Things To Do Today In London: Wednesday 14 August 2019

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Watch Moulin Rouge for free at Southbank Centre

Things to do

POP UP PARK: London's jewellery quarter hosts a free pop-up park. Head to Hatton Garden for plenty of space (half the street will be car-free) to sit and chill out on your lunch break or after work, along with free yoga and gym classes, massages, food and drink. Hatton Garden, free, just turn up, 14-16 August

VINTAGE SALE: Bag yourself a bargain or two from the Beyond Retro vintage sale. The east London vintage store is selling off 20,000 vintage and one-off items over four days, with set prices for each item — and it's completely free to browse. Bussey Building (Peckham), free entry, just turn up, 14-18 August

V&A MARKET: For one day only, mushrooms grown as part of the V&A's Food: Bigger Than The Plate exhibition are used as ingredients at Borough Market. Turnips cooks them up into a mushroom and spelt risotto, with other activities going on throughout the day as part of a V&A pop-up. Borough Market, free entry, just turn up, 10am-5pm

Find out how couture fashion is created

COUTURE FASHION: Into all things couture? Museum conservator Gill Cochrane and guest curator Teresa Collenette offer a rare insight into couture construction, in an event aimed at fashion students and fans. Get a close-up look at how certain garments were made, and hear the stories behind them. Fashion & Textile Museum (Bermondsey), £30/£25, book ahead, 11.30am-1pm

UNDER GROUND LONDON: Take a tour of the current Under Ground London exhibition, led by a curator. Specific focus is on the work of Henry Mayhew, social researcher and reform campaigner who carried out a survey of the city's poor. London Metropolitan Archives (Clerkenwell), free, just turn up, 1pm-2pm

JACOBEAN THEATRE: Take a dive into the dark world of Jacobean theatre on a guided walk from The Old Operating Theatre to Shakespeare’s Globe. Find out about the history of public entertainment on Bankside, including themes of violence, death and moral corruption. Old Operating Theatre (London Bridge), £10, book ahead, 5pm-6.30pm

The mushrooms grown at a V&A exhibition are used in Borough Market. (c) V&A Museum, London

LONDON IS A FOREST: Paul Wood, author of London Is A Forest, gives a talk about the book, focusing specifically on six forest trails which lead from the edge of the capital to its centre. He also tackles the question of whether a city can ever really be a forest. Daunt Books (Hampstead), £5, book ahead, 6.45pm

GHOSTBUSTERS: Who you gonna call? Head to Canada Square Park for a free, open-air screening of 1984 film Ghostbusters, about a group of scientists who start a ghost extermination company. Bring a picnic blanket, and stock up on food and drink from nearby bars and restaurants. Canada Square Park (Canary Wharf), free, just turn up, 7pm

AUTHORS ON STAGE: National Theatre's Authors on Stage series continues with comedian Mae Martin, and Deborah Frances-White of the Guilty Feminist podcast, who discuss the topic of sexuality in the 21st century. They cover why we find the topic of sexuality so fraught, and the pros and cons of labelling our identities. National Theatre, £15-£45, book ahead, 7.30pm

MOULIN ROUGE: Get your Sparkling Diamonds on and head for this free outdoor screening of musical film Moulin Rouge, about a singer at the famous Parisian nightclub. The film is powered by Electric Pedals, so hop on one of the static bikes and get pedalling to do your bit. Southbank Centre, free, just turn up, 8.45pm

Tube ponderings with Barry Heck

Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.

I had cause to be in the Bank area a few days ago. Imagine my delight to stumble across this underground-themed bench, just in front of the Royal Exchange. The multicoloured seat is part of the City Benches project, which has installed creative perches throughout the Square Mile. This one's designed by Sarah Emily Porter and James Trundle. It's only temporary, alas. Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.

Good cause of the day

Literacy charity Bookmark is looking for passionate readers across inner London to spend one hour a week helping a child expand their vocabulary, improve their literacy skills and find enjoyment in reading. If you've got the time to spare, find out more and sign up.

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