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‘Our Valentine’s extravaganza is back! London has always been a hotbed for the seductive, saucy and down-right sordid. Join us as we journey through London exploring the art of seduction from raunchy Romans and Georgian prostitutes to modern-day mating rituals. Start the night off with a dose of Dutch courage from Distillnation to get your tastebuds tingling and release your inner bohemian before you try your hand at capturing the charming beauty of the human form with London Drawing life drawing.   Feeling the need to strut your stuff? Join Dance Psychologist, Peter Lovatt, and try out Londoners’ mating rituals past and present from the Charleston and disco to raving. Lose your inhibitions and put your newly learnt moves to the test to a decadent soundtrack curated by Museum of London favourites Broken Hearts. If you need a breather, take time out and wander the streets of our Victorian Walk to hear all about Jeremy Bentham’s philosophy of pleasure. Want more of London’s sordid past? Experience the manners and makeup of Georgian prostitutes with Shoni and Rob and get up close and personal with some cheeky artefacts from our collections. As it’s Valentine’s, of course we’ve thrown in some romance! With Hurdy Gurdy’s creative workshops you can make your own love token or poesy ring to flatter the object of your desire. Explore the sumptuous scents of love and attraction with Odette Toilette and see how the raunchy Romans loved to massage with Nature To Nurture’s Sian O’Flynn. To top this off, indulge in late night bars and the chance to enjoy a romantic after hours view of our blockbuster exhibition The Cheapside Hoard: London Lost Jewels. Late London is the perfect place to be seen, get loved up, or, as recommended by dating website doingsomething.co.uk, impress that special someone!   Cut loose, indulge and dive in.’

‘Let Gaggle exorcise your demons as the mighty all-women alternative choir transforms itself into the daughters of the sun god Ra. Unmoor yourself from the now as artists Russell Jones and Zitrone spin sonic time experiments. Fend off misfortune by making amulets and sporting green eye make up. Anoint yourself with sacred Egyptian oils with archaeologist and aromatherapist Sian O’Flynn. Make offerings to the infinite waters of Nun by supping black cocktails. This midsummer rite on UCL’s nearby Wilkins roof garden is part of Petrie Museum’s programme for its ‘Timekeeper’ installation by Cathy Haynes. The event is a deeply anachronistic take on the ancient Egyptian rites that took place in the spare days between each of its calendar years: an uncertain disordered gap in time when the Eye of Ra & his daughter could bring you peace or plague.’

‘Take a trip back to Ancient Egypt and relive the Pharaoh’s time with fragrance expert Odette Toilette and archaeologist and aromatherapist Sian O’Flynn. Find out which incense was so favoured for importation by Queen Hatshepsut and match the perfumes to Egyptian personalities with nose on activity!’