Things to do
LONDON FROM THE ROOFTOPS: We're huge fans of Instagram account @londonfromtherooftops, so we're thrilled that photographer James Burns is displaying his work in a free exhibition. The stunning shots on show date from the last decade, showcasing the changes to London's skyline over this time. The Steelyard (Cannon Street), free entry, just turn up, 19-21 November
POLAR EXPLORATION: A new exhibition charting the history of polar exploration opens today. Photos, medals, equipment and other memorabilia dating back 200 years are on display, telling the stories of explorers including Lawrence Oates, Robert Falcon Scott, Ernest Shackleton and Henry Worsley. Spink (Bloomsbury), free entry, just turn up, 19-24 November
ESCAPE FROM PLANET TRASH: LGBTQ+ collective Sink The Pink launches its new show, Escape From Planet Trash. Set in 2050, and featuring comedy, aliens, drag queens and giant space spiders, it's the story of a planet that's become the dumping ground for the universe. Pleasance Theatre (Islington), from £20, book ahead, 19 November-22 December
COLLECTION HANDLING: Learn about some of the treasures in Fulham Palace's collections, and get hands-on with a few of them at this special open morning. The collections and research officer is on hand to tell you more about the objects, covering everything from Roman archaeological finds to postcards. Fulham Palace, free, just turn up, 11am-12pm
LUNCHTIME CONCERT: Lauderdale House's resident pianist Stephen Hose performs a free lunchtime concert, open to anyone who wants to do something different on their lunch break. It takes place in the rather lovely Long Gallery, with views over the gardens of Waterlow Park. Lauderdale House (Highgate), free, just turn up, 1.15pm
FILM TOURS: East London's beautiful Wilton's Music Hall has been used as a filming location for several films and TV shows. Take a film tour to find out about on-location recordings for scenes from Muppets Most Wanted, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, The Krays, The Great McGonagall and more. After the 50-minute tour, there's time to ask your questions in a Q&A session. Wilton's (Limehouse), £10, book ahead, 4pm
CARBON OFFSETTING: Is offsetting carbon emissions once they've been created acceptable? Is it better than doing nothing at all? In an ideal world, we wouldn't be creating any carbon emissions, but this isn't an ideal world, so a panel of experts comes together to discuss how we can do things better. The Building Centre (Fitzrovia), free, book ahead, 6pm-8pm
LOUIS THEROUX: Watch new film, The Amazing Johnathan Documentary, about subversive magician/comedian John Edward Szeles, AKA Amazing Johnathan, who was given a year to live but is still with us three years later. The screening is followed by a live satellite Q&A with director Ben Berman and Louis Theroux. Bertha DocHouse (Bloomsbury), £12.50/£10, book ahead, 6.15pm
THE PEOPLE'S ART CRITIC: Londonist's Visual Arts Editor Tabish Khan is the latest guest in the Courtauld Institute's lecture series by people involved in the art world. Hear him talk about his work in and knowledge of the London art scene — he visits hundreds of exhibitions a year, covering miles and miles across the city every week, so it's safe to say that he knows his stuff. The Courtauld Institute, £6, book ahead, 6.30pm-8.30pm
HOT:SECOND: Concept store Hot:Second opens its east London pop-up store with a launch party tonight. In its four-day run, the pop-up aims to save 500 garments from going to landfill by encouraging people to swap an unwanted item of physical clothing for 'digital fashion garments'. Protein Studios (Shoreditch), free entry, book ahead, 7pm-10pm
SELECTIVE BREEDING: For generations, humans have been selectively breeding animals, even before we knew the science behind it. Hear from an expert about how it is done, as well as a discussion about the ethical implications of manipulating animal genetics for our own benefit. Rotate (Shoreditch), £12, book ahead, 7.30pm-9.30pm (sponsor)
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
You'd be forgiven for thinking that the central section of the Elizabeth line was about to open, given how prominent the signs are becoming. This massive glowing roundel is now on show outside the new Long Lane entrance to Farringdon station, while the signage below is from Moorgate. The line, also known as Crossrail, was due to open in December 2018. The current estimated opening date is 'as soon as practicably possible in 2021' — which could be two years away.
Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
There's still time to sign up for the London Santa Dash in Brockwell Park on 8 December, raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity. Don a Santa suit (provided when you sign up) and walk or run 5k or 10k around the park, with a mince pie and mulled drink waiting for you at the end. Find out more and sign up.
What we're reading
- Tube passengers exit through driver's cab when doors fail to open.
- Apparently London has a secret bar, only accessible to spies.
- How Mary Poppins has changed for the stage.
- Royal Parks is looking at bringing in restrictions on driving through the parks.
