Things To Do This Week In London: 9-15 September 2024

Last week of the Proms, and a new play about the tube map

All week

BBC PROMS: This is the final week of BBC Proms 2024, culminating in the famous Last Night of the Proms. Though tickets for that one are very hard to come by, there are other concerts to enjoy this week, by the likes of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Florence and the Machine, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. See the full schedule. Until 14 September

LONDON PODCAST FESTIVAL: Food, race identity, body image, Star Trek and true crime are among the topics covered by different shows at the London Podcast Festival this week. Three Bean Salad, Murder Ain't Easy, Plumbing the Death Star, Memory Lane and Black Prose are among the podcasts being recorded in front of a live audience at Kings Place. Until 15 September

KISS ME, KATE: Line of Duty star Adrian Dunbar is currently starring in Kiss Me, Kate at the Barbican, alongside Stephanie J Block -- though you've only got until this weekend to see it. Set in the 1940s, it's the story of theatre director Fred Graham who is reunited with his ex-wife, when the two are forced to play opposite one another in a new production of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. Until 14 September

HELLO, DOLLY!: Another big star currently on the West End stage is Imelda Staunton, appearing in the role of socialite turned matchmaker Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly! at the London Palladium -- but again, only until this weekend. We went to see it the other day, and you'll be humming the tunes all the way home. Until 14 September

UGLY SISTERS: "On the day The Female Eunuch is issued in America, a transgender woman in flapping draperies rushes up to Germaine Greer and says: thank you so much for all you've done for us girls." Following its sell-out run at Edinburgh, the riotous, operatic Ugly Sisters is on for a stint at the New Diorama Theatre near Great Portland Street. Until 20 September

EAT OF THE WEEK: We were recently treated to dinner at the Danish steakhouse KöD's new Soho branch, and they're dishing up some seriously good steaks -- grass-fed, and minimum 35 day aged -- in stylish surroundings, stashed away down St Anne's Court. Veggies needn't miss out; a grilled cauliflower steak with rose harissa, hummus, pomegranate, feta cheese and chimichurri is also on the menu.

DRINK OF THE WEEK: Set among the storage shelves, fridges and stacks of ingredients beneath Daddy Bao in Tooting, you'll find Good Measure, a new cocktail bar slinging peanut old fashioneds, and the Apricot Affair (plum sake, yuzu sake, Cocchi Americano, apricot brandy). Walk-ins only.

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Monday 9 September

SHAPARAK KHORSANDI: Comedian Shaparak Khorsandi is at Soho Theatre to try out her current work in progress show, Scatterbrain. Expect a trip back through her early years as a comic and woman-about-town, and a whirlwind tour of her brain, following her ADHD diagnosis last year. 9-10 September

SATHNAM SANGHERA: Author and journalist Sathnam Sanghera is at the Charlotte Street Hotel to discuss his new book, Empireworld: How British Imperialism Has Shaped the Globe, a sequel to his 2021 book Empireland. He discusses his examination of British imperialism and answers questions from the audience, followed by a book signing. 6.30pm-8pm

ABSINTHE AS LIQUID MUSE: Been to the Last Tuesday Society's current exhibition about absinthe yet? Tonight, the exhibition's curator Allison Crawbuck gives a talk about the potent spirit's influence over the creative minds of the Belle Époque, including artists Vincent Van Gogh and Pablo Picasso, and writer Oscar Wilde. 6.30pm-8.30pm

SKATEBOARDING SCIENCE: Get the lowdown on the basics of balance and motion on a skateboard, right through to the complexities of executing flawless tricks. Skateboarder Rodney Mullin is at the Royal Institution to talk about the science behind the sport, including the the physics and biomechanics that make skateboarding possible. Watch in person, or online via livestream. 7pm-8.30pm

G4 20TH ANNIVERSARY: X-Factor stars G4 bring their 20th anniversary tour to Leicester Square Theatre. The vocal harmony group perform their own take on well-known songs including Bohemian Rhapsody, a haunting version of Creep, and Nessun Dorma. 7.30pm

Tuesday 10 September

THE GODS: Performed as a live gig on three stages which surround the crowd, The Gods, The Gods, The Gods comes to the Underbelly Festival pop-up near Oxford Circus. It takes the form of a 12-track album combined with spoken word, interweaving several people's stories to look at what we might find in the people who surround us. 10-21 September

