From checking out the annual dhow festival to hunting for desert roses to cheering on kiteboarders, there’s no shortage of things to do around town this weekend.
Here are our picks:
Dhow festival
Qatar’s sixth annual dhow festival, which kicked off last night, will be open to the public at Katara Cultural Village through Saturday, Nov. 19.
The five-day long event offers residents a unique glimpse into old-school Qatari life, complete with dhows, pearl-divers and fishermen.
This year’s offerings include a traditional village with handicrafts stalls, a fish market, boat trips, cultural shows, maritime competitions like dhow racing, pearl diving, fishing and rowing. Additionally, a Daloub Operetta will start daily at 6:30pm.
Artists from Qatar, Bahrain and Oman will also put together folkloric performances.
The dhow festival will run from 9am to noon and then 3:30pm to 10pm.
Organizers are also running a fine art and photography competition with cash prizes for winners. For a detailed schedule of events and the competitions, visit Katara’s website here.
Kiteboarding finals
Some 42 riders representing 22 countries will compete in the KiteFoil Gold Cup finals at the Pearl-Qatar this weekend.
All are welcome to cheer on the riders at the Qanat Quartier Beach. The competition begins today. Races run from 10am to 4:30 pm today and tomorrow. They will be held from 12:30pm to 4:30pm on Friday, and the finals will be from 10am to 4pm on Saturday.
For more information, see the Qatar National Kiteboarders’ Facebook page.
Desert Rose hunting
As part of Qatar Sustainability Week, local eco-tourism company 365 Adventures is hosting a desert rose hunting trip this Thursday.
Apart from sightseeing and hunting for desert roses (a naturally occurring flowerlike aggregate of crystals), the day will feature kayaking and dune bashing sessions.
There will also be a architectural and heritage exploration tour, all of which will run between 3pm and 9pm.
Food and drinks will be offered, including shawarmas, falafels, soft drinks and juices. Transportation will be provided and participants will meet at Burger King in Al Markhiya. Tickets cost QR300 per person. More information can be found here.
Free film screening
As part of its Cinema Under the Stars series, the Doha Film Institute (DFI) is screening a 90-minute film by renowned Emirati director Saeed Salmeen this Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Museum of Islamic Art Park.
The PG-13 film is part of DFI’s “Hekayat Khaleejiya” campaign to highlight movies from the region, and begins at 7pm.
Going to Heaven tells the story of 11-year-old Sultan’s “crazy journey” from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah to find his long-lost grandmother.
The screening is free and open to the public. Seats are available on a first-come first-serve basis. More information can be found on DFI’s website.
‘Traces of Life’ exhibition
A new solo exhibition that explores the relationship between science and art; the human body and beauty perceptions; and life and death opened to the public last night at the Anima Gallery in the Pearl-Qatar.
The exhibition, which displays the works of renowned British sculptor and artist Marc Quinn, features a series of paintings, sculptures, minimal arcs in stainless steel and white concrete, including one that is 7.5m long.
Quinn’s works are on display at both the Anima Gallery and outside the Museum of Islamic Art.
The Anima Gallery is open Sunday through Thursday between 10am and 7pm and is located on The Pearl’s Parcel 17-30 La Croisette, Porto Arabia. This exhibition will run until Feb. 13, 2017.
For more information on the different series, visit Anima Gallery’s website.
Winter fair
The Gems Wellington School is putting together a Winter Fair this Saturday, Nov. 19 that will feature arts and crafts, bouncy castles, face painting and a photo booth, among others.
The event will run between 10am and 2pm and will also include a Build-a-Bear workshop and a magic show.
Those who wish to attend must pay a QR10 entrance fee and an extra QR5 for each activity. Children can enter for free.
To reserve a table, contact [email protected] or call 40417445.
Festive market
Head over to West Bay Lagoon this weekend to take part in an event that will feature more than 60 vendors of handmade holiday gifts and trinkets.
Supported by the Little Lions English Nursery and Saracen Community Initiative, the event will take place from 11am to 3pm at the West Bay Lagoon’s street 9, park 10.
A food drive for cats and dogs will also take place. Attendees are encouraged to bring along any donations that organizers will give out to local animal shelters.
The event is free and open to all. More information can be found here.
Bonus:
- Dana Al Fardan’s ‘Sandstorm:’ Renowned Qatari singer, songwriter and composer will perform from her latest album Sandstorm on Sunday, Nov. 20 at the Katara Opera House. The concert begins at 7:30pm, but doors open at 6:30pm. More information on the lineup and ticket purchases can be found on Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra’s website.
- Samurai Festival: A four-day samurai festival that features Japanese Manga artist Yōichi Takahashi along with an anime singing concert, a kimono fashion and film screenings will kick off on Sunday, Nov. 20 at the Hilton Doha. The festival is free and open to all. It will run until Nov. 24. More information can be found here.
What are your plans for the weekend? Thoughts?
