £15/£10, book ahead, 7.30pm-11pm
COMEDY: Milton Jones headlines tonight's Show and Tell Comedy, joined by Angelos Epithemiou, Rhys James and Kiri Pritchard McLean. John Robins hosts the show. Bloomsbury Theatre, £20, book ahead, 8pm
Good cause of the day
The first Lambeth Palace Garden open day of 2019 takes place today. Spend time inside the private garden of the Archbishop of Canterbury's residence, which is usually off-limits to the public, and your £5 entry fee goes to charity. We visited back in 2017. Find out more about the open days.
What we're reading
- Crossrail's looking unlikely to open in 2020.
- Cricket World Cup to hold a party on The Mall.
- Teenager dies after falling inside St Paul's Cathedral.
- There's currently a dinosaur on display in Heathrow Airport.
