Indoors or outdoors, there are plenty of ways to spend the next few days in Qatar, including reverse bungee jumping, a concert with Filipino performers and of course, a Doha News meetup. Here are our picks for what to do this weekend:

Rocket bungee jumping

Thrill seekers may want to try this reverse bungee jumping event at the Pearl-Qatar from Thursday, May 1 to Saturday, May 3. Organized by Xploriders Sports company, the first-come-first-serve event will be held from 4 to 8pm on Thursday and from 10am to 8pm on Friday and Saturday.

Participants will shoot off like a rocket from the ground and then experience a freefall after reaching a height of 60m. The participant will continue to oscillate until the operator slowly descends the steel hook to a standstill on the ground.

Non-participants are welcome to watch the event. For those who are bungee jumping, tickets are QR350 each, and include a free video. They can be bought at Virgin Megastores and online here.

Few tickets are expected to be available on location. A refund of QR50 will be given for any damaged video. Those between the ages of 14 and 18 years old must get a parent’s signature, and the maximum weight for a solo jumper in 100kg. Organizers advise not to wear national attire or any kind of loose clothes while performing the stunt, and comfortable and well-fitting clothes are recommended.

Hekayat Khaleejiya: Through the eyes of autism

Focusing on documentaries this month, the Doha Film Institute will screen an Arabic/English feature about autism on May 1 and 2 at 7pm at the Museum of Islamic Art auditorium to enlighten Qatar residents.

Directed by Emirati filmmaker Amal Al Agroobi, the 52-minutes long film titled “The Brain that Sings” documents the journey of 19-year-old Mohammed and six-year-old Khalifa, who suffer from autism and use music therapy sessions to modify their behavioral issues. The film will also explore the stigma associated with the neural disorder in the Arab culture and the ordeal families undergo to plan their children’s futures.

Parental guidance has been advised as some scenes might be inappropriate for young kids. Tickets cost QR35/person and can be purchased online here, or at the DFI ticket outlet across the Museum of Islamic Art auditorium.

On both days, the program will be preceded by a short film screening of “One in Five,” directed by Qatar University’s Jawaher Al Khater. The three-minute narrative is inspired from a true story and will portray how a Qatari mother tries to connect with her young autistic son. Following the screenings, there will be a panel discussion on Thursday and an extended Q&A session with the filmmakers on Friday.

Hoy, Pinoy! Bamboo LIVE concert

Filipino music lovers can watch Bamboo Manalac live in concert on May 2 at the West End Park from 7pm onwards. Considered one of the finest and top-rated music stars in the Filipino music industry, the rock star will be visiting Qatar as part of the Hoy, Pinoy! concert organized by the Events and Beyond team.

Gates will open at 4pm, and there will be supporting acts by Asiano, Overtone, Xtreme level crew, Dimp crew and a fashion show by Celso Collado Dahil at 6pm.

No food will be included for tickets sold at QR 35. Tickets priced between QR55 and QR200 will include free food vouchers from Dairy Queen, Jollibee, Yellow Cab and Coal Buffet.

Tickets can be purchased online on ILoveQatar.net here and from various shops.
Tickets will also be sold at the venue on the day of the concert. Except GenAd tickets, all ticket holders are entitled to participate in the raffle draw and win a Volkswagen Passat 2014 car. More information can be found here.

Football Five’s World Championship

Managed by Legacy Sports and Events, Qatar Lubricants Company (QALCO) is organizing the qualifying rounds of the Football Five’s World Championship with support from the Qatar Football Association.

The aim of the global initiative is to select talented amateur football players aged 16 years and older who are not yet registered in any of the football clubs in Qatar, and provide them with a platform for professional football clubs to sign them up. More than 100 teams will be participating for the Qatar qualifiers.

The first round of the Qatar qualifiers will be played out on May 2 at Pitch 6 and 7 of Aspire Zone from 4 to 10 pm. Sixty-four teams will play in 16 groups of four teams. Each team will consist of five players, and 16 finalists will be chosen from each group to compete in the final.

Limited slots are available for registration until May 8 and the registration fee per team is QR900. Tickets are not required to watch the match. Entry is open to the public.

Doha News meet up

Commemorating five years of covering local news in and around Qatar, Doha News will host a community meet up on May 3 at the Grand Hyatt Doha, Al Silia ballroom 1 and 2, from 5 to 7 pm.

The event will be a great way for the fans, followers and friends of Doha News to meet the team and provide feedback and share their ideas, too.

Food and drinks, along with a few giveaways, will be up for grabs. There are only a few seats left – to register, please go here.

Bonus:

• MIA Park Bazaar: The Museum of Islamic Art Park’s last bazaar before the summer break will be on Saturday, May 3 from noon to 7pm. This modern version of the old souq will offer unique handmade and handcrafted products including jewelry, clothing, books and souvenirs. Entry is free for the public.
• Double Design opening: Katara Art Center is hosting two events tonight at 7pm that will explore design in different ways: the Amman Design Pop-Up shop will feature the unique works of 14 independent Amman designers in graphic design, jewelry, furniture and many more. Curated by the design atelier, the shop is meant to inspire Qatari designers and design-enthusiasts to find out more and engage with the independent designers across the region. Meanwhile, Foreseeing Territories by Albaker Architects is an architecture exhibition that will explore the public spaces in Qatar. The installations will be explored through the five senses that will transport the viewer to three familiar environments in Doha, but in another space and time. To confirm attendance, click here. The exhibition will be run through June.

What are your weekend plans? Thoughts?