Things To Do Today In London: Monday 5 June 2017

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Today's things to do is sponsored by BFI. Scroll down to celebrate a screen legend's 80th birthday.

Free crazy golf at Swingers

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Things to do

JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE: The Japanese House invites you inside a full-size recreation of architect Ryue Nishizawa's unusual Moriyama House. In the wake of the second world war, housing was desperately needed and designs became experimental and inventive, while still imbibing well-loved traditional and clean compositions. The house features 10 individual, fully-furnished rooms, Japanese teahouse and maze-like gardens. Barbican, £10/£12/£14.50, just turn up, 10am-6pm

CULTURE FESTIVAL: UCL is hosting a jam-packed week-long Festival of Culture with guided tours, exhibitions, talks and workshops all aiming to educate, entertain and inspire. Take a night walk through Dickens's London, step into the world of comic superheroes and the political landscape, or get to grips with the Greenlandic language. UCL Main Campus, Gower Street, free, just turn up, 10am-9pm

CRAZY GOOD: Swingers crazy golf turns one today; to celebrate their anniversary you can play mini golf for free. Arrive early as they are reserving slots from midday. Otherwise, wait with half price champagne. Up to 3pm, cocktails and street food are only £5. Swingers, free, just turn up, midday-11pm

SOULFUL COLOUR: Hellas Inspired Visual Expressions brings you the colourful work by contemporary visual artist, Nadezhda Yakustidi (best known as Nadya). This solo exhibition features a bright selection of portraits, landscapes and still lifes of floral and fruit themes inspired by the warmth and vibrancy of Greece. The London Latvian Centre, Bayswater, free, just turn up, 6pm-10pm

DAN AKYROYD: Head into Shoreditch for an evening of 'Cocktails & Blues' with a special guest appearance from Dan Aykroyd — ghostbuster turned premium vodka owner. The Blues Kitchen Shoreditch, free, just turn up — 100 tickets on the door, 6pm-midnight

Sinatra and Me with Richard Shelton

NOVEL VOYAGE: Hear from one of Turkey's best known novelists and political commentators. Ece Temelkuran discusses her new novel Women Who Blow on Knots. It chronicles a voyage reaching from Tunisia to Lebanon taken by three young women and elderly Madam Lilla that challenge your conceptions of politics, religion and women in the Middle East. Waterstones Trafalgar Square, £3, book ahead, 6.30pm

SHORTLISTED: Discover your next favourite novel at an evening of readings and discussion with the authors shortlisted for the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction 2017, chaired by Tessa Ross. Cadogan Hall, £12, book ahead, 7pm

HEART OF DARKNESS: Join Shorts on Tap for a night of screenings of nocturnal, noir, quintessentially dark short films. Not only that, you'll have the unique opportunity to be a part of their upcoming short film Rain Catcher — they're filming a scene during the event. 93 Feet East, free, book ahead, 7pm-11pm

STORYTIME: The Crick Crack Club present a surreal evening of spoken word, song and artistry as part of their Performance Storytelling series. Storyteller Sally Pomme Clayton and an all-girl band will shock, confuse, and (hopefully) amaze you with The Frog Princess Punked. Soho Theatre, £10/£8, book ahead, 8pm-9.30pm

SINATRA: Ol' Blue Eyes is back, with Sinatra and Me. Richard Shelton's uncanny portrayal of the crooning legend is interspersed with personal anecdotes of his incredible experiences... including the day Sinatra's tuxedo literally walked into Shelton's life. Brasserie Zedel, £20/£44, book ahead, 9pm-10pm


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Celebrate Dustin Hoffman's 80th birthday at BFI Southbank

Hollywood legend Dustin Hoffman has reached the grand age of 80 and BFI Southbank is celebrating the actor's big day by running a whole season of films dedicated to him — why not join them?

Whether you want to watch his breakthrough role in a re-release of The Graduate, or sit back and admire his talent in All The President's Men, you'll leave the cinema with a thorough appreciation of Hoffman’s epic skill and acting versatility. Check out the schedule for the Dustin Hoffman season here.


Art review: a watchmaker's legacy

Architect Norman Foster has curated this exhibition looking at the life of Louis Cartier and his relationship with other pioneers of the time. So we get a plane, a model of the Eiffel Tower and unsurprisingly a lot of watches. All very stylish, but it can’t conceal the fact this is a very flashy promo show for Cartier's watches. Cartier in Motion at Design Museum, free. Until 28 July. ★★☆☆☆

Food review: tapas chic

The Bird In Hand may be a little out of the way, tucked down a side street in West Kensington, but it's a favourite with locals, and once you know about it you'll be telling your friends about it. With terracotta hues and funky chic decor, it won't surprise you that they specialise in tapas style food to share — as well as great wine. Plates are small so ordering three per person seems to be the right balance, but delicacies such as padron peppers with paprika salt and, pan fried seabass with saffron risotto will certainly tickle your taste buds. The Bird In Hand, 88 Hasbro Road, W14 0LR, ★★★☆☆ Eleana Overett

Theatre review: foxy fun

Down in The Vaults under Waterloo rail station, Silent Opera (supported by the ENO) is casually changing the rules of the genre with their latest production Vixen. By blending live singing and recorded music through provided headphones and having the action happen while the audience lounges on sofas or benches is a world away from the usual experience. This is a very modern and downbeat version of Leoš Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen, with an able cast headed by a red-dreaded Rosie Lomas in the title role ably assisted by Robin Bailey as her lover Fox and Ivan Ludlow as the forlorn Forester. While the original was focussed on the cycle of life and death, Silent Opera takes aim at those trapped without a home or hope who have to survive on the streets like scavenging foxes. The mix of technology and relaxed seating is ideal for those easing themselves into opera but, for fans of the genre, there is too little to hold the attention despite the vibrant voices on display here. Vixen, The Vaults, Launcelot Street, SE1 7AD, £40 plus booking fee. Until 10 June. ★★★☆☆ Franco Milazzo

Good cause of the day

Did you know a group of tigers is called a streak? ZSL London Zoo is calling on cheeky challengers to get their kits off and join the naked run in support of ZSL Tiger conservation work. Fearless fundraisers are invited to unleash their wild side and prowl as nature intended, after hours, in the heart of the zoo. 300 streakers will take on a new route for 2017 with the aim of raising over £40,000. To secure a place in Streak for Tigers you'll need to pay a £20 registration fee (£18 for students) and pledge to raise a minimum of £150 (excluding gift aid).