The ianVisits guide to February's unusual events, tours, lectures and exhibitions happening around London.
Saturday 1st February
£7.50
Get in the mood for Valentine’s Day with a tour of the art of erotica, from the subliminal pilgrim badge to explicit Victorian home furnishings.
tba
Poplar
More London events on Saturday 1st February
Sunday 2nd February
Annual celebrations throughout China Town and the surrounding areas.
All Day
Thames21 will take you down onto the Thames foreshore usually inaccessible to the public, and let you loose to photograph and explore.
Starts at 10am
An unfortunate spate of trolley dumping has taken place and help is needed o retrieve those trolleys.
10am to 12:30pm
Erith
£1612.50
Visit some of London's best ghostsigns (fading advertisements painted on walls) on this walking tour
1:20pm to 3:30pm
Stoke Newington
A speculative look and the past, present and future of alcohol in space
2:30pm to 4pm
Southwark
Annual service to remember the UK's greatest clown, Jospeh Grimaldi where everyone turns up in clowns outfits.
Starts at 3pm
Hackney
More London events on Sunday 2nd February
Monday 3rd February
£8.00
A talk about the herbs traditionally used in medicine at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals in the 19th century
2pm to 3:30pm
Free ice skating sessions to commemorate the last of the frost fairs
5pm to 10pm
Shoreditch
Book launch and talk by the author of a book on the biblical tale.
Starts at 7pm
More London events on Monday 3rd February
Tuesday 4th February
Free
This lecture will examine the rich visual images from the nineteenth century of the crinoline dress.
Starts at 6pm
Leon Daniels, Managing Director of Surface Transport, Transport for London in conversation with BBC London radio presenter Robert Elms
6:30pm to 8pm
£12.00
An art-science evening charity event is focused on raising awareness for brain and spinal cord illnesses through arts and innovation.
6:30pm to 8:30pm
Euston
Professor Helen King will discuss the 'conditions' Hysteria and Lovesickness and their treatment with orgasm-inducing objects by Victorian doctors
6:30pm to 8pm
Barbican
£12.00
A zip through the debate between fact and fiction at the first of two evenings curated by Helen Keen.
7pm to 8:30pm
Free
Navigations is a project about the brain, cancer, and the approaches of medical science and art to how we understand the impact of terminal illness.
7pm to 9pm
More London events on Tuesday 4th February
Wednesday 5th February
£10.00
A talk about some of the lesser-known architectural gems of London, most of them inaccessible to the general public.
Starts at 6:30pm
Tottenham Court Road
What should be the future role of the media, if any, in holding the security services to account?
6:30pm to 8pm
Felix Martin will give a lecture about the nature of money and the mythologies that we build around it.
Starts at 6:30pm
More London events on Wednesday 5th February
Thursday 6th February
A tour of the historic building, including areas not usually seen by the public.
tba
Putney
Gun salutes will take place in Hyde Park and at the Tower of London to mark the accession of The Queen as Monarch.
Starts at 12pm
Donal Rumbelow will discuss the Ripper's reign of terror. He will focus on the final victim, Mary Kelly,
6:30pm to 9pm
Barbican
The Wiener Library will be screening 'Paragraph 175', a documentary film by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Freedman about Nazi persecution of homosexuals.
Starts at 6:30pm
Who are the Jewish players who have made it to the top, and why are there more Jews in the board room than on the pitch?
Starts at 8pm
More London events on Thursday 6th February
Friday 7th February
Public Lectures Series 'Medieval Graffiti: the Hidden History of the Parish Church' By Matthew Champion
1pm to 2pm
Austentatious: An Improvised Novel is a comedy play performed in period costume with live cello accompaniment and spun in the style of Jane Austen.
Starts at 7pm
More London events on Friday 7th February
Saturday 8th February
A chance to see and hear the 2 pounder Anti Tank Gun being fired.
tba
A public exhibition to show off plans for the redevelopment of the north side of the Royal Docks in Newham.
