In a sign that cooler temperatures are approaching, one of Qatar’s most popular parks has reopened for residents to get outside in the evenings.
But there are also plenty of events taking place indoors this weekend, including one of the Middle East’s largest video game competitions, new art exhibitions and an Alice in Wonderland-themed fundraiser for rescued animals.
Here are our top picks:
Video game competition
Gaming enthusiasts looking for a digital thrill this weekend are invited to attend one of the largest gaming competitions in the Middle East on Thursday and Friday, starting at 3pm, at the Hamad Bin Khalifa Student Centre at Education City.
The competition, dubbed H.E.A.T., is an initiative by the Soaring Falcon Tournaments team, a local group hoping to create a culture of competitive gaming in Qatar.
Competitors will go head-to-head in Super Smash Brothers, Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution and Guilty Gear Xrd, among other games. There is a QR30 entrance fee for participants while spectators are welcome to join in the action for free.
Interested residents are requested to pre-register online. Those who can’t make it in person can watch the event’s live stream.
MIA Park reopens
A popular waterfront leisure area is scheduled to reopen this evening after a month-long closure during one of Qatar’s warmest months.
Choose your view, MIA park opens tomorrow!
Opening times: 6pm – Midnight
CLOSED Tuesdays #Qatar pic.twitter.com/R2JZXwfVsh— MuseumofIslamicArt (@MIAQatar) September 1, 2015
While most events that take place at MIA Park won’t resume until October, residents can still enjoy the green space, grab a snack at the cafe and take a stroll while checking out the Doha skyline from one of the city’s top vantage points.
Mad Catter’s tea party
Join animal lovers, supports and the cutest members of Doha’s canine and feline community at the Parkview Veterinary Center’s Mad Catter’s Tea Party this Friday, Sept. 4. The event, which will be held at the vet center, is scheduled to run from 2pm to 5pm and feature an arts and crafts market, petting corner, face painting, arts workshops, bake stalls, book sales and other attractions.
Proceeds from the Alice in Wonderland-themed event will go towards creating a play space for the shelter’s rescued cats. Entry is free of charge and is open to everyone. Donations of second-hand books, vintage-style cups and teapots for decoration as well as cat toys and scratching posts are welcome, as are additions to the center’s market with items such as homemade gifts, animal treats, toys and baked goods.
For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page.
Qatar-Turkey exhibition
In celebration of the Qatar-Turkey Year of Culture, the Qatar Museums Authority is hosting a new exhibition celebrating the partnership. The exhibition, titled New Angles, New Perspectives, will open to the public tonight at 7pm in Building 18 in Katara and continue through to the end of the month.
The exhibition features the work of Qatari photographers Sara Al Obaidly and Saleh Al Marri as well as Turkish photographers Ali Muhammet Bay and Hasan Yelken. The exhibition is open from 6am to 10pm daily.
QatART bazaar and pop-up workshops
Qatar’s handmade community will once again showcase their creations at the QatART pop-up bazaar on Friday, Sept. 7, from 3pm to 8pm.
Members of the QatART community are also hosting various workshops at Katara’s Art Studios on the first Friday of every month.
The workshops are open to children and adults looking for a creative respite during their weekends.The price per workshop ranges from QR50 to QR250 and is payable at the door. The cost includes all relevant materials.
This Friday’s schedule includes a watercolour floral painting session along with workshops focusing on flip-book animation, paper quilling and cookie decoration.
Interested residents are invited to drop in or pre-register by sending their name, phone number and the name of the workshop to [email protected] or by calling 4408-0233 or 4408-1357.
For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page.
What are your plans this weekend? Thoughts?