10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU: Rooftop Film Club at Roof East in Stratford screens 1999 rom com film 10 Things I Hate About You. Based on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, it's the story of a high school student who isn't allowed to date until her older sister also dates. 5.45pm

ART WITHOUT MEN: Celebrate the paperback release of Katy Hessel’s The Story of Art Without Men at the Garden Museum in Lambeth. The event coincides with current exhibition, Gardening Bohemia: Bloomsbury Women Outdoors, and sees Hessel in conversation with writer, fashion critic and art curator Charlie Porter, and radio host and gardener Flo Dill to talk about gardening, music, culture and the groundbreaking women of the Bloomsbury Group. 7pm-8pm

RIVERS IN A BOAT: Theatreship (which is actually a theatre on a ship, in Canary Wharf) holds another river-themed mixed-arts evening as part of Totally Thames. Watch Bong Joon-ho's The Host (2006) about a family in Seoul who are forced to fight off a monster in the Han River. It's preceded by Joseph June Bond’s ‘Thames Whale’: a sonic submersion into reports of whales in the Thames. And stay for a live performance of Owen Spafford's re-arrangement of traditional folk melody ‘The Greenland Whale’. 7pm-10pm

SHAPESHIFTERS: London Fortean Society meets at The Miller near London Bridge for an evening about shapeshifters -- people who can transform into an animal. Many people believe that shapeshifters walk among us and may even be world leaders, something explored in John B. Kachuba's book, Shapeshifters: A History, which is available to buy at the event. 7.30pm

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STEPHEN FRY: Actor and presenter Stephen Fry is at the Royal Geographical Soceity for an evening fundraising for mental health charity Mind. He teams up with William Sieghart, author of anthology The Poetry Pharmacy for readings and discussions of some of the poems. Expect a few special guests to make appearances too. 7.30pm-8.45pm

Wednesday 11 September

GREENWICH COMEDY FESTIVAL: Sara Pascoe, Josh Widdicombe, Jen Brister, Sindhu Vee and Harry Hill are among the headliners at Greenwich Comedy Festival, taking place in a big top in the grounds of the National Maritime Museum from today. Arrive early to make the most of the pop-up bars and street food stalls running alongside the festival. 11-15 September

BRITISH SCIENCE FESTIVAL: The University of East London hosts the British Science Festival, with social media star Big Manny, and Olympic athletes Kelly Sotherton, Diane Modahl and Katherine Grainger headlining. Researchers share their work on a range of topics through talks, activities, interactive events, installations, performances and more. FREE, 11-15 September

HEALING WORDS: The Royal College of Physicians, located near Regent's Park, opens its latest exhibition today. Healing Words takes a look back at medical practice in England between 1500 and 1800, using 'recipe books', which were household books usually written by women containing recipes for preparing and preserving food, household products, and medical remedies. 11 September-July 2025

SCIENCE MUSEUM LATES: South Kensington's Science Museum hosts a special after-hours and adults-only event. Journey of Life Lates shines a light on some of the most important health challenges facing the world today. In addition to themed talks and activities, rediscover your favourite childhood games in Power Up, dance the night away under real rockets at the silent disco, or simply explore the galleries after hours. FREE, 6.30pm-10pm

HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE: Gresham College launches its new season of free lectures with Chris Lintott (Gresham Professor of Astronomy, and Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Oxford) talking about the Hubble Space Telescope. Find out about the history of the astronomical instrument, which was 40 years in the making, and originally had an issue with a misshapen mirror. Takes place at Conway Hall in Holborn. FREE, 7pm

COMEDY AND CURRY: Carl Donnelly and Carwyn Blayney, along with a special guest, perform at the Comedy and Curry night at Sai Restaurant in Raynes Park. Tuck into a two-course Indian buffet as you watch the show. 7pm

Thursday 12 September

THE BEATLES: Go on a Magical Mystery Tour with composer and guitarist Professor Milton Mermikides, who gives a Gresham College lecture about the ‘psychedelic era’ of the Beatles, from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band to Let it Be. Find out how harmony, melody, lyrics, structure and technology were combined to make the experimental songs. Watch in person at LSO ST Luke's, or online. FREE, 6pm

