As the weather finally cools down, there will be plenty of outdoor activities held in Qatar over the next few days, including a jazz festival, the return of the MIA park bazaar and Halloween activities.
There are also some movie screenings and other events for those who are indoor-inclined. Here are the highlights:
Woofstock
Local animal shelter QAWS is hosting their 5th annual Woofstock, an afternoon of fun and games for pets and families on Oct. 31, from 2 to 6pm.
The event, will include Halloween activities, vendors selling pet accessories, QAWS and Woofstock merchandise, BBQ, baked goods, face-painting and bouncy castles, raffle draws and contests.
Children and pets are encouraged to dress up in costumes to keep with the Halloween theme. Additionally, dogs are welcome to take part in the Fun Dog Show, with categories like Waggiest Tail, Most Elegant Saluki, Scruffiest Mutt, and Most Original Name.
Entrance costs QR10/person, and it costs QR50 per category to enter a pet into the contest. To register your dog for the show, or for any inquiries, email [email protected], or visit the event’s Facebook page here for more information.
Katara European Jazz Festival
Katara Cultural Village, in association with the French, German, Swiss, Italian and Austrian embassies in Doha, will host a European Jazz Festival from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1.
The event features movies and workshops on jazz, in addition to concerts featuring Stefano Battaglia’s Trio from Italy, Jan Schneider’s Quartet from Germany, Mario Rom’s Interzone from Austria, and many other acclaimed groups. Activities run from 7 to 9pm at the Katara Opera House (Building 16) and the courtyard behind Building 5, and are free and open to the public.
Indian singers’ concert
Famed Indian singers Shanker, Ehsaan and Loy will perform at the West End Park this Friday, Oct. 31 from 7pm.
Tickets cost between QR30 to QR500 and can be bought online here. For more information, call 5014 4395.
MIA Park Bazaar
The Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar will return on Saturday after a long summer break. A homage to the old souqs of yore, the bazaar features some 150 stalls selling clothes, accessories, arts, crafts, décor and the like.
The event is free and open to the public and will be held on Nov. 1 from noon to 8pm. It will take place each first Saturday of the month through May.
The Pursuit of Dare – Omar Samra Talk
Omar Samra, the first Egyptian and youngest Arab to summit Mt. Everest, will speak about travel, adventure and charity on Oct. 31 at 7pm at the Torch Hotel.
The event is hosted by the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) under their Climb4PCRF Campaign, which will see local residents climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro at the end of the year.
Each climber has committed to raise $15,000 before Dec. 24, with all proceeds going toward supporting PCRF’s medical initiatives, treatment programs and humanitarian projects in Palestine. The talk, which will be held at Madar Hall, is free to the public, but donations are welcome. To attend, register online here. For more information, visit the initiative’s website here.
Movie screenings
The Doha Film Institute will screen Mata Mata: Stories About Football, Dreams and Life on Oct. 29 and 30 at 7pm at the MIA Auditorium.
The film follows the lives of young Brazilian football players as they attempt to find success.The screening is open to adults 18 years and older, and parental guidance is viewers under 13 years old.
Tickets cost QR35 for adults and QR25 for students, and can be bought online here or at the MIA DFI ticket booth from 10:30am to 8pm on Wednesdays and noon to 8pm on Thursdays.
DFI is also hosting a free screening of Bekas at 7pm on Friday. The 2012 film is about two homeless orphaned brothers who were inspired to travel to the US after watching Superman at the movies.
They have no passports and no money – and their only means of transportation is a donkey called Michael Jackson. With all odds against them, they set out toward their dream, discovering on their journey that perhaps they are the superheroes themselves.
Tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Kids’ Halloween extravaganza
Local kindergarten Little Academy is hosting a night of fun and fear at their Madinat Khalifa venue on Oct. 30 from 5 to 7pm.
Children and parents are welcome, and encouraged to dress up in costumes. Activities include trick or treating, music, games, crafts, and contests. Entrance costs QR25 per child, payable at the door. For more information and directions, call 4411 0027, or visit the school’s Facebook page here.
Bonus:
- Doha College Annual 5 and 10km Run: Doha College will host its 4th annual 5km and 10km runs this Friday, Oct. 31, from 7am onwards at the Aspire Dome. Interested participants are required to register in advance, which can be done online here, and should be at the venue at 6am to check in. Around 20 spots are still available. For more information about the race, and for useful tips on how to prepare for it, visit the event’s Facebook page here.
- Embrace Qatari culture: Local networking and hot-desking space 7ayak Hub is hosting an interactive evening showcasing the best of Qatari cuisine and culture to the public. Under the title “Embrace Qatar: Cultural Awareness Training,” the event, which will be held on Oct. 31 from 3:30 to 6pm, aims to explain Qatari culture to expats, to better help them form meaningful relationships and foster mutual understanding and respect with their Qatari counterparts. The event is open to the public, and costs QR150 if booked online and QR200 at the door. To register and book a space, visit the site here. For more information, email [email protected] or call 6627 7712.
What are your weekend plans? Thoughts?
Note: The Cultures of Brazil Festival has been moved to next weekend, so it was removed from this week’s post.
