Things to do
FILM FESTIVAL: Films from Down Under take centre stage at Regent Street Cinema this weekend. The London Australian Film Festival launches tonight with a UK premiere screening of Reaching Distance, followed by a Q&A session. Across the reset of the festival, expect new films including dramas, comedies and documentaries. Regent Street Cinema, various prices, book ahead, 27-30 June
HYDE PARK NURSERY: Did you know there's a nursery — plants, not kids — in Hyde Park, where plants for the flowerbeds are grown? It's not normally open to the public, so this open day is a rare chance to get inside. See the advanced technology used in the building to grow plants for the Royal Parks' flower beds, take a free tour of the facility, and purchase a plant or two to take home (cash only). Hyde Park, free, book ahead for tours, 10am-5pm
GRIME AND PUNISHMENT: Hear tales of hangmen, criminals, prostitutes and paupers on this West End walk focusing on London's criminal history. See a morbidly-positioned church, hear about a deadly wave of beer, and visit London's most notorious slum. Tottenham Court Road, £15, book ahead, 1.30pm-3pm (sponsor)
BAZALGETTE'S BIRTHDAY: Attend a 200th birthday party in honour of engineering mastermind Sir Joseph Bazalgette — responsible for much of London's sewer system. Find out more about his sewers, bridges, embankments and street designs. London Metropolitan Archives (Clerkenwell), free, book ahead, 2pm-3pm
LAUNCH PARTY: Waterloo Food Fortnight kicks off tonight with a launch party. It's a 90s-themed event, with retro clothing encouraged, 90s Glastonbury sets and Space Jam showing on the big screen, plus street food and pop-up bars. Lower Marsh (Waterloo), free entry, just turn up, 5pm-9pm
LIVE MUSIC: Spanish quartet Las Migas perform their unique blend of Flamenco music and Latin rhythms live, in the atmospheric setting of St Mary's Music Hall. With a new vocalist on board, they perform songs from their former albums, as well as yet-to-be-published tunes. St Mary's Music Hall (Walthamstow), £16/£13, book ahead, 6.30pm
SMALL ISLAND: See National Theatre's production of Small Island broadcast live into the cinema. It follows three interconnected journeys from Jamaica to Britain, through the second world war to 1948, the year the Windrush docked in England. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £18, book ahead, 7pm
RICHARD DREYFUSS: Jaws, Stand By Me and Close Encounters Of The Third Kind actor Richard Dreyfuss makes a one-night-only appearance to share stories from his 40 years working in Hollywood. Get an insight into the creative process of some of the films he starred in — and if you buy a top tier ticket, meet the man himself before the show. Cadogan Hall (Chelsea), £25-£75, book ahead, 7.30pm
PENGUIN PRIDE: Penguin Pride brings writers, poets and activists to the stage on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. The evening is for celebrating, and for reflecting on how far the LGBT+ rights movement has come since the summer of 1969, as well as looking forward to the future. Royal Vauxhall Tavern, £10, book ahead, 8pm-10pm
OPEN CITY: Join Open City for a screening of 2009 documentary Sweetgrass, about the last modern-day cowboys in Montana. It's followed by a discussion of with writer Joanna Pocock about new book, Surrender, which reflects on the changing landscape of the American West. Bertha DocHouse (Bloomsbury), £12.50/£10, book ahead, 8.30pm
Good cause of the day
Book ahead for Saturday's charity gala screening of new animated film The Queen's Corgi, ahead of its official release on 5 July. It follows the life of Rex, a spoilt pup who lives in Buckingham Palace. The screening raises money for The Film & Television Charity, which offers welfare support and talent development for people in the film and TV industry. Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- Woman 'poses as dead cyclist's aunt' to oppose new bike lane.
- Theft reports on tube increase by 80%.
- Financial Times returns to a renovated Bracken House.
- 50 years ago, planes launched between Gatwick and Heathrow.
