Things to do
DIFFERENCE FESTIVAL: All this week, the University of Westminster hosts Difference Festival, a series of free events honouring the institution's roots, with a focus on 'truth' and what that means in the age of fake news. All events are free and range from the hunt for alien life to lie detectors to our addiction to cars. University of Westminster (Regent Street), free, book ahead, 24-28 February
VINTAGE SALE: Beyond Retro's semi-regular Vintage Garage Sale returns, with thousands of items for sale every day, including belts, bags, trousers, shirts and dresses. It's free to browse, so no need to part with any cash unless you find something you love. Bussey Building (Peckham), free entry, just turn up, 26 February-1 March
BRITISH SURREALISM: Dulwich Picture Gallery opens a new British Surrealism exhibition today, marking 100 years since the birth of surrealism. 70 works from 42 artists including Leonora Carrington, Francis Bacon, Henry Moore and Paul Nash are on display, and there's a curator's introduction tour tomorrow if you want to find out a bit more. Dulwich Picture Gallery, £16.50, book ahead, 26 February-17 May
LIVE MUSIC: As lunch breaks go, this one's rather fancy. The stunning surrounds of Christ's Chapel play host to a musical performance by a group of musicians from a local school. Christ's Chapel (Dulwich Picture Gallery), free, just turn up, 1.30pm-2pm
TEA DANCE: Everyone's welcome at Southbank Centre's social tea dance, regardless of experience, or even if you have a partner. Just turn up and shimmy the afternoon away. Southbank Centre, free, just turn up, 1.30pm
GEORGIAN WOMEN: Hear from historian Lucy Inglis about the role of women in Georgian England. Find out how they lived, worked and played in rural society, and hear some of their stories, in an event which coincides with current NT production The Welkin. National Theatre, £9/£6, book ahead, 6pm
DRESSED FOR WAR: Author and historian Julie Summers talks about how the identity of Vogue magazine was forged in the second world war. Her new book, Dressed For War, explores why the war years were some of Vogue's most formative, with editor Audrey Withers keen to reflect the home lives of ordinary people. National Army Museum (Chelsea), £5, book ahead, 6.30pm
SCIENCE MUSEUM LATE: It's adults only as Science Museum keeps its doors open late for an evening themed on Science City. The event celebrates the opening of Science City 1550-1800: The Linbury Gallery, and focuses very much on London, with talks about Sir Isaac Newton, a chance to experiment with a camera obscura, and the opportunity to visit a plague doctor. Age 18+. Science Museum (South Kensington), free, book ahead, 6.45pm-10pm
LONDON TRANSPORT: Stock up on popcorn for a double bill of films about London Transport. 2005's Little Platform, Big Stage, was made to mark the demise of bus conductors from London bus routes, and video clips and interviews with conductors across several decades. 2007 film Underground covers the 150 year history of the tube, and the screenings are followed by a Q&A with director Zimena Percival, BBC Radio London’s Robert Elms and Arena Series Editor Anthony Wall, hosted by Travis Elborough. Regent Street Cinema, £15, book ahead, 7.30pm
LOUISA JOHNSON: Best-known for winning The X-Factor in 2015, singer Louisa Johnson performs an intimate gig in Soho. Enjoy the show with a drink or two, or book a dining package to make a night of it. 100 Wardour Street (Soho), £20 (includes a cocktail), book ahead, 9pm
London weather with Inclement Attlee
Our idiosyncratic weather forecaster returns, keeping you up to date on London's skies.
Today's forecast goes "Wooooosh! Whoooooowhoooowhooo! Shwwwwwooo. Swoooo. Wissshawoooosh", at least according to my weather-watching colleague, who is aged 4 and enjoys impersonating the wind. Pit-a-pats will be infrequent, with occasional brrrrrrs from people who forgot to bring a cardigan. In summary: Parp!
Contact Mr Attlee with any inconsequential 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 is puzzle day here in the Heck column. As usual, I've gone to the effort of trekking all the way out to a mystery location in Google Street View. All you have to do is identify which underground station I'm pretending to be outside in the screengrab above. The first person to correctly tweet the answer to @HeckTube will win a non-exclusive biro lid, slightly chewed.
Good cause of the day
The National Maritime Museum is looking for volunteers to take part in a research project to uncover LGBTQ+ histories in its collections. Everyone's welcome to take part, whether you have research experience or not, and there's an information day today to find out more about getting involved.
What we're reading
- London's Coffin Club, where people plan their final farewell.
- What designers can learn from the London tube map.
- The team who work tirelessly year round to create Notting Hill Carnival.
