Things to do
SUMMER HOLIDAYS: As the school break rumbles on, quell the cries of "I'm booooored" with our family-friendly guide to the capital. Find theatre shows, exhibitions and events that the kids'll love, and pick up some tips on where to eat and drink as a family.
CAMDEN FRINGE: 300 productions ranging across comedy, dance, opera, magic and drag feature on the Camden Fringe programme. The month-long performing arts festival takes place in various venues around Camden, and begins today with spoken word, comedy, theatre and cabaret offerings. Browse the full programme. Various locations and prices, book ahead, 29 July-25 August
COMEDY: Comedian Kieran Hodgson brings an anthology of his last four shows to Soho Theatre. Expect a whistle-stop tour of French school trips, Tour de France inspiration, classical music, and how we ended up in the EU in the first place. Eclectic. Soho Theatre, from £14, book ahead, 29 July-10 August
LOVE ISLAND: It's Love Island final night, and the action from the Villa — including the announcement of the winners — is being shown for free on a large screen in Camden Market. Food and drink is available to buy from stalls and restaurants nearby. Camden Market North Yard, free, just turn up, 6pm-11pm. Elsewhere, creative cafe and cocktail bar Drink, Shop & Do marks the finale with tropical crafts, glitter painting, and of course a screening of the episode. Drink, Shop & Do (King's Cross), £5, book ahead, 6pm
LIVE A LITTLE: Author Howard Jacobson makes an appearance to talk about his new novel, Live A Little, which is set in north London. It's about two elderly people — forgetful Beryl and eligible bachelor Shimi — finding new meaning in what's left of their lives. Owl Bookshop (Kentish Town), £5, book ahead, 6.30pm
HEADS AND BODIES: Remember the kids' game heads and bodies? You know the one — you draw a head, fold the paper, the next person draws the shoulders, and so on. Play an adults-only version, aided along by booze, and see what sort of terrifying, NSFW creatures emerge. The Book Club (Shoreditch), free, just turn up, 7pm-8.30pm
CINEMATIC OBSESSIONS: Deptford Cinema's Cinematic Obsessions season comes to and end with a screening of 2018 film Burning. Graduate drifter Jong-su is asked by a girl who used to live in the same neighbourhood as him to look after her cat while she emabarks on a trip to Africa. When back, she introduces Ben, a mysterious and wealthy guy she met there — but who is Ben, and is he responsible for her sudden disappearance? Deptford Cinema, £4.50-£6, book ahead, 7pm-9.30pm
THE ART OF FLIRTING: Want to brush up on your flirting skills? Learn some tips and tricks from psychosexual therapist and dating coach Cate Mackenzie. She runs a masterclass covering the five steps of flirting, including the importance of body language. Trapeze (Shoreditch), £12, book ahead, 7pm-9.30pm (sponsor)
SPEED DATING: If you're already mastered flirting (above) and you're onto the next step, attend a speed-dating event. You know the score — spend three minutes with each person (around 20-25 people) before deciding who you'd like to see again. The Book Club (Shoreditch), £13-£25, book ahead, 7.30pm-10.30pm
COMEDY PREVIEW: Comedian Ivo Graham offers a preview of his show The Game of Life, before performing it an Edinburgh Festival. He covers his anxieties about various aspects of adulthood, including paying the bills. Pleasance Theatre (Islington), £5, book ahead, 7.45pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
My roundel of the week is the one you get if you order a cappuccino at London Transport Museum's cafe in Covent Garden. Simple pleasures. Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
Thames 21 is looking for people to take part in Regatta London in September, and row, kayak or paddleboard down the Thames to raise money. The Thames Barrier is closed on the day, meaning no tides to compete with. Find out more and sign up.
What we're reading
- A comprehensive history of every awful thing Boris Johnson has said.
- Final Crossrail costs are 'unknown'.
- How luxury brands are taking over the street art scene.
- Unquiet ground: Whitefield's soul trap. A stirring history of a familiar plot of land in Tottenham Court Road.
