What we're reading:
- What Hackney's licensing dispute says about its attitude to nightlife.
- Royal Victoria Docks tests the waters on making 'pilot' lido permanent.
- In need of a digital detox? London City Airport has launched a phone amnesty.
- Why fried chicken shops are essential spaces for young people.
Things to do:
SIR RICHARD WALLACE: You've probably heard of the Wallace Collection, but what about its namesake and founder? Discover who Sir Richard Wallace was through an exhibition of his own dazzling treasures, amassed from all over the globe. The Wallace Collection (Marylebone), free, just turn up, until 6 January 2019
SILVER LAKE DRIVE: With her technicolour palette and highly stylised compositions, Alex Prager's photography will make you feel like you've stepped into an Alfred Hitchcock film. You wouldn't guess that her much-praised work hails from the 21st century if not for her Bryce Dallas Howard-starring and Gary Oldman-narrated short film installations. The Photographers' Gallery (Soho), £4, book ahead, 10am-6pm, until 14 October
LOST BOX OF STORIES: Discover how hippos came to Britain, died out, and were ultimately rediscovered in a kid-friendly show that combines music, storytelling and theatre. Fantastic for budding zoologists. Kings Place (King's Cross), £7.50-£9.50, book ahead, 12pm/2pm
CREATIVE NIGHTS: Poetry collective Chill Pill are popping into neon-hued The Parlour at Sketch for a night of music and spoken word from London's most exciting new wordsmiths. Tonight's line up includes Charly Cox, Misha B, and Mr Gee. Sketch (Mayfair), just turn up, 6pm-10pm
SOUNDSYSTEM PARTY: As part of a new installation celebrating London's soundsystem culture, uber cool music broadcasting platform Boiler Room has invited Channel One Sound System selector Tudor Lion to host its latest party at Somerset House Studios. Free, book ahead, 7pm
COMEDY: Luke Poulton is a comedian. He also happens to be autistic. In his new stand up show, You Don't Look Autistic, he chats about everything from living with autism to his love of bad films, with some sketches and character comedy thrown into the mix. Etcetera Theatre (Camden), £5, book ahead, 8.30pm
THELMA AND LOUISE: Enjoy an evening of empowering cinema as part of the City's Women: Work and Power season. See the ultimate American roadtrip movie, Thelma and Louise, starring the eternally fabulous Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon, at the site of London's Roman amphitheatre. Guildhall Yard, £15, book ahead, 8.45pm
MEMORY SOLDIER: When you're living between two realities, can life carry on like before? That's the question posed by Memory Soldier, which explores the harsh realities of PTSD through the lens of a man returning home from war. Camden People's Theatre (Camden), £8, book ahead, 9pm
Good cause of the day
Take on the Rope for Hope and abseil down the edge of the UK's tallest sculpture — the ArcelorMittal Orbit. The brilliant Make A Wish Foundation asks that you raise a minimum of £300 in sponsorship funds, but you've got plenty of time — you won't be making the 262 foot descend until 20 October.
