| At time of writing, the Covid-19 situation is fast changing, with new restrictions or staff shortages always a possibility, so do check that events are still going ahead before you set off. All weekend The Kingdom Choir perform as part of In The Round FestivalIN THE ROUND: Camden Roundhouse's In The Round Festival is back, with a series of one-off gigs performed on the venue's circular stage. This weekend, pick from The Kingdom Choir (who performed at Harry and Meghan's Royal wedding), and exploration of the South Asian dance scene with film screening The Birth of Punjabi Garage. Roundhouse (Camden), various prices, book ahead, 15-25 January SHORT FILMS: It's the final weekend of this year's London Short Film Festival, which means it's your last chance to catch gems such as the spine-tingling Midnight Movies programme, and the insane WTF: Outside The Box. Various locations and prices, book ahead, until 23 January Birds are the theme of Natural History Museum's new displayMIME FESTIVAL: Silence please, as London International Mime Festival continues apace. Highlights this weekend include family-friendly puppet show The Red Balloon, and Big Boys Don't Cry from comedy double act Adam and Dik. Various locations and prices, book ahead, until 6 February BIRDS OF AMERICA: Natural History Museum's latest display focuses on birds. Specifically, the engravings from John James Audubon's ornithological record book, The Birds of America. As well as impressively accurate engravings, you can ogle taxidermy specimens, and get an insight into Audubon's life and work. Natural History Museum (South Kensington), free, book ahead, ongoing FREE THINGS TO DO: Feeling the January pinch? Fear not, our brand new list of 102 free things to do in London is here to help you entertain yourself (and the kids) on the cheap, whether you're after fascinating museums, live music or breathtaking views. It's like a 101 Things to Do, but one better. The Red Balloon is part of London International Mime FestivalCOASTAL WALK: Up for a challenge? With certain footpaths being made public last week, it's now possible to walk from London to the Kent coast on one continuous route following the Thames. Granted, it's almost 50 miles so you might not want to do it all in one go, but there's plenty to see along the way. BANK LINE CLOSURE: A reminder that as of Saturday 15 January, a large section of the Bank branch of the Northern line is now closed for four months, so bear that in mind as you plan your journeys around London.. Saturday 22 January Tom Carradine is back at Wilton'sELSTREE EXTENSION: It's the first weekend of Elstree & Borehamwood Museum's exhibition on the Northern line extension that never was. Includes a model of the tube line that was meant to run from Edgware to Bushey Heath. Elstree & Borehamwood Museum, free, just turn up, 10am-3pm (also open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays) DOMMY B: Take the kids along to see CBeebies Rhyme Rocket poet Dommy B live on stage. In Dommy B's Best Adventure Ever, he explores the challenges and triumphs of making new friends, through the story of a young boy who moves to a new school. Age 5+. Half Moon Theatre (Limehouse), £7, book ahead, 11am/2pm WOOD BLOCK PRINTING: Based on patterns in the current Young Poland exhibition, William Morris Gallery hosts a family-friendly wood block printing day. Artist Karolina Jonc Buczek shows you how to make a print using your own stamp. William Morris Gallery (Walthamstow), free, just turn up, 1pm-4pm LEGAL LONDON: Join Footprints of London guide David Charnick for a wander around London's legal district. As you pass buildings such as the Inns of Court and the Royal Courts of Justice, get the lowdown on what goes on inside, and how the legal system works. Blackfriar pub, £12/£9, book ahead, 2.30pm-4.30pm Let your hair down at The Candlelight ClubCHARLTON ATHLETIC: Enjoy an afternoon at the footie (with a chicken balti pie and a Bovril if you like), as Charlton Athletic take on Fleetwood Town at The Valley. Charlton, book ahead, adults from £23, KO 3pm BREAKING THE SILENCE: Watch award-winning documentary Breaking the Silence: Music in Afghanistan, which was filmed in 2002, shortly after the fall of the Taliban. It focuses on the country's music industry following five years of suppression, and the links between music and politics, through interviews with Afghan musicians and music lovers. Barbican Cinema, £12, book ahead, 4.45pm CANDLELIGHT CLUB: Get glammed up for The Candlelight Club's January party. The 1920s themed event takes inspiration from Prohibition-era America, taking the format of a secret speakeasy, with a live jazz band and cabaret performers. Secret central London location, from £25, book ahead, 7pm COCKNEY SING-A-LONG: Tom Carradine is back at the old Joanna for another round of the ever-popular Carradine's Cockney Sing-a-long. Join in with ditties from the Music Hall era, both world wars, the West End stage and popular songs from across the decades in a traditional East End-style knees up. Wilton's Music Hall, £6-£18, book ahead, 7.30pm) Sunday 23 January Chelsea Physic Garden reopens todayHERALDING SPRING: Chelsea Physic Garden reopens today after its winter break, with snowdrops due to appear any day now. Wander through the botanical garden on the bank of the Thames, looking out for signs that spring is coming. Chelsea Physic Garden, £9.50, book ahead, from 23 January RAPUNZEL: Think panto season's over? Oh no it isn't — Rapunzel comes to south-east London, for a limited run. Enjoy magic and music as you watch Rapunzel's attempts to escape after being locked up in the tower by then mean Mother Gothel. Tramshed Theatre (Woolwich), £10/£8, book ahead, 23-29 January WOODLAND TALES: Join Laura the ladybird, Jeffrey the spider, Brett the Woodlouse, Willoughby the Woodpecker and Velda the Vixen in their woodland, where mysterious things are happening and only Granddad can help them. The story is told through puppets. Age 3+. artsdepot (North Finchley), from £9, book ahead, 11am/2pm PALACE HISTORY: Join an expert for a guided tour around Fulham Palace, the home of the Bishops of London. Visit both the exterior and interior, including the Victorian chapel and Tudor great hall, soaking up its history as you go. Fulham Palace, £8, book ahead, 2pm-3.15pm FESTIVAL CHORUS: The Crouch End Festival Chorus perform a programme of works by composer siblings Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn, giving Fanny the equal spotlight she deserves, compared to her better-known brother. Alexandra Palace, £5.38-£28, book ahead, 3pm (doors 2pm) The Crouch End Festival Chorus perform at Ally PallyTRANS EXPERIENCE: The story of Ewan Forbes is little-known, but could have changed the lives of trans people across the world if it hadn't been hidden. Forbes was born female but knew he was male from childhood, and as an adult, he changed his gender on his birth certificate, and was treated with synthetic testosterone. But in 1965, Forbes had to defend his male status in court, in a legal battle over inheriting the family title. Find out more at this week's Thinking On Sunday event. Conway Hall (Holborn) or online, £8/£5, book ahead, 3pm-4.30pm SONGS OF COMFORT: Theresienstadt was a mass transit camp for Jews during the Holocaust, where musicians and choirs met in secret away from Nazi guards to continue making music. Today, the BBC Singers and Guildhall School of Music and Drama perform some of the songs that emerged from those bleak surroundings. Milton Court Concert Hall (Barbican), £15, book ahead, 3.30pm LONDON BRIDGE TRIO: It's the turn of the London Bridge Trio to take to the stage at this week's Sunday Concert. The chamber group perform works by Schumann, Colin Matthews and Mendelssohn to both a live and online audience. Conway Hall (Holborn) £12, or online £10, book ahead, 6.30pm-8pm SUBTERRANEAN LONDON: The tube isn't the only thing going on beneath our feet — learn about 12 other subterranean spaces in London on this virtual tour, which covers crypts, caves, tunnels, vaults and bunkers. Find out the history behind them, who made them and how they were and are used. Online event, £8 per person/£16 per group, book ahead, 8pm-9pm |
