Things To Do In London This Bank Holiday Weekend: 2-4 May 2015

This weekend’s Things To Do In London, sponsored by thinking bob.

All weekend

North London Vintage Market's dog show takes place on Sunday

VINTAGE MARKET:
North London Vintage Market is back at St Mary's Parish Hall in Crouch End with stalls selling vintage clothing, homewares, books, furniture and more. On Sunday, there's also the third annual Dog Show in aid of North London Hospice (suggested entry £3 per dog). £1.50 admission, just turn up, 2 May (10am-5pm), 3 May (1pm-5pm)

GRAND DESIGNS:
Londonist readers get 241 tickets to Grand Designs Live, at ExCel this weekend (and next!). Whether you're house-proud or garden man, find inspiration in the form of talks, displays, activities and ... Kevin McCloud. £8.50-£10pp, 2-10 May

FITNESS EXPO:
Be:Fit London takes over the Business Design Centre in Islington, giving women a chance to train with the UK’s best trainers in the fitness studio, learn from wellness, nutrition and health experts and meet Olympic icons. £9-£18, 2-3 May
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CANAL CAVALCADE:
Canalway Cavalcade is a waterways boaters' gathering with boats, trade show stalls and boaters gathering that has been taking place at Little Venice since 1983. As well as boating activities there's Morris dancing, food stalls, a real-ale bar, little shops selling the weird and the wonderful and many beautiful narrow boats. Free, just turn up, 2-4 May

SKETCHFEST:
Get a load of sketch comedy at The Cinema Museum in Elephant and Castle, with three days of Sketchfest, includes Chortle's best newcomer Gein's Family Giftshop. £14/£25/£65, prebook, 1-3 May

ZOMBIE ROOM:
Spend your bank holiday weekend trapped in a room with a zombie. In this team game, up to 12 people are locked in a space with a member of the undead, and have to solve clues and puzzles to escape. The zombie, meanwhile, is released a foot at a time. £28, various dates and times
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CINEMA TICKETS:
Treat a mate (or date) to a trip to the cinema over the long weekend — you can get two tickets for a Vue cinema screening for £14, valid until 7 July.
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Saturday 2 May

Get knitting in Clapton

WOOLLY DAY:
Wild and Woolly, a knitting shop in Clapton, celebrates its first birthday with cake, prosecco and expert knitters including Debbie Bliss and Teresa Conway on hand to offer the benefit of their experience. Free, all day

BREWERY LAUNCH:
The Beer Hive, London’s first co-operative brewery, is holding a launch party in Loughborough Junction, with music, food and a Chinese lion dance. 12pm-8pm

PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE:
Learn more about your DSLR camera and how to make the most of it on this workshop, designed for complete beginners. The course starts with some theory, and then walks around interesting parts of London, including South Bank. £50, prebook, 2pm

TIE DYE:
Try your hand at tie-dying on the roof at Queen of Hoxton, with this workshop. Tickets include a drink. £12/£15, prebook, 2pm

TO THE COURTS:
Join a guided walk, led by former City law firm partner Colin Davey, from The Temple to Westminster Hall, tracing the route that lawyers would once have taken up the Thames to go and argue their cases. Learn how lawyers came to make the Temple their home, what was the importance of the river to them, and why they eventually abandoned Westminster Hall as the home of the Courts. £10/£7.50, prebook, 2.30pm

THE VAMPS:
Boy band The Vamps, supported by X-Factor contestants Union J, play a gig at the O2 in Greenwich. £14, 6.30pm
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FUNDRAISING CONCERT:
A group of artists, including Laura Mvula, Michael Kiwanuka and Camden-based siblings Kitty, Daisy & Lewis are getting together at St Luke's Church in Kentish Town. The event is in aid of Kids Club Kampala, which supports vulnerable children in Uganda. £35, prebook, 6.30pm

ALICE IN WONDERLAND:
Head to Stage 3 in Hackney for a five-course meal celebrating the 150th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland. Watch as the story unfolds with each course, projections and sound. See other Alice-themed events going on in London to mark the anniversary. £35, prebook, 6.30pm

MASQUERADE BALL:
The Young Professionals’ Spring Masquerade Ball, continuing the tradition of the Venetian carnival and Royal Court, takes place at the Roof Gardens in Kensington. Live performers include dancers, musicians, acrobats and magicians. Age 21+. £27, 7pm
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HEAVY METAL COMEDY:
This is excellent news: Andrew O'Neill, a comedian brimming with joy despite the black outfits, brings his History of Heavy Metal show to The Garage. £12.50+bf, prebook, 7.30pm

