Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 13-19 August 2018

By Maire Rose Connor Last edited 67 months ago

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Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 13-19 August 2018

All week

A glass homage to Peter Layton's art world heroes

JAMEEL PRIZE SHOWCASE: Now in its fifth year, the V&A's Jameel Prize exhibition showcases work inspired by Islamic traditions, including fashion, multimedia installation and painting. Go and see what made this year's finalists stand out from the crowd. Victoria and Albert Museum (South Kensington), free, just turn up, until 25 November

EIGHTIES UNDERGROUND: Beneath the big hair, power ballads, and general glitz that characterised the mainstream musical scene of the 1980s, an undercurrent of genuinely subversive youth culture thrived. Discover the Punk and Oi!, hip hop, grindcore, crust and hardcore-house genres that defined the decade's underground at this exhibition. Barbican Library, free, just turn up, until 3 October

A TALE OF TWO BARMAIDS: Two artists, one from Utrecht and one from Rome, who met in a London flatshare reflect on their new city in a collaborative art exhibition hosted at the bar where they both now work. See Maria Luttikhuis and Valeria Nicolucci's ceramics and drawings and maybe even chat with them over a drink. Vouts-O-Reenee's (Tower Hill), free, just turn up, 5pm-10pm, until 1 September

BLOWING SMOKE UP THEIR GLASS: Celebrated glassblower Peter Layton pays homage to his art world heroes in this exhibition. These vibrant yet delicate pieces are inspired by the likes of Gustav Klimt,  Claude Monet, and Georgia O'Keefe. London Glassblowing (Southwark), free, just turn up, until 1 September

Monday 13 August

Celebrate women cartoonists with Laydeez Do Comics

PIMP YOUR HIP FLASK: Festival season's not over yet, and if you're still on the hunt for the perfect receptacle within which to store your poison of choice, Drink, Shop & Do has you covered. It has all the glitter, gems, sequins and sharpies to adorn your brand new hip flask. Drink, Shop & Do (King's Cross), £5, just turn up, 6pm

LAYDEEZ DO COMICS: Join the first women-led graphic novel forum in the UK for a range of talks celebrating the work of female cartoonists. Academic Astrid Schmetterling will discuss the extraordinary work of Charlotte Salomon, while Corinne Pearlman, Creative Director of Myriad Editions, chats about their latest publication, The Inking Woman. Jewish Museum (Camden), free, book ahead, 7pm-9.15pm

LIVE COMEDY: Rising comedy star Marlon Davis promises to leave you In Stitches at his new work-in-progress show. Fresh off his Live At The Apollo and The Comedy Show appearances, he'll be bringing gags inspired by his upbringing on a north west London council estate. The Bill Murray (Islington), £5, book ahead, 9.30pm-10.30pm

Tuesday 14 August

Antarctica-inspired dancing at the Science Museum. Photo: Jacob Bryant

SEA STORIES: Take your water babies for a morning of storytelling at the National Maritime Museum. They'll learn how people throughout history have traversed the seven seas in search of fame and fortune. Suitable for under fives. National Maritime Museum (Greenwich), free, book ahead, 10.30am-2pm

ANTARCTICA LIVE: A new festival of dance and science is coming to the Science Museum in homage to the coldest, windiest, and driest place on Earth. Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until the end of August, you'll be able to chat to Antarctic researchers, partake in a dance workshop, and try your hand at some seriously cool workshops. Science Museum (South Kensington), free, just turn up, 11am-4pm, until 30 August

DALEY THOMPSON: Legendary Olympian Daley Thompson is celebrating his 60th birthday with an epic workout — and you're invited. Join the decathlon gold medalist at his pop-up gym on South Bank. Riverside Walkway (Gabriel's Wharf), free, book ahead, 12pm-6pm

WALKING HOLLOWAY PRISON: Follow artist and musician Hannah Hull on a guided tour around the outside perimeter of the infamous prison. You'll be exploring the relationship — both physical and social — between Holloway Prison and the local north London neighbourhood. Meet at the Cat and Mouse Library (Islington), free, book ahead, 2pm-4pm

Wednesday 15 August

Tuck in to some waste-busting grub. Photo: Brendan Foster

WISE UP TO WASTE: Who says there's no such thing as a free lunch? Watch live cookery demos using ingredients that would have otherwise been chucked in the bin and then sample dishes yourself. You'll also get tips for reducing your own food waste, which is just as well, considering that the average household squanders £810 per year on it. The Broadwalk Centre (Barnet), free, just turn up, 11am-3pm

STRANGE ALLIES: Though women quite rightly get most of the attention in securing rights for their own gender, that doesn't mean that men were completely removed from the fight for equality. Discover the allies of history, including Herbert Morrison and Hugh Price Hughes. London Metropolitan Archives (Clerkenwell), free, book ahead, 2pm-3pm

LIVE MUSIC: The latest headliner at House of Vans' gig series is Aussie alt-rock band West Thebarton, who've emerged from the land down under for their first ever European tour. They're supported by post-hardcore five piece Wars. House of Vans (Waterloo), free, book ahead, 7pm  

Thursday 16 August

Just give me a sign... an 18th century exhibition is revived.

