All weekend
ARCHIVING LGBTQ+ HISTORY: 40 key LGBTQ+ moments from London's history are celebrated and explored in this free exhibition. Protest banners used in the campaign against Section 28; a truncheon seized at a demo by Mark Ashton, founder of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners; and a poster promoting the UK's first national conference of Black gay men feature. The Curve (Barbican), free, just turn up, 28 February-21 March
POSTWAR MODERN: Barbican Art Gallery opens a new exhibition, Postwar Modern, looking at the art produced in Britain in the aftermath of the second world war. 200 works by 48 artists span painting, sculpture, photography and more. Barbican, £18, book ahead, 3 March-26 June
BARNES MUSIC FESTIVAL: It's the 10th anniversary edition of Barnes Music Festival, a programme of choral, instrumental, orchestral, opera, jazz and film events at venues across SW13. Local talent and international performers are celebrated — highlights this weekend include an opening concert by the Barnes Festival Orchestra, and the Barnes Young Musician of the Year finals. Various locations and prices, book ahead, 4-20 March
ROYAL PHOTOS: The British Royal Family's enduring relationship with the camera is explored in new exhibition, Life Through A Royal Lens. It reaches back to photography's infancy in the days of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, continuing right through until the present day. Kensington Palace, included in admission (£20 adult), book ahead, 4 March-30 October
WORLD BOOK DAY: Camden Market celebrates World Book Day with a weekend of family-friendly events, including authors Konnie Huq and Nicholas Allan reading from their books on board a barge. Restaurants across the area have created limited edition menu items inspired by children's books, and there are literary-inspired creative workshops too. Camden Market, some events free, others have a charge, book ahead, 5-6 March
JEWISH BOOK WEEK: 2022's Jewish Book Week has a final weekend of events, including a look back at the world 70 years ago; an exploration into the influence Jewish collectors had on the art world; and a discussion on the story of the anti-fascist 62 Group. Full programme here. Various locations and prices, book ahead, until 6 March
LAST CHANCE EXHIBITIONS: These exhibitions are all ending this weekend:
- LYDIA CHAN: NOW Gallery isn't shy about hosting colourful exhibitions, and Your Ship Has Landed is one of them. Lydia Chan focuses on the bubbly, fantastical side of science fiction, at a time when science is filled with doom and gloom. NOW Gallery (Greenwich Peninsula, free entry, book ahead, until 6 March
- ORCHIDS: Kew Gardens' celebration of the orchid species of Costa Rica adds a splash of colour to the Princess of Wales Conservatory, with a calendar of events including yoga classes and late-night openings to accompany the floral displays. Kew Gardens, included in admission, until 6 March
- GARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY: While you're at Kew for Orchids, check out the International Garden Photographer of the Year exhibition, full of shots of plants and wildlife from gardens around the world. Kew Gardens, included in admission, until 6 March
- BEANO: "Chaotic perfection" is how our reviewer described Beano: The Art of Breaking Rules at Somerset House. It celebrates the comic strip in all its rebellious glory with original artworks, merchandise, and an insight into how Beano has inspired other creatives. Somerset House, £16/£12.50, book ahead, until 6 March
- LOCKDOWN PHOTOGRAPHY: Portrait photographer Katrina Campbell put her skills to use during the Covid-19 lockdown, and the results can be seen at free exhibition When We All Stayed At Home. It combines images and interviews with individuals, families and couples, all taken on their own doorsteps. Culture Palace (Enfield), free entry, just turn up, until 6 March
Saturday 5 March
SHANKAR 100: The bulk of Southbank Centre's events to celebrate the life of Indian composer Ravi Shankar take place today. Activities include yoga, dance classes and performances, a rangoli workshop, and access to the Shankar family archives. The events were due to coincide with the centenary of his birth, but were delayed by two years due to the pandemic. Southbank Centre, various prices, book ahead, 11am-7.30pm
CRAFTY FOX: This brilliant craft market returns to Mercato Metropolitano, offering handmade crafts including pottery, t shirts, jewellery and scented candles. Why not get your Mother's Day gifts early this year? Mercato Metropolitano (Elephant and Castle), free entry, just turn up, 11am-5pm
STUMBLE: There are four sets from up-and-coming buskers, plus live doodling from a sketch artist, at Stumble — a one-day event celebrating the local area's artistic talents, as well as its great food and drink scene. The Hatch (Homerton), £5 online or £8 on the door, 12pm-6pm
