Things to do for £5 or less in London this week.
All week
FOOTPRINTS OF MEMORY: This exhibition at Amnesty International's Shoreditch offices is raising awareness of people — particularly students — who have disappeared in Mexico in recent years. It features 40 pairs of shoes worn by people when they were searching for their family members, and messages for the missing. Amnesty International (25 New Inn Yard, EC2A 3EA), free, just turn up, 20-31 March, 9am-6pm
#IAMYEZIDI: This photography exhibition portrays the hardships faced by Yezidi women in Iraq. Includes stories of women who have escaped slavery and rescued their children from ISIS captivity. Lacey Contemporary Gallery, free, just turn up, 21-26 March
THE BEST IN PHOTOGRAPHY: We always look forward to the Deutsche Börse Photography Prize as the benchmark of photography as art. The finalists' styles change dramatically every year, and this annual exhibition has included many impressive winners in the past. The Photographers' Gallery, £4 (free before noon), just turn up, until 11 June
ELECTRICITY: Been to Wellcome Collection's Electricity exhibition yet? It charts humanity's history of believing God created lightning, to the futuristic Masdar city in Abu Dhabi, via experiments with twitching frogs legs and the construction of the National Grid. Wellcome Collection, free, just turn up, until 25 June
Monday 20 March
ORCHESTRAS OF AUSCHWITZ: Jewish musicians imprisoned in Auschwitz were forced to perform for slave labour commandos in the camp. This evening consists of a talk, followed by a performance, including original music that was written in Auschwitz. The Wiener Library, free, book ahead, 6.30pm-8.30pm
PUB QUIZ: Put the little grey cells to work on this Clapham Common pub quiz. Prizes including a bar tab are up for grabs. The King & Co, £2, booking recommended, 8pm
Tuesday 21 March
MAKING MONEY: Ever wondered how money is made? Bank of England Museum curator Jennifer Adam talks about the launch of the polymer £5 note last year, and the history of the production of banknotes. Guildhall Library, £5 (+ booking fee), book ahead, 6pm-8pm
HIGH ALTITUDE MEDICINE: Climbing Everest could help medicine. This lecture explains how data taken from a 2007 medical expedition to the top of the mountain can be used to explain why some people can adapt to high altitude better than others. Museum of London, Free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm
CONCEALED REVEALED: Old shoes up chimney breasts, mummified cats bricked up in walls and horse skulls buried under hearthstones are just some of the odd objects found hidden away in post-medieval houses. This talk aims to reveal who was concealing them, and why. Horse Hospital, free, book ahead, 6pm
SEXY SHORTS: Short film night Bar Shorts is back with a line-up that explores sexuality, liberty, frustration and humour in all that is amorous. Watch the films, then chat to the filmmakers and directors. The Book Club, free, book ahead, 7pm-11pm
LOLITICS: Self-proclaimed 'Lefty political comedy club' Lolitics makes its monthly appearance in Camden, with a line-up including feminist activist Chloe Green and stand-up comedian Charlie Partridge. Best of all? No heckling, and the comedians won't pick on you. The Black Heart, £5, just turn up, 7.30pm
Wednesday 22 March
BANGLAHOP!: Here's an exhibition of dance photography, showcasing photos of, and by, students from Mulberry School for Girls and Redlands and Smithy Street Primary Schools. Oxford House, free, just turn up, 22-30 March
MADE LONDON: Furniture, clothes, jewellery and homewares are just some of the products on display at Made London. 60 designers are selling their products, so you can meet the person who made your new vase/rug/ring. Canary Wharf, free entry, just turn up, until 25 March
DASH CAFÉ: The politics of the Soviet film industry is the subject being tackled at this month's Dash Café. Watch film clips from across the decades accompanied by debates with experts and get an insight into how the industry was censored. Rich Mix, free, book ahead, 7.30pm
STAND UP HUMAN: If you could redesign the human body, what would you change? Scientists and comedians come together to tell you, basically, why your body isn't fit for purpose (and why lions are better than you). The Book Club, £5, book ahead, 7.30pm-10pm
COMEDY NIGHT: Alison Thea-Skot, Jon Pointing and BAFTA-nominated Spencer Jones are all on the line-up for WIP It Real Good character comedy night. The Betsey Trotwood, free, just turn up, 7.45pm