10am to 4pm
Victoria Dock
Join Thames21 and help us give the Brent River a Spring Clean at Brent River Park.
10:30am to 9pm
Wembley
The 35028 Clan Line will make one of its periodic lunchtime tours around South London -- which can be something to look out for if near the route.
12pm to 9pm
An open discussion on 18th century writer, philosopher and advocate of women's rights, Mary Wollstonecraft.
Starts at 2:30pm
£9.90
Come and discover dozens of fascinating types on a Snowdrop Trail and on display in the Snowdrop Theatre.
8pm to 9pm
More London events on Saturday 8th February
Sunday 9th February
£9.90
Come and discover dozens of fascinating types on a Snowdrop Trail and on display in the Snowdrop Theatre.
8pm to 9pm
More London events on Sunday 9th February
Monday 10th February
A public lecture by Professor Fiona Watt FRS, Director of the Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine at Kings College London.
6:30pm to 7:30pm
One of the architects of Tate Modern, Jacques Herzog, discusses the future of museum architecture with art critic and historian Hal Foster,
Starts at 7pm
More London events on Monday 10th February
Tuesday 11th February
Author Colonel Paul Bayly FRGS will celebrate the launch of his book with a lecture that explores his life and legacy.
6pm to 9am
South Kensington
How important are animals to the constitution of democracy?
6:30pm to 8pm
A debate looking at the tension between people's desire for privacy and the value they place on personalised recommendations and services.
Starts at 6:30pm
Strand
£7.00
A talk about the development of London's big seven cemeteries.
Starts at 7pm
A debate on whether Scientology is a religion, and the limits of secularism.
7:30pm to 8:30pm
Whitechapel
More London events on Tuesday 11th February
Wednesday 12th February
Guy Stiebel talks about excavations of the site undertaken during the past 25 years.
Starts at 4pm
More London events on Wednesday 12th February
Thursday 13th February
His story, told through phone intercepts, surveillance notes and secret service reports, reveals the human cost of spying in the 1920s and 1930s.
2pm to 3pm
Emma M Jones talks about how perceptions of the capital's water quality have evolved from 1827 to 2012.
6pm to 8pm
Explore Linnaean systems of classifying life forms and Flinders Petrie’s sequence of pots; then disrupt the patterns of knowledge with Foucault.
6pm to 7:30pm
An illustrated talk about the notorious case of murderers Fred and Maria Manning and the Charles Dickens connection.
6pm to 7pm
Southwark
A twilight botanicals trail through the home Dickens once occupied, gin demonstrations and a gin bar on offer.
Starts at 6:30pm
After Leveson, this debate asks: can ethics help us think about whether we have the media needed for a healthy democracy and social fabric?
6:30pm to 8pm
A talk about the 'law' that enabled shipwrecked sailors to engage in cannibalism.
Starts at 8pm
More London events on Thursday 13th February
Friday 14th February
A rare opportunity to experience the evening in Dr Johnson's beautiful Georgian townhouse as the Great Cham himself would have, by candlelight,
tba
Free
To celebrate Valentine’s Day, Pete Smith trawls through five hundred years of written records to tell the story of London lovers, lucky and unlucky,
2pm to 3pm
Part guided tour, part promenade theatre, part chocolate-tasting session,
6:30pm to 8pm
Discover the Museum after-dark, enjoy a drink and uncover how seduction is done in the animal world.
6:30pm to 9pm
£10.00
Monthly late opening at the London Transport Museum, with music and events.
Starts at 6:45pm
Journey through London exploring the art of seduction from raunchy Romans and Georgian prostitutes to modern-day mating rituals.
7pm to 10pm
No idea why, just that there is an air traffic warning to be aware that there will be a 10 minute fireworks display at the O2 at 8:30pm.
