Things to do
SHIP OF TOLERANCE: Last chance to see the Ship of Tolerance, a colourful vessel that was part of Totally Thames festival. The art project — a 60-foot long, hand-crafted wooden ship — has sails made by children from 40 London primary schools, Great Ormond Street Hospital and refugee centres in Birmingham, Leeds, Peterborough and Calais. Outside Tate Modern, free, just turn up, until 6 October
CITY COURTYARDS: Spend the afternoon exploring hidden alleyways and courtyards of the City of London on this guided tour. Learn the parts of history that they don't teach you at school, visit fragments of medieval and Roman London, and see two sites associated with the occult. Cannon Street, £15, book ahead, 1.30pm-3pm (sponsor)
RAGSTONE TO RICHES: As part of Fantastic Feats festival, hear from Dr Simon Elliott about the quarries in the Upper Medway Valley which provided much of the stone used for construction in Roman Londinium. Find out how the industry came about, and how the quarries functioned, including one which was possibly the largest manmade hole in Europe. Guildhall Art Gallery, free, book ahead, 2pm-3pm
CLIMATE CATASTROPHE: The climate has been headline news recently, but is it too late to do anything? Hear from Gresham College's Environment Professor and three climate experts about whether we still have a chance of averting a climate catastrophe, and how we can go about it. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 5.30pm-7pm
TOTES AMAZEBALLS: Get creative over a drink or two and decorate your own tote bag using sequins, pom poms, glitter, and other decorative items. All materials and a drink are included in the ticket price. Drink, Shop & Do (King's Cross), £10, book ahead, from 6pm
MAKING OF MOTOWN: Most people are familiar with elements of Motown music — now hear the story behind the genre. Hitsville: The Making of Motown is a documentary looking at the enduring cultural impact of Motown Records, as told by founder Berry Gordy and co-creator Smokey Robinson. Archive footage, interviews and a lively soundtrack all feature. Bertha DocHouse (Bloomsbury), £12.50/£10, book ahead, 6.30pm
LETTERS FROM AMERICA: The work and impact of American writers Toni Morrison, Walt Whitman and Tennessee Williams is discussed by three British writers. Author Diane Evans, poet Richard Scott and playwright Polly Stenham take part in a panel event celebrating the power of the written word. British Library, £12/£8, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
AI CREATIVITY: With their incredible ability to create artworks, compose music and write screenplays, can modern computers truly be described as 'creative'? Writer and scientist Arthur I Miller looks at artists and computer scientists who are working on the cutting edge of artificial intelligence, and asks whether computers really will take over one day. Royal Institution (Mayfair), £16/£10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
LENNY HENRY: Comedian Sir Lenny Henry appears on stage chatting to Romesh Ranganathan ahead of the release of his autobiography Who Am I Again? Hear about Henry's early years, born to Jamaican parents who had recently arrived in the Midlands, and his rise to fame. Southbank Centre, £10-£30, book ahead, 7.30pm
FOOTBALL SHOW LIVE: James Richardson and The Totally Football Show podcast team host perform a live show to kick off the new season. European football experts Julien Laurens and James Horncastle are among the guests discussing how Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea will rebuild as they look to close the gap on Liverpool and City, and who will turn out to be the worst signing of the summer. Southbank Centre, £20, book ahead, 8pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
My Roundel of the Week, chosen with some hesitation, is this illuminated number on Whitechapel Road. It's part of the fixtures at 'Jack the Chipper', a new Whitechapel Road fish & chip shop that's not only appropriated the tube roundel, but also makes wordplay out of local murders. Plus, its door staff appear to be fatally malnourished. Not sure I approve, to be honest. Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
Book ahead for No Laughing Matter, a comedy night in aid of St Mungo's homelessness charity. It takes place on 15 October at O2 Shepherds Bush Empire with Stewart Lee, Doc Brown and Shappi Khorsandi on the line-up. Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- The last ever Argyle pink diamonds come to London.
- How I Save: The 28-year-old account manager spending on cocaine and croissants
- Top five London council estates.
- Blimey.