PRE-VINYLITE SOCIETY: London Letterheads is reviving a satirical signwriting exhibition that took place back in 1762. This contemporary interpretation of the original showcase features works from a range of eminent sign painters and lettering pros. Don't miss Meredith Kasabian's curator's talk at 1pm. Bargehouse (Oxo Tower), free, just turn up, 11am-6pm, until 19 August

WE/SHE BOOK LAUNCH: 19 stories by and about women comprise We/She, a new anthology to mark #WomenVote100. Discover them all at the We/She book launch, featuring readings from Carolyn Eden, Cherry Potts, and Katy Darby. Blackwell's Bookshop (Holborn), free, just turn up, 6.45pm-9pm

EBOLA CRISIS: Five years on from the outbreak of the Ebola crisis, The Royal College of Nursing looks at the social, psychological, and political impact of the West African epidemic. Artist Mary Beth Heffernan will discuss her project to humanise the personal protective equipment (PPE) worn by health care workers during the outbreak, while Gillian McKay will introduce her research on how Ebola impacted family planning services.  The Royal College of Nursing Library and Heritage Centre (Cavendish Square), free, book ahead, 5.30pm-7.30pm

FILM SCREENING: See the true story of a Baltimore girls' step team on a mission to win a step championship and get into college against all odds. Last Frame Club is screening the award-winning documentary Step. The CentrE17 (Walthamstow), £4-£7, book ahead, 7.30pm-10pm

Friday 17 August

Discover the City's secrets on a guided walk

LUNCHTIME LECTURE: Got a passion for planes? Learn about the development and evolution of British seaplanes from the 1910s to the 1930s as part of the RAF Museum's First World War in the Air lecture series. The RAF Museum (Colindale), free, just turn up, 12.30pm-2pm

SQUARE MILE STROLL: In celebration of its 35th anniversary, the City of London Guide Lecturers' Association is hosting three different 35 minute walks completely for free. Discover the secrets hiding in the heart of the City with the help of a professional guide. Meet in Guildhall Yard, free, just turn up, every half hour from 11am-2pm

MADONNA WORKOUT: In celebration of Her Madgesty's 60th birthday, PopFit is hosting a special class dedicated to the Queen of Pop. BBC 6 Music’s DJ, Georgie Rogers will be playing all the Madonna classics to get you into the groove as you sip on on glittery drinks. Sounds like the ideal opportunity to make the most of your free class pass (available for limited time only). PopFit (London Fields), free, book ahead, 7.30pm

Saturday 18 August

Afrikan Boy will be making some noise at The Africa Centre's Summer Festival

FOOD FESTIVAL: London's free entry street food and craft beer festival returns and while you do have to pay for your own grub, they've got some top notch entertainment that won't cost you a penny. So treat yourself to a beer and get your groove on to the likes of Jazzy B and plenty more. Don't forget to check out The Great Fête while you're there, too. Alexandra Palace, free entry, just turn up, 12pm

AFRICA CENTRE SUMMER FESTIVAL: Enjoy a day of free music, dance, and family fun in vibrant celebration of Africa and its diaspora. This year's Africa Centre Summer Festival features sound from Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and beyond. The Africa Centre (Southwark), free, just turn up, 1pm-10pm

JUMBLE SALE: Get your shopping fix without breaking the bank by having a good old rummage at Pop Brixton's epic jumble sale. Every penny raised will go to education charity Burma Border Projects, and they'll be spinning some top tunes all day long. Pop Brixton, free entry, just turn up, 11am-4pm

ART TOUR: Assistant curator Natalia Grabowska leads a free talk on Turner Prize recipient Tomma Abts today at the Serpentine. Hear all about the painter as you're led around her first solo exhibition in a public institution. Serpentine Sackler Gallery, free, just turn up, 3pm

Sunday 19 August

Bust a move at Pineapple Studios.

CITY CEMETERY DAY: The more morbid amongst you are likely to get a kick out of The City of London Cemetery and Crematorium's monthly tours. Learn all about this Grade I listed site on a history walk around the grounds. The City of London Cemetery and Crematorium (Manor Park), free, book ahead, 10am

DANCE CLASSES: It's your one chance this year to work up a sweat with Pineapple Dance Studios' expert instructors. They're hosting a range of complimentary classes — including street, hip hop, Egyptian belly dance, burlesque — at their annual open day. Pineapple Dance Studios (Covent Garden), free, book ahead, 11am-4pm

SUFFRAGETTE CYCLE TOUR: Hop on one of Santander Cycle's suffragette movement-themed bikes and take a two hour guided ride across London. You'll take in a range of landmarks linked with pioneering and inspirational women both past and present from all walks of life. Starts at Serpentine Sackler Gallery (Hyde Park), free, book ahead, 11am/2.30pm

Last Updated 10 August 2018