Things to do
THE BROWNIE CLUB: Aerial circus, physical theatre and spoken word combine in The Brownie Club, a show which looks at women of colours’ experiences of racism, and when and how they choose to respond to it. Jacksons Lane (Highgate), £10-£14, book ahead, 1-4 May
JURASSIC PARK: Could a Jurassic Park type scenario happen in real life? Babble Talks is a series of lectures on a variety of topics, aimed at parents with young babies, but not about parenthood. Today, Dr Susie Maidment of the Natural History Museum explores the science behind Jurassic Park, and advances in our understanding of the palaeobiology of dinosaurs. Tara Theatre (Earlsfield), £12.50, book ahead, 12pm
LAUGHING MATTERS: Join the V&A’s Senior Curator Simon Sladen as he introduces a new display in the British Galleries of the museum, exploring comedy’s impact on society. Laughing Matters links the 40th anniversary of the British alternative comedy scene with the fact that Britain leaves the EU this year. V&A Museum (South Kensington), free, just turn up, 1pm-1.45pm
ENFIELD TOWN: Queen Elizabeth I, and writers John Keats and Charles Lamb all have links to Enfield. Hear more about the area’s history — including its mention in the Domesday Book — at this lecture. Society of Genealogists (Islington), £8, book ahead, 2pm-3pm
UFOS: Find out how Ministry of Defence UFO files provide insight into the public’s perception of the Cold War and technological advances, as well as extra-terrestrial life. The National Archives’ UFO expert Keith Mitchell gives this talk about strange objects in the sky. National Archives (Kew), £5/£4, book ahead, 2pm-3pm
A MIDWIFE'S STORY: Leah Hazard, an NHS midwife, has written a book about her experiences on the frontline in our health service, covering the joy, grief and nitty-gritty of it all. Hear her talk about the book, and some of her more memorable patients. Alleyn’s School (East Dulwich), £10/£8, book ahead, 7.30pm
POETRY LATES: South Korean poets Kim Hyesoon and Don Mee Choi are the subject of tonight’s National Poetry Library Lates. Hear them chat to poet, translator and playwright Sasha Dugdale about their work. Southbank Centre, £10, book ahead, 8pm
REBELS AND HEROES: Storytelling experts Crick Crack Club bring tales of rebels and heroes to east London. From the masks of fairytale mysteries, to the tropes of Hollywood Blockbusters, hear stories to make you realise that perceptions of heroes and villains all come down to whose side you’re on. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £12, book ahead, 8pm
JAZZ AGE: Get an insight into jazz age jewellery. Sotheby's jewellery specialist Justin Roberts looks at the influences on Art Deco jewellery from Modernism, Cubism, China, India, Africa and Egypt in a talk — supper tickets have already sold out, but tickets for the lecture are still available. Strawberry Hill House (Twickenham), £15, book ahead, 8.15pm
DEAF COMEDY: Comedian Ray Bradshaw was raised by two deaf parents, a fact which forms the basis of his show, Deaf Comedy Fam. Impressively, he performs it in spoken English and British Sign Language simultaneously, and tonight’s your last chance to catch its current run. Soho Theatre, from £16.50, book ahead, 8.30pm
CABARET F*CKABOUT: International cabaret stars go a bit off-piste at the Great Bit Cabaret F*ckabout. Some try routines and concepts they've never performed before, while others switch genres completely for the night. Expect the unexpected and you won't be disappointed. Underbelly Festival (South Bank), from £14, book ahead, 9.30pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
The best sign on the whole rail network? (This is City Thameslink, and there’s another at Farringdon.)
Follow Barry Heck on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
Comedians including Ed Gamble, Lou Sanders and Rhys James gather in Hackney tonight for a performance raising money to support African farmers. Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- Sainsbury's launches a till-free supermarket in Holborn.
- Passers-by gather to watch concert pianist performing on St Pancras pianos.
- The British Museum has acquired 73 drawings by Damien Hirst.
- First Caledonian Sleeper train arrives in London three hours late.