VIVALDI'S FOUR SEASONS:
The critically acclaimed London Concertante
perform a selection of rousing Vivaldi pieces, along with a bit of Mozart for good measure, in the elegant setting of Southwark Cathedral. Even better, the concert takes place by candlelight. £13.50-£16.50, 7.30pm
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BLACK CAT CABARET:
Critically acclaimed cabaret stars strut their stuff at Salon des Artistes at the Cafe Royal Hotel on Piccadilly. Cabaret, music and circus performances take place while you enjoy a waiter drinks service (drinks not included). £17.50, 7.30pm
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CASINO EXPERIENCE:
Have an hour of gaming tuition in blackjack and roulette, and then put it to good use with a £5 table bet, plus a £5 gaming slots voucher. A drink at the bar is also included. At the Grosvenor Victoria Casino in Marble Arch. Age 18+. £15-£30, 8pm
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COMEDY CABARET:
Expect  mix of dark vaudeville folk and Steampunk slaughterhouse blues from The Wattingers and Miss Von Trapp at Hornsey Town Hall. £7, prebook, 8pm

BOAT PARTY:
Hop aboard a boat at Victoria Embankment and party your way up and down the Thames, with two decks of music and DJs. After the boat docks, head to Lightbox for the after party. £15, 8pm
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BASEMENT JAXX:
British electronic dance music duo Basement Jaxx are part of the line-up at Ministry of Sound in Elephant & Castle. Also on the bill is house DJ Andy Butler, £16/£22, prebook, 11pm-7am

Sunday 3 May

London Coffee Festival takes place at Old Truman Brewery

SOLAR ECLIPSE:
No, not another one.  This walk, led by a member of Croydon Astronomical Society, looks at the city's astronomically related past. Visit the exact site where Halley (of Halley's Comet) viewed the eclipse and hear of links with Wren and Newton. Learn about other astronomical highlights of London's last and next 1,000 years. Starts at Fleet Street. Free, prebook, 10am/1pm

COFFEE FESTIVAL:
Any fan of coffee should head to the Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane where London Coffee Festival takes place. Over 250 artisan coffee and food stalls will be exhibiting and selling their wares, plus there's live music from bands and DJs. £11.50-£45, 10am-4pm
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TOTTENHAM PLOUGHMAN RIVERFEST:
Lordship Recreation Ground near Bruce Grove is the venue for this year's Tottenham Ploughman Riverfest, a celebration of rivers. There's live music from Tottenham Community Choir, Pan Nation and The Swinging Magpies. Activities include pond dipping, seed ball throwing, fishing games, duck feeding and garland making, and there are plenty of food and drink stalls too. Free, just turn up, 11am-4pm

WOMEN AT WAR:
Join a Blue Badge guide on a walk through central London to hear and see how women got involved during the First World War, taking on almost every job to keep the Home Front running. Women emerged from their homes to work as nurses, munitionettes, police patrols, farm-hands and, in one extraordinary case, as a soldier on the front line. £10/£8, prebook, 11am

BREWING MASTERCLASS:
This brewing masterclass will take you through the various steps of brewing, giving you an all-around idea of what goes into making the best possible beer. Learn about things from brewing equipment and water treatment to mashing and sparging. Price includes a sample pint of the finished product, a full English breakfast and two bottles of the beer for you to take away. Takes place at The Shakespeare in Farringdon. £55, 11.30am
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DODO'S DREAM:
Hackney Children's Theatre performs new show Dodo's Dream at The Petchey Academy on Shacklewell Lane, featuring puppetry, clowning and more (plus, Dalston Food Market takes place in the grounds at the same time). £5.50, prebook, 12pm/2pm

