Things to do
CHRISTOPHER BLISS: Comedian Rob Carter starts a run of his show, The Man Who Turns Wives Into Widows, today. He performs as his alter ego, Christopher Bliss, and re-enacts a spy thriller film on stage — expect pyrotechnics, spooky villains and a lot more. Soho Theatre, from £15, book ahead, 6-9 November
NINA HAMNETT: Ogle some rarely-seen sketches by writer and artist Nina Hamnett at this free exhibition, and find out about the influence the Welsh artist had on the Fitzrovia area, and the cultural legacy she left behind. The building where the exhibition takes place isn't too shabby either. Fitzrovia Chapel, free entry, just turn up, 6-17 November
WINTER FOREST: Broadgate transforms into a Winter Forest today. Dozens of snowy trees pop up at the public space close to Liverpool Street station, decked in twinkling lights and making for the ideal festive photo backdrop. Look out for special events in the forest throughout the winter, including workshops, live music and quiz nights. Broadgate (Liverpool Street), free entry, just turn up, 6 November-20 December
WOMEN IN DESIGN: The V&A's lunchtime lecture series continues with a look at unsung women designers. Inspired by the recent centenary of votes for some women, design historian Charlotte Fiell and culture writer Clementine Fiell discuss the gender imbalance within the design industry, and the women who have overcome it. V&A Museum (South Kensington), free, just turn up, 1pm-1.45pm
MEMORIES OF LONDON: Aimed at those with early-stage dementia and their carers/companions, Museum of London Docklands hosts a trip down memory lane. Hear about the Georgian warehouse where the museum resides, and those who lived and worked on the docks, then tale part in a sensory workshop. Museum of London Docklands, free, book ahead, 2pm
BOOK SHOPPING: This month's late-night shopping evening at London Review Bookshop is a special one, as it celebrates the 40th anniversary of the London Review of Books. Enjoy birthday cake and a glass of fizz as your browse the shelves after hours, with a 10% discount on books bought at the event. London Review Bookshop (Bloomsbury), free, book ahead, 6pm-8pm
COURT AT WAR: Hear about the temporary palaces of King Charles I at this Gresham College lecture. During the Civil War in his reign, the court of King Charles I was banned from its usual country residences, so set up at a series of makeshift locations, including in Oxford. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm
MURAL TRADITIONS: Painter Julian Bell takes a deep dive into the history of the mural in Britain. The site-specific artworks haven't always been popular in this country — find out the mental, physical and social attitudes behind this reluctance. Royal Drawing School (Shoreditch), £5/£3.50, just turn up, 6.45pm
WINE TASTING: The National Archives is not your usual wine tasting venue, but this first in a series of vino events is an excuse for experts to dig into archive material relating to the wine trade. Wine educator Pippa Hayward talks about Latin America’s wine legacy, with plenty of tasters along the way. The National Archives (Kew), £45, book ahead, 7pm-9.30pm
WOMEN IN FRAME: Poet in the City launches an ambitious new project highlighting the legacy of female poets. Artist Claire Eastgate and poets Gillian Clarke, Hannah Sullivan and Liza Luxx, and spoken word artist Deanna Rodger take part in a discussion about female writers using their work to empower other women. They also perform a selection of their poems. Kings Place (King’s Cross), £14.50, book ahead, 7.30pm
I, DANIEL BLAKE: As Ken Loach's new film, Sorry We Missed You, hits cinemas, catch up with its 2016 spiritual predecessor, I, Daniel Blake. It's the story of a 59 year old widow who finds himself at the mercy of the UK welfare system, and this screening is followed by a Q&A with local charity Croydon Nightwatch. Harris Academy South Norwood, pay as you feel, book ahead, 7.45pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
Random thought: although it has no branches, the Jubilee line manages to snake beneath the Thames on four occasions: between Westminster and Waterloo; Canada Water and Canary Wharf; Canary Wharf and North Greenwich; and North Greenwich to West Ham. We should rename it the Submarine line.
Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
Want to help make London a greener, cleaner place to work and play? Why not become a National Park City Ranger? London was recently declared a National Park City, but it needs ambassadors to help spread the good word. The project is looking for "optimists, artists, rewilders, local guides, game-makers, photographers, gardeners, writers, first aiders, teachers, storytellers, natural navigators, fundraisers, mappers, tree planters, rescuers, expert guides, play street organisers, hedgehog hole makers, poets and people with other skills and talents to share with others." Find out more, and apply here.
What we're reading
- Hundreds of London minicabs 'working illegally'.
- Musician reunited with 310-year-old violin after it was left on the train.
- Plans to pedestrianise Arnold Circus in Shoreditch
