Qatar in September is going to a busy affair, with several events planned over the next four weeks. Here’s a partial list:

• My Rock Stars: Volume 1, Sept. 4 to Oct. 24, Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar gallery. This new art gallery will tackle issues of cultural identity through a “haut-couture street experiment” by artist/photographer Hassan Hajjaj, who worked on his exhibition in Morocco, London, Paris and Kuwait. “My Rock Stars” includes photos of musicians, fashion designers, dancers and boxers shot in a style reminiscent of of African photography from the 1960s and 70s. The exhibit will open to a public reception on Wednesday (Sept. 4) at 6pm.

• Spartacus Ballet, Sept. 5 and 6, Katara Opera House. This award-winning performance will make its Middle East debut in Doha on Thursday. It tells the story of Spartacus, the leader of the slave uprising in ancient Rome. The ballet runs from 8:30pm to 10:30pm, though doors open at 7:30pm. Tickets cost QR100, QR150 and QR250 and are on sale at Virgin Megastore in Villaggio and Landmark malls.

• Rest Upon the Wind, Sept. 12 to 14, Katara Drama Theater. This play is inspired by the life of Arab poet Gibran Khalil Gibran. The script, described by organizers as “generous, funny and moving,” centers on the relationship between Gibran and his sister Myrianna as they struggle to adapt to life in America. Tickets for the performance, which will be performed in English only, runs from Sept. 12 to Sept. 14 are on sale for QR75, QR100 and QR200 at Virgin Megastores.

• Retrospective of Iranian film director Abbas Kiarostami, Sept. 13 to 21, Museum of Islamic Art auditorium. The Doha Film Institute will present a a showcase of this ”cinematic grand master” that includes his early works and also some of his more recent, award-winning films, including “Taste of Cherry” (1997) and “The Wind Will Carry Us” (1999). Tickets can be bought online here.

• Tom Jones, Sept. 17, Intercontinental Doha’s beach. This renowned Welsh singer is slated to make his first Qatar appearance this month. Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 9pm. Tickets, which cost QR250 and QR500, are on sale at Virgin Megastores as well as the Intercon and Crepaway.

• Cirque du Soleil, Sept. 19 to Sept. 21, Aspire Dome. This Canadian act returns to Qatar to perform Dralion, which combines elements of traditional Chinese circus with Western contemporary circus. Tickets, which range from QR250 to QR2,000, can be bought at City Center Mall, the W Doha and elsewhere.

• Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, Sept. 21, Katara Opera House. The orchestra will host the opening night of its latest season with a new director. Doors open at 7:10 pm and the show starts at 7:30pm. Tickets are on sale at Virgin Megastores and range in price from QR75 to QR300 (VIP seats are no longer available). No children under the age of six are permitted.

• BBC Symphony Orchestra, Sept. 30, Katara Opera House. This world-renowned group will be in town as part of the Qatar UK 2013 Year of Culture. Their show, which includes Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No 1, starts at 7:30pm, but doors will open at 7pm. Tickets cost QR150, QR250 and QR600 (for four people on the balcony) and can be purchased from Virgin Megastores. No children under 10 will be permitted.

What events would you add? Thoughts?