Thursday 23 March
LUNCHTIME CONCERT: Head to LSE in your lunch break for the final lunchtime concert of the term. The Castalian String Quartet perform works by Haydn and Beethoven. LSE, free, just turn up, 1.05pm-2pm
FREE POPCHIPS: Comedy from spoof artist Deliciously Stella, voguing classes, and makeovers from a drag expert are just some of the rooms you can visit at the pop-up Popchips store in Soho. It all sounds a little bit terrifying, but they'll be giving out free Popchips, and that's something we can get on board with. 19 Greek Street, free, just turn up, 5.30pm-8pm
THE RISE OF SOURDOUGH: If you had sourdough bread down as a new-fangled hipster snack, think again. It's been around for 6,000 years, and fed the people that built the pyramids. Find out how it became so popular — and why it was replaced with modern, yeast-based bread. Barnard's Inn Hall, free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm
FSTVL: We Are FSTVL is popping up in Shoreditch for an evening of dance music and free drinks. Boxpark Shoreditch, free, book ahead, 6pm-9pm
HOLOCAUST AWARENESS: In 1942, Polish diplomat Jan Karski attempted to raise awareness of the extermination of Jews that was taken place in Poland, but he was largely ignored. In 2009, French writer Yannick Haenel published a novel celebrating Karski, but the book was criticised for distorting history. This talk continues the debate around Karski's legend. The Wiener Library, Free, book ahead, 6pm-8pm
WATER OF LIFE: St Paul's Cathedral marks the UN's World Water Day with an evening of musical performances and expert speakers, including excerpts from Handel's Water Music played on the grand organ. St Paul's Cathedral, free (suggested donation £5), book ahead, 6.30pm-8pm
Friday 24 March
POETRY LAUNCH: The Emma Press launches its latest poetry pamphlets, by Andrew Wynn Owen, Emma Simon and Jack Nicholls. Head to the launch party to hear readings by the writers. The Betsey Trotwood, free, book ahead, 7pm-10pm
FREE MUSIC: Jazz pianist Will Bartlett is the latest musician on the Friday night music line-up at Verdi Italian Kitchen. Royal Albert Hall, free, book ahead, 7.30pm
Saturday 25 March
FILM FESTIVAL: West Norwood Free Film Festival sees the likes of Northern Soul, Finding Dory and The Goonies screened at locations around the area. Tonight's offering? Back To The Future. Various locations, free, just turn up, 25 March- 1 April
PLAY ON WORDS: 5-11 year olds and their families are invited to take part in a words-themed creative workshop, inspired by words on display in the galleries and in the Library's collection. British Library, free, just turn up, 10.30am-noon
NURSING COLLEGE: Celebrate Mother's Day at the Royal College of Nursing with tours of the building and a free cream tea in the former Cowdray Club dining room, a club for nurses and professional women founded in 1922. Royal College of Nursing, free, book ahead, 11am-2pm
COGS AND CLAWS: Animal themed arts, crafts and stories are taking place at Horniman Museum to tie in with the current (and excellent) Robot Zoo exhibition. While you're there, why not check out the museum's weekly farmers' market. Horniman Museum, free, just turn up, noon-4pm
NEW CLOTHES: Freshen up your wardrobe by swapping your old clothes for replacements at a swishing event. Good quality men's, women's, children's and baby clothing can be swapped for tokens, which can in turn be swapped for items donated by other people. Recycling at its most fashionable. The Brew House, Free, just turn, 12.30pm-3pm
Sunday 26 March
FREE PIZZA: Ahead of opening its first London restaurant in Battersea Power Station in June, Danish brand Mother Pizza is giving away free pizza to celebrate Mother's Day. At time of writing, the details are sketchy, but we're reliably informed that details of locations and times will be posted on @Mother_ldn closer to the time.
FASHIONABLE RECYCLING: Freshen up your wardrobe by swapping your old clothes for replacements at a swishing event. Good quality men's, women's, children's and baby clothing can be swapped for tokens, which can in turn be swapped for items donated by other people. Recycling at its most fashionable. Studio 5, Free, just turn, 12.30pm-3pm
LIVE MUSIC: Celebrate Bangladesh Independence Day with live music from east London raised singer-songwriter Shapla Salique and her band, who will be performing Bengali folk music with a twist. Rich Mix, free, just turn up, 7.30pm