THE FUTURE IS FEMALE: Call in at Barbican Conservatory, which is filled with the sounds of pianist Sarah Cahill. She performs works written by female composers throughout history, who weren't given the recognition or credit they deserved at the time. Barbican Conservatory, free, just turn up, 12pm-8pm
DAMASCUS DREAMS: As part of Arab Women Artists Now Festival, attend a screening of Damascus Dreams, a documentary-style film following filmmaker Emilie Serri as she travels from Canada to Syria to meet members of her family and other Syrians forced to flee due to war. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £5, book ahead, 2.30pm
CHINGFORD HISTORY: Head to London's edges and join Footprints of London guide Joanna Moncrieff on a wander through Chingford. The area has transformed from forest village to London suburb, and has been shaped by the likes of T E Lawrence, Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria and the creator of the FA Cup. Chingford Station, £12/£9, book ahead, 2pm
LAL: Today's your last chance to see Lal, one of our Women's History Month picks. It's set in the East End, and tells the story of the women who kept the capital ticking over while London's men were off fighting in the war. Lal herself struggles with domestic abuse, while the country at large faces the threat of war. Hen & Chickens Theatre (Islington), £12.50, book ahead, 2.30pm/7.30pm
MOUNTBATTEN FESTIVAL: The Massed Bands of Her Majesty's Royal Marines perform this second of two nights at the Royal Albert Hall for the Mountbatten Festival of Music, offering the public a chance to admire the versatility of some of the military's finest musicians. Royal Albert Hall, £20-£63, book ahead, 2pm/7.30pm
CAMELLIA TALK: There's a lot more to the humble camellia than many people realise — learn about its uses in art, medicine, religion, horticulture, trade and social behaviour at a special talk as part of the wider Camellia Festival. Chiswick House and Gardens, £10, book ahead, 3pm
RISK: A new event of music and spoken word, RISK takes guitars as the theme for its inaugural outing. Performances include Madagascan virtuoso Modeste, multi-instrumentalist Charlie Cawood and Chinese instrumentals with Cheng Yu, as well as poems by James Goodman. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £20, book ahead, 7pm
RIOT GRRLS: Smashing gender stereotypes and showing everyone what it really looks like to 'fight like a girl', EVE - Riot Grrrls of Wrestling returns to Signature Brew's east London brewery. Among admirers of these raucous events are Kate Nash and Kathy Burke. Signature Brew (Walthamstow), £22.03-£27.39, book ahead, 7.30pm-10.30pm
LONDON SONGS: Barbican hosts an homage to London through song, co-curated by songwriter Chris Difford and DJ and presenter Nihal Arthanayake, and performed by a myriad of musicians. From music halls to punk to rock and grime, hear how London has been immortalised in music, in a special event to mark Barbican's 40th birthday. Barbican Hall, £22.50-£30, book ahead, 8pm
Sunday 6 March
FROCK ME!: Refresh your wardrobe, at Frock Me! Vintage Fair's largest event for 2022. Browse clothes and accessories from over 60 traders, with items dating back to the 1920s. It's not uncommon for branded items such as Chanel and Biba to make an appearance, so keep your eyes peeled. Kensington Town Hall, from £5, book ahead, from 11am
THE DEVIL'S ACRE: Ever heard of the Devil's Acre? It's the name given to an area near Victoria Street in Westminster, which was a notorious slum in early Victorian times. On this guided walk, follow the route Charles Booth would have taken when mapping the area for his famous poverty maps — though it was much improved by then. 55 Broadway, £12/£9, book ahead, 2pm-4.15pm
GREEK MYTHS: Storytelling legends Crick Crack Club rock up at the British Museum for an afternoon of Greek mythology. Atalanta is the story of a remarkable virgin hunter and devotee of Artemis who doesn’t want to have anything to do with men, told by storyteller Ben Haggarty. Age 16+. British Museum, £10, book ahead, 2.30pm
SUNDAY CONCERTS: Young musicians Callum Smart, Ben Goldscheider and Richard Uttley join forces to perform Conway Hall's Sunday Concert, a performance which culminates in Brahms’ trio for horn, violin and piano, written to commemorate the death of the his mother. Conway Hall (Holborn) or online, £10-£14, book ahead, 6.30pm
DOCTOR JEKYLL: Cara Hamilton brings the story of The Curious Case of Dr Jeyll and Mr Hyde to life in a talk and performance inside a former operating theatre. Expect an evening of nightmarish monsters, witches, devil worshipers, robbers and spiritualism. Standard Sunday night, then. The Old Operating Theatre (London Bridge), £20, book ahead, 7pm
DIRT ROAD BAND: Stripped down, back to basics blues is the game of the game with trio Dirt Road Band. They know their onions, too; between them they've played in The Specials, Badfinger and Dr. Feelgood. The Half Moon (Putney), £15, book ahead, 8pm
