Things To Do Today In London: Wednesday 5 September 2018
A CRASH COURSE IN CLOUDSPOTTING: Experience the world from the perspective of someone living with chronic pain through Rawuel Meseguer's new audio-visual installation. You'll be invited to pause, listen and rest in a simple act that asks complex questions. Southbank Centre, free, just turn up, 10am-11pm, until 9 September
STITCHED CUT PAINTED: The tactile works of art on display in this show include contemporary drawing, sculpture and painting. They offer insights into each artist's working process. See Rachel Pearcey's tiny stitches, Buffy Kimm's torn paper, and Annamarie Dzendrowskyj's uncanny paintings. One Paved Court (Richmond), free, just turn up, 12pm-5pm, until 15 September
FREDDIE FOR A DAY: Celebrate Freddie Mercury's birthday in Carnaby, where money is being raised for The Mercury Phoenix Trust. Special events take place in the area's shops, bars and restaurants — buy yourself a £2 Freddie 'tache and head to Carnaby Street for live music from a Queen tribute act. Carnaby area, free entry, just turn up, from 12.30pm
FINDING YOUR ANCESTORS: Unless you happen to be descended from landed gentry, tracing your family history can be a bit of a slog. Luckily for budding genealogists, this talk reveals five ways in which you can find out about ancestors who were orphaned or lived in poverty, and complete your family tree. Society of Genealogists (Clerkenwell), £8, book ahead, 2pm-3pm
GREAT FIRE OF LONDON: Learn about one of the most devastating events in London's history at this illustrated talk. Jill Finch takes you back to September 1666 when the Great Fire of London destroyed not just the city, but a way of life. Guildhall Library, free, book ahead, 2pm-4pm
THE ACOUSTIC BUBBLE: At this year's Clifford Paterson Lecture, Professor Timothy Leighton reveals the scientific significance of gas bubbles submerged in liquids. From predicting the noises of Titan's methane lakes, to fighting against antibiotic resistance, there's plenty that these sources and scatterers of sound fields can teach us. The Royal Society (St James's), free, just turn up, 6.30pm-7.30pm
Drink our new Londonist beer at our Fourpure Brewery party
If anyone can organise a piss-up in the brewery it should be us, right? We regularly write about London's unrivalled craft beer scene, spend a decent amount of time indulging in it, and now we've created our very own London-y brew (with the help of the fantastic folks at Fourpure). Join us to celebrate the launch of Londonist beer in style on Sunday 16 September at the Fourpure Brewery. For just a tenner you get an eight hour party, live music, the chance to win Londonist goodies, and four cans of one-off Londonist beer to take home. Find out more here, or book your tickets.
STREET ART SCREENING: Want to learn more about the urban art scene? Head to RISEfestival's film night, featuring short films and UK premieres about street art and graffiti culture. It's also a good chance to admire Croydon's impressive selection of outdoor art works. Urban Exchange (Croydon), free, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
THE MULTI-STORY ORCHESTRA: Join travelling music makers The Multi-Story Orchestra for a classical performance in an unexpected setting. This time, they're treating you to Schumann's Symphony No 2. West Handyside Canopy (King's Cross), £10, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
LEVERET: Folk dream team Leveret is comprised of not one, not two, but three BBC Folk Award-winning instrumentalists. See what makes their music stand out from the crowd at tonight's gig, where traditional tunes are blended with new compositions. Kings Place (King's Cross), £14.50, book ahead, 8pm-10.30pm
LADY BIRD: Oscar season is coming, so psych yourself up by revisiting one of last year's big contenders — Greta Gerwig'scoming-of-age flick and early noughties nostalgia trip Lady Bird. You can also get your hands on a free zine, a Greta Gerwig tee, and maybe even a free ticket for your mum. Harris Academy (South Norwood), £8.50, book ahead, 7.45pm
TIFF STEVENSON: Stand up comedian and actress Tiff Stevenson catches the Laugh Train Home to give you a serious case of the giggles. The Mock the Week, Drunk History, and Never Mind the Buzzcocks star performs alongside Jim Campbell and MC Robyn Perkins. The Four Thieves (Battersea), £7, book ahead, 8.30pm-10.30pm
Good cause of the dayDiscover London's LGBT heritage on a fundraising walk in aid of Amnesty International. Hear about Oscar Wilde and John Wilmot's exploits in Charing Cross, before meeting the Mollies and Macaronis of 18th century Covent Garden and finally resting your weary legs in the beautifully restored Fitzroy Tavern, a notorious hub for the bohemian subcultures of the 1920s and 1930s.
Fun things to do with our friends and sponsor Funzing...
Unveil the Full Body Orgasm
Become more connected to your body and learn how to express yourself sexually is this workshop open to both males and females. Fully clothed and without touch, you'll learn how to utilise ancient practices to build a strategy to experience a full-body orgasm whenever you feel like it. Get tickets
Lost London Walking Tour
London is a city of incredible transformation. With structural remains that date back to ancient history still in existence, this unique walking tour takes in Lost London in all its former glory. From the Titanic booking office to the graveyards of man's best friend, you'll discover the weird and wonderful places that used to exist in the capital but are now only committed to memory. Using old photographs, newspaper cuttings and stories from the past, you'll be amazed at what has largely been written out of our history books... Get tickets
A Secret London Tour
How well do you really know London? Visit the streets that inspired Harry Potter locations and see London's most superstitious hotel. On Matt's tour you will explore hidden places and discover stories unknown to even the most knowledgeable of Londoners. Get tickets
Paddle Boarding in East London - Beginners
Take to the waters and glide about in this beginner paddleboarding session. By the end of it, you'll be standing up and paddling solo, and there's plenty of help on hand to improve your technique. Change of clothes required. Get tickets
