Things to do
SPANISH FLU: No flu jab needed for this talk on Laura Spinney’s book, Pale Rider, about the Spanish flu of 1918-1920 which, despite killing between 50 and 100 million people, is often overshadowed by the destruction of the first world war. Spinney chats to Catherine Arnold, who also wrote a book on the pandemic, about why more people should know about it. The event is part of Daunt Books Festival. Daunt Books Marylebone, £7, book ahead, 12pm
LONDON CHILD HEALTH: Interest in London history? Visit the London Metropolitan Archives and get a glimpse at documents and records relating to child health in the capital throughout history. Find out about techniques used to monitor health, and schemes put in place to make improvements. London Metropolitan Archives (Clerkenwell), free, book ahead, 2pm-3pm
MAKING FOLLIES: The National Theatre’s current production, Follies, is a musical set in 1971, at a party where a group of performers say goodbye to a crumbling theatre. As you’d expect, costumes play a big part in the production, so hear from the hair, make-up and wig department about how they prepared for the show. National Theatre, £7/£5, book ahead, 6pm
THREADS OF LIFE: From the political storytelling of the Bayeux tapestry’s anonymous embroiderers to Mary, Queen of Scots’ treasonous stitching, and the sewing of first world war soldiers suffering from PTSD, needlework and embroidery has always been used to tell stories. Clare Hunter, author of Threads Of Life, talks about some of the fascinating stories she came across while writing the book. Fashion & Textile Museum (Bermondsey), £15, book ahead, 6pm-8pm
LEGO ROBOTS: Who says Lego’s for kids? It’s adults only at this event, where teams come together to make a robot out of the famous plastic bricks. Give your creation a name and special skill and enter it into the judging at the end of the evening. Drink, Shop & Do (King’s Cross), free when you buy a drink, book a table, from 6pm
GREEN FOR DANGER: How’s this for meta? Watch a film about a second world war operating theatre… inside an old operating theatre. 1946 film Green For Danger is a British murder mystery about a Scotland Yard inspector who investigates a series of deaths in a war hospital. Old Operating Theatre (London Bridge), £12, book ahead, 6.30pm
HOT MESS: The Hot Mess Clubhouse is a monthly event featuring different funny women each time. Tonight, author and journalist Lucy Vine chats to actor, comedian and screenwriter Natasia Demetriou (from Stath Lets Flats) about feminism, friendship and fuck ups. Waterstones Gower Street, £10/£8, book ahead, 6.30pm
MASSIVE ATTACK: As a new book about British band Massive Attack is released, journalist and broadcaster Miranda Sawyer talks to the author, Melissa Chemam, about how their home city of Bristol shaped their music. British Library, £12/£8, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
SEX TOYS: Sex toy experts Samantha and Paul Evans impart their wisdom on picking the best sex toy for you — whether for solo or partnered… antics — and talk about how they can be used to overcome sexual health issues. They’re the founders of online sex toy business Jo Divine, but insist the evening is about knowledge rather than sales. New Cross House, £15, book ahead, 7.30pm-9pm
COMMUNITY CINEMA: 2017 psychological thriller film Beast, set in Jersey, is the story of local girl Moll and outsider Pascal who strike up an unlikely — if turbulent — romance despite objections from her family. Watch the story play out at tonight’s community cinema screening. Dudgale Centre (Enfield), £6.50, book ahead, 7.45pm
LATE NIGHT JAZZ: Willing to stay up past your bedtime? Head to the Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room for an intimate performance by south London musician Roxanne Tataei, who showcases her album Full Moon In Aries. Royal Albert Hall, £14.76, book ahead, 8.30pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
Have you ever heard the station announcements asking ‘Inspector Sands’ to come to the ticket office immediately? It’s a coded fire alarm. But we always wondered what the good inspector might look like. Our questions were answered in 2013 when artist Stephen Wood sent in this portrait. Follow Barry Heck on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
One of the city's best medium size art galleries — Dulwich Picture Gallery — is crowdfunding to build a stunning structure for Londoners to enjoy this summer. Take a look at the Colour Palace, which aims to be a flexible space for community activities and a vibrant events programme. Make it happen and see what rewards are available for donors here.
What we're reading
- Why isn't there Wi-Fi in tube tunnels?
- Is building a new concert hall just a few hundred metres away from the Barbican, ridiculous?
- Life as a specialist homeless GP in London.
- A new railway station set to come to Dagenham.
