Things to do today is sponsored by The Postal Museum.
What we're reading:
- These are the London areas with the most singletons.
- High-end animation studio launches in Primrose Hill.
- Striking street portraits of London's identical twins.
- Sadiq Khan dreams of bringing the Super Bowl to the capital.
- Cypress Hill and the London Symphony Orchestra are trying to bring their Simpsons cameo to life.
- 13 places Crossrail won't go.
Things to do:
FREE PIANO POINTERS: St Pancras International has teamed up with musical tuition company Lycaeum to offer free piano lessons in celebration of International Piano Day. Hone your skills in the same spot superstars like Elton John and John Legend have tickled the ivories, then enjoy live performances from professional pianists. St Pancras International (King's Cross), free, just turn up, 7am-6pm
EASTER EGG HUNT: Visit St Katharine Docks for a very special Easter hunt. With the docks celebrating its 190th birthday, each of their custom designed eggs feature images of the food, materials and luxury items once imported here from all over the world. As well as chocolate, there's also a chance to bag yourself some Fortnum & Mason swag. St Katharine Docks, free, just turn up, 10.30am-4pm, until 2 April
BEER FESTIVAL: For their 10th anniversary, Wandsworth Common Beer Festival are putting on their biggest bash yet. Choose from over 150 beers and ciders, line your stomach with street food, and enjoy live music and DJs. Royal Victoria Patriotic Building (Wandsworth Common), £5, book ahead, 1pm-11pm, until 2 April
TIME RUN: Be the hero of your own adventure as you search for ancient artefacts across space and time at live gaming experience The Celestial Chain. This time-travelling Easter egg hunt features cinematic-style sets and interactive performances. Time Run Ltd. (Hackney), £35, book ahead, 1.30pm-8.30pm, until 1 April
Sponsor message
Opens today: See the letters that sat on the seabed for 70 years
The Postal Museum in Clerkenwell unveils a unique and remarkable treasure today.
In 1941, the British merchant steamer SS Gairsoppa was torpedoed by a German U-boat off the coast of Ireland. Many perished, but onboard was a miraculous survival.
A cache of mail was somehow preserved in an air pocket through a three-mile plunge to the ocean bed. Against the odds, hundreds of undelivered letters were retrieved from the wreck during recovery operations five years ago.
Now, the letters are on show for the very first time as part of temporary exhibition: Voices from the Deep.
In this innovative exhibition, you'll use UV torch lights to reveal snippets of the fragmented letters, enjoy original footage of the recovery of SS Gairsoppa, and write a postcard to your future self.
Entry to the exhibition is included with admission to The Postal Museum. For opening times and prices, see The Postal Museum website.
ART DECO ARCHITECTURE: Did you know that Holloway is a hotbed of art deco architecture? Join Jane's walking tour and marvel at all the fabulous 1920s and 1930s constructions hiding in plain sight. Holloway Road, from £9, book ahead, 2pm-3.30pm
MONSTER MACHE: Papier mache has never been this horrifying. Grab a glass of your favourite tipple and get crafty to create the monstrous models of your dreams (or nightmares). Drink, Shop & Do (King's Cross), free when you buy a drink, just turn up, 6pm
MESMERISING: Bestselling author Wendy Moore discusses the subject of her latest book — the esteemed Victorian physician who brought hypnotism to London. She charts Dr John Elliotson's rise and ruin, from megastar mesmerist, to accusations of quackery. Benjamin Franklin House (Charing Cross), £7.48, book ahead, 6.30pm-8pm
IRISH SURFING: The seaside town of Lahinch on the west coast of Ireland, boasts one of the best big-wave breaks in Europe. Therefore it's becoming a surfing hotspot as captured in this documentary, Between Land & Sea. The screening is followed by a Q&A with director Ross Whitaker. Curzon Bloomsbury, £10-£12.50, book ahead, 6.30pm
OFFICE PUB QUIZ: How well do you remember what went on at Wernham Hogg? This pub quiz hosted by Ewen Macintosh AKA Keith tests your knowledge of the cult show. Balham Bowls Club, £7, just turn up, 8pm-10pm
HIPHOP KARAOKE: Bust it like Busta at London's biggest hip-hop house party across three floors at Queen of Hoxton. Get schooled on the history of hiphop or head to the basement where the mic is open for you to live out your rap fantasies. Queen of Hoxton (Shoreditch), £7, just turn up, 8pm-2am
Good cause of the day
Bikeworks is a not-for-profit enterprise in Bethnal Green on a mission change lives through the power of cycling. As well as their bicycle reuse centre and shop, they run a range of community cycling programmes, including an employment programme for disadvantaged groups and All Ability — inclusive cycling training for the whole community.
