Things To Do This Weekend In London: 21-22 July 2018

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All weekend

Gluten free goodies at Camden Market.

AFRICA UTOPIA: From a hip hop house party, to head wrap performance art, there's plenty to discover at the Southbank Centre's annual festival celebrating the arts and culture of Africa. Musical duo Adamadu & Mariam headline, and you can also catch performances from Europe’s only professional majority-BME orchestra, and traditional Congolese music with a contemporary twist. Southbank Centre, £0-£30, 19-22 July

FANTASY FUSIONS FOOD FEST: The folks at Just Eat are mixing things up with a festival that puts a tantalising twist on your takeaway faves. With creations such as spiced pumpkin pizzas, chicken katsu burgers and PB&J ice cream, your taste buds won't know what's hit 'em. Last Days of Shoreditch, free entry/£4 per food token, just turn up, 20-22 July

LAMBETH COUNTRY SHOW: Now in its 44th year, London's biggest free family festival returns to bring you live music, pop up performances, and traditional countryside pursuits. Highlights include a birds of prey display, an intergalactic travel bureau and literal knights in shining armour. Brockwell Park (Brixton), free entry, just turn up, 21-22 July

GLUTEN FREE FOOD FEST: Coeliacs, rejoice! The Gluten Free Street Food Festival is coming to Camden Market to bring you the best in GF food and drink. Treat yourself to carb-y goodness like buttermilk fried chicken, artisan gelato, and vegan beer. Camden Lock Place, free entry, just turn up, 11am-8pm, 21-22 July

EALING BLUES FESTIVAL: With tickets starting at just a fiver a pop, Ealing Blues Festival has put together one hell of a line-up. Listen to the likes of Hayseed Dixie, Kitty, Daisy & Lewis, and The Counterfeit Stones perform live in the borough where The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton cut their teeth. Walpole Park (Ealing), from £5, book ahead, 12pm-11pm, 21-22 July

Saturday 21 July

The Tudors are taking over The National Archives.

TUDOR TAKEOVER DAY: Travel back in time to the court of a certain young Henry VIII at this family day. Dress up as a medieval knight for 16th century-style selfie, hang out with majestic birds of prey, and see incredible original documents relating to Bluff King Hal's early years on the throne. The National Archives (Kew), £0-£7.50, book ahead, 10am-4pm

EVERY SOHO STREET: Join Discovering London tour guide Peter Berthoud to walk every street in Soho in a single day. Along the way, Peter will tell you plenty of stories about the area that you won't find in any guide books, plus you'll meet some locals, and see some spots off the tourist trail. There'll be plenty of stops for coffee, lunch, and a pint or two as well. Age 18+. Meet at Oxford Circus, £35, book ahead, 10am-4.30pm

SACRED NOISE: It's your last chance to see Christie's Sacred Noise exhibition, which explores the legacy of European religious painting in modern and contemporary art. You'll see masterpieces from artists as diverse as Titian, Pablo Picasso, and Francis Bacon. Christie's London (St James's), free, just turn up, 12pm-5pm

I AM FESTIVAL: Kids from all kinds of backgrounds can discover books they can identify with at this festival dedicated to diverse children's literature and empowerment. As well as wide array of sellers, there are workshops from Hair the Beat, Nahdz Adventures, illustrator Aliecee Cummings and the I Can Project. Deptford Lounge, £3.50 child/£6 adult, book ahead, 12pm-6pm

INTERNATIONAL BUSKING DAY: An absolutely massive busking bonanza is coming to Wembley Park, as part of an international celebration of street performance. From under-the-radar talent, to household names like Newton Faulkner, there's plenty to get you tapping your toes at International Busking Day's London hub. Wembley Park, free, just turn up, 12pm-8pm

NUMBI FESTIVAL LAUNCH: From Numba Arts, a research project investigating contemporary arts practice from pre-civil war Somalia to its present day diaspora, comes a festival dedicated to ideas of repair and rebellion. Learn how to tell stories using smartphone video with Imran Azam, sample traditional Somalian food, and settle down to an evening of live poetry and musical performances, including a tribute to punk legend Poly Styrene. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £8-£12, book ahead, 12pm-12am

STREET ART AND BOTTOMLESS BOOZE: Did you know that East Croydon is home to a seriously enviable collection of street art? Discover the area's vibrant graffiti scene while working up an appetite and then head to Crushed Bean cafe for a light lunch and free flowing prosecco and white wine. Rise Gallery (Croydon), £35, book ahead, 1.30pm-4.30pm

