What we’re reading
- The London Living Wage is going up.
- A train derailed near Wimbledon early on Monday morning.
- Dividing lines between rich and poor on London's bus routes revealed in interactive map.
- Fantastic footage of Croydon market in 1963.
- Meet the 20-somethings priced out of London.
Things to do
VR ARCADE: When 2017 gets a bit too much, grab your mates and escape to this pop up virtual reality arcade and licensed bar in Old Street. Unit 8, Old Street Station, £10, book ahead, 11am-11pm, until 18 November
OXFORD ST LIGHTS: Nothing says Christmas like a Christmas light switch on. Rita Ora is doing the honours this evening. The snowflake-inspired decorations use 750,000 LED light bulbs. Oxford Street, free, just turn up, 5pm-11pm
GUARDIAN SHORTS: Human trafficking, migrating crabs and terrorism in suburbia are some of the subjects explored in this screening of five short documentaries, commissioned by the Guardian. Bertha DocHouse (Bloomsbury), £9/£7, book ahead, 6.20pm-8.20pm
DIRECTED BY WOMEN: See a screening of American Psycho, one of 52 films screened this year as part of the cinema's #DirectedbyWomen2017 season. Genesis Cinema (Mile End), free, book ahead, 6.30pm-8.30pm
RIBA LATE: Inspired by Pablo Bronstein's pseudo-Georgian architecture, RIBA has curated a late around the question: Have we reached peak pastiche? Expect talks, a life drawing marathon, and a spot the difference game with Georgian and Neo-Georgian buildings. RIBA (Portland Place), free, just turn up, 6pm-10pm
CYCLE TALK: Interested in how cycling affects mental health? Join this panel discussion in which avid cyclists share their experiences and advice. Look Mum No Hands (Old Street), free, book ahead, 6.30pm
AUTHOR TALK: Hear Bailey's Prize-winning Ali Smith (author of How To Be Both and Autumn) chat about her newest novel, Winter, which will no doubt be a well-received Christmas gift for a fellow bookworm. Foyles (Charing Cross Road), £21.82/£9.01, book ahead, 7pm-8pm
CANDELABRA MAKING: Exposed pipework is in, as the interior of any Shoreditch bar will tell you. At this workshop, you'll learn enough metal work techniques to create your own copper candelabra. Fancy. Dead Dolls House (Islington), £55, book ahead, 7pm-9.30pm
POETRY SLAM: Bursting with poems, songs or rap and need a welcoming platform for your words? There are eight open mic slots available tonight, and the winner gets to open next month's slam. Also on the mic tonight are Birmingham rap artist TrueMendous and Brighton freestyle MC Gramski. The Book Club (Shoreditch), £5.69, book ahead, 7.30pm-11pm
THE BLUE HOUR: Natalie Barney was certainly the hostess with the mostess — her lovers were the most beautiful women of the era, her friends the most celebrated artists and writers of the 20th century. This production, set in her Paris salon, tells her story. Arcola Theatre, £17/£14, book ahead, 8pm, until 11 November
Good cause of the day: auction against hunger
Foodies: get your hands on a ticket to this gourmet dining event, hosted by model Daisy Lowe, with all proceeds going to Action Against Hunger. Tuck into specially prepared dishes and get ready to bid on some impressive auction offerings. Borough Market, £60, book ahead, 6.30pm-11pm
404
