Though it’s going to be hot outside this weekend, there are still plenty of things to do around town, whether it be cheering on drag racers, cooling off at a local greenhouse or checking out a wrestling match at the Souq.
Here are our picks for what’s going on in Qatar over the next few days:
National Street Drag Championship – Round 6
Experience some homegrown “fast and furious” action by heading over to the Qatar Racing Club for the fifth and penultimate round of the National Street Drag Championships. There, 4 to 12 cylinder cars, SUVs and bikes will compete in separate short races over the course of two days – from 4 to 9pm on April 9 and 10.
The event is free and open to the public, but interested attendees are requested to reserve a spot online here. Residents are also advised to bring along a pair of ear plugs. For more information and a full schedule, visit the event’s website here.
Souq Waqif celebrations
Take advantage of the last few days of good weather and head over to Souq Waqif to enjoy a variety of entertainment, musical and theatrical events this weekend.
The souq is holding a festival from April 10 to 17. From 4 to 9pm on those days, illusionists and acrobats will entertain audiences at the Souq Alley, which stretches the length of the entire venue. Simultaneously, the nearby Souq Waqif Art Center will offer free art and craft workshops for children and families.
Meanwhile, at the Majlis Al Dama, adults can partake in a competitive game of “Dama” or checkers, while children can head over to the Al Rayyan Theatre on April 11 to 16 to catch childhood favorites Scooby Doo and the Gang live on stage.
And at the Al Ahmed Square in front of Fanar, wrestling enthusiasts and rookies can catch a two-hour long show by some of WWE’s greatest superstars including Rey Mysterio and Booker T, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm from April 10 to 14. For more information, ticket prices, and other details, visit the Souq’s website here.
Charity spa walk and run
The Six Senses Spa at Al Sharq Village is hosting a charity run and walk on Saturday, April 11, from 4pm onwards at the Ras Abou Aboud Road and Track.
Interested participants are requested to meet at the spa at 3:30pm before competing in the 5km or 10km event. Registration will be held on the day, and participants are asked to donate QR50 to help fund a project, initiated by the spa and Qatar Charity, to bring clean water to underprivileged communities in Ghana.
For more information, call 4425-6999 or 4425-6917, send an email to fitnessm-sharq-spa@sixsenses.com, or visit the event’s Facebook page here.
Live music session
Groove Office, a new 10-piece band made up of musicians from the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, will host a monthly jam session at the Grand Hyatt this weekend.
The band, which plays an array of genres and artists – from soul to funk and disco, Jamiroquai to Bruno Mars – will perform at the Dunes Lounge tomorrow, April 9, from 10pm onwards. Tickets to the event cost QR50 for ladies and QR100 for men.
For more information and videos, check out the band’s Facebook page here.
Comedy show
The Chuckle Club, a regional touring monthly comedy club featuring famous international comedians, will hold shows in Doha on Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12. Performers will include Australian Yianni Agisilaou, Brit Carl Hutchinson, and American Chris Garcia.
The event will take place at the Al Maha Room at the Doha Marriott Hotel from 7pm onwards. Tickets cost QR130/person and can be bought online here.
The show is only open to residents ages 18 years old and over, and attendees are requested to bring their Qatar ID to the venue.
Roza Hassad open day
Roza Hassad, a flower and vegetable production farm in Umm Leghab (on Dukhan road) is holding an open day on Saturday, April 11.
Visitors will be given guided tours of the greenhouse’s facilities, flowers and crops, and will also have the opportunity to buy fresh produce and flowers.
Entry vouchers cost QR15 for adults, and QR5 for kids, and can be used toward the purchase of flowers or pesticide-free vegetables. There will be free refreshments and flowers are up to 50 percent off during this month’s open day.
For directions and more information, visit the greenhouse’s Facebook page here.
Night of the Proms
After being postponed following last week’s sandstorm, the Night of the Proms concert by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra will instead be held this Friday, April 10 at 7:30pm. The event is part of the British Festival, a month-long celebration of British culture, which comes to a close with this final musical tribute.
The concert, which will be held at the Qatar Foundation Ceremonial Court, will feature several contemporary and classical masterpieces of British music, including the wildly 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 QR150 and are available online here.
Bonus:
- Islamic geometry workshop: The Katara Cultural Center is hosting an Islamic geometry workshop on April 10 and 24 from 4 to 6pm at the Art Studios (Building 19). The workshops, which cost QR150 per person, are open to residents ages 16 years old and over, and will cover the basics of Islamic geometry and pattern-making. To book a seat, email your name and contact details to education@katara.net or call the Katara Education Center at 4408 0233.
- MIA Park Bazaar: The Museum of Islamic Art Park will hold its weekly bazaar this Saturday, April 11, 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.
- Origami workshop: Get those creative juices flowing by signing up for one of Katara’s origami workshops. The next one will be held on April 11 from 2 to 6:30pm at the Katara Art Studios in Building 19. Hosted by Origami Addict Qatar, this weekend’s edition will focus on origami transport, and costs QR100 to attend. Interested participants can register by sending their names and phone numbers to education@katara.net, or by calling 4408 0233 or 4408 1357. For more information and a schedule of events, visit the workshop’s Facebook page here.
What are your weekend plans? Thoughts?