Things to do
RAINBOW EXHIBITION: A very colourful new exhibition launches today, giving visitors a chance to wander through 100 different shades. Slices of Time by Emmanuelle Moureaux consists of layers of dangling numbers, representing now, the past and the future. NOW Gallery (Greenwich Peninsula), free entry, just turn up, 5 February-19 April
BABE IN ARMS: The Foundling Museum holds a special viewing and tour of its new exhibition, Portraying Pregnancy, aimed at parents and carers with babies up to a year old. Museum director Caro Howell leads the relaxed tour, followed by tea and coffee. The Foundling Museum, £10, book ahead, 9.30am
EMMANUEL COOPER: Today's lunchtime lecture at the V&A is about potter, writer, curator and LGBT rights advocate Emmanuel Cooper. Hear from his longtime partner, David Horbury, about Cooper's life, from growing up in a Derbyshire mining village, to his involvement in liberation politics. V&A (South Kensington), free, just turn up, 1pm-1.45pm
LGBT+ HISTORY: As part of LGBT+ History Month in Newham, Birkbeck's Big Ideas holds a free lecture about the early years of London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard. Hear from doctoral researcher Ralph Day about methods used to research queer sexualities since the 1960s, and how this has changed. Stratford Library, free, book ahead, 6pm-7.30pm
BOOK SHOPPING: In need of a new read? London Review Bookshop stays open late for after-hours browsing time. Pore over the shelves with a glass of wine in hand (careful how you parse that sentence), or ask the expert booksellers for a recommendation or two. There's 10% off any books you buy on the night, and the cafe stays open late too. London Review Bookshop (Bloomsbury), free, book ahead, 6pm-8pm
APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR: New cinema Catford Mews hosts a screening of Appropriate Behaviour, to kick off its Valentine's Find Your Muse series of films. The 2014 drama/romance follows Shirin, who is attempting to hold onto many identities, including ideal Persian daughter and politically correct bisexual. Catford Mews, £5, book ahead, 7pm
MARIAN KEYES: Bestselling author Marian Keyes talks about her much-hyped new book, Grown Ups. The Irish novelist discusses the story of the Caseys; three brothers, their wives, ex-wives and young adult step-kids, with Alex Clark. Southbank Centre, £15-£25, book ahead, 7.30pm
FAST FASHION: Lauren Bravo, author of How To Break Up With Fast Fashion, talks about taking a more sustainable approach to your clothes. Aimed at anyone who wants to change their mindset and try more sustainable ways of shopping, the Salon event is full of tips and advice. No 11 Pimlico Road, £15, book ahead, 7.30pm-9.30pm
BAIT: Screen25 shows Bait, a 2019 film about Cornish fisherman Martin, who struggles to buy a boat, while dealing with the changes in his town caused by the influx of tourists and Airbnbs. It's part of Screen25's Discovery series of events, shining the spotlight on independent films which didn't get the attention they deserved when released. Harris Academy South Norwood, £9/£7/£5, book ahead, 7.45pm
TRANS VOICE CABARET: The Trans Voices Cabaret show features a cast of all transgender, non-binary, or gender non-conforming performers, singing songs of their choice. The event aims to create more visibility for trans and non-binary performers, and proceeds from the evening go to the Mermaids Charity. The Other Palace (Victoria), £2.50, book ahead, 8pm
London weather with Inclement Attlee
Our idiosyncratic weather forecaster returns, keeping you up to date on London's skies.
A bright start is followed by clouds of grey, damp patches and light wind. But enough about my mid-life crisis. This should be a reasonably pleasant day with few, if any, camels. Hello.
Contact Mr Attlee with any weather-related thoughts 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 in this column can mean only one thing: my fiendish "identify the tube station based on a lazily screengrabbed image from Street View". Today's puzzler is shown above. If you think you know where it is, then tweet @HeckTube for a chance* to win £873.
*The chance is zero.
Good cause of the day
Book ahead for the Rare Film Festival on Monday 10 February. Organised by Rare Disease UK, it's the UK’s first ever film festival fully dedicated to raising awareness of rare diseases. Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- Houslow Council will continue to fly the EU flag.
- The Woolwich big screen is getting an upgrade, at a cost of £123k.
- Number of slavery victims in London up tenfold in five years.
- The live music scene 'needs sweat on the walls'.
