After a rainy week, sunny weather is in the forecast this weekend. Whether you’re feeling like attending something funny, going for a walk (backwards) or enjoying some music, there are quite a few things to do around town this weekend. Here are our picks:
Shrek debut
Shrek the Musical makes its Middle East debut this week in Doha today (March 9) at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) near Education City.
The stage version of the popular 2001 DreamWorks film will feature old favorite anthems from the movie including I’m a Believer, as well as some new songs. It runs until March 19 at Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) near Education City.
Tickets are QR249, QR349, QR499, QR1,599 and QR2,199 a person and can be bought online here. The box office opens 90 minutes before showtime.
Weekday evening shows are for children six years and older. Children under three years old are free if they sit on laps. Doors open 90 minutes before showtime and the show lasts 150 minutes, including 20 minutes for intermission.
Reverse walk
California Tortilla is hosting a walkathon with a twist on Saturday at Aspire Park from 10am to 5pm.
This is the first reverse walk Qatar has seen, and the event extols the health benefits of walking and exercising backwards.
This type of sport has become “quite the rage in Japan, China and parts of Europe, where people use it to build muscle, improve sports performance (and) promote balance,” according to the event’s website.
One of the goals of the weekend walk is to raise awareness for the Qatar Diabetes Center. All are welcome to attend and registration can be done for free online here.
Comedy night
I Love Qatar’s Khalifa Saleh Al Haroon (Mr. Q) will host the start of a new weekly comedy night at Jazz At Lincoln Center Doha at the St. Regis on Wednesday, March 9 from 8pm to 10pm. This week, comedian Hamad Al-Amari (The Qatari Guy) and performers from Kuwait and Bahrain will be onstage.
People over the age of 21 years old are welcome to attend. The entrance fee is QR200 and includes a refreshment. For reservations, call +974 4446 0226, email [email protected] or see the event’s Facebook page here.
Women in headscarves are welcome, but due to alcohol being served females in national dress would not be permitted entry, according to a JALC representative.
Animal park
An “Animal Park” featuring animatronic models of dinosaurs and other large animals will open on Thursday, March 10.
The park is located on an empty lot near the Qatar Sports Club in West Bay and will remain open through April 2.
Tickets to enter the park are QR15/child (below the age of 12 years old) and QR25/adult. Children under the age of two years old are free.
The timings for the park are daily from 4pm to 11pm, except Saturdays, when it will be open from 10am to 11pm.
Shakespeare with a twist
As part of the two-week-long British Festival in Qatar, the Reduced Shakespeare Company will put on two performances of their award-winning show The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] at Katara Drama Theater on Friday, March 11.
Described as an “irreverent, fast-paced romp” through all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays in 97 minutes, the three-man group has performed this show across the world, and it has since spawned nearly a dozen similar productions by the same team.
Tickets cost from QR150 to QR250 for two performances on March 11 – at 1pm then again at 7pm. They can be bought online through Q-Tickets here.
Free concert
The Qatar Music Academy will host its annual Arab Faculty & Student Concert on Saturday, March 12 from 4pm to 6pm at Katara Cultural Village’s Drama Theater.
The performance will showcase works from the Ottoman Classical period and include participation from Turkish musicians. Admission is free for all and children are welcome. More information can be found online here.
Bonus:
- Kidney Day family event: Hamad Medical Corp. is holding a family fun day on Friday at Aspire Park to mark kidney awareness. The event runs from 2pm to 6pm near Burgerry restaurant and includes bouncy castles, face painting and races. Members of HMC’s nephrology team will be available to educate people about the signs and symptoms of kidney disease and how to maintain good health.
- Casting call: Northwestern University in Qatar (NUQ) students are seeking actors for a comedic web series that “captures the hilarious adventures (or misadventures)” of coffee shop customers who come from different countries and backgrounds. Auditions are being held on March 13 and 14 from 5:30pm to 8pm at NU-Q’s studio building in Qatar Foundation. Find more information here.
- Consumer rights: Telecom regulator CRA is hosting a World Consumer Rights Day event at City Center Mall from March 12-15, 10am to 9pm. Visit their setup for fun family activities and learn more about consumer rights with regards to your service provider.
What are your plans for the weekend? Thoughts?
