Things to do
ANTS IN LONDON: Bring your magnifying glass to the exhibition launch of Ants In London. South African artist Lorraine Loots specialises in miniature paintings — about the size of a 1p coin — and shows off 900 of the works, created over a six year period. 20 never-seen-before pieces, known as 'the London Collection' go on display for the first time. Espacio Gallery (Shoreditch), free, just turn up, from 6pm (until 9 June)
RISE AND RUN: Take part in a free early morning 5k run, part of a running group that meets every month. All paces and levels are welcome, and there's free storage for your valuables while you take part. Glaziers Hall (London Bridge), free, book ahead, 7am-8am
STEAM TRAIN: We're absolutely chuffed to announce that today's the day a new steam train service launches between Waterloo station and Windsor. Every Tuesday throughout the summer, Vintage Pullman coaches are pulled by Mayflower, an original British Rail engine built in 1948. Feeling flush? Splash out on a champagne brunch in the dining carriages. Departs from Waterloo station (it's a one-way trip), £35-£85, book ahead, 8am/11.15am/2.05pm
TUG OF WAR: Think war has broken out in Parliament? You ain't seen nothing yet. Tonight's the annual House of Lords vs. House of Commons tug of war, with members of each house going up against each other in the finale of a fundraising evening for Macmillan Cancer Care. It's a garden party-style event, with food and drink, live music, and various teams going head-to-head throughout the evening. Westminster Abbey College Gardens, £75 to spectate, book ahead, 5.30pm
TREATY OF VERSAILLES: 100 years since the Treaty of Versailles was signed, professor of history Margaret MacMillan takes a look at its lasting effect. It was intended to ensure there would never be another war like the first world war, and MacMillan questions whether it failed, and whether it was ultimately responsible for the outbreak of the second world war. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm
LGBTQ CULTURE: Amelia Abraham, author of Queer Intentions: A (Personal) Journey Through LGBTQ+ Culture, discusses the new-found rights of LGBTQ+ people in the west — such as same-sex marriage — and questions whether they're all they're cracked up to be. She also considers people left behind in parts of the world where LGBTQ+ rights aren't so advanced. Waterstones Gower Street, £10/£8, book ahead, 6.30pm
ARTIST'S TALK: Londonist art critic Tabish Khan hosts an evening of art and conversation with artist Joseph Benoit, whose current digital photography exhibition Two is on display at the venue. HIX Art (beneath Tramshed, Shoreditch), free, book ahead, 6.30pm-7.30pm
LAVENDER HILL MOB: As part of Wandsworth Heritage Festival, Sue Demont talks about the women of Lavender Hill. Find out how future Labour MP Caroline Ganley and the Lavender Hill Women's Co-operative Guild kept the women of Battersea entertained between the wars, when time and money were scarce. Battersea Library, free, book ahead, 6.30pm-8pm
WAR AND PEACE: Hear first world war tales of those who fought, those who refused to fight, and those left behind, in an evening of music, storytelling and song. Singer-songwriters Findlay Napier, Bella Hardy and Greg Russell host this commemoration of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. Heath Street Baptist Church (Hampstead), £14, book ahead, 7.30pm
HISTORY SHOWOFF: Historians, archaeologists, museum experts, geographers and comedians all take part in History Showoff, a cabaret-style evening of jokes and stories from the past. It's part of the UCL Festival of Culture programme — check out what else is on this week. UCL (Gower Street), £5, book ahead, 7.30pm-10pm
POETRY COLLECTIVE: The Poetry Collective Showcase is a chance to see emerging young poets and spoken word artists live on stage, each performing their own original work. It's part of The Last Word festival, which runs until 22 June. Roundhouse (Camden), £5, book ahead, 8pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
My roundel of the week is this little number, on show at Leicester Square's Lego Store (and that's even a good stab at a Johnston typeface). Follow Barry Heck on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
Book ahead for Sunday's 18th century masquerade event, which raises money for the Museum of Soho. Entertainment is provided by the Georgian Dining Academy, including games, songs, talks, plus a glass of punch on arrival and the option to buy a ticket for a Georgian buffet supper in the candlelit dining room. Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- Sainsbury's in Bethnal Green is launching a meat-free butcher's counter.
- Residents fight plans for new concrete plant near the Olympic Park.
- Photos of the Welbeck Street car park before its demolition.
- A historian who wrote a book about the lives of Jack the Ripper's victims has received abuse and trolling over her work.
