Things to do
AFFORDABLE ART FAIR: Get your mitts on some new artworks at the Affordable Art Fair, where thousands of original contemporary pieces from all over the world are on display, and available to buy. Workshops, talks and tours for art lovers also take place. East Heath Road (Hampstead), £8-£25, book ahead, 9-12 May
WIMBLEDON ART FAIR: Local artists and makers open their private studios to the public for four days for the Wimbledon Art Fair. Meet painters, illustrators, photographers, ceramicists and other artists working in south-west London, get an insight into how they work, and buy work direct from them, cutting out the usual commission charges. Wimbledon Art Studios, free, book ahead, 9-12 May
MED LONDON: The organisers of Med London aim to get the public interested in all aspects of medicine, through four days of exhibitions, talks, tours and other events. Highlights include medicinal plant tours, a walking tour of medical Soho, and a closer look at emergency service vehicles. Various locations and prices, book ahead, 9-12 May
SECRETS OF WHITEHALL: For just one street, Whitehall has a lot of hidden history and fascinating facts. Join this walking tour to find out more, including who mows the grass on the roof of Admiralty Citadel, and why just one painting was left on display in the National Gallery in the Second World War. Whitehall (location revealed on booking), £12/£5, book ahead, 2.30pm-5pm (sponsor)
LABOUR'S FORGOTTEN WOMEN: Author and Labour Women's Network member Nan Sloane talks about the women who were involved in the founding and early days of the Labour party. Despite their contributions to the party's earliest campaigns, many have been forgotten or erased from history books... until now. LSE (Holborn), free, just turn up, 6.30pm-8pm
BOMB TO BEATLES: The Festival of Britain, mini skirts and the Rolling Stones — just some of the cultural and social developments that came about in the 20 years following the Second World War. Juliet Gardiner discusses the huge changes from the restricted culture of 1945 to the dawn of heady freedoms in the 1960s. National Archives (Kew), £12-£15, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
DREAMS OF A LIFE: Watch 2011 film Dreams Of A Life, which looks at how we remember others after their deaths in the contemporary urban environment. It focuses specifically on the case of Joyce Vincent, who died in her north London flat in 2003, but wasn't found for three years. Geffrye Museum (Hoxton), £10/£8, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
THE CRAFT OF GAMES: The William Morris Gallery stays open late for an evening looking into the craft of creating video games. Hear from experts including Sophia George, former V&A games designer in residence, and Roisin Inglesby, curator at William Morris Gallery. There's also live music from composers and percussionists Louise Anna and Zands Duggan who create soundtracks for games. William Morris Gallery (Walthamstow), £12/£8, book ahead, 7pm-9.30pm
GIN AND SWING: Get your 1940s glad rags on for an evening of gin tasting and swing dancing. The pop-up Gin Jamboree bar offers a selection of 50 gins, and Swing Patrol run beginners' dance lessons, to a soundtrack of Tricity Vogue and the All Girl Swing Band. Age 18+. RAF Museum (Hendon), £5, book ahead, 7pm-10pm
SARA PASCOE: Comedian Sara Pascoe headlines tonight's Plosive Comedy show, supported by Harry Hill, Absolute Radio host Alun Cochrane, Taskmaster’s Lou Sanders and Live at the Apollo star Darren Harriott. Earth (Hackney), £17, book ahead, 8pm-11pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
Here's Covent Garden station, but something doesn't quite look right.
Has the station installed platform edge doors? What's that painting at the end of the platform? Where are all the tourists? This Covent Garden is not in London, but Shropshire. It's one of several glazed mock-ups at the Jackfield Tile Museum, part of the Ironbridge World Heritage Site. The familiar glazed tiles of the London underground were often made at this site.
Good cause of the day
Book ahead for the Love Life Fashion Charity Gala, taking place in Stratford on Saturday. Tickets include a drinks reception, silent auction, food, live entertainment and more, all raising money to combat knife crime. Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- Eurostar is to stop selling direct tickets from London to Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
- Wheelchair user refused access to London bus, but other passengers are allowed on.
- Could these 'street tree pods' alleviate London's housing problems?
- Smithfield traders say moving to Barking will have a profound effect on business.
