Whether you’re looking to check out live sporting events, musical performances, cultural activities or something Easter-related, there’s plenty happening around town this weekend. Here are our picks.
Easter fun
Swedish furniture giant IKEA is hosting a range of activities in honor of Easter. Residents can partake in their daily Easter egg hunts held from March 29 to April 2, or join IKEA at the Småland section featuring Easter bunny mask and eggshell mosaic-making stations, puppet art, basket paper plate art and face painting from March 29 to April 5.
From April 4 to 5, the Easter Bunny will be present to greet children and customers alike, while the IKEA cafeteria is serving a special Easter dish of duck confit with red cabbage and mashed potatoes for QR37 between April 1-7.
The Qatar Animal Welfare Society (QAWS) and Garvey’s Family Club are also hosting joint Easter activities at Garvey’s this Sunday, April 5, from 1 to 5 pm. The event features numerous children’s activities, including an Easter egg hunt, bonnet-making and egg decorating activities, contests and prizes, a QAWS petting zoo and an afternoon tea, and costs QR75 per child.
There is also an afternoon tea for parents with beverages, scones, cakes, and sandwiches, at QR50 per adult. Interested attendees are required to register for the tea by emailing [email protected]. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page here.
Night of the Proms
The British Festival, a month-long celebration of British culture will come to a close this weekend with a concert by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra at 7:30pm on Friday, April 3.
The event, which will be held at the Qatar Foundation Ceremonial Court, features several contemporary and classical masterpieces of British music, including the famous Hedwig’s Theme from Harry Potter and I Feel Pretty from the musical West Side Story.
Tickets to the event, which is open to residents ages 6 years old and over, cost QR100 and 150 and are available online here.
GCC Beach Games
The second edition of the GCC Beach Games, an annual event featuring some 300 athletes from across the Gulf, will be held from April 2 to 9.
Thirteen sporting disciplines will be spread across two venues: the Al-Gharafa Sports Club, which will host volleyball, handball, football, and 3×3 basketball tournaments, and the Katara Cultural Village, which will host swimming, rowing, sailing, and air sport events. The events are free and open to the public.
Kayaking by moonlight
For those who are feeling adventurous, Entalek, a local group that organizes outdoor activities and environmental education programs, is hosting a moonlight kayaking trip this weekend. The event will take place this weekend on April 3 and 4. The trip costs QR200 per person, and interested participants can book their tickets online here.
The group will meet at the Al Thakira Marina at 4:30pm before heading out to kayak into the sunset. A barbeque will be held after the event, but attendees will have to bring their own food.
The group will supply all cooking equipment. SUVs are preferred, but those driving sedans can also make the trip. For more information, call Adele at 3023 3207, or visit the group’s Facebook page.
Chamber music at the MIA
Relax and celebrate the end of the week with a free performance from some of Qatar’s best musicians at the Museum of Islamic Art tomorrow (Thursday), April 2.
Composed of musicians of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, the event will feature a clarinet quartet performing two classical pieces at the MIA Atrium. The event is open to the public and starts at 6pm. For more information, visit the Facebook page here.
Origami workshop
Get your creative juices flowing by signing up for an origami workshop on April 4 from 2 to 4pm and 4:30 to 6:30pm at Katara Art Studios in Building 19.
Hosted by Origami Addict Qatar, the workshops will be held throughout April. This weekend’s edition will focus on origami fashion and back-to-school art, and costs QR100/person to attend.
Interested participants can register by sending their names and phone numbers to [email protected], or by calling 4408 0233 or 4408 1357. For more information and a schedule of events, visit the workshop’s Facebook page here.
Autism awareness
UPDATE: This event has been canceled due to the sandstorm.
To mark World Autism Awareness Day, MADA, a local company that offers assistive technology to people with visual, learning, or physical disabilities, is hosting an evening of activities at the Torch Tower Plaza (Aspire) from 4 to 6pm on April 2.
The event is free and open to the public, and will feature activities, cupcakes and gifts for the whole family. Biking group Soul Riders will put on a show, and thousands of blue balloons will be released in honor of the day.
The event is open to children with autism and their families, autism advocates and activities and anyone interested in learning more about the disorder.
Bonus:
- MIA Park Bazaar: The Museum of Islamic Art Park will continue to hold its weekly bazaar this Saturday, April 4, from noon to 8pm. 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 continue to be held every Saturday through May. For more information, visit the event’s website here. - Vegetarian cooking class: Small local business Vegetarian Treehouse is hosting its first plant-based cooking class on Saturday, April 4 from 4 to 7pm at Caramel in Al Waab. The class, which costs QR250 per person, is an introduction to vegetarian cuisine, and covers the cost of making one entree, one dessert and one drink. After the class, a celebratory dinner will be held with attendees and the dishes that they’ve made. Digital recipe cards for the dishes cooked will also be provided. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page here.
What are your weekend plans? Thoughts?
