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London's foremost LGBT annual film event kicks off at the British Film Institute on March 17th. The star attraction is the world premiere of James Kent's costume drama The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister—which tells the life story of an aristocratic 19th-century British landowner, entrepreneur, and writer. It's based on her coded journals which were penned in complex symbols and woven with metaphor, deciphered only recently—some 150 years after her death—to reveal a secret history of a lesbian past in a time when being gay meant scandal and a jail sentence. There are dozens of other feature films, documentaries, and shorts—from locations as diverse as the Basque country, the Bahamas, New Zealand, and the USA—including a major retrospective of early Hollywood director Dorothy Arzner. The festival closes on March 31, and tickets are already selling fast. Details at the British Film Institute site. MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL Ask our British expert a trip-planning question by posting a comment on our London city page

The Taco: a simple, wondrous thing. San Franciscans love 'em. And just like other foodie favorites, the taco is prime for reinvention. Tacolicious, a beloved Mexican restaurant in Cow Hollow, has invited some of San Francisco's top chefs to create their own unique culinary interpretation of the taco. Beginning today and going through the next six weeks, you can try a tasty new version every Thursday beginning at 10 a.m. The tacos will be sold at Tacolicious's Ferry Building outpost location, where Thursday is, serendipitously, Farmers' Market day. Fish & Farm's Chad Newton is serving up his tacos today, followed by Alex Ong of Betelnut, who is planning a taco of pork leg braised in duck fat and fish sauce infused with chilies, anise, and Szechuan peppercorns on March 19. Liz Shaw from A16 will be experimenting with beef tongue on April 1, and Delfina's Craig Stoll is still trying to decide between pig's head, lamb riblet, and tuna confit tacos for March 11. Other chefs include Robbie Lewis, formerly of Bacar and Jardiniere. Check Tacolicious's twitter feed for updates on the menu. Proceeds will benefit the non-profit Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture.

Over the past few weeks Londoners and Beatles fans the world over have been up in arms about EMI's possible plans to sell Abbey Road Studios, the legendary location where the Fab Four recorded many of their greatest albums. The studios are a prime piece of real estate near Madonna's old home and around the corner from Kate Moss in ever-so-fashionable St John's Wood, and there were fears that they'd be snapped up and turned into swanky apartments. The rumors became a scandal that soon made the national news—on all channels. Concerned fans launched a huge Facebook campaign and Paul McCartney was rung up and interviewed repeatedly, expressing concern and proclaiming sadness. On February 17th, the National Trust—which preserves many of the country's heritage buildings—announced that it was thinking of launching a campaign to save the studios. And two days later, Andrew Lloyd Webber said he was "very interested" in buying should EMI formally decide to sell. Last week, the government finally stepped in, giving the building Grade II listed status—the third-highest legal category for protection of buildings and monuments in the country and preserving the shell—if not necessarily the studios themselves for posterity. Culture Minister Margaret Hodge explained that Abbey Road had "produced some of the very best music in the world." EMI have announced that they no longer have plans to sell Abbey Road. This is much to the chagrin of taxi drivers. The studios are a little way from my home and whenever I pass, there are always dozens of tourists holding up the impatient London traffic by photographing themselves on the zebra crossing in emulation of the Beatles. Abbey Road's greatest hits Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles Tales of Mystery and Imagination – The Alan Parsons Project Year of the Cat – Al Stewart Never Forever – Kate Bush Notorious – Duran Duran Jesus Christ Superstar – Andrew Lloyd Webber The Bends – Radiohead Be Here Now – Oasis Safe Trip Home – Dido Love Never Dies – Andrew Lloyd Webber EARLIER London: A sequel to Phantom of the Opera Tickets go on sale March 9

Crabbing off the pier March marks the beginning of California's crabbing season, and you can get in on the action with a free pier-crabbing demo offered by the National Park Service every Saturday. After class, borrow the free equipment and put your skills to the test. At Historic Fort Port in the Presidio. Saturdays from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Make a reservation at 415/556-1693. Demonstrations are free. The St. Patrick's Day Parade Join in the celebration on March 13 during the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival. Floats, Irish dancers, and marching bands troop from Harrison and 2 Street in SOMA to the Civic Center, where the party continues outside City Hall with live music, beer gardens, and kids' activities. The city's large Irish population, which includes many expats, has made this the largest St. Patty's Day parade west of the Mississippi. Parade begins at 11:30 a.m.; Civic Center Festival from 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Head to Market Street between 2 and 6 streets for the best views. Culture at First Thursdays On the first Thursday of every month, many of the city's art galleries hold evening receptions featuring artwork from both local emerging artists and the more nationally renowned. Wine flows as galleries stretching from the Mission to North Beach party on (you can download a map at firstthursdayart.com), but the best way to enjoy the night is at the 49 Geary building downtown, home to a dozen or so of the city's top galleries. This month at 49 Geary, make sure to check out photographer Diane Arbus, known for her portraits of the deviant and marginal at the Fraenkel Gallery. 49 Geary, 5:30 p.m.-7: 30 p.m. Free admission. Organ recitals at the Grace Cathedral Visitors come to tour the French gothic Grace Cathedral because of its floor labyrinths, soaring stained glass windows, Keith Haring altarpiece, and Interfaith AIDS chapel. But another huge draw is its famous 7,467-pipe organ, which draws renowned organists from around the world. The cathedral hosts a free concert series; this month features soloist Susan Jane Matthews who has played in Europe and the U.S. (including at the Washington National Cathedral). Sunday March 14, 4:00 p.m. 1100 California Street, 415/ 749-6300, http://www.gracecathedral.org Weeklong Happy Hour Thanks to Yelp, 25 of San Francisco's most popular bars are holding a seven-day happy hour the first week of March, offering half-priced signature cocktails for about $5, many crafted especially for the event. Some favorite bars taking part are the Michelin-rated, swanky Fifth Floor restaurant, the classic art deco Grand Cafe, the famed Yoshi's jazz club, and Credo, the newest hot spot in the Financial District. March 1-7.