A talk about the Stephen Lawrence inquiry, comedian Alan Davies’ return to stand-up and a pre-Oscars warm-up night at JW3 are just some of the things featured in our top five this week.

1. THURSDAY - STEPHEN LAWRENCE

Dr Richard Stone will be in conversation with former Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer QC about his book Hidden Stories of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry. Dr Stone, a resident in Camden, was a panel member of the 1997/99 Home Office inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence. He also served as a cabinet advisor to the Mayor of London, was president of the Jewish Council for Racial Equality, and spent five years as chair of the Runnymede “Commission on British Muslims and Islamophobia”. His recent book documents his personal experience on the inquiry and raises concerns about the way it was managed. Cllr Tulip Siddiq, representative for Regent’s Park, is host and chairs a question and answer session with the audience. Held at Swiss Cottage Library in Avenue Road. Starts at 7pm. This is a free event.

Visit www.camdenlibraries.eventbrite.co.uk for more information.

2. FRIDAY - ALAN DAVIES

Following the sell-out success of his long-awaited return to stand-up, comedian Alan Davies previews his highly anticipated follow-up show, Little Victories. Known well for his performances on BBC quiz show QI or as the crime solver Jonathan Creek, Davies was recently described by critics as “one of the best stand-up comics out there”. Held at Jacksons Lane in Archway Road, Highgate. Tickets £28.90. Call 020 8341 4421 to book.

3. SATURDAY - THE OSCARS AT JW3

As a warm-up to the 86th Academy Awards, JW3 in Finchley Road will be hosting its very own red carpet event the night before. Producer and writer Simon Chinn (Man on Wire, Project Nim), director Roger Michell (Notting Hill, Hyde Park On Hudson, Le Week-End) and film journalist and presenter Nicola Christie will form a panel chaired by film critic Jason Solomons. The industry experts will be sharing their experiences of the Oscars and their predictions for award winners. A real statuette will also be making an appearance. Doors open at 7pm (8pm start). Tickets £15 (£7.50 concs).

Visit www.jw3.org.uk or call 020 7433 8988 to book.

4. TUESDAY - ALEXEI SAYLE

Comedian Alexei Sayle reads excerpts from Stalin Ate My Homework, a humorous memoir of his confusing life as the son of communist parents. The TV funnyman speaks of his early life in 1960s Liverpool, being born on the same day egg rationing came to an end.

Alexei was the only child of Joe, an affable trade unionist who led the family on railway expeditions across Eastern Europe and Molly, a hot-tempered red-head who “terrified teachers” and insisted Alexei see the Red Army Choir instead of The Beatles.

A Q&A session will follow the reading. Held at Jacksons Lane arts centre, Archway Road. Starts at 8pm. Tickets £16 (£14 concs). Visit www.jacksonslane.org.uk to book.

5. FRIDAY - US MUSIC

Lauderdale House hosts a tour through five centuries of music from the Americas, from the Conquistadores to the modern era (with 34 musical excerpts). In South America the interaction of the conquistadores with indigenous peoples produced a heady mix of European musical forms with wild native rhythms. In the North, the transition to a black-influenced musical culture gave us jazz, the blues, and numerous offshoots, all of which sit alongside the older European forms, giving us the melange that is US music today. Starts at 7.30pm at Lauderdale House in Waterlow Park, Highgate. Tickets £10 (£8 concs). Call 020 8348 8716 to book.