Things To Do This Weekend In London: 16-17 June 2018

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All weekend

Four masterly knights, four magnificent steeds — who will emerge victorious when Eltham Palace goes Medieval?

POWERBOAT RACING: Watch catamaran powerboats achieve speeds of 150mph as they zoom across the water at the UIM F1H2O World Championship Grand Prix of London. There will also be demonstrations from historical powerboats, jet skis, and a 14-metre, five-tonne, V12 Class 1 offshore boat. Royal Victoria Dock, £20-£40, just turn up, 16-17 June

ALDGATE SQUARE FESTIVAL: Head east for a three-day extravaganza of food, music, and theatre. Aldgate is celebrating the launch of its new public square in style, showing off all that the local community has to offer. Aldgate Square, free, just turn up, 15-17 June

LIGHT OF THE FOREST: Take a mindful trip into your subconscious at an immersive exhibition inspired by ancient shamanic rituals and the cycle of the seasons, as well as all five of the senses. Chapel of St Margaret's House (Bethnal Green), free but donations welcome, just turn up, 15-17 June

GRAND MEDIEVAL JOUST: Get your medieval fantasy fix at Eltham Place & Gardens, which hosts a spectacular joust. Choose your champion from four of the kingdom's most daring knights and watch them go head-to-head on horseback. With falcons in flight, living historical encampments and court jester to keep you entertained, you'll be fully immersed in the pageantry of it all. Eltham Palace & Gardens, £19, book ahead, 16-17 June

WEST END LIVE: Sing along to all your favourite musical hits at Trafalgar Square's annual celebration of the very best the West End has to offer. A legendary line up of productions will be belting out the classics, including The Phantom of the Opera, Les Mis, Matilda, and Disney's The Lion King. Trafalgar Square, free, just turn up, 16-17 June

Saturday 16 June

Want a dinosaur in your dolls' house? There's no holds barred at the Giant Dolls' House Project.

AMNESTY BOOK SALE: Now in its 44th year, the Amnesty Book Sale is back. From well-thumbed paperbacks to brand new novels there's plenty to choose from, and all the proceeds help support Amnesty International's work in standing up for human rights. Church of the Ascension (Blackheath), free entry, just turn up, 9am-5pm

FUN DMC: Take your little Lil Wayne or mini Missy Eliot to a daytime bloc party especially for kids. Pop Brixton is transforming into a hip hop hot spot, where your brood can throw some serious shapes, practice their graffiti skills, or try to win legendary FUN DMC gold chain. Pop Brixton, free entry, just turn up, 12pm-3pm

GIANT DOLLS' HOUSE: Create the dolls' house of your dreams in aid of homelessness charity Shelter. Simply show up to The Department Store with an old shoebox, and let your imagination run riot. Your creation will become part of their giant dolls' house community, remaining on show for the rest of the week. Downstairs at The Department Store (Brixton), by charitable donation, just turn up, 12pm-4pm

LUXURY CLOTHES SWAP: Raid the cast offs of fashion bloggers, designers, models and stylists at an incredibly swish clothes swap event. As well as the chance to add some seriously cool clobber to your wardrobe, your ticket gets you free drinks, canapes and a goodie bag. The AllBright (Fitzrovia), £20, book ahead, 12pm-4pm

FORK TO FORK: With the likes of Bone Daddies, Dishoom, and Polpo getting involved, Fork to Fork Food Festival is shaping up to be one of the most delicious charity events of the year. This family-friendly day is raising money for the Open Air Classroom project — geared towards teaching children resilience, healthy eating and creative engagement with the curriculum. Ark Franklin Primary Academy (Kensal Green) £10, book ahead, 12pm-6pm

THE DELIGHTFUL SAUSAGE: Yorkshire's finest meat-themed comedy duo are back with a surreal sketch act especially for silly sausages. Join Chris and Amy as they embark on a wacky scheme to regenerate an economically deprived town — one that involves a very sexy Big Foot. The Bill Murray (Islington), £5 to reserve a seat/pay what you want OTD, 5pm-6pm

MARYLEBONE SUMMER FILM NIGHT: Watch the sun go down while you take in a British cinematic classic from rom-com king Richard Curtis. Marylebone Summer Film Night will be screening Four Weddings and a Funeral at Paddington Street Gardens — so bring a picnic and put on your headphones. Paddington Street Gardens (Marylebone), £15-£30, book ahead, doors open 5pm/film at 9pm

THE PINK SINGERS' MIXTAPE: Europe's longest established LGBT+ choir celebrates 35 years of bringing people together through the power of song. Their anniversary concert features the tunes we know and love from Fleetwood Mac, Nirvana, Adele, and many more. Queen Mary University of London (Mile End), £16-£31, book ahead, 7.30pm-10.30pm

I GOT RHYTHM: Shake your stuff to an eclectic mix of dance rhythms under Peckham's railway arches. With afrobeat, roots reggae, funk, and salsa there's something for everyone. AMP Studios (Peckham), £14, book ahead, 7.30pm-11.30pm


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Sounds Like London: our picks this weekend

Melissa James - David S James Photography

June brings the Mayor of London's Sounds Like London campaign to the capital — a month-long celebration of both women in music and London's grassroots music scene. Here's our pick of this weekend's Sounds Like London events.

