Things to do
GREENWICH BOOK FEST: The University of Greenwich brings all manner of authors, playwrights and other literary figures together for Greenwich Book Festival, which begins today. Plenty of events throughout the festival are free, including talks and book launches, and there are several children's events at the weekend. Various locations and prices, book ahead, 13-16 June
BALHAM LITERARY FESTIVAL: Book lovers are also in for a treat at Balham Literary Festival, a 12-day event which kicks off today with local author Yara Rodrigues Fowler talking about her debut novel Stubborn Archivist. Various Balham locations and prices, book ahead, 13-25 June
CURATOR TOUR: Find out more about the legacy of graphic designer Abram Games, on this curator-led tour of the current exhibition about his work. He produced designs for the government in his role as 'Official War Poster Artist' during the second world war, drawing on his own experiences as a soldier, as well as his Jewish heritage, and the political situation at the time. National Army Museum (Chelsea), £10.50/£9.50, book ahead, 11am
MULTI-STORY ORCHESTRA: Ever seen an orchestra in a car park? If not tonight's your chance thanks to The Multi-Story Orchestra. Choral and orchestral performers showcase classical music, as well as a new choir piece created by singers from Kender and St Mary Magdalene primary schools. Bold Tendencies (Peckham), £10/£5, book ahead, 6.30pm-7.30pm
FITZROVIA WALK: Tour guide Laurence Scales combines his expert subjects of science and history in a guided tour about the past discoveries in the Fitzrovia area. Over two hours, hear about second world war ingenuity, chemical complexity, a scientific theme park, forensic pathology, plumbing and two discoveries that got away, with a little 'gentle adult content' thrown in. Warren Street station, £11.06, book ahead, 6.30pm-8.30pm
FOLKLORE SOCIETY: Debbie Elliott gives a talk about John Michell at this month's South East London Folklore Society event. Michell was a 20th and 21st century esotericist, UFOlogist, leyline theorist, crop circle phenomenologist & Earth mystery pioneer. The Old King's Head (Borough),£5/£3, book ahead, 8pm
PRIDE COMEDY: Upcoming and established LGBTQ+ comedians take to the stage for a Pride comedy special. Robert White, Iszi Lawrence, Michael Eldridge and Katie Price (not that one) are on the line-up, with Charlie Ross as MC. Theatre Deli (Broadgate), £7/£5, book ahead, 8pm-10pm
SEX WORK: Part of Fragments Festival, this event is centred around newly-released documentary Searching Eva, telling the story of a sex worker who grew up in the public eye as an internet star. The event includes art, a panel discussion and short film screenings in response to the documentary. Genesis Cinema (Mile End), £5, book ahead, 8pm
COMEDY UNDER THE STARS: As comedy show locations go, a (hopefully) starlit (and very hopefully dry) open-air courtyard is one to beat — and it's happening every week throughout the summer. Watch Bridget Christie, Rosie Jones, Lucy Pearman, Sean McLoughlin and Pierre Novellie take to the stage tonight. Battersea Arts Centre £12-£15, book ahead, 8.30pm
MAE MARTIN: Comedian Mae Martin performs an improvised hour of stand-up based on the audience's suggestions in The Mae Martin Experiment — so although it's on for a couple of weeks, the show is never the same. Soho Theatre, £16.50-£21.50, book ahead, 9.45pm (until 22 June)
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
Every tube roundel, the Central line, and TfL buses all use the same shade of red, which is Pantone 485. That same pantone is used by Santander, who sponsor the cycle hire scheme. Other companies who use 485 (and might make chromatically harmonious sponsors) include McDonalds, Oracle and Vodafone.
Follow Barry Heck on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
Book now for Saturday's Luna Cinema screening of Billy Elliot, part of Marylebone Summer Festival. All money raised goes to Greenhouse Sports, a local charity improving young people's lives through sport. Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- Big changes are coming to London bus services this weekend.
- Campaign to save the UK's last working semaphore tower, located on the edge of London.
- Success! The Club Row houses are now listed, so won't be demolished after all.
- This is (probably) why your train was delayed on Tuesday.
