What we’re reading
- New dedicated photography gallery to launch in Whitechapel
- London council builds housing with religion-friendly features
- The Metropolitan Line Extension is doomed because costs have increased and there is no money
- What you need to know about next week's mass rail strikes.
Things to do
NEWHAM WORD FEST: A new literary festival unfolds in Newham this week. Today you can hear family favourite So Much read out, try your hand at Arabic calligraphy, and join a scriptwriting class. Various venues and prices, book ahead, 6-19 November
WINE TASTING: Once you've sampled tapas, wine and port from the Douro Valley, you'll understand why Portugal is becoming a bit of a hip destination of late. Phonica Records (Soho), £30-£100, book ahead, 5pm-9pm
THE SOCIAL: A relaxed evening of storytelling, live music and poetry featuring musicians Marisa Anderson and Toby Hay, plus poetry from Martha Sprackland. The Social (Little Portland Street), £11, book ahead, 7pm
FUTURE OF TECH: What's next in the world of tech? Space elevators? fusion-powered toasters? Find out at this talk on the dangers and benefits of emerging tech. Royal Institution, £16, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
RUSSIAN POETRY: Hear poems written by Russian poets who were imprisoned, exiled or perished in prison camps, first in English, then in Russian. Pushkin House (Bloomsbury), £7, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
FAT GAY VEGAN: Make some new mates or treat your old ones at this multi-course feast from Mexican vegan chef Mariana Blanco and Fat Gay Vegan aka Sean O'Callaghan. Vegan HQ (Ealing), £40, book ahead, 7pm-10pm
SAVE THE HONEYBEE: Did you know Britain is home to around 250 bee species, so why does the honeybee occupy all of our conservation efforts? Unpicking this sticky subject is ecologist and writer Rebecca Nesbit. The Monarch Bar (Camden), £3, just turn up, 7.30pm
PIZZA EXPRESS LIVE: A new night of stand-up comedy in the recently refurbed basement of the Holborn branch of Pizza Express. Tonight's the turn of Suzi Ruffell, Paul McCaffrey and Ed Gamble. Pizza Express (Holborn), £10, book ahead, 8.30pm
HALLOWEEN SPECIAL: Pretend it's still Halloween at this spooky special with a varied line up of comedy, jazz and storytelling, which promises to be funny, sexy and scary. Brasserie Zédel, £10, book ahead, 9.15pm-10.45pm
Good cause of the day: Gig fundraiser for Cardboard Citizens on 11 November
Doing your good deed today can be as easy and as enjoyable as buying a ticket for a live music gig. This one is raising money for the homeless charity Cardboard Citizens. The Victoria, £5.82/£10 suggested donation on the door, book ahead, 8pm-11pm, 11 November
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