Things to do
SEAFOOD FESTIVAL: Tuck into all manner of fish at London Seafood Festival. Events take place all week, including special meals and menus, masterclasses, film screenings and a brewery tour. It all culminates in a free entry festival on the banks of the Thames this weekend. Battersea Power Station, free entry (charge and booking required for special events), 12-16 June
KALEIDOSCOPE: New photography exhibition Kaleidoscope focuses on identity and immigration in modern Britain. Ten photographers born and based in Britain, with family links abroad, showcase work demonstrating what being an immigrant means to them. Somerset House, free, just turn up, 12 June-8 September
KISS MY GENDERS: Hayward Gallery brings together 30 artists who've looked at gender fluidity, non-binary, trans and intersex identities over the last 50 years, for highly current exhibition Kiss My Genders, which opens today. Hayward Gallery (Southbank Centre), £14, booking recommended, 12 June-8 September
ZIP NOW LONDON: A 225m long zip wire opens near the Thames today, taking up residence for the summer. There are four lines side by side, meaning up to four people can race at once. You’ve just got to climb up 10 storeys worth or stairs first… Archbishop’s Park, £30, book ahead, 12 June-15 September
THE COLOUR PALACE: You’ll be seeing it all over Instagram this summer — The Colour Palace is unveiled in Dulwich today. The work of Pricegore architects and designer Yinka Ilori, the 10m high psychedelic cube combines West African and European influences, and will host events throughout the summer. Dulwich Picture Gallery, free, just turn up, 12 June-22 September
DRIVERLESS CARS: Driverless passenger vehicles may be a way off yet, but that’s not stopping Science Museum from dedicating a whole, free exhibition to them. Learn what the current situation is with autonomous vehicles, what the future may hold, and the ethics behind it all. Science Museum (South Kensington), free, just turn up, 12 June-October 2020
LONDON’S VILLAGES: Chelsea was the heart of the London of the swinging sixties, and has been home to poets, philosophers, artists, and at least one saint. Learn a bit more about the history of SW1W and surrounds in this illustrated talk. Society of Genealogists (Islington), £8, book ahead, 2pm-3pm
PITCH PERFECT: Cross your fingers that the rain holds off for a free, open-air screening of Pitch Perfect 3 in Paddington. Deckchairs and blankets are provided on a first come, first served basis and food is available to buy from traders nearby. Merchant Square (Paddington), free, just turn up, 5.30pm-7.30pm
AMERICAN POLITICS: Political commentator Carol Gould offers an insight into current American politics ahead of the 2020 Presidential election. She talks race relations, international affairs, and press freedom. Benjamin Franklin House (Charing Cross), £6, book ahead, 6.30pm
THE PSYCHIC PROJECT: 100,000 pages of recently declassified documents were used to create The Psychic Project, a mind-reading theatre show based on the true story of the Cold War’s psychic spies. In 1972, when the USA learned that Russia was investing in mind-control research, it began its own secret project to train up civilians at psychic spices. Age 14+. The Vaults (Waterloo), £20/£16, book ahead, 7.30pm (until 22 June)
BRITAIN ON FILM: Watch a screening of archive footage dating between 1910-1986 showing the history of public protest in the UK. Events including striking coal miners and the Battle of Cable Street are represented, with a panel of experts taking part in a debate after the screening. Harris Academy South Norwood, £8.50/£7/£5, book ahead 7.45pm-10pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
Did you ever wonder what these blue-and-white labels are for? They are known as Station Area Identification Signs (SIDS) and are present at every tube station. The upper number denotes the level, while the larger number is a specific area or room on that level. The codes help the emergency services to navigate to the correct part of a station. More information can be found in our article.
Follow Barry Heck on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
Head to Cadogan Hall in Chelsea tonight for a musical concert raising money for the Hands Up Foundation, which funds aid projects in Syria. Find out more and book tickets.
What we’re reading
- Crossrail constructors could ask for more money to meet deadlines.
- Part of Finsbury Circus to be pedestrianised.
- The West End run of the Only Fools And Horses musical has been extended.
- UCL’s had a makeover for the Slade Graduate Show 2019.