8:30pm to 8:40pm
Greenwich
More London events on Friday 14th February
Saturday 15th February
Monthly opening at the recently completed Battle of Britain history museum.
10am to 5pm
Stanmore
£8.00
A telephone, a bridge and a terrorist bomb have all been unlikely foundations of charitable enterprises in the City.
10:30am to 12:30pm
City of London
Performances of classical mime that were originally popularised in 18th century Naples.
12pm to 4pm
£16.55
A night-fright tour led by historian Dr Matthew Green with costumed actors, musicians, and twitching corpses hidden along the route.
6:30pm to 8pm
City of London
£9.90
Come and discover dozens of fascinating types on a Snowdrop Trail and on display in the Snowdrop Theatre.
8pm to 9pm
More London events on Saturday 15th February
Sunday 16th February
Performances of classical mime that were originally popularised in 18th century Naples.
12pm to 4pm
A talk at the local community association.
Starts at 3pm
East Dulwich
£9.90
Come and discover dozens of fascinating types on a Snowdrop Trail and on display in the Snowdrop Theatre.
8pm to 9pm
More London events on Sunday 16th February
Monday 17th February
This lecture presents and discusses in simple terms, various non-numerical mathematical algorithms.
Starts at 6pm
A forum for an important discussion of the myths, meaning and origins of the First World War by leading historians.
6:30pm to 8pm
A talk that looks at a former US President from a far different perspective than that which he carefully crafted in his own correspondence.
6:45pm to 8pm
More London events on Monday 17th February
Tuesday 18th February
Free
This demonstration talk will highlight some of the spectacular visual properties of soap films and bubbles that have remained largely unknown.
Starts at 6pm
Euston
This talk will try and explain how the situation arose, the differences in technology used, and what the future might hold.
6pm to 8pm
Euston
Christian Hogsbjerg recovers this long overlooked life of a black radical and political trade unionist,
Starts at 6:30pm
This lecture identifies a suite of core ideas and traces them back to their earliest articulation in Charles Babbage’s designs.
Starts at 7pm
Hammersmith
More London events on Tuesday 18th February
Wednesday 19th February
£2010.00
A Guided Walk in the City of London followed by a visit to The Mansion House.
2pm to 4pm
City of London
£6.00
A film about the life of a noted engineer, who was also once, a stunt double for James Bond.
Starts at 6:30pm
To mark the 20th anniversary of his death, an evening of readings and discussion.
Starts at 7pm
Dr Oliver Ready discusses ‘Crime and Punishment’ with Dr Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury
7:30pm to 9pm
Peter Gruner of the Islington Tribune will talk about the effects of digital media on print journalism.
8pm to 9:30pm
Islington
More London events on Wednesday 19th February
Thursday 20th February
This talk provides an overview of the railway records held at Kew, and explores the different sources for tracing railway workers amongst these record
2pm to 3pm
Science and art collide as Imperial's researchers and student societies show that good science and creativity go hand in hand.
5pm to 8pm
John J. Johnston chairs an event exploring how sexuality has been classified, or not.
6pm to 8pm
Euston
A talk by the left-wing songwriter on whether it is possible to be both progressive and patriotic.
6:30pm to 8pm
£3.00
This talk looks at the challenges faced by The Times’ war correspondents, from the Crimean War in 1854 to the present day.
7pm to 8pm
A talk about the local history by an author who has a book out later this year.
7:30pm to 9pm
More London events on Thursday 20th February
Friday 21st February
Tour the remains of the western gate of London’s Roman military fort, located beneath the streets next to the museum.
tba
Free
This NLA breakfast talk will update on the plans and progress for HS2 and debate the impact and opportunities it presents to the capital.
8:30am to 9:30am
Guided by the Royal Parks Foundation's education team, discover the secrets of Hyde Park's waterways both old and new,
12pm to 1:30pm
Professor David Reynolds reflects on America's role in World War I and its impact on the 20th century.
