Things To Do Today In London: Monday 21 October 2019

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Folk trio Said The Maiden perform live

Things to do

HALF TERM: With the kids off school for the week, don't run out of ways to keep them occupied. Our guide to half term in London covers family-friendly theatre shows, events, exhibitions, restaurants and afternoon teas — it's a shame you've only got a week to squeeze it all in.

WONDERS OF WHITEHALL: A Tudor palace, notorious kings and queens and some seriously impressive architecture all feature on this walking tour focusing on the wonders of Whitehall. The walk visits government buildings and film locations, including the Churchill War Rooms, a Jacobean banqueting hall, and Downing Street. Bridge Street (Westminster) £12/£8, book ahead, 1pm-2.30pm (sponsor)

AMAZING GRACE: Hauser Wirth Gallery hosts a screening of 2018 film Amazing Grace, to coincide with its current exhibition, Cerberus. The film shows footage of the live recording of Aretha Franklin's gospel album of the same name, recorded in Los Angeles in 1972. Curzon Mayfair, £5, book ahead, 6pm-8.45pm

Watch a screening of Amazing Grace

WORLD ON FIRE: Watch 2018 documentary What You Gonna Do When The World's On Fire?, followed by a Q&A with director Roberto Minervini. The film looks at race issues in America, particularly black communities in the Southern states, where police brutality is an issue. Bertha DocHouse (Bloomsbury), £12.50/£10, book ahead, 6.30pm

FUTURE OF CIVILISATION: Are robots going to take our jobs? Engineer Lord Browne chats to journalist Vivienne Parry about what the future might look like, and how engineering is helping to shape it.  Royal Institution (Mayfair), £16/£10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm

PHOTOGRAPHER EXTRAORDINAIRE: Mr Fogg's Explorer Series kicks off with an appearance by skilled photographer Tommy Clarke. Best-known for his aerial shots taken from helicopters, he talks about some of the adventures he's had in the line of duty, as well as his collaborations with brands such as M&S and Vodafone. Mr Fogg's Residence (Mayfair), free entry, book ahead, 7pm

Discover the wonders of Whitehall

LIVE MUSIC: Award-winning folk trio Said The Maiden perform an intimate live gig. Hailing from Hertfordshire, the band specialises in three-part harmonies, with a backing of guitar, woodwind, dulcimer and banjo. The Green Note (Camden), £10, book ahead, 7pm

JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE: For one night only, feature film The Jimi Hendrix Experience: The Royal Albert Hall is screened at the venue where it was filmed, back in 1969. Watch Hendrix and his team in the build up to a concert at the iconic venue, including footage that was considered lost for many years. Royal Albert Hall, £20.31-£29.13, book ahead, 7.30pm

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS: Thinking on Monday tackles the topic of sex education. Journalist and film-maker Natalie Fiennes talks about the need for a new, more inclusive and open version of sex education that goes beyond birds and bees basics. Conway Hall (Holborn), £8/£5, book ahead, 7.30pm-9pm

Thinking on Monday tackles the topic of sex education

SCRATCH NIGHT: Support up-and-coming theatre artists at A Pleasance Scratch, an evening where they can showcase their current work. Tonight's line-up includes a new LGBTQ+ variety game show, a brutally honest journey of self discovery, and an intercontinental caper by international physical theatre company VOLOZ. Pleasance Theatre (Islington), £6.50, book ahead, 7.30pm

NUREMBERG TRIALS: Watch a partly-staged reading inspired by Philippe Sands’ award-winning bestseller, East West Street. The event is part of London Literature Festival, and the book explores ideas of genocide, based around the Nuremberg Trials. The sequel is due to be published in April. Southbank Centre, £15-£25, book ahead, 7.30pm

Tube ponderings with Barry Heck

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

Waterloo mosaic

My Roundel of the Week is this subtle mosaic roundel beneath the rail arches at Waterloo (near the IMAX roundabout). The wider image depicts a number of London landmarks, but also the famous Seurat painting Bathers at Asnières. Why? Because until 2007, Eurostar services to Paris departed from Waterloo rather than St Pancras. The mosaic, and a companion piece featuring a bus and Botticelli's Venus, were created by Southbank Mosaics, and commissioned by Transport for London. Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.

Good cause of the day

Head to The Comedy Store tonight for Stonewall Stand Up Sessions, a comedy night in aid of the LGBT charity. Suzi Ruffell hosts, as a line-up including Bethany Black, Kemah Bob and Sophie Duker provide the laughs. Find out more and book tickets.

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