FREE LIVE MUSIC: There's free live music at Goodluck Hope on Trinity Buoy Wharf this evening, as part of the Islander Festival. Head over there after work to see local rising music talent performing against the backdrop of the O2 dome. Drinks are available to buy from a pop-up bar on site. FREE, 6pm-9pm

X TROOP COMMANDO: Head to the Imperial War Museum to hear from historian and author Helen Fry about Colin Anson, born Claus Ascher, a German-Jewish refugee who fought for Britain with X Troop, a commando force made up mostly of German and Austrian citizens who had fled Hitler's Germany. She's just written a book about Anson, and will take questions after the talk. 6.30pm-8.30pm

HEARTSTOPPER: Alice Oseman, author of graphic-novel-turned-Netflix-series Heartstopper is at Union Chapel in Islington to celebrate the launch of Heartstopper Volume 5. Hear how the story of Nick and Charlie, two teenage boys who meet at school, become friends and fall in love began, and find out what might be next. 7pm

DIANE ABBOTT: Hackney and Stoke Newington MP Diane Abbott is at Southbank Centre to discuss her new memoir, A Woman Like Me. Hear about her experiences of being a child of the Windrush generation, and becoming the first elected Black female MP in the UK. 7.30pm

Friday 13 September

CAMDEN MUSIC FESTIVAL: After the inaugural event last year, Camden Music Festival is back for a second outing, with Paul Oakenfold, Jazzie B and Brand New Heavies among the artists performing on six different stages on pedestrianised streets around Camden Town across three days. Keep an eye on social media for further updates. 13-15 September

MARKFIELD ROAD FESTIVAL: Taking place in South Tottenham, Markfield Road Festival is a free arts and music festival for all ages. Visit open arts studios, watch live music performances, take part in workshops including life drawing, and watch a carnival procession featuring local school children, among other events. FREE ENTRY, 13-15 September

CELEBRASIA: South East Asian culture is celebrated at Battersea Power Station's CelebrASIa festival. Take part in creative workshops including lantern making, Batik art, and pewter crafting, and watch live performances including dances, orchestras and DJ sets. Plus there will be food stalls selling dishes from countries including Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore. 13-15 September

CERAMICS IN THE CITY: Local and international ceramic artists showcase and sell their wares at Ceramics in the City at the Museum of the Home in Hoxton. Browse and buy tableware, stoneware, ornamental objects and collector pieces. 13-15 September

FLOWER FESTIVAL: Sustainable floristry is celebrated at the Strawberry Hill House Flower Festival, which has a theme of 'nature unbound' this year, showcasing the work of 30 floral designers. See arrangements on display inside the Gothic castle, and take tours of the festival led by curators, along with talks and workshops by experts. 13-15 September

PRINCESS ESSEX: It's not just Shakespeare plays at the Globe Theatre, you know. Princess Essex is a new play by Anne Odeke, set in Southend in 1908, about the first woman of colour to enter a beauty pageant in the UK. 13 September-26 October

LEADENHALL ABSEIL: Feeling brave? Sign up to abseil down the side of the Leadenhall Building — aka the Cheesegrater — raising money for Maggie's Cancer Charity. Begin your descent from 200m up the 225m-tall building, back down to the ground. 9am-5pm

HARRY POTTER QUIZ: Know your muggles from your mudbloods? Market House Brixton hosts a Harry Potter quiz where you can show off your knowledge about Hogwarts and the Wizarding World. Maximum eight people on a team, with prizes for 1st and 2nd place, and fancy dress is very much encouraged. 6pm-10pm

Saturday 14 September

DOCTOR WHO: Watch a live performance of a brand-new Doctor Who audio play, The Stuff of Legend, by Robert Valentine, starring Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor and India Fisher as his companion Charley Pollard. The event, at Conway Hall, is to celebrate the 25th anniversary of licensed Doctor Who audio dramas. 14-15 September

LONDON DESIGN FESTIVAL: The 22nd edition of London Design Festival continues its aim of showcasing London as the design capital of the world. This year's programme includes exhibitions, panel talks, product launches, workshops, demonstrations and more across a whole range of topics and areas. 14-22 September

