Things to do
IMAGINE CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL: A family favourite every year, Imagine Children's Festival returns for half term. Southbank Centre brings together authors, performers and other celebrities for events focused on kids' literature. Theatre shows, music workshops and plenty of other activities are all part of the fun — and plenty of the events are free. Southbank Centre, various prices, book ahead, 12-23 February
FANFARE: A free exhibition of playful, musical works by Nevin Aladağ opens today. Fanfare is Aladağ ’s first solo show in the UK, and showcases recent artworks that explore sound, rhythm and music, including video works and sculptures. Hayward Gallery, free, just turn up, 12 February-13 April
LUNCHTIME LECTURE: The towns of Dehua and Jingdezhen in China are known for their ceramics history. Hear from ceramicists Felicity Aylieff, Lucille Lewin and Peter Ting about their experiences in the towns and the people involved with the craft there. V&A Museum (South Kensington), free, just turn up, 1pm-1.45pm
SOUTH LONDON CEMETERIES: A look at the cemeteries of south London is offered by historian Brian Parsons. He uses photos of some of the memorials to illustrate his talk about the history of the graveyards, and offers tips for gaining access to burial records, for anyone interested in tracing their own family history. Society of Genealogists (Islington), £8, book ahead, 2pm-3pm
BREXIT AND CONSTITUTION: When Britain entered the EU in 1973, it had major consequences for the British constitution. Find out what the constitutional consequences of Brexit might be, with power shifting from Brussels to Westminster. Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (Russell Square), free, book ahead, 6pm-8.30pm
VALENTINE'S LATE: Stay late at the Royal College of Nursing for a Valentine's event on the theme of open hearts and racing pulses. Play surgical Top Trumps, join a mystery treasure hunt, and hear short talks on the often surprising history of emotions in surgical care. See what other Valentine's events are taking place in London this week. Royal College of Nursing (Cavendish Square), free, book ahead, 6pm-9pm
Lucy Farrell and Andrew Waite perform live in ClerkenwellPHILOSOPHY OF LOVE ACTUALLY: The philosophy of rom com films is the subject of a special panel debate, which looks at the lessons we can learn from the likes of Roman Holiday, Bringing Up Baby and Love Actually. Participants include film critic Robert Hanks and senior lecturer in film studies, Catherine Wheatley. LSE (Holborn), free, just turn up, 6.30pm-8pm
PARALLEL LIVES: Daunt Books hosts authors Francesca Wade and Rebecca Mead to discuss new Daunt publication, Parallel Lives by Phyllis Rose. The book examines five literary Victorian partnerships, from Charles Dickens’ disastrous marriage to Catherine Hogarth to George Eliot’s joyful and unwed union with George Henry Lewes. Daunt Books (Marylebone), £10, book ahead, 7pm
SLEEP AND REST: New Scientist hosts circadian neuroscientist Russell Foster for an insight into the science of sleep and rest. We spend a third of our lives asleep, but scientists know relatively little about it. Find out why this is, as well as the consequences of not getting enough sleep. Conway Hall (Holborn), £27, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
POP CRIMES: The life and work of Australian rock musician Rowland S Howard is celebrated, 10 years after the release of his final album. Former bandmates and special guests including Mick Harvey, JP Shilo, Harry Howard and Genevieve McGucki perform some of his tracks. Southbank Centre, £15-£40, book ahead, 7.30pm
LIVE MUSIC: Folk duo Lucy Farrell and Andrew Waite are on tour following the release of their album at the end of last year. Catch them in Clerkenwell for a gig with traditional ballad influences, and undertones of jazz, funk and classical genres. The Slaughtered Lamb (Clerkenwell), £12, book ahead, 8pm
London weather with Inclement Attlee
Our idiosyncratic weather forecaster returns, keeping you up to date on London's skies.
They say that a broken clock is right twice a day. What about a broken barometer? This one at Sudbury Town — the only public barometer on the underground network, I believe — seems to be constantly fixed on 'Changeable'. I don't know if that's because it's lodged in that position, or if it's a reflection of our city's ever-changeable weather. In any case, today is set to be a mix of sun, cloud, wind and possible rain. Changeable, in other words.
Contact Mr Attlee with any weather-related thoughts or pictures by emailing [email protected]; subject line "For Mr Attlee".
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
Wednesday = puzzle day. Which station am I pretending to stand outside, from this Google street view screengrab? For a change, I'm actually facing the station today, rather than turn my back on it. The first person to tweet @HeckTube with the correct answer wins a carpet beetle (dead).
Good cause of the day
Book ahead for Saturday's Hip Hop Saved My Valentine fancy dress party. It's hosted by comedian Romesh Ranganathan, takes place at Omeara, and raises money for CALM - Campaign Against Living Miserably. Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- London's e-scooter gold rush will only worsen the transport chaos.
- Well that's one way to get an art masterpiece up on your bedroom wall.
- St Paul's Cathedral is getting a permanent accessible entrance.
- Plans to banish buses from outside Victoria station.
