Things to do
DIFFERENCE FESTIVAL: The University of Westminster hosts a week-long festival of free events, all on the subject of radical ideas that could make a difference to the world. Talks, walks, workshops, films screenings and discussions all feature, on topics including migration, trans representation and voyeurism. University of Westminster, book ahead, 25 February-1 March
LAST CHANCE: It’s your final chance to see the work of war artist Alfred Munnings on display at the National Army Museum. His equine paintings offered a never-seen-before insight into the use of horses in military action, and how they were cared for on the front line. National Army Museum (Chelsea), £6, book ahead, until 3 March
CHARLIE BROWN: One of London’s biggest exhibitions of 2018, Good Grief, Charlie Brown! closes this week. It’s a treat for anyone who grew up with the Peanuts comic strips, and may leave you seeing the work in a whole new light. We’d recommend visiting on a weekday if you can, as it’s bound to get busy Somerset House, £14, book ahead, until 3 March
GEORGIA O’KEEFFE: For one week only, artworks by Lydia Bauman go on display. These pieces were inspired by her travels across New Mexico, where she went to follow in the footsteps of American artist Georgia O’Keeffe. Mall Galleries (The Mall), free, just turn up, 25 February-3 March
LONDON ON FILM: Born 150 years ago, north Londoner Robert Paul was a pioneer of filmmaking. Tonight, film scholar Professor Ian Christie discusses Paul’s work in London, and how he showed off his local area to the world through the medium of film. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm
DEBUT FICTION: Authors Claire Adam, Yara Rodrigues Fowler and Alia Trabucco Zerán have all recently published their first novels. Tonight, they’re at Waterstones to talk about their work over prosecco and nibbles, on a panel discussion hosted by literary critic Lucy Scholes. Waterstones Gower Street, £10/£8, book ahead, 6.30pm
THE GLOAMING: Irish-American band The Gloaming return to Union Chapel, where they played some of their early gigs back in 2011. See them performing tracks from their upcoming studio LP. Union Chapel (Islington), £32.50, book ahead, 7pm
INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES: The UK is home to several non-English indigenous languages, including Welsh, Gaelic, Scots, Cornish, Manx, British Sign Language and Angloromani. Hear from speakers of these languages about what it’s like to speak them, and a bit about their history and what their future is likely to hold. British Library, £10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
BANG SAID THE GUN: Like poetry? Bang Said The Gun is for you. Not a poetry fan? BSTG is also for you. Dubbed as the ‘poetry night for people who don’t like poetry’, it brings together new and established poets for a raucous night of readings. Soho Theatre, £18-£9, book ahead, 7.30pm
(L)ABLE: New theatre show (L)Able looks at the effect and power of labels, stereotypes and preconceptions, and how words can empower, identify, limit and separate. The audience are encouraged to reflect and be part of the show. Age 12+. Chickenshed Theatre (Cockfosters), pay what you want (£3-£100), book ahead, 8pm (until 1 March)
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
Happy new week! Do you know London’s newest tube station? It’s Wood Lane on the Circle and Hammersmith & City line, which opened on 12 October 2008. This should not be confused with the previous Wood Lane station (closed 1959 after a renaming to White City), nor the other previous Wood Lane station on the Central line (closed 1947), both of which were on different sites. Watch out you don’t get tangled up in Shepherd’s Bush, too. At least five different stations have carried that name. This map may or may not help you make sense of the confused history.
Good cause of the day
Fairtrade Fortnight begins today, and with it comes a Hidden Hot Chocolate Salon Pop-up. You’ll find it at 66 Kingsland Road, E2 8DP, but it’s hidden because you have to find the secret button inside a newsagents to access it. Each of the three drinks on the menu costs £1.86 each — a day’s living income for a cocoa farmer, which they need in order to live a dignified life. Currently they earn less than half of that; around 74p a day.
It’s open 25 February-3 March — more information here.
What we're reading
- A no-deal Brexit could cause woes for London's suburban rail commuters.
- MPs and peers back plans for a Holocaust Memorial in Westminster.
- Calls for action to tackle Thames river pollution.
- A 'sinister' mural planned for Portobello Road has been blocked by Kensington & Chelsea Council.
