| Things to do this week is sponsored by Dabbers Bingo. Note: all listings are subject to cancellation at short notice, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Please check with the event website before attending. We'll be aiming to keep our listings approach in line with government advice as the situation evolves. All week A Beautiful Way To Be Crazy is one of the final shows at Vault FestivalWONDERFUL THINGS: It's the final week of Tim Walker: Wonderful Things at the V&A. Over 100 surreal works by the art and fashion photographer are on display, including a new series inspired by the V&A's collection. Surreal, beautiful and dreamy. V&A Museum (South Kensington), £15, book ahead, until 22 March VAULT FESTIVAL: After two months of riotous fun, performing arts showcase Vault Festival comes to an end this week. Our pick of the final shows includes spoken word show A Beautiful Way To Be Crazy, and Pyneapple, which focuses on the lives of young black women. The programme's fairly extensive, so you're bound to find something to your taste. Various prices, book ahead, until 22 March Last chance to see Tim Walker: Wonderful Things at the V&AHEBREW MANUSCRIPTS: British Library's new exhibition showcases the history, culture and traditions of Jewish people from all corners of the world through the ages. Hebrew Manuscripts includes documents such as an Italian rabbi’s reply to Henry VIII, who sought advice on divorcing his first wife, as well as plenty of examples of Christian censorship, showing conflict between the two religions. British Library, £8, book ahead, 20 March-22 August MOTHER'S DAY: Consider this your reminder that it's Mother's Day on Sunday, so perhaps swing by your nearest florist or chocolate shop some time this week. Whether your mum's into culture, food, or the great outdoors, we've got plenty of ideas for things to do with her on Mother's Day. Monday 16 March Hear from artists Ben Langlands and Nikki BellLANGLANDS & BELL: Coinciding with their current exhibition, artists Ben Langlands and Nikki Bell are in conversation with Creative Director Tony Chambers. They discuss their four decades of work which explores the relationships between people and architecture, and there's a chance to explore the museum by candlelight after the talk. Sir John Soane's Museum, £25, book ahead, 6.30pm ANDY WARHOL:As London goes mad for Tate Modern's Andy Warhol exhibition, hear from the pop artist's biographer. Blake Gopnik’s new biography is based on years of archive research, and hundreds of hours of interviews with people who knew Warhol. He traces his journey from impoverished son of Eastern European immigrants in 1930s Pittsburgh to art celebrity of the 1970s-80s. University of Westminster (Fitzrovia), £30, book ahead, 6.45pm-8pm CHE GUEVARA: Inspired by Che Guevara's story, Poet in the City brings together academics, activists and poets to question the marginalisation of British LatinX poetry and culture, and shines a light on the resulting activism. Hear talks, and readings of some of Guevara's favouite poems, as well as original works in both English and Spanish. Wilton's (Limehouse), £8-£17, book ahead, 7.30pm Sponsored message Comedy, cabaret, and cracking prizes: this is Bawlers Bingo Four dazzling entertainers, four chances to dab your way to victory — all for just a tenner. Welcome to Bawlers Bingo, where The Dabbers Social Bingo team bring some chuckles to your Tuesday evenings at the UK's first dedicated contemporary bingo hall. This is bingo, but not as your granny knows it. Each round, a talented cabaret artiste or stand-up comic takes to the stage to call the numbers in their own inimitable way. This week's edition - hosted by comedian Eleanor Conway — features a stellar line-up, with sets from comics Nathan Black and Russell Hicks, drag star Séayoncé, and Jerry Bakewell, Britain's most unsuccessful Mexican wrestler. The show begins at 7.30pm, but the bar is open from 5pm, so there's plenty of time to grab a drink or two beforehand (we're talking craft beer and cocktails). If you're feeling peckish, make sure you check out the food menu, too. From Cajun corn-on-the-cob to juicy burgers, there's all sorts of grub to help fuel the competition. Fast-paced fun, fabulous food, and the chance to take home some fantastic prizes... midweek outings don't get much better than this. Click here to book. Tuesday 17 March Dance the night away at the Royal Albert HallSWING DANCE: One of London's biggest annual swing dances takes place tonight. It's for everyone, whether complete beginner or seasoned pro, and is a chance to Lindy Hop, Jitterbug and Jive the night away to live music from Albert's Big Band. Royal Albert Hall, £17.63, book ahead, 7pm ELINOR LIPMAN: Elinor Lipman, author of The Inn at Lake Devine, Then She Found Me and The Family Man, discusses her new book, Good Riddance. It's about a woman who inherits a yearbook from her mother, a teacher, and the mysteries it brings. Bell House (Dulwich), £10, book ahead, 7.30pm Wednesday 18 March The RI talks sustainable fashionWALKING TO JERUSALEM: Walking To Jerusalem tells their story through theatre and stand-up, using walkers' journals and travellers' tales as the source. Wilton's (Limehouse), £11.50-£26, book ahead, 18-19 March SUSTAINABLE FASHION: With environmental concern prevalent, sustainable clothing is taking precedent over fast fashion. Hear from a panel of experts