Things To Do Today In London: Thursday 25 January 2018

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Andreas Gursky at Hayward Gallery

What we’re reading

  • New fountains and bottle-refill points to tackle London's plastic waste.
  • London to Scotland sleeper train accused of 'extortion' after banning sharing with strangers.
  • Plan for £3bn makeover of Elephant and Castle roundabout halted in affordable homes row.
  • Met launches campaign against drivers using mobiles.

Things to do

ANDREAS GURSKY: After a two-year refurb, the Hayward Gallery is back with an exhibition of monumental proportions. Gursky's photographs are "precisely about the suffocating scale of things," writes critic Gabriel Coxhead. He also has the accolade of being the most expensive photographer at auction — a big artist for a big reopening. Hayward Gallery, £7.25-£16, book ahead, 25 January-22 April

WHISKY 101: Where better to spend Burns night than a basement bar with more than 101 whiskies on offer. In celebration of the bard, The Gallery has created a menu featuring their favourite whiskies and Scottish beers. The Gallery, west Hampstead, free entry, just turn up, noon-midnight

NIGHT OF IDEAS: Curious minds are welcome to join this event (simultaneously happening across French institutes globally) featuring an exhibition of AI tech, a debate asking if art can change the world plus talks, live music and free champagne at 10.15pm. Stick around for the after-midnight party hosted by London Night Czar Amy Lamé. Institute Francais, South Kensington, free, book ahead, 5pm-1am

MIGRATION MUSEUM LATE: Wander around No Turning Back: Seven Migration Moments that Changed Britain after hours, with a drink in hand before getting hands-on with badge and miniature boat-making at this museum late. Migration Museum, Lambeth, free, just turn up, 6pm-9pm

WOMEN'S LONDON: Earmark these places, statues, plaques and buildings associated with wonderful women, who you'll hear about from author Rachel Kolsky at the pre-publication launch of her new book Women's London. Wolfson Theatre, LSE, free, book ahead, 6.30pm-8pm

UPOD and Adam Gabriel Mercer present an absurdist Burns night at The Natural Philosopher.

ABSURDIST BURNS NIGHT: Fancy celebrating Burns Night in the storeroom of a Mac repair shop and ordering your whisky from a well in the floor? Toast the immortal memory of Robert Burns with a night of Scottish inspired spoken word, performance and sound art from this kooky Hackney bar. The Natural Philosopher, Cambridge Heath, free, just turn up, 7pm-11pm

BURNS NIGHT AT BLACKHORSE: Tuck into haggis neeps and tatties, washed down with more whisky and traditional Scottish ceilidh from 8pm-10pm. Tartan encouraged. Blackhorse Workshop, Walthamstow, £21, book ahead, 7pm-11pm

E.T. IN CONCERT: See this childhood favourite, about a kid who makes friends with an alien, accompanied by a live score performed in sync with the film, which will be projected onto a HD screen. Royal Festival Hall, £20-£70, book ahead, 7.30pm

BOWIE WALL TO WALL: Combine your jazz passion with your Bowie obsession at this live tribute night, putting a jazzy twist on your fave Bowie tunes. Hideaway, £15, book ahead, 8.30pm, until 27 January

Good cause of the day: Sign up to run Street Child's 'Craft Half' Marathon

Beer fans with a running addiction should sign up to this 13-mile marathon, which includes a half-pint pitstop every two miles. Not only will you be raising money to help the world's most vulnerable children but you'll probably end the run slightly drunk with a full bladder. Oh, and the UK government will match your fundraising, pound for pound, through UK Aid Match. Sound like your idea of fun? Sign up here. Richardson Evans Memorial Fields, Wimbledon Common, £25 entrance fee/£150 fundraising target, book ahead, 11am, 4 February

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