Things To Do Today In London: Monday 30 January 2017

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Remi Harris is performing at the PizzaExpress Jazz Club in Soho.

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Things to do

CIVIL WAR HISTORY: Travel back in time to the days of the English Civil War, with guided walk The Men Who Would Be King: The Civil War in Westminster. Journey through the seven years of war, which became the the biggest battle in English history. Westminster Underground station, exit 4, £12/£9. book ahead, 5pm-7pm

VALENTINE CRAFTING: Useless at romance? Put that personal touch on your Valentine's Day card at this crafting evening. Aid the creative process with a cocktail or two. Drink, Shop & Do, free when you buy a drink, just turn up, from 7pm

ROMA HOLOCAUST: Louise Doughty's novel, Fires in the Dark, told the story of a group of Roma caught up the in the events of the second world war. Join Doughty for A People Devoured: The Roma Holocaust, a panel discussion of the suffering faced by the Roma community during the second world war. British Library, £10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm

NEW NATIONALISM: Politics has taken a strange turn in an age of Brexit, Trump and the rise of European populist right. Join Professor Tony Travers of the London School of Economics and two experts on the populist right to find out why there has been a rise in such nationalism. The London School of Economics, free, just turn up, 7pm-8.30pm

UKULELE HOOTENANNY: Whether you're a beginner or an expert ukulele player, you're welcome at this ukulele hootenanny. Borrow an instrument or bring your own and take part in renditions of old classics and modern pop songs on the ukulele. Queen of Hoxton. Free (£20 refundable deposit), 7pm-12am

MONDAY NIGHT LAUGHS: Get over the Monday blues with Right Funny Comedy #11. Join host Stephen DiPlacito and 12 comedians to laugh your way into the week. Hawkins Forge, Battersea, free, just turn up, 7.30pm-10.30pm

See the snowdrops at Chelsea Physic Garden.

MUSIC MONDAY: Energise your Monday night with guitarist Remi Harris. Finding fame through sets at Montreux Jazz Festival, BBC Proms and with Jamie Cullum, expect influences of Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery and Stan Getz, blended with hip hop, gypsy swing and blues. Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho, £15, book ahead, doors 7pm, show 8.30pm

SNOWDROP DAYS: Chelsea Physic Garden's unique micro-climate means that snowdrops tend to come into bloom earlier here than elsewhere in the country. Follow the Snowdrop Trail through the gardens, seeing over 120 species. Chelsea Physic Garden. £10.50/£6.95, 28 January-3 February, 10am-4pm

MOOMINLAND: Head to the Southbank Centre for an interactive adventure in Moominland. We had a whale (or a surreal hippo-like creature) of a time. £13.50-£16.50, book in advance, until 23 April

CURIOUS COLLECTIONS: Explore polymath Sir Thomas Browne's unusual approach to the world with his curious collections. The exhibition reveals a compelling and strange perspective of 17th century medicine. Royal College of Physicians, free, just turn up, until 27 July [9am-5pm]

Stage review: Art. But is it?

Photo: Sarah Kent

Yasmin Reza's 1996 three-hander shoves three nice actors as three nice blokes into an 'emperor's new clothes' situation. In this case the 'new clothes' are a very expensive white canvas, which threatens to destroy their friendship. Art is something of an 'emperor's new clothes' play, with opinion split over whether it's worth the money for 90 minutes — its success depends on the comic actors cast each time. With this threesome, there's no need to worry. Poet Tim Key is the surprising standout from Matthew Warchus's pert and pacy Old Vic revival. Art, The Old Vic, The Cut, SE1. From £12, until 18 February ★★★★☆ Johnny Fox

Art review: Historical Architecture

Image courtesy: John Soane's Museum

This small two room exhibition at John Soane's Museum looks at the life of Robert Adam — an architect who designed stately homes all across the UK, including Osterley Park in London. It’s a small and largely archival show but can be coupled with a visit to the fantastic new additions to the museum. Robert Adam’s London at John Soane’s Museum, 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, WC2A 3BP. Free, until 11 March ★★★☆☆ [Tuesday-Saturday]

Good cause for the day

FOOTBALL MAD: You can sign up for Tackle Africa's London Football Marathon 2017. Play football to support young people affected by HIV in Africa, with this 12-hour fundraising super-tournament. £20, book ahead, 17 June

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