about the steps being taken to make our clothes more sustainable and reduce their impact on the planet, and take along a piece of unwanted clothing with you to swap for something donated by someone else. Royal Institution (Mayfair), £16/£10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-8.45pm CRAFT NIGHT: Paint cosmic coconuts and give celestial sewing a go, at this free craft night which welcomes in the spring equinox. It's hosted by craft expert, Momtaz Begum-Hossain, who you may recognise from our YouTube channel. Coal House Cafe (near Stoke Newington), free, register ahead, 7pm-10.30pm PINK LEMONADE: As part of And What? Queer Arts Festival, catch a performance of Pink Lemonade by Mika Johnson. Poetry, movement and original music are all part of the show, a story about learning to accept yourself. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £12, book ahead, 7.30pm Thursday 19 March Celebrate Sir Michael Parkinson's careerDAUNT BOOKS FESTIVAL: The 2020 Daunt Books Festival kicks off today, bringing myriad authors to the famous Marylebone bookshop across two days. Sophie Dahl, Sebastian Barry and Simon Sebag Montefiore all make appearances today. Daunt Books Marylebone, various prices, book ahead, 19-20 March VICTORIA AND ALBERT: What's myth and what's true about famous royal couple Victoria and Albert? Daisy Goodwin, writer of ITV historical drama Victoria, uses documents from the National Archives to reveal the truth about their relationship beyond Victoria's grief about Albert's death. National Archives (Kew), £15/£12, book ahead, 7.30pm-9pm SIR MICHAEL PARKINSON: TV personality Sir Michael Parkinson takes part in National Theatre's Authors on Stage series of events. He's live on stage in conversation with his son, Mike, talking about his life and career, with a few archive clips thrown in. National Theatre, £15-£45, book ahead, 7.30pm Friday 20 March Stay late at the Royal Geographical SocietyGEOGRAPHICAL LATES: The Royal Geographical Society stays open late for an evening themed on British landscapes. RGS contributors offer a whistle-stop tour around the British Isles and the locations they love via talks and panel discussions on topics such as sustaining the countryside for future generations. Royal Geographical Society (South Kensington), from £10, book ahead, 6pm-10pm AN ASTRONAUT'S STORY: Astronaut and NASA scientist Kathryn Sullivan offers an insight into her life in outer space. She talks to interviewer Hannah MacInnes about what it's like 600km above Earth, performing complicated repairs in space, and her critical role on the Hubble Space Telescope team. Conway Hall (Holborn), £30, book ahead, 6.45pm-8pm BREAKUP MONOLOGUES: Comedian, author and accidental relationship guru Rosie Wilby records a double bill of her chat show podcast The Breakup Monologues. Hear a discussion about the possibilities of chemical control in our romantic lives, whether it's something we want, and whether it's even possible.Kings Place (King's Cross), £9.50, book ahead, 7.30pm BBC SINGERS: As concerts go, this one's pretty special. Hear the BBC Singers perform live on board Cutty Sark. The professional chamber choir perform the world premiere of British composer Rolf Hind’s BBC Commission The Secret Names, along with other works. Cutty Sark (Greenwich), £15, book ahead, 8pm Saturday 21 March Ogle model railways at Alexandra PalaceRAILWAY MODELLING: A chuffing marvellous collection of scale railway models chugs into Ally Pally for the London Festival of Railway Modelling. 120 exhibitors are showing off their wares, including Hornby, Bachmann Europe, Mad About Trains and Digitrains, so plenty of chances to see tiny trains chugging into bucolic model stations. Alexandra Palace, from £12, book ahead, 21-22 March MOVIE MUSIC: London Concertante takes over Ally Pally for an evening of Hollywood soundtracks. Hear familiar tunes from the likes of E.T., Jurassic Park, Edward Scissorhands and more played live, at an event that offers a fun introduction to classical music for anyone new to the genre. Alexandra Palace, £16-£42.50, book ahead, 7.30pm SPRING SWING: Don your dancing shoes and head over to Hoxton for an evening of swing dancing. Lindy Hop and Jitterbug the night away to a soundtrack of tunes from the 1930s-50s, inside a Victorian music hall. Vintage attire very much encouraged. Hoxton Hall, £12, book ahead, 7.30pm Sunday 22 March Attend a talk about the role of mothers in advertisingCLASSICAL COFFEE MORNINGS: Start your Sunday with a dose of culture at a Classical Coffee Morning. This week, soprano He Wu and concert pianist Kumi Matsuo — both students at the Royal College of Music — perform, as you tuck into hot drinks and pastries. Royal Albert Hall, £12.50, book ahead, 11am MOTHERS IN ADVERTISING: Museum of Brands marks Mother's Day with a talk about the role of mothers in advertising, from Edwardian times to the 20th century, via cleaning products and women's liberation. The 30-minute talk is followed by a cream tea. Museum of Brands (Notting Hill), £19, book ahead, 2pm SCIENCE SHAMBLES: The ocean is the theme of the latest Science Shambles podcast, recorded in front of an audience. Science meets comedy as host Robin Ince, physicist and oceanographer Helen Czerski, explorer Dr George McGavin and Natural History Museum curator Miranda Lowe discuss all things seafaring. National Maritime Museum (Greenwich), £10, book ahead, 3pm |
