Things to do
FESTIVAL OF CULTURE: UCL's eclectic Festival of Culture — which showcases the university's current research — has several excellent events today. Highlights include a discussion about why American English is considered substandard, a look at representations of Roma, Gypsies and Travellers in art and research, and a series of short talks from archaeology experts. Festival continues until 7 June
BOOK SHOPPING: Looking for a new read? Sign up for a free ticket to London Review Bookshop's late night shopping evening and get 10% of any books you buy on the night. Staff are on hand to offer recommendations, and the Cake Shop stays open late, serving seasonal food and drink including roasted strawberry butter and caviar canapés, and beetroot mojitos. London Review Bookshop (Bloomsbury), free, book ahead, 6pm-8pm
PUTNEY CINEMAS: As part of Wandsworth Heritage Festival, hear the history of Putney's cinemas. This talk focuses on three purpose-built cinemas which opened in 1911, and a fourth which joined them in 1937 — all of which no longer exist. Putney Library, free, book ahead, 6.45pm
POETRY LAUNCH: Attend the launch of Daniel Goodwin and Colin Pink’s new poetry and art collection, The Ventriloquist Dummy’s Lament, which addresses themes of environmental sustainability, social fragmentation, and the struggle for human dignity, via a combination of woodcuts and poetic form. The collection is published by Against the Grain Poetry Press. The Poetry Cafe (Covent Garden), free, just turn up, 7pm-9pm
ANGLO-INDIAN SUPPER CLUB: Get stuck into four English-Asian fusion courses at this supper club, which reflects the Anglo-Indian community that flourished between the 18th and 20th century in British India. The two cultures blurred to create new eating habits in both the East and the West. Pitch (Stratford), £50, book ahead, 7pm-10pm
CAMDEN CHANGING: New local history book Camden Changing focuses on the history of Camden Town, Kentish Town and Somers Town, with photos dating from the 1960s and 1970s, the period when the London Borough of Camden was formed. Attend the launch event tonight, with photographer Richard Lansdown and author Gillian Tindall. Owl Bookshop (Kentish Town), £5, book ahead, 6.30pm
CHORAL PILGRIMAGE: Musical ensemble The Sixteen brings its singers to Greenwich for a Choral Pilgrimage concert. They perform a new commission by Sir James MacMillan, along with other classic English tracks. Old Royal Naval College (Greenwich), £18-£40, book ahead, 7.30pm
COMEDY: On the bill at tonight's Smoke Comedy show are Ccmedians Alfie Brown and Mark Watson, comic storyteller Pope Lonergan and comedy trombonist Faye Treacy. Expect an eclectic couple of hours — and probably a sneak preview at a few Edinburgh shows. The Sekforde (Clerkenwell), £5, book ahead, 7.30pm-10pm
MEET THE QCS: Tom Grant QC wrote Court Number One about the infamous courtroom, which held some of the most famous trials of the 20th century. William Clegg QC's book, Under The Wig, is more of a personal memoir about some of the most memorable trials he's overseen. Both discuss their books and legal careers in conversation tonight. Alleyn's School (East Dulwich), £10/£8, book ahead, 7.30pm
UNDER THE STARS: Watch some big names in the comedy world perform in a charming open-air courtyard. Phil Wang, Suzi Ruffell, Kieran Hodgson, Tom Ward and Elf Lyons are on the bill in the first in the Stand-up Under The Stars series of events. Battersea Arts Centre, £12-£15, book ahead, 8.30pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
How wonderful to see a plaque unveiled to Hannah Dadds at Upton Park station. Dadds was the first woman to qualify as a tube driver, serving on the District, Jubilee and Bakerloo lines from 1978. Follow Barry Heck on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
Comedians, musicians and speakers all take to the stage at Hackney Empire for the Secret Policeman's Tour, raising money for Amnesty International. Deborah Frances-White of The Guilty Feminist podcast hosts. Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- How your walk to work could power an electric car.
- The Daily Mash on Trump's visit.
- Worshippers at a Clapton mosque left night prayers to save people from a burning tower block.
- It's un-British to roll out the red carpet for Trump, says Sadiq Khan.
