What we're reading:
- London defies restaurant meltdown with huge number of new openings.
- A two-wheeled tour on the trail of London's most pioneering women.
- How is the size of your home affecting your health and happiness?
- Why plastic has been named material of the year at London Design Festival.
- Royal Albert Hall gets a Hollywood-style walk of fame.
Things to do:
ACKROYD'S ETCHINGS: British printmaker and Royal Academician Norman Ackroyd has been creating his iconic etchings for seven decades. Seeing them all would take all day, so Eames Fine Art has selected some favourites for your viewing pleasure, as well as some never-before-seen watercolours. Eames Fine Art (Bermondsey), free, just turn up, 11am-6pm, until 30 September
STEAM TUG TRIP: Enjoy a voyage on a 1927 authentic coal-fired vessel, as the Portwey steam tug chugs its way into St Katharine Docks for the Classic Boat Festival. If you're not a regular boatsman, it's also a rare chance to experience the working of a lock (more interesting than it sounds, honest). Departs from West India Dock, £25, book ahead, 9.30am-11.30am
MORBID ANATOMIES: Feeling squeamish? You will be after this drawing tour. Those with a penchant for the macabre are invited to join London Drawing Group in sketching the shrunken heads of fallen enemies, as well as tiny erotic sculptures and anatomical oddities from Sir Henry Wellcome's fascinating collection. The Wellcome Collection (Euston), £26, book ahead, 11am-4pm, until 9 September
INDIAN SUMMER KITCHEN: Taste the vibrant flavours of South India with food historian and chef Monisha Bharadwaj. She'll be manning the stove at Borough Market's demo kitchen, with treats including lemon rice, salmon moilee, and green peas thoran. Borough Market, free, just turn up, 1pm-2.30pm
MOTHERHOOD, MOURNING, MUSIC: Learn about the experiences of mothers bereaved during the first world war at a highly charged evening of musical performance. Through newly-composed pieces by acclaimed violinist Clare Connors and powerful readings, this overlooked aspect of war will be thrown into sharp relief. Senate House (Bloomsbury), free, book ahead, 6.30pm-7.30pm
Londonist beer is coming...
... And you're invited to our launch party next weekend. It's no secret that we're massive fans of craft beer here at Londonist. That's why we've teamed up with one of our favourite local breweries, Fourpure, to create our own deliciously hoppy tribute to London — and we want you to be one of the first to sample it. So head down to Fourpure Brewery on Sunday 16 September for our launch party. There will be live music, prizes to be won, and the chance to get to know some of the faces behind the bylines. Intrigued? Find out more here, or book your tickets.
JULIE: August Strinberg's play Miss Julie gets a 21st century rewrite courtesy of Polly Stenham. See The Crown's Vanessa Kirby light up the stage in the titular role in this screening, broadcast live from the National Theatre. Barbican Cinema (and other venues), £20, book ahead, 7pm
HANDLEBARDS: The women's troupe of the world's first cycling theatre company pedals into Clerkenwell for an all-female production of Romeo and Juliet at the gorgeous, historic Charterhouse. Expect romance, tragedy, and maybe a wheelie or two. The Charterhouse (Clerkenwell), £15, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
BRITISH HUMOUR: Identity, assimilation and Brexit are put under the microscope by a diverse line up of comics who explore how we feel about Britishness today. Featured acts include Sophie Duker and Pierre Novellie. Jewish Museum (Camden), £10, book ahead, 7pm-9.30pm
ROCKABILLY RAVE: Join all-female Japanese rock trio The 5.6.7.8's for an intimate gig to mark the upcoming release of motorbike combat video game Steel Rats. As well as a chance to play the game, there's free food, free drink, and a DJ set celebrating all things rockabilly. What's more, all ticket proceeds go to charity. Roadtrip & The Workshop (Old Street), £6, book ahead, 7pm-11.30pm
THE JULIET LETTERS: Fans of Elvis Costello's genre-blurring album The Juliet Letters won't want to miss this live show from the acclaimed Sacconi Quartet and singer-songwriter Jon Boden. They've joined forces to breath new life into Costello's series of imaginary letters sent to Shakespeare's ill-fated Juliet. Bussey Building (Peckham), £13/£15, book ahead, 7.30pm
Good cause of the day
Mark the centenary of the last 100 days of the first world war with a poignant gala concert. Sir Karl Jenkins will be conducting his internationally acclaimed work The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace at Central Hall in Westminster. All proceeds will go to three mental health charities that support military veterans — Help for Heroes, Combat Stress, and Heads Together. Oh, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be in attendance.