OPEN HOUSE LONDON: It's the most wonderful time of year! All manner of London buildings and structures, which are usually off-limits to the public, fling their doors open and welcome us in for Open House London. This year's programme includes the usual diverse mix of modern offices, livery halls, skyscrapers, churches, and other motley edifices -- some require booking in advance, and others you can just drop in and see. 14-22 September

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BONKERS MAPS: One of Londonist's favourite cartographers, Mark Cowie is at Chesham Library to discuss his various eccentric Zone 9 maps (we've featured quiteafew) populated with clockwork tube trains, hobby horses and questionable football trivia. Some of the maps are also on display here, and will be so for a couple of weeks. FREE, 11am

HARRY BECK: More maps! London Transport Museum's Cubic Theatre hosts a new play, The Truth About Harry Beck, which delves into the life and work of the creator of the tube map, and his wife Nora. Find out how the world-famous tube map was created, and to what cost. 14 September-10 November

FREE ROUTEMASTER RIDES: As part of the national Heritage Open Days programme, free rides on vintage Routemaster buses are being offered on two south London TfL routes: the 61 between Bromley and Chislehurst, and the 261 between Lewisham and Locksbottom in Bromley. There's also an open day at Bromley Common Bus Garage (small charge for that one). FREE, 10am-5pm

WESTMINSTER CINEMAS: Footprints of London guide Stephen Benton offers a walking tour focusing on the history of cinema in the Westminster area. Meet at Piccadilly Circus and wander past cinemas which are still in operation today, as well as buildings that were once used as cinemas but have since changed purpose. 11am-12.30pm

MYRA DUBOIS: Drag comedy persona Myra Dubois brings her UK tour Be Well to Hackney Empire, offering a comically scathing look at the state of the wellness industry. Comedian Frank Lavender is the support act. 7.30pm

Sunday 15 September

SNEAKER FESTIVAL: Walthamstow's Big Penny Social combines sneakers and coffee for one big festival. KicksNCoffee is a chance to splash out on a new pair of kicks while sampling coffees to find your new favourite brew, under the same roof. 11am-5pm

VINTAGE FAIR: Browse your way through goods from more than 60 dealers at the Frock Me Vintage Fair at Chelsea Old Town Hall. Rare vintage and antique clothing, jewellery and textiles are available to buy, including vintage British labels such as Ossie Clark, Bill Gibb and Biba. 11am-5.30pm

JAZZ CAFE FESTIVAL: The Jazz Cafe leaves its Camden home for a one-day festival in Burgess Park. Regular Jazz Cafe performers pop up at four stages across the park, including a grand arena style stage for headline acts, a tropical plant room which blurs the boundaries between the stage and the natural world, and a secret stage. There are also food trucks and pop-up bars to keep everyone fed and watered. 12pm-10pm

A SUNDAY IN SEPTEMBER: Returning to the Bedford in Balham, A Sunday in September is an annual all-day boutique festival of eclectic, progressive and alternative music. Bands this year include The Fierce and the Dead, Iamthemorning and Wreckless Eric. Doors 1pm

FILM SCORES: Hear music from films including Star Wars, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park and Schindler's List at Southbank Centre. The London Concert Orchestra performs the celebration of the work of film composer John Williams. 3pm

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THE DRAG CIRCUS: Drag and circus combine at the Two Brewers in Clapham. Circus drag superstar Luspinda takes on the role of ringmaster, hosting a evening promising hoops, clowns, contortion, juggling, and a seal, featuring acts including variety performer J'aiMime and drag artist Richard Melanin the Third. 7pm

SUNDAY SCHTICK: Squeeze the last drop of mirth and merriment out of your weekend at Sunday Schtick -- a weekly comedy show at Kentish Town's Rose & Crown, where you can watch open mic comedy for nada (Though there'll inevitably be a bucket at the end, SO cough up if you can). FREE, 7pm

MUSICALS MAYHEM: Singing drag icon Le Gateau Chocolat promises an hour of high kicks, high drag, high glamour and comedy as Musicals Mayhem comes to the Regent's Park Open-Air Theatre, featuring covers of songs from plenty of well-known musical theatre shows. 7.30pm

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