1. Talk disruption at the Bloomsbury Festival
Bloomsbury is alive all this weekend with its very own festival packed full of free events (full info here), which celebrate the area’s history of pioneering in the arts and sciences. Over 50,000 people are expected to attend, for music, installations, walks, talks and unexpected events around this year’s theme of ‘light’.
Our pick of the bunch takes place at Conway Hall on Sunday, where the Knowledge Quarter run three talks on the topic of positive disruption. Things kick off at 12.30 things with Professor Jim Smith, Director of Research at the new Francis Crick Institute, on disruptive impacts on science and medicine. Then at 2.30 the focus is on the cultural and creative industries, and at 4pm sees a look positive disruption and its societal impact. Tickets for all talks are free, but you should book now here.
2. Better yourself at The Midtown Big Ideas Exchange
A unique season of talks kicked off this week, running until April next year. The series aims to share ideas based on “leadership, technology, the future of cities and creativity” in the workplace and beyond.
Star appearances include Dr Margaret Mountford (Apprentice), Sir Ranulph Fiennes (Explorer), Saira Khan (author, business woman, TV presenter and Apprentice runner-up) and Martha Fiennes (prolific broadcaster/director), James Anderson (17 year old entrepreneur and founder of space lounges and thinkspace) and Olly Mann, writer, TV & Radio presenter and renowned gadget correspondent. More info here.
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3. Head down the rabbit hole at the British Library
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s trippy children’s classic, the British Library have opened a suitably fantastical pop-up shop. You’ll find plenty of bizarre and wondrous gift ideas, including the results of an Etsy design competition, which include print designs for cushions, lampshades and handkerchiefs, dolls, quirky pencils and hand-made bow ties.
Drop by the shop for the complete, immersive trip down the rabbit hole, or if you’re pressed for a bit of fairytale break time, then there’s always the online shop.