6:30pm to 8pm
Lester Hillman will explore historic and dramatic links to Islington including Pentonville Prison, fiery orators, social reform and local organisation
Starts at 6:30pm
Islington
More London events on Friday 21st February
Saturday 22nd February
Stalls in the main galleries representing local history societies and interest groups, with experts on hand to offer advice and guidance;
11am to 4:30pm
An open discussion exploring the ideas of one of the greatest 17th century English thinkers, John Locke.
Starts at 2:30pm
As usual, not sure why but there will be a firework display to watch, probably by the OXO Tower.
7:30pm to 8pm
More London events on Saturday 22nd February
Sunday 23rd February
Vigils have been held on the 23rd of every month since June 2004. They are inclusive, secular events, open 'to all faiths and none'.
Starts at 7pm
Southwark
More London events on Sunday 23rd February
Monday 24th February
A talk about Wellington's intelligence system staffed by clever, independently minded officers.
Starts at 7pm
A lecture explores Antinous’ religious and artistic legacy from the time of his death and apotheosis until the modern age,
Starts at 7:30pm
More London events on Monday 24th February
Tuesday 25th February
RIBA charts the diverse origins and landmarks of High Tech with an evening of talks, film and events devoted to high performance and high drama
6pm to 10pm
This talk will be on the uniform and equipment, with a brief description about how and why it came about.
Starts at 6pm
Euston
A public lecture at The Physiological Society.
6:30pm to 7:30pm
Clerkenwell
More London events on Tuesday 25th February
Wednesday 26th February
Free
Count the stars in the night sky for a UK wide survey into light pollution.
tba
A guided walk around London looking at Egyptian themed architecture.
2pm to 4pm
Camden
A lecture about the history of gossip and folklores in 19th century France.
6:15pm to 7:45pm
Euston
Dr Ellery Foutch will discuss the fascinating life of the first bodybuilder: Victorian Strongman Eugen Sandow.
6:30pm to 9pm
Barbican
Free
Monthly late night adults only opening at the Science Museum.
6:45pm to 10pm
Filmmaker Adrian Goycoolea introduces his short film about his Great Uncle Denis – better known as Quentin Crisp.
Starts at 7:15pm
More London events on Wednesday 26th February
Thursday 27th February
A talk that will draw on the public records held by The National Archives to explore aspects of the Tower's history, design and construction.
2pm to 3pm
£1.00
This talk will uncover some of the colourful folklore of underground London.
6pm to 7pm
Whitechapel
£5.95
In this talk Sue King will look at the images with a view to exploring the background of the man and his uniform
6pm to 8pm
Two screenings of the TV series with a debate about the sexuality in them.
6pm to 9pm
Euston
Oxford House are offering a last chance to view Ross Ashmore's 'Going Underground' paintings.
6pm to 8:30pm
Bethnal Green
A talk about on of the less known of British Genocides.
Starts at 6:30pm
Free
An evening of quick-fire presentations from some of London’s most dynamic architects, engineers and boroughs
Starts at 6:30pm
Tottenham Court Road
£10.00
Two speakers speak about the state of global water & what can be done to protect & enhance an historically important local river & its wildlife.
7pm to 9pm
Richmond
Dr David V Barrett explores how in the 21st century this peculiar belief affects society.
7:45pm to 10pm
Whitechapel
More London events on Thursday 27th February
Friday 28th February
Wood Street Pie and Mash, one of the oldest businesses in the area, is closing its doors as the owner retires after 36 years.
All Day
Walthamstow
As the borough prepares to launch its regeneration plans for the area, join us at the NLA to hear from the key figures involved in the plans.
8:30am to 9:30am
A rare chance to help clean some parts from this historic aircraft at a special day event.
Starts at 11am
On the 450th anniversary of Christopher Marlowe’s birth -- watch Derek Jarman's version of his play in the church where he is buried.
8pm to 10pm
