Things To Do Today In London: Wednesday 7 August 2019

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Raise a glass to the Espresso Martini Festival

Things to do

ESPRESSO MARTINI FESTIVAL: London's Espresso Martini Festival begins today, celebrating the caffeine-laced cocktail in all its incarnations. Register for a free digital pass to be eligible for £6 serves of the tipple at bars across the capital. Cocktail masterclasses are also part of the festival. Various locations, register for a free pass, 7-11 August

LIFE ON THE DOCKS: Museum of London Docklands hosts a special event aimed at those living with early-stage dementia and their companions/carers. Hear and share stories of the people who lived and worked around London's docklands, and take part in sensory workshop. Museum of London Docklands, free, book ahead, 2pm

ST JOHN'S GATE: King Henry VIII is the unexpected leader of this family-friendly tour of the Tudor St John's Gate. Travel back to 1541 and find out what plans Henry has for the buildings following the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Museum of the Order of St John (Clerkenwell), £10/£5, book ahead, 3pm

Explore St John's Gate with King Henry VIII. (Note: May not be the genuine Henry VIII.)

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY: I see a little silhouetto of a man... last year's smash-hit film Bohemian Rhapsody, telling the story of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, is shown for free on a large screen by the canal in Paddington. Grab a deckchair or blanket, and stock up on refreshments from the local stalls and restaurants. Merchant Square (Paddington), free, just turn up, 5.30pm-7.30pm

BOOK SHOPPING: London Review Bookshop's late night opening is a chance to browse its shelves after hours, and linger over a glass of wine as you pick your new read. Get 10% off any books you purchase on the night, and treat yourself to a cake from the store's Cake Shop. London Review Bookshop (Bloomsbury), free, book ahead, 6pm

POWER OF A POSTER: Dr Paul Rennie and curator Emma Mawdsley give a talk about the work of Abram Games for the Army Bureau of Current Affairs. The 'official war poster artist' is the subject of a current exhibition, and created posters to remind soldiers what it was they were fighting for. Tonight, learn about these posters within their social and military context, and get a special introduction to the exhibition. National Army Museum (Chelsea), £12, book ahead, 6pm-8.30pm

Seasonal treats in the cafe at London Review Bookshop's late night opening

LOST TOMBS: Dr Chris Naunton, Egyptologist and author of Searching For The Lost Tombs Of Egypt, gives a talk about the research for the book. Hear his insight into the tombs of Alexander the Great and Cleopatra — both tombs are known to have existed, but they've never been located. Daunt Books (Hampstead), £5, book ahead, 6.30pm

INTO THE WOODS: Pack up your picnic blanket (no chairs allowed) and head for Canary Wharf, where there's a free open-air screening of 2015 Disney musical fantasy film Into The Woods. It's a Grimm Brothers-style fairytale, inspired by the likes of Red Riding Hood, Cinderella and Rapunzel. Canada Square Park (Canary Wharf), free, just turn up, 7pm

DANGEROUS SCIENTIST: Klaus Fuchs earned himself a reputation as the most dangerous scientist — and spy — in history. Find out why, in this talk about the man who knew more nuclear secrets at the end of the second world war than anyone else in Britain. Royal Institution (Mayfair), £16/£10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm

SECRET CELEBRITY: Tonight's Laugh Train Home comedy night comes with the added bonus of a secret celebrity performer, only to be revealed on the night. Dylan Gott and Inder Manocha also appear. The Four Thieves (Battersea), £7, book ahead, 8.15pm-10.30pm

Tube ponderings with Barry Heck

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

Did you know that tube trains have their own version of a car wash? We recently had the pleasure of riding a train through the Victoria depot's rollers. You can watch the video here. Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.

Good cause of the day

Head to South Norwood tonight for a screening of 1993 film Poetic Justice, in association with Young People Insight, a platform that empowers creative young people. Find out more and book tickets.

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