FUN AND FLIRTY: Done with dating? Give Tantra Speed Date a try. Pair up with other singles for a unique dating and relationship skills session, featuring plenty of playful (and PG-rated) interactions. Good Vibes Studios (Covent Garden), £25-50, book ahead, 4.30pm-7pm (sponsor)

THE CANDLELIGHT CLUB: Secret London speakeasy The Candlelight Club is squeezing in one last knees-up before the summer. So dig out your feathers and flapper dress, and get ready for a night of good old-fashioned debauchery, 1920s style. Secret location, from £25, book ahead, 7pm-12am

BENEATH THE SURFACE: Join our very own visual arts editor Tabish Khan for an evening chat with artist Thomas J. Price. They'll be discussing Price's figurative sculptures, which draw on observed individuals, media archetypes, and ancient, classical, and neo-classical sculptures to create psychological portraits of imagined subjects. Under the Leadenhall Building, free, book ahead, 8pm-9pm

Sunday 22 July

Explore gardens cultivated on former London bomb sites.

THREE PEAKS PODCAST CHALLENGE: If you fancy becoming the voice inside your fellow commuters' earbuds, why not start by upping your podcasting skills? Learn interview techniques and editorial production with seasoned podcaster Andrew Stuck & journalist Rick Pearson, then take your newfound expertise on an intriguing journey to the highest peaks of three London boroughs. Meet at Wimbledon Station, free, book ahead, 10am-1pm

JAPANESE BOOKBINDING: They say never judge a book by its cover, but, for this bookbinding workshop, we'd be willing to make an exception. Using the ancient Japanese stab binding technique, you'll make your own beautiful book. All that'll be left to do is to actually write that bestselling novel. Drink, Shop & Do (King's Cross), £45, book ahead, 10.30am-1pm

BROMPTON CEMETERY OPEN DAY: A cemetery may not be the most obvious destination for a day of family fun, but Brompton Cemetery is no ordinary final resting place. Head to one of London's Magnificent Seven for catacomb tours, sketching, storytelling, and even some family drumming. Brompton Cemetery, free, just turn up, 11am-4pm

KING GROOVY AND THE HORNSTARS: Let Hideaway Jazz Club funk you up this Sunday lunch time. King Groovy and the Hornstars will be bringing a blistering big band set of swing, jazz, Latin, and funk. Beats soggy Yorkshire puds any day. Hideaway Jazz Club (Streatham), £10, book ahead 12pm-4pm

PERKY BLENDERS: The excellently named coffee roaster Perky Blenders is hosting an afternoon of alfresco fun. Head to Walthamstow's former magistrate court for kids' games, choral performances, and more. Perky Blenders (Walthamstow), free, just turn up, 12pm-5pm

VOTE 100: To mark the centenary of women's suffrage, some big names from the worlds of arts and education, including the V&A and the BBC, will be taking over Here East. Expect dance, music, workshops, screenings, and more. Here East, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (Stratford), free, just turn up, 12pm-6pm

CROSSBONES BLESSING AND BARDS: See the Dean of Southwark conduct a blessing in the Crossbones Garden of Remembrance — the site where medieval brothel workers were buried in unconsecrated graves — and hear poetry inspired by this little-known piece of history. The afternoon will be rounded off on a less sombre note, with impromptu performances and light refreshments celebrating St Mary Magdalene's Feast Day. Crossbones Garden (Southwark), free, just turn up, 12.30pm-5pm

SEANN WALSH: Luscious-locked comedian Seann Walsh is offering you a sneak peek of his brand new show. See the much-hyped observational comic this afternoon. Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre Bar (Walthamstow), £10, book ahead, 2pm-3pm

THE 108 SESSIONS: Celebrate the musical heritage and baseball culture of New York and Los Angeles without crossing the pond at a brand new Sunday session. There's music, food, a pop up record store, and DJs laying down beats until long after sundown. Mick's Garage (Hackney Wick), free, book ahead, 2pm-11pm

BLITZ GARDENS: Discover the beautiful urban oases that were once places of devastation on a guided walk across the City's second world war bomb sites. From former Christopher Wren churches to Roman ruins, there's plenty to discover. Meet outside the Museum of London, £12, book ahead, 2.30pm-4.30pm