Things To Do Today In London: Thursday 1 December 2016

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Things to do

Green Man will be hosting Club Night at Somerset House ice rink tonight. Photo: Somerset House

BE AN ADVENTURER: Be brave and go on an adventure into the unknown. The Petrie Museum invites you to explore life as an adventurer, both in the past and present. There are gin cocktails and a palm reader. Free, but book in advance, 6pm-9pm

PICASSO LOVERS: "For me there are only two kinds of women — goddesses and doormats." So said Pablo Picasso on his complex relationship with women. The London Art Salon is hosting a talk from art historian Patrick Bade on Picasso's lovers and muses. £30 book ahead, 6.30pm-8.15pm

ANIMAL SHOWOFF: Ever heard a good fossil joke? Head to The Grant Museum of Zoology and you might just hear one. Animal Showoff is a fun evening combining science, jokes, anecdotes and plenty of laughter. From £4.59, book ahead, 6.30pm-9.30pm

20TH CENTURY OFFICE LIFE: Ever wondered whether office life in the 1950s and 60s was really as glamorous as Mad Men? Explore 20th century offices with The Bishopsgate Institute and view the period through the lens of class and gender. Free, just turn up, 7pm

HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE: Handy advice from David France as he launches his book, How to Survive a Plague: The Story of Activists and Scientists Tamed AIDS. The Cinema Museum screens the film of the same name for World Aids Day. Afterwards, take part in a Q&A on racism, migration and how to help end the HIV pandemic. Suggested £5 donation, from 7pm

Richmix is screening One More Time With Feeling tonight. Photo: Richmix

MICHAEL MORPURGO: Michael Morpurgo has entertained children for generations with his thrilling tales. Join him for Afraid of the Dark? as he speaks at the British Library. He discusses whether children's literature should involve suffering, and the magic of stage adaptations. From £8, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm

GREEN MAN ON ICE: Groove on skates to some of your favourite tunes at Somerset House's ice rink. Green Man festival has traded its summery surroundings for wintry ones. Tom Ravenscroft will be DJing favourite songs from the festival's past 15 years. £17, book ahead 8pm

FILM AND MUSIC: Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds have provided us with many classic shanties over the years. Listen to their upcoming 16th studio album at the Richmix screening of One More Time With Feeling. It follows Cave's journey to making the newest record. From £12.50, book ahead, from 9pm

ADVENT WINDOWS 2016: Celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season with Advent Windows: 2016. Greenwich begins its living advent calendar today, with the first of its 24 displays being unveiled on at St Ursula's School on Crooms Hill. Free, just turn up, 1-24 December


Good cause of the day

SONGS FOR SYRIA: A musical fundraiser in aid of two non-political NGOs providing relief inside Syria. Tunes come from The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians, plus Jack Steadman of Bombay Bicycle Club and others. Book in advance, £20, 7.30pm-10.30pm


© Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, New York

ABSTRACT DRUDGERY: Painting, photography, collage, performance. Robert Rauschenberg did it all. But the spark is lost in an exhibition that's more interested in art history than what the artist stood for. Air bubbling through a mud pit is a welcome relief but it can't save a rather dull recounting of Rauschenberg's abstract works. Robert Rauschenberg at Tate Modern. 1 December-2 April, £16.80 ★★☆☆☆ [Every day]