FEMALE MARKET TAKEOVER: Female-led independent record labels take over Soho's beloved Berwick Street Market, with a seriously special selection of vinyl stalls. One day only. Berwick Street Market, free, noon-6pm, 16 June

CROUCH END CRYPT: Descend into the Crypt Studio at Crouch End, and be beguiled by the music of Amaroun — which deals with topics such as coming out and moving up. The Crypt Studio, £10, 7pm-10pm, 16 June

MATILDA GRATTE AND TATYANA: Keys and controllers merge with strains of the harp, as Matilda Gratte and Tatyana create beautiful soundscapes beneath railways arches in London Fields. London Fields, £10, 7pm-10pm, 17 June

AND STILL WE RISE: Celebrate womanhood and women’s expression, in this eclectic night of performances from female artists, led by Melissa James, described by BBC 6Music's Tom Robinson as the "best current British blues singer I know." Rich Mix, price TBC, 7pm-10pm, 17 June


Sunday 17 June

Maxwell the bubbleologist has a very special science show up his soapy sleeves.

BUBBLE TROUBLE: Join Maxwell the Bubbleologist for bubble bonanza that'll blow your kids' minds. They'll enjoy interactive demonstrations, create their own scientific bubble solution, and make a special Father's Day surprise. Institute of Imagination, The Workshop (Lambeth), from £5, book ahead, 10am-2pm

ADAMS ANTIQUES FAIR: The capital's longest running Sunday antiques fair returns to the Royal Horticultural Hall with an eclectic array of  fine jewellery, silver, ceramics, paintings, and much more from 140 traders. Royal Horticultural Hall (Victoria), £4, book ahead, 10am-4.30pm

MEDICAL RESEARCH FESTIVAL: The Medical Research Council returns with its annual festival that promises fun for all the family. Expect science-themed games, interactive demos, and hands-on activities. Wilkins Building, UCL (Gower Street), free, just turn up, 10am-5pm

RECLAIM LUXURY: The Recycled Candle Company is after your scrap wax. Instead of letting the remnants of your self-care sesh or romantic night in clog up a landfill, head to their pop up shop where you'll receive a special thank you code to redeem in-store. The first 50 through the door get a free glass votive. 67 York Street (Marylebone), free, just turn up, 10am-8pm

MARYLEBONE SUMMER FESTIVAL: This community street festival boasts a jam-packed musical schedule, a vintage carousel, and a pop up petting zoo featuring lambs, chicks and llamas. There's also more street food than you can shake a stick at. Marylebone High Street, free entry, just turn up, 11am-5.30pm

WALWORTH WANDERING: Grab your camera, pack a picnic, and get ready to explore Walworth's hidden gems. This guided urban stroll will introduce you to one of London's oldest markets and the Chumleigh Multicultural Garden hidden within Burgess Park. Meet at Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre, £10, book ahead, 11.30am-2pm

DOCUMENTARY WORKSHOP: Fancy yourself as the next Werner Herzog or Michael Moore? Take the first step in getting your documentary idea from paper to screen with the help of award-winning filmmaker Ruth Grimberg. She'll be giving tips on essential production tasks such as budgeting, scheduling, and interview techniques. CentrE17 (Walthamstow), £14, book ahead, 12pm-4pm

THE KIDS ARE ALT-RIGHT: Mike Wendling's new book, Alt-Right — From 4chan to the White House, reveals role of technological utopians, reactionary philosophers, and notorious online bulletin boards in the rise of white nationalist movement that coincided with Trump's US election campaign. Hear his analysis of what the alt-right stands for, who stands for it, and how to counter extremist views. Conway Hall (Holborn), £8, book ahead, 3pm-4.30pm

PARISIAN SUMMER NIGHTS: From San-Saëns’ devilishly seductive Danse Macabre to Fauré‘s ethereal Requiem, this classical French programme will take you on quite the musical voyage. Cadogan Hall (Sloane Square), £15-£35, book ahead, 7pm

COAST TO COAST SUPPER CLUB: Spice up your Sunday at a five course seafood supper club that takes your taste buds on a journey through India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Highlights include a fragrant fillet of monkfish, a cucumber and coconut salad, and a honey melon soup — all served up by Chef Saurav Nath. Chakra (Kensington), £35, book ahead, 7pm-9.30pm