Whether you’re keen to listen to some reggae music, support a local animal shelter, cheer on some professional skateboarders or boxers or learn more about the challenges facing the differently-abled, there are plenty of activities on offer around town this weekend. Here are the highlights:

The Wailers

Renowned reggae musicians the Wailers, comprised of some of the members of the original Bob Marley and the Wailers, will perform in Qatar for the first time from 6:30pm onwards on Friday, May 22.

The group will perform some of their most iconic songs, including No Woman No Cry, One Love and Jammin at Indigo VIP at the Sheraton Doha. Tickets cost QR250 each, and are available online here and at select locations around the country. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page here.

MADA Tweetup

Doha Tweetups in hosting a meet-up tonight (May 20), from 7pm to 10pm, in collaboration with MADA, a non-profit organization that connects people with disabilities to technology.

The event aims to showcase how technology assists the differently-abled, through a panel discussion with representatives from MADA, the Qatar Social Cultural Club for the Blind and Ibticar, Qatar’s first wheelchair accessible transportation company.

The event is free and open to the public, and will be held at the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ictQatar). Interested participants are requested to RSVP online here.

United for Nepal

UPDATE: This event has been canceled. 

Local model and Mrs. Universe Runner-Up Yezzi Navarro will host a photography-themed event on May 22 to raise funds for victims of the recent Nepal earthquake.

The first event, from 9 to 12 pm, is open to budding photographers, and will feature photography workshops and shoots with local photographers, designers, hairdressers, models and stylists. The workshop costs QR75 to attend, and registration opens at 8:30am.

Afterwards, a family day showcasing music and traditions from around the world will be held. Attendees will have the opportunity to pose for professional group and individual portraits. The entry fee for this portion of the event has yet to be announced, but more information can be found on Facebook here.

Nepal Charity fun run

For the first time, racing stable Al Shahania Stud will open its gates to the public to host a fun run to raise funds for earthquake victims in Nepal. The event will be on Saturday, May 23 at the stud farm in Al Shahaya village, off of the Dukhan highway.

Gates open at 3pm, and run goes from 4pm to 6pm. Entry fee is QR50/person (which includes one raffle ticket). There will be special activities for children and three different running/walking tracks set up for participants. For more information and directions, see the event’s Facebook page here.

Boxing bouts

In the newest series of boxing-related events, the Doha International Boxing Tournament, an event showcasing some 70 boxers from 12 countries, is being held from May 19 through the weekend from 3:30pm onwards at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Multipurpose Sports Hall in Al Sadd.

The event will see nine Qatari boxers compete in daily bouts during the tournament, against athletes from the Philippines, Iraq, Egypt and India across ten weight categories. Entry is free to the public, and finals for all 10 categories will be held on Saturday, May 23.

Skating and BMX Competition

Ahead of “Go-Skateboarding Day,” the world’s largest annual gathering for the skateboarding community, Aspire Zone will host the second edition of its skateboarding and BMXing competition from May 21 to 23, from 3pm to 9pm each day.

The event, held in collaboration with Qatar Extreme Sport, will see 30 professionals strutting their stuff on day one of the competition, and some 25 skateboarders and 15 BMXers competing on days two and three.

The event will be held between the Torch Hotel and the Khalifa Stadium, and is free and open to the public. Participants must be 18 years or older, and are requested to bring their own skateboards. Underage participants will require permission from their parents or guardians.

Doggy Walkathon

Local group 2nd Chance Animal Rescue is hosting its annual walkathon this Friday, May 22, from 3 to 6pm at the Al Shafarlya Farms. The event aims to raise awareness of animal rescue efforts in Qatar, and gather donations.

Participants are requested to donate Pedigree dog food and Whiskas cat food before entering. Items such as leashes, blankets, toys, treats will also be accepted. The event is open to the public, and residents looking to adopt. More information can be found on the event’s Facebook page here.

Qatar Music Academy concert

The Qatar Music Academy’s Faculty Takht ensemble will showcase extracts of instrumental and vocal pieces featuring classical Arab instruments from the Maqam music tradition on May 23 from 5pm onwards at Auditorium 3 at the Qatar National Convention Center.

The event is free and open to the public, and children are welcome to attend. For more information, visit the academy’s website here.

Bonus:

• Thoroughbred exhibition: Acclaimed Qatari artist Jameela Al Shraim’s newest body of work showcasing Qatar’s equine culture is on display at the Souq Waqif Art Center this week. The showcase features some 18 of Al Shraim’s paintings, as well as 16 works from Palestinian painter Rima Al Mozayyen. The exhibition is open daily at the Souq Art Center from 8am to 10pm.

What are your plans for the weekend? Thoughts?