Now that the weather is starting to (marginally) cool down, there are some interesting outdoor activities on offer in Qatar this weekend, including paddle boarding lessons, a jazz concert in the park and a Korean dance performance. Here are our picks:

Stand up paddle-boarding lessons

AquaSports Qatar has launched paddle boarding sessions and excursions at the Museum of Islamic Art Park. Tours and classes cost upwards of QR150 per session, and start with a thorough safety briefing on the equipment, paddling techniques and the route.

Multiple daily classes for different levels and abilities are available.

AquaSports Qatar is also offering two daily mangrove-kayaking tours every Friday and Saturday, where residents can explore Qatar’s outdoors.

Other tours are being conducted at the MIA/Dhow Harbor, where participants can relax and paddle through the harbor, past traditional dhow boats and the MIA. Their Al Safliya Island Tour begins near the Pearl and offers attendees views of the Pearl, West Bay and the soaring high skyline.

Private tours for groups of five or more can also be arranged. For a complete list of classes and more information, visit the visit the company’s website here or call 5549 0895 or 6656 8981.

Korea-Arab friendship caravan

A three-country wide “friendship caravan” will kick off this Friday, Oct. 9, as a troupe of 25 Korean performers showcase oriental and contemporary dances at Katara Cultural Village.

The event marks the 8th Korea-Arab Friendship Caravan, a roaming performance group that will travel to three countries – Qatar, the UAE, and Lebanon – to highlight Korean culture.

Performers include the award-winning street dance group Marionette, which performs using puppets, and oriental fan and drum dances led by the Gyeonggi Provincial Dance Company. On the day of the performance, the Korean embassy in Doha will also celebrate the 569th anniversary of promulgation of the Korean alphabet known as “Hangul Day.”

The event is free and open to the public and will be held at the Drama Theater from 7.30pm onwards.

Jazz in the Park 

Following the summer break, Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha is back and will hold its free monthly concert at the MIA Park tonight, Oct. 7.

Jazz enthusiasts, families, and friends are invited to attend the event, which will be from 7 to 8pm, as the band prepares to open its yearly season with a night of classics.

For more information, visit the event’s website here.

For those who wish to see JALC at their regular spot in the St. Regis Hotel, you can find their full calendar of events for the season online here.

Latin dance for kids

Local salsa training group Salsa n Candela is hosting a series of dance workshops for children ages three to 13 years old at the Hilton Hotel – Efora Spa.

Classes will be held every Wednesday at 4pm for children ages three to six years old and at 5pm for those ages seven to 13 years old.

The younger group will learn a mix of styles including mambo, salsa, merengue, rumba and bachata, after which a choreographed number will be presented at the group’s annual show.

Children in the older group will also learn coordination and partnered dances in both latin and urban styles. Classes cost QR300 per child per month. To register, email [email protected] or call 33003839 for more information.

QatArt crafts workshop

Vendors at the regular Saturday QatART craft bazaar are now offering creative workshops for children ages five years old and above. The sessions will be held at the Katara Art Studios and cost between QR100 and QR150 per class.

This week, children can choose from block printing, duct tape crafting, sand and thread painting, jewelry design and doll-making. Sessions will be held from 3 to 8pm this Friday, Oct 9.

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.

Hip hop show

Some of the most promising undiscovered local hip hop artists and breakdancers will perform during a show tomorrow, Oct. 8, at the House of Wow in Madinat Khalifa South (Villa 12, Al Idreesi St.).

The three hour-long event runs from 7 to 10pm, during which rappers, dance crews and beatboxers will showcase their talents. The event is free