What we're reading:
- This London bench absorbs as much pollution as 275 trees.
- Could the capital lose its creative crown due to increasing rents?
- In pictures: St Paddy's Day parade 2018.
- London Gothic: student photography that brings out the city's dark side.
Things to do:
BEST FOOT FORWARD: Adidas is celebrating the launch of its stadium-concept store at Westfield London with a day of events, including shoe customisation and a lace bar masterclasses, courtesy of artists and style experts. Westfield London (Shepherd's Bush), free, just turn up, 11am-7.30pm
RED RIDING HOOD: What if the Big Bad Wolf wasn’t so big or bad at all? Find out in this magical retelling of the classic fairy tale and meet two misfits who just want to fit in. Suitable for ages 7+. Bernie Grants Art Centre (Tottenham Green), from £7, book ahead, 1.30pm/5pm
SPRING RITES: Banish bad memories of the Beast from the East 2.0 with a visit to St Christopher's Spring Garden. They're marking the equinox with a floral time-lapse video installation that reveals the beauty of blossoms from seedlings to full bloom. St Christopher's Place (Bond Street), free, just turn up, 4pm-8pm, until 25 March
DICKENSIAN DISCOVERIES: Tracing the traumatic twists of Charles Dickens' formative years in Old Borough, this guided walk explores the hidden aspects of Victorian London that gave rise to one of the greatest ever literary imaginations. Borough station, £6, book ahead, 6pm-8pm
TEMPORARY TATTOOS: Get inked at Drink, Shop & Do's pop-up parlour for transfer tattoos. Your dream design is free when you buy a drink, so it's the perfect excuse to treat yourself to a cocktail while creating a work of (body) art. Drink, Shop & Do (King's Cross), free, just turn up, from 6pm
BALTIC STATES: Architecture practices from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia discuss social housing, urbanism and the impact of redeveloping Eastern Europe's Soviet-era infrastructure as part of the Europa talk series. RIBA (Portland Place), from £6.50, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
LEECHES: Alt-rockers LEECHES perform their debut EP Strange Bonds tonight. This Dorset-based band promise infectious pop hooks with a generous helping of whimsy. Self-proclaimed pioneers of ritualised sleaze Ezekial Doo will also be making an appearance. The Social (Little Portland Street), £3, just turn up, 7pm-midnight
ASSASSINS: Stephen Sondheim's musical exploration of the men who, across 152 years, have tried to take down eight US presidents opens a limited three-week run. Can pulling the trigger on the leader of free world ever solve its problems? The Pleasance Theatre (Islington), £18, book ahead, 7.30pm, until 8 April
HOXTON HYSTERIA: It's the first birthday of Hysterical, the Vagina Museum's raucous comedy show. Samantha Baines headlines, with support including Ahir Shah, Rachel Wheely, and perhaps the world's only trombonist comedian, Faye Tracey. All proceeds will go towards building the first physical museum dedicated to female genitalia. The Queen of Hoxton (Shoreditch), from £6, book ahead, 7.30pm
LA BELLE ET LA BETE: Taking inspiration from Jean Cocteau's 1946 cinematic retelling of Beauty and the Beast, a parade of performance artists will converge on Conway Hall. Expect circus acts, spoken word and live art from the fresh young talent of The Conway Collective. Conway Hall (Holborn), from £5, book ahead, 7.30pm-9pm
Good cause of the day
Second Shot Coffee in Bethnal Green is tackling perceptions of homelessness one espresso at a time. This East End coffee shop trains and employs people affected by homelessness while operating a pay-it-forward system that gives customers the opportunity to cover the cost of a hot drink or snack for a person living on the streets.
