The ianVisits guide to May's unusual events, tours, lectures and exhibitions happening around London.
Monday 16th May
Join Dr Liz Tunbridge to discover how new research in neuroscience could lead to better treatments and a more realistic view of mental health.
6:30pm to 8pm
More London events on Monday 16th May
Tuesday 17th May
A chance to look around the station and check out the equipment used by Brigade firefighters.
tba
Whitechapel
Free
An evening with Barney Farmer, writer of the Viz comic strip Drunken Bakers, and 2008 Turner Prize winning artist Mark Leckey.
Starts at 7pm
Holborn
More London events on Tuesday 17th May
Wednesday 18th May
Historian Andrew Lownie will talk about how Burgess was able to avoid exposure as a traitor to his country through his trademark charisma and a network of powerful political connections.
2pm to 3pm
Richmond
Free
Spend the evening with the IoP as they demystify one of the newest discoveries in physics – gravitational waves.
Starts at 6:30pm
Kings Cross
More London events on Wednesday 18th May
Thursday 19th May
Join Colin Davey in this lecture in which he will lift the lid on some late Victorian scandal.
2pm to 3pm
City of London
Explore the stories of Scotland through poetry and prose, and uncover the story behind previously misidentified works in the Royal Collection.
6:30pm to 9pm
More London events on Thursday 19th May
Friday 20th May
£12.00
The launch of a latest exhibition designology – uncover all the design details that make up London journeys.
Starts at 6:45pm
More London events on Friday 20th May
Saturday 21st May
A chance to look around the station and check out the equipment used by Brigade firefighters.
tba
Paddington
There are 45 free guided walks across the Capital, organised by Walk London and TfL,
All Day
There will be music in the ruined chapel, free tours, and many other stalls.
11am to 5pm
An exhibition based on the now-closed prefab housing museum, put on for one day in a local church.
12pm to 4pm
Catford
Take a walking tour with Egyptologist Cathie Bryan as she leads you through the streets of London to find the most splendid examples of Egyptian Art Deco buildings.
1pm to 3pm
A discussion on the hidden stories of vulnerable women in the nineteenth century and today.
Starts at 2pm
More London events on Saturday 21st May
Sunday 22nd May
A chance to look around the station and check out the equipment used by Brigade firefighters.
tba
Hornsey
There are 45 free guided walks across the Capital, organised by Walk London and TfL,
All Day
More London events on Sunday 22nd May
Monday 23rd May
The Gentle Author of Spitalfields Life interviews Viscountess Boudica, Trendsetter of Bethnal Green and one of the East End's personalities.
Starts at 7pm
Whitechapel
A talk about John Freeman, considered by some to be Labour's great lost leader.
7pm to 8:30pm
More London events on Monday 23rd May
Tuesday 24th May
Free
Europe is surrounded by war. But current approaches to conflict no longer work. Can the EU offer a 21st century alternative?
6:30pm to 8pm
Holborn
£5.50
The cabaret-style event for all those who loves museums is back, with MC Naomi Paxton and a stellar line up.
Starts at 7pm
Whitechapel
More London events on Tuesday 24th May
Wednesday 25th May
Explore new developments and rebuilds taking place in this unique part of London.
Starts at 10:30am
Victoria
The talk discusses what alternatives methods can and cannot measure and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Starts at 5pm
From Brooklyn to Wolf Hall, historical fiction is enjoying a boom moment. But how do you go about writing an historical novel?
Starts at 6:15pm
More London events on Wednesday 25th May
Thursday 26th May
£10.00
Guest speaker talk by Eric Flounders, who regularly lectures on the company’s ships about the history of Cunard.
6pm to 7pm
West Brompton
Dr. Huw Lewis-Jones celebrates the 60th Anniversary of the First Trans-Antarctic Crossing and how it awakened the world to its scientific potential.
7pm to 9pm
South Kensington
A talk by former homeless buster turned book/film celeb, James Bowen and his streetcat Bob.
Starts at 7pm
Notting Hill
In this talk Tristram Hunt MP examines the diversity and exuberance of Engels's era.
7:30pm to 9pm
Caroline Rance explores how patent medicine vendors attracted and retained customers, and how the medical establishment attempted to put a stop to their lucrative activities.
Starts at 7:30pm
Whitechapel
More London events on Thursday 26th May
Friday 27th May
£3.00
A famous film director returns to his Sicilian village after 30 years and remembers his childhood at the Cinema Paradiso where Alfredo, the projectionist, first brought about his love of films.
Starts at 12am
Russell Square
The Natural History Museum comes to life after dark. Explore our galleries, exhibitions and shops after hours, expert-led talks and events.
6pm to 10pm
Take a culinary journey through the world of creepy crawly cuisine.
7pm to 8pm
South Kensington
Free
A panel of speakers on the facts about PrEP – the anti-HIV medicine that keeps HIV negative people from becoming infected.
Starts at 7:30pm
Holborn
More London events on Friday 27th May
Saturday 28th May
Guided walk around the local garden squares including access to a normally closed garden.
Starts at 11am
Clerkenwell
A chance to look around the station and check out the equipment used by Brigade firefighters.
4pm to 5pm
Kentish Town
More London events on Saturday 28th May
Sunday 29th May
Visit a series of 7 floating barge gardens connected by walkways and bridges.
2pm to 5pm
Southwark
The annual open day of the usually private gardens along riverside in Chiswick.
2pm to 6pm
Hammersmith
A chance to look around the station and check out the equipment used by Brigade firefighters.
4pm to 5pm
Sidcup
More London events on Sunday 29th May
Monday 30th May
A chance to look around the station and check out the equipment used by Brigade firefighters.
All Day
Stanmore
More London events on Monday 30th May
Tuesday 31st May
Free
A 3d-effect tree will be painted onto the ground outside City Hall for the day.
All Day
Southwark
Discover the tales told by London’s mulberry tree heritage after work with a free guided walk.
6pm to 7:30pm
City of London
Join foreign correspondent Ben Judah and architecture critic Rowan Moore for a discussion on the state of London in the 21st century.
7pm to 6pm
Picadilly
