What we’re reading
- London's Theatre Royal Haymarket goes up for sale.
- Why London is the tech city of the future.
- The Ballad of Peckham Rye: A Pub Walk.
- Row erupts as Lily Allen slams TfL staff for 'celebrating colonialism'.
- Aladdin’s Cave shop (and locally-listed former Lewisham Road station) to make way for housing.
Things to do
INDEPENDENT VENUE WEEK: Gig-goers, music lovers and burgeoning musicians all over the UK are coming together this week to celebrate the small, indy venues. The floors may be sticky but these are the places where memories, friends and careers are made. Check out all the participating venues here. Various venues, various prices, book ahead, 29 January-4 February
THE SLEEP SUITE: If you toss and turn and can't sleep at night, you might benefit from a trip to The Sleep Suite. Over five days it offers tips on getting a better night's kip, as well as workshops in brewing tea, yoga and how to design your bedroom for slumber. Town Hall Hotel Bethnal Green, £5, book ahead, 10am-6pm, until 2 February
OVER-ANALYSERS BOOK CLUB: On the 200th anniversary of Frankenstein, six performers have gathered together to unpick Mary Shelley's classic book, each taking an entertaining stance. Is Frankenstein basically just about daddy issues? Was Shelley off her face on drugs? Waterstones Tottenham Court Road, Fitzrovia, £7, book ahead, 6.30-8.30pm
WHAT PRICES PROTEST: The latest Index on Censorship magazine launch explores the importance of protest, and discusses whether our placard waving rights are under threat. Bishopsgate Institute, free, book ahead, 6.30pm-9pm
PINGPONG SOCIAL: Monday doesn't have to be dull when there are five hours of ping pong fun to be had. Grab your buddies, grab a bat, get the beers in and get involved. Bounce Shoreditch, £5, book ahead, 6.30pm-11.30pm
DARWIN'S UNFINISHED SYMPHONY: Kevin Laland asks how humans evolved from animal-like behaviours to pro-disseminators of culture in this science talk. Royal Institution, £16/£10, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
TEMPORARILY MISPLACED CABARET: Hop aboard an intimate barge in Battersea and be transported to a pirate ship in the Caribbean via this pre-Edinburgh Fringe show. The Battersea Barge, £11.05, book ahead, 7pm-11pm
DEMONS AND DREAMERS: After something dark to suit your mood? Hear tales of evil from masterful storytellers and musicians. Suitable for 10+. The Bread & Roses Theatre, £8/£5, book ahead, 7.30pm
BRIDGET CHRISTIE: Brexit. Trump. Nuclear apocalypse. Environmental catastrophe. Bridget Christie's brand new show What Now? (Work in Progress) namechecks all the topical issues of the day, which will have you laughing through the tears. Battersea Arts Centre, £10, book ahead, 7.30pm, until 30 January
STITCH: Dress up in your loudest outfit and prepare to laugh your hardest at this relative newcomer to the comedy scene, which takes place above a cute little vintage shop. Paper Dress Vintage, £3, book ahead, 7.45pm
Good cause of the day: Donate to Bulk Market to open London's first plastic-free supermarket
The Dalston pop-up which showed us the possibilities of plastic-free shopping has launched a crowd funder to open a permanent home in Hackney. Bulk Market aims to raise £15,000 to expand its stock to include boozy refills, as well as offer a wider selection of groceries, dry goods and natural beauty products. Recycling will also be incorporated into the design of the space– sourcing materials from the Royal Opera House and reusing yogurt pots and crates for fixtures and fittings. There's also an enticing range of rewards from discounts to zero waste kits – depending on how green your pockets are. Donate to the indiegogo here.
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