STREETFEST:
StreetFest, the UK’s leading live art and culture festival, is back at Tobacco Dock for its eighth year. Expect live art, dance, fashion, urban sports, music, street food, creative workshops, tattooing and more. £20-£35, 1pm
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THREE COURSE ROAST:
Enjoy a three course roast plus bottomless cocktails in the 18th century surroundings of Mews of Mayfair. Options from the menu include smoked salmon macaroni cheese and roast sirloin of South Devon dry-aged beef. £40, 1pm
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KIDS COMEDY:
Comedy Club 4 Kids at Southbank Centre is stand up for those over the age of 6. Line up includes Luke Toulson, Keith Farnan, James Acaster and Sara Pascoe, who perform their usual sets without the swearing or rude bits. £13, 2.30pm
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VICTORIA PARK:
Travis Elborough leads a walking tour exploring the social histories of the Victoria Park’s playing fields. Guest speakers include the poet Tim Wells, and Clive Bettington, Chair of the Jewish East End Celebration Society. Free, prebook, 3pm

VODKA TESTING:
Indy restaurant Little Water in Covent Garden runs a vodka tasting session, matching food dishes with the perfect vodka. Try four shots (flavours include blackcurrant, basil or chocolate) plus a burger and dessert for £19.90. 6pm
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DINNER CRUISE:
Board the London Showboat at Westminster Pier and take part in live music, drink and dancing while you tuck into a four course meal. Expect to hear classic show tunes as you cruise up and down the Thames. Includes a glass of sparkling wine on arrival plus half a bottle of wine per person. £49.50, 7.45pm
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Monday 4 May

Donna Maria’s maypole extravaganza is part of the Lloyd Park Fair

CHOCOLATE TOUR:
Take a tour of the streets of Mayfair and Soho, stopping to sample 10 chocolates from throughout England's history. A sweet way to spend a bank holiday. £40, 10am
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TASTES OF SOHO:
Take a half day walking food tour through the quirky laneways and hidden alleys of Soho, to visit secret eating spots that you probably wouldn't find on your own. Throughout the tour you'll sample 10 different dished from around the area. £61, 10.30am
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SOUTHGATE FAIR:
Southgate May Fair takes place on Southgate Green, raising money for North London Hospice. 11am-4pm

BOND IN MOTION:
Seen the James Bond exhibition at London Film Museum yet? The extra day of the weekend is your chance. It features original vehicles seen in the films including the Aston Martin DB5, the Lotus Esprit S1, motorcycles, boats, and aircrafts, plus concept art and storyboards from the production’s art department. £9.50-£14.50, from 11am
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STAR WARS FAIR:
Star Wars meets a traditional May Fair with maypole dancing, food and drink, craft stalls and bouncy castles at Lloyd Park in Walthamstow. There's also a dog show, including prizes for best Star Wars outfits (adults, children and dogs). May the fourth be with you. Free, just turn up, 12pm-5pm

ART DECO BLOOMSBURY:
Join this guided walk and explore Bloomsbury’s rich Art Deco heritage, including Charles Holden’s iconic Senate House, the former Daimler Car Hire garage and a reconverted petrol station. £8/£7, prebook, 2pm

I WANT TO BE ELECTED:
Take part in a scavenger hunt with a political twist. Solve the cryptic clues to explore Westminster and follow in the footsteps of political leaders. There are prizes to be won, and everyone is rewarded with a drink at the end. £15-£60, 2pm
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LES MISERABLES:
Private members’ club Library is partnering with Edible Stories for a four week theatrical inspired pop-up. The play is broken down throughout the meal and presented as various edible courses. The food, your interaction with it, the interaction with the people at the table with you, and your environment will allow you to pull together the clues and gradually uncover the story. £55, 7.30pm
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ALICE IN WONDERLAND:
Explore the world of Wonderland, as experts come together to talk about the influence of Lewis Carroll's famous novel on design. Takes place at Waterloo Vaults. £25, 7.30pm
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BOOM-TISH!
This show at Udderbelly on Southbank brings together some of the top names in stand-up, musical comedy, sketch, ventriloquism and magic, from tall over the world. £15.50, 7.30pm
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COMEDY:
There's new material with Old Rope at the Phoenix on Cavendish Square, from guests Rhys James, Aisling Bea, Stuart Black and Chris Kent. £6.60, prebook, 8.30pm


Join thinking bob and make the most of this bank holiday weekend!

Staying in London for bank holiday weekend? Make sure you join thinking bob beforehand, and take part in one of their London-based socials. Kick off the weekend on Friday with traditional Ceilidih Dance, play beer pong while having a picnic in Regent's Park on Saturday, or explore Richmond Park with new friends on Monday.

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This edition of Things To Do In London This Weekend is sponsored by thinking bob.


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