From a Shakespearean comedy to a high-octane driving competition to a Yogathon to the launch of this season’s farmers’ markets, there is no shortage of things to check out around town over the next few days. Here are our picks:

Drift championship

Get your weekly dose of high-paced action at the Red Bull Car Park Drift Championship, now back after a five-year hiatus. Amateur drivers will compete to become the best drifter in Qatar during the event, which will be held on Friday, Nov. 6 from 7:30 to 10:30pm at the Losail International Circuit – Parking 6.

Competitors will be tested on their car-handling skills, especially at high speeds, over a winding, narrow track consisting of a course with columns, sudden twists and sharp curves.

Drivers will also be expected to deploy a high level of expertise and courage to push their engines and car bodies to the limits, while maintaining control over their vehicle.

The winner will meet with national drifting victors from eight other countries on Nov. 20, 2015 in Dubai to vie for the title of Middle East drifting champion.

Yogathon 

Get some much-needed R&R this weekend at the first Doha Yogathon, a two-day-long event dedicated to yoga and healthy living. The event will be held from 9am to 9pm on both Friday and Saturday at the Strongbox at Al Jazi Gardens.

Tickets cost QR200 per person, and include unlimited access to two full days of different yoga, suitable for all levels, taught by instructors from various yoga studios around the country. The package also includes access to the venue’s pool and healthy food courtesy of the Vegetarian Treehouse, RAW ME and Vita Coco.

Tickets are available at The Strongbox in Al Jazi Gardens, Yama Yoga Studios in Asas Towers in West Bay, or can be bought online here. For questions or queries, contact [email protected].

Farmers’ markets

Grab some fresh produce, poultry and fish at the newly expanded farmers’ markets as they open for the season tomorrow, Nov. 5, around the country.

This year, the markets have upped their offerings of locally-produced fruits, vegetables and livestock, and will now feature products from some 77 farms, including one specializing in organic farming.

Prices at the market range from between 40 to 50 percent lower than standard retail prices at grocery stores. The markets are located at the Al Mazrouah Yard near Umm Salal Stadium, in Al Khor at the Al Dhakira yard as well as in Al Wakrah. All three markets in Qatar will operate Thursdays to Saturdays from 7am to 5pm, with livestock vendors operating at the same times throughout the week.

Back to the Future screening

In a nod to the 30th anniversary of the sci-fi trilogy Back to the Future, the Doha Film Institute is organizing special screenings of the films on Nov. 6 and Nov. 20.

Friday’s free open-air screening of Back to the Future 2 will be held at 8pm at Aspire Park.

The film was the highest-grossing feature of 1985, and launched one of the most successful franchises in Universal’s history, including two theatrical sequels, an animated television series, a theme park ride, comic books, video games, and other merchandise.

Jazz night 

Join the Qatar National Library for a night of jazz history as it kicks off the month with a movie night featuring Blue Note – A Story of Modern Jazz.

The event is free and open to the public, and will be held today, Nov. 4, from 6 to 8pm at the Education City Clubhouse.

The movie focuses on Blue Note, a famous jazz label established in 1939, and follows the rise of modern jazz through interviews and live footage of jazz veterans.

Participants will be given a brief introduction to the movie and will have a chance to discuss it at the end.

Coffee Expo

UPDATE: This event has been postponed until next year

Caffeine lovers are invited to the country’s first coffee expo, to be held from 10am to 10pm from Nov. 5 to 9 at Katara Cultural Village.

“My Coffee, My Identity” is being held under the patronage of Sheikha Al Mayassa, chairperson of Qatar Museums. It is free and open to the public and will include exhibitors showcasing different kind of coffee, a digital walk-through exhibit, coffee tastings, international coffee competitions, live entertainment and artistic displays of the coffee-making process.

A barista competition will also be held simultaneously at the event, where local baristas will be required to create one espresso, one cappuccino, and one cocktail drink. For more information, visit the event’s website here.

The Tempest

One of Shakespeare’s greatest works will come alive this weekend as the Doha Players take to the Qatar National Convention Center stage to perform a Broadway-esque rendition of the Tempest, for four nights starting Saturday, Nov. 7.

The story follows Prospero, the double-crossed Duke of Milan who will stop at nothing to seek revenge on his enemies and restore his daughter, Miranda, to royal honor.

Directed by former Broadway writer James Mirrione and Shakespeare expert Kim Sturgess, the play promises plenty of comedy and fun. Tickets cost QR100 for adults and QR75 for children under 18 years old, and can be bought online here.

OPM Hitmen concert 

All-male Filipino group OPM Hitmen, featuring four of the Philippines’ most versatile entertainers, will perform in Qatar on Friday, Nov. 6, from 6pm onwards at the Al Sadd Sports Club.

Tickets to the musical performance cost between QR100 to QR300 per person if bought before tomorrow, and QR150 to QR350 from Nov. 5 onwards.

Tickets are available online here and here. For more information, call 66290544 or 55207407, email [email protected] or check out the group on Facebook here.

Beach clean-up

Give back to the environment by joining the Doha Beach Clean Project as the team sweeps through Fuwairat Beach this Friday, Nov. 6, from 9 to 11am.

Volunteers should meet at the end of Fuwairat Beach Road next to the lagoon, and arrive with any necessary food and water. The group will provide attendees gloves and rubbish bags. For more information, visit the group’s Facebook page here.

Tango Nuevo 

Take a whirlwind trip around the world as the the Tango Nuevo Project comes to Qatar this weekend with a new show featuring melodies from Buenos Aires and Paris, intertwined with the sounds of Damascus and Bombay.

The four-piece group, featuring a pianist, a cellist, a violinist and a singer, will perform at the Katara Open House tonight, at 7:30pm, set to footage by Portuguese video artist Diogo Esteves. Tickets to the event cost QR100 for regular seating and QR200 for VIP, and are available online here.

Bonus:

• Nobu at Night: Acclaimed celebrity Chef Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa and Academy Award–winning actor Robert De Niro will host a celebration reception on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 7 to 11 pm at Nobu Qatar. The event includes a selection of exquisite pass-around Nobu cuisine, signature Nobu cocktails, a sake ceremony, and live entertainment by celebrated Japanese Taiko Drum performers and international sensation DJ Soma. Tickets cost QR1,500 per person and can be booked by calling 4494 8888.

What are your weekend plans? Thoughts?