Things To Do Today In London: Monday 11 March 2019

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Things to do

WOMAN: Witness the birth of an artist… sort of. Stephen Acosta is a mysterious artist who’s always worked as part of a studio team — and always anonymously — but for his first solo exhibition, he’s producing the work he wants, rather than adhering to the whims of other people, and revealing his identity for the first time. Woman is a celebration of feminism and women of colour through oil portraiture. The Book Club, free, book ahead, 11-13 March

LAST CHANCE: Feline characters in books are the subject of this British Library exhibition, now entering its final week. See plenty of literary cats — including some you’ll probably remember from childhood, as well as more obscure characters — and find out how writers have been inspired by their own pet moggies. British Library, free, just turn up, until 17 March

VAULT FESTIVAL: It’s the final week of Vault Festival, the mad mix of theatre, comedy, cabaret and other entertainment that’s taken over the space underneath Waterloo station for almost two months. Have a look at the programme if you want to see a final show or two before it winds up at the weekend. Waterloo Vaults, various prices, book ahead, until 17 March

GRESHAM, PEPYS AND EVELYN: The origins of Gresham College are traced in this lecture, part of a series marking 500 years since Gresham's birth. Find out about the bequest Thomas Gresham left, stipulating that after his wife's death, his house and fortune be used to start a college for scientific development. Learn about the bequest through the testimony of Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn, both friends of Gresham. Barnard's Inn Hall (Holborn), free, just turn up, 1pm-2pm

WATERCOLOURS: London Metropolitan Archive’s art form of the month is watercolours. Join a curator at some of the watercolour artefacts in the collection, and find out why they’re significant and how they’re cared for. London Metropolitan Archives (Clerkenwell), free, book ahead, 2pm-3pm

NSFW: Here’s a games night you can’t bring your kids to. Not Safe For Work describes itself as crude, rude and lewd, with the likes of Cards Against Humanity and You’ve Got Crabs available to play with your mates or date… just maybe not on a first date, eh? Queen of Hoxton, free (£10 refundable deposit for the games), just turn up, 5pm-11.30pm

Indonesian writers discuss their homeland

VEGAN DOUGHNUTS: Food market Mercato Metropolitano’s resident dessert expert Margaux Brooks has a treat in store for vegans; learn how to make three different flavours of vegan baked doughnuts based on an original choux pastry recipe. Decorate them at the end of the class, then take them home — though if they disappear before you make it home, we won’t judge. Mercato Metropolitano (Elephant & Castle), £30, book ahead, 6.30pm-8.30pm

BOARD GAMES: If the games night mentioned above is a bit too raunchy for your taste, place it safe with a more traditional board games night. Scrabble and Monopoly are still unlikely to make an appearance though, as the focus is on more obscure games. Ritzy (Brixton), free, book ahead, 6.30pm-11pm

INDONESIAN LITERATURE: Contemporary writers from Indonesia come together to discuss how the region’s many identities, languages, religions, geographies and histories shape and inspire their work. Hear from Seno Gumira Ajidarma, a prolific author of non-fiction, short stories, and essays, travel writer Agustinus Wibowo and novelist Dee Lestari. British Library, £12/£8, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm

SINGLE LADIES: Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh oh… even if you don’t go to this Single Ladies dance workshop, you’ll have Beyonce’s pop banger in your head all day now. Sorry about that. If you do go, you can expect to spend two intense but fun hours learning the moves to the tune… gym clothes recommended. Drink, Shop & Do (King’s Cross), £15, book ahead, 7pm-9pm

PIES AND PUNDITS: Get yourself to Piebury Corner — see what they did there? — for an evening of football and pies. Former Arsenal player Martin Keown is tonight’s guest of honour, sharing his opinions on all things football with host Tom Watt. Pleasance Theatre (Islington), £45, book ahead, 7.30pm

Tube ponderings with Barry Heck

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

Do you know the longest tunnel on the network? It’s the branch of the Northern line that runs from East Finchley to Morden (via Bank), at 17.3 miles. Tweet @HeckTube if you know what archery has to do with it.

Good cause of the day

Looking for a good deed you can do as a family? Sign up to take part in the Big Red London Bridge Walk, a sponsored stroll covering 10 miles across eight London bridges. It takes place on 23 March and raises money for The Haemophilia Society. Find out more and book tickets.