Things to do
BEER FESTIVAL: Kingston Beer & Cider Festival — now in its 20th year — bizarrely commemorates the 40th anniversary of the “withdrawal of the last RF type buses from service in Kingston”. Beyond the obscure theme there are 60+ ales, and 12 ciders and perries to try, plus hot and cold food to soak it all up. See other beer festivals in London this month. Kingston Workmen's Club and Institute, £3/£1 entry, just turn up, 16-18 May
PHOTO LONDON: One of the biggest events in the photography calendar, Photo London begins today. The world-class event brings together photographers, curators, exhibitors and dealers to celebrate all aspects of the art form — and it's open to the public too, whether you enjoy taking photos yourself, or just want to admire other people's work. Somerset House, various prices, book ahead, 16-19 May
ELIZABETHAN ISLINGTON: Find out what life was like in Islington in 1583. Footprints of London guide Rob Smith leads a walk around Elizabethan Clerkenwell, covering archery contests, Huguenot migrants and former monasteries. Finsbury Library, £12/£9, book ahead, 2pm-3.15pm
DEATH CAFE: Speakers from End of Life Doula UK, the British Geriatric Society, the Royal College of Pathologists and the Royal College of Nursing host a panel discussion on dealing with death. It's followed by a death cafe — tea and cake are served to get people talking openly about the tricky subject. Royal College of Nursing (Marylebone), free, book ahead, 5pm-8pm
SHELL SHOCK: As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, watch one-man play Shell Shock, followed by a panel discussion about mental health in the military. The show is based on a 2011 novel by Iraq War veteran Neil Watkin, and offers Tommy Atkins’s observations on life on civvy street after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. National Army Museum (Chelsea), £12, book ahead, 6pm
NIPPLE TASSELS: Create your own pair of nipple tassels at this light hearted craft workshop. The method and materials are provided, and drinks are available to buy. What you do with your nipple tassels once you leave the event is entirely your business. Drink, Shop & Do (King's Cross), £5, book ahead, from 6pm
EU FUTURE: Focus is on the upcoming European elections, and what they might mean for the future of the EU, and of Brexit, in this debate. Could the results change the power balance within the EU, and what will that mean for our negotiations? LSE (Holborn), free, just turn up, 6.30pm-8pm
TAP TAKEOVER: Beavertown Brewery's craft beers take over the taps at Tate Modern tonight, for the launch of the brewery's collaboration Earl Grey IPA with Japan based Hitachino Nest Brew. Your ticket gets you six thirds of beer to sample, with brewers available throughout the night to offer an insight into the drinks. Tate Modern, £19.95-£22.95, book ahead, 6.30pm-11pm
BIRD WALK: An expert conservation officer leads a bird walk through Sydenham Hill Woods, in aid of London Wildlife Trust. See and hear bird species at dusk, when they're most active, including wren, robin, blackbird and woodpigeon... and if you're really lucky, kestrel, sparrowhawk and the area's resident tawny owl. Sydenham Hill Wood, minimum donation £2, just turn up, 7pm-8.30pm
STRAIGHT UP COMEDY: Steve Diplacito MCs a night of laughs at StraightUp Comedy. Also on the line-up are Jack Barry, Kieran Boyd, Micky Overman, sketch duo Mark & Haydn, and Sikisa Bostwick-Barnes. Landor Space (Clapham), £7-£11, book ahead, 7.45pm
BAT WALK: Head into Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park at dusk for a bat walk. A guide leads the walk, offering tips on spotting species including common pipistrelles, soprano pipistrelles and noctules, and bat detectors are available to use too. Age 18+. Kensington Gardens, £10, book ahead, 8.45pm-10.15pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
Did you know that TE Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, used a tube station as his pen name when writing for the Spectator? While stationed at Hendon Aerodrome in the 1920s, Lawrence used the name Colin Dale, inspired by the nearby tube stop.
Follow Barry Heck on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
LGBT mental health charity ELOP screens 2011 film Tomboy to commemorate International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. The screening is followed by a Q&A with special guests including author and comedian Rosie Wilby, Mark Healey from Real & National Hate Crime Awareness, Bille-Jo Boyd from Victim support, and Kaye Medcalf from Galop. Donations made on the door go to LGBT+ anti-violence charity, Galop.
Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- It's all kicking off in Camberwell.
- The Hero of Switzerland pub in Brixton looks set to be demolished.
- Seven in 10 Londoners would back staying in the EU over Theresa May's Brexit deal.
- Residents oppose TfL's plans to lease railway arches to Sainsbury's.
