Things To Do Today In London: Friday 8 March 2019

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Things to do

Celebrate girl power at a silent disco

HAPPY WOMEN'S DAY, LONDON!

WOMEN OF THE WORLD: Southbank Centre's Women of the World festival returns for International Women's Day, with talks, workshops, debates and events by inspirational women from all walks of life. See the full programme, including live music, and a look towards the future. Southbank Centre, various prices, book ahead, 8-9 March

MOVE IT: Described as 'the world's biggest dance event' and 'a dancer's dream', three-day convention Move It begins today. A wealth of performances across all genres take place, and the Freestyle Stage is open for anyone to sign up for a one-minute performance. Seminars about choreography, training and audition tips are on the programme, along with dance classes and stalls selling all manner of dance equipment and merchandise. ExCel London, £19, book ahead (classes extra), 8-10 March

ROY WILLIAMS: Award-winning playwright Roy Williams discusses some of the most significant productions of his plays, including Lift Off and Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads, which were groundbreaking in the way they conveyed the complex world of multi-cultural Britain. National Theatre, £7/£5, book ahead, 6pm

LGBTQ ARCHIVES: Bishopsgate Institute has been documenting the history and lives of the LGBTQ+ Community in the UK since it became home to the Lesbian and Gay Newsmedia Archive in 2011. Hear about some of the most interesting items in the LGBTQ+ collection, in this talk by Archives Manager Stef Dickers. Bishopsgate Institute (Liverpool Street), £10/£8, book ahead, 6.30pm-8.30pm

SILENT DISCO: Girl power is the theme of this silent disco, which is a fun and empowering place for women to enjoy themselves. Dance to the likes of Madonna, the Spice Girls and Beyonce, with music from the 1970s-1980s on one channel, and the 1990s and noughties on another. Trapeze Bar (Shoreditch), £13.95, book ahead, 6.45pm-8.15pm

Comedian John Robins performs at Bush Hall

GENETIC SCIENCE: We've all heard that we humans share 99% of our DNA with chimpanzees, but why is that? Hear from genetic scientist Mary-Claire King, who was responsible for demonstrating that to be true, as she talks about her career. Her other achievements include identifying the breast cancer gene. Royal Institution (Mayfair), £16/£10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm

PIANO RECITAL: Works by women composers are performed — albeit by a male musician — at this concert to celebrate International Women's Day. Piano pieces by Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre, Marianne Martinez, Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn, Sofia Gubaidulina, Amy Beach, Cecilia McDowall and Galina Ustvolskaya are on the programme. Morley College (Lambeth), £10, book ahead, 7pm-9pm

ANGELS: One in 10 Britons claimed to have experienced the presence of an angel, while one in three remain convinced that they have a guardian angel. In this 'angelology' talk, Peter Stanford discusses why angels are more compelling and comforting than God for many people in the 21st century. Southwark Cathedral, £7/£5, book ahead, 7pm-9pm

CUTTY SARK CONCERT: The Cutty Sark turns 150 this year, and the celebrations begin today with this on-board concert by the BBC Singers. They worked with world music fusion band Kabantu to produce a programme of music with links to the countries the tea clipper would have visited on its early trade voyages. Cutty Sark (Greenwich), £15, book ahead, 8pm

COMEDY: Radio X presenter John Robins tops the bill at this live comedy show. Joining him on stage are Milton Jones, Jessica Fostekew and Fin Taylor. Bush Hall (Shepherd's Bush), £19.25, book ahead, 8pm

SEAMUS BLAKE: Renowned saxophonist Seamus Blake launches his new album, Guardians Of The Heart Machine, in this live gig. He's accompanied by Tony Tixier (piano), Florent Nisse (double bass) and Gautier Garrigue (drums). Kings Place (King's Cross), £19.50, book ahead, 8pm

Tube ponderings with Barry Heck

Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.

It’s International Women’s Day. We reckon that five women are named on the tube map: Victoria, Anne Warren, Maria Duchess of Gloucester, Margery Arnold (Arnos Grove) and possibly Gunhilda (Gunnersbury Park). You could argue Marylebone, too, but not Seven Sisters. Any others? Tweet @HeckTube.

Good cause of the day

Book now for Desert Heart Presents Alice In Africaland, taking place on 15 March. The club night unfolds across two rooms, with live DJs, and is held in memory of rhino conservationist Mike Hearn, with money raised going towards conservation projects. Find out more and book tickets.

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