Things to do
MONIKER ART FAIR: Urban contemporary art fair Moniker focuses very much on urban art and culture, with a curated selection of artists exhibiting. Now in its ninth year, it's held in Chelsea rather than Shoreditch for the first time, and is designed to feel more like a festival than your standard art fair. Things kick off tonight with the collectors' preview evening, a chance for keen art fans to see the fair ahead of the crowds. The Chelsea Sorting Office, £12-£25, book ahead, 2-6 October
LONDON PIANO FESTIVAL: The celebration of the familiar musical instrument kicks off today with a performance by Italian pianist Federico Colli, who performs works by Beethoven and Mussorgsky. The rest of the festival includes a jazz performance, lecture-recitals, and a two-piano marathon. Kings Place (King's Cross), various prices, book ahead, 2-6 October
MIDWEEK MULBERRIES: Take a lunchtime walk through hidden gardens in London’s legal district, in search of mulberry trees. Pass Gray’s Inn and Lincoln’s Inn and visit the secluded Fountain Court in Middle Temple, led by Dr Peter Coles, author of Mulberry, a global cultural history. Farringdon station, £10, book ahead, 12.30pm-2pm
VICTORIA AND ALBERT: The V&A Museum's celebration of its namesakes' bicentenary continues with a free lunchtime talk about the town halls of Victoria and Albert. The museum's director, Dr Tristram Hunt, discusses the architectural, intellectual and political history of the Victorian town hall at a time of industrial development. V&A Museum (South Kensington), free, just turn up, 1pm-1.45pm
PALACE HISTORY: Join an expert guide for a history tour around Fulham Palace, a building which was home to the Bishops of London for over 1,300 years. The different architectural styles and garden layouts are evidence of each Bishop putting their own stamp on the place. Fulham Palace, £6, just turn up, 2pm-3pm
BOOK SHOPPING: The excellent London Review Bookshop stays open late for an evening of browsing and buying books. Nab yourself a free ticket to the event to get a glass of wine to sip while you browse, and 10% off any books you buy on the night. London Review Bookshop (Bloomsbury), free, book ahead, 6pm
IDOLS AND BELIEVERS: Why are we so obsessed with the idea of celebrities and fame? Photographer Jocelyn Bain Hogg chats to Russ O'Connell, Picture Editor at The Sunday Times Magazine, about her photo series Idols and Believers, a dissection of celebrity culture featuring paparazzi packs and Kylie's knickers. Second Home (Spitalfields), free, book ahead, 6.30pm-8.30pm
ARCHITECTS UNDERGROUND: RIBA's Architects Underground series of events continues. Guest performers, presenters and artists take to the stage, including Travis Elborough talking about Burgh Island, and Sir Christopher Frayling discussing his love of Spaghetti Westerns. Themed cocktails are available throughout. RIBA (66 Portland Place), £15, book ahead, 6.30pm-11pm
MARGARET THATCHER: Biographer Charles Moore tells the story of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher's final period of time in office, based on access to her papers and close associates. He covers events including the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the rise of the modern EU, and looks at why she was so controversial, right up to her death. Emmanuel Centre (Westminster), £30-£45, book ahead, 6.45pm-8pm
WOMEN AND DESIGN: Spend the evening celebrating women’s design achievements and reflecting on issues of under-recognition and under-representation in the design industry. To celebrate their new book Women in Design, Charlotte Fiell and Clementine Fiell bring together a panel of female designers including artist Faye Toogood, design professor Ineke Hans and studio founder Kim Colin. Tate Modern, £5, book ahead, 7pm-8pm
THAMES MUDLARKING: Hear from Lara Maiklem, an experienced mudlark who’s been scouring the banks of the Thames for lost treasures for over 15 years. She’s just written a book about her experiences, and talks about some of the things she’s found, from medieval buckles to Tudor buttons, and what they tell us about London’s past inhabitants. Conway Hall (Holborn), £7/£5, book ahead, 7.30pm-9pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
Happy 50th birthday to Damon Michael Gough, better known (at one time) as Badly Drawn Boy. In 2003, the then-famous BDB spent a day busking anonymously outside Waterloo tube station. Most passers-by ignore him, but watch out for the celebrity donor at 2:13 in this video. Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
Spoken word and music event Nowhere Nights holds a special edition this evening, raising money for ABF The Soldiers' Charity. Poet-in-residence Martin Figura performs commissioned works and poet and veteran Sid Sallis offers a first-hand account of active service. Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- Jay Rayner on Stepney City Farm's restaurant, The Humble Bee Café.
- There are new plans for a Time Out Market in Spitalfields.
- Be More Chill musical coming to London after attracting teen theatre audience in New York.
- Nothing to see here, just Michael Portillo herding sheep across London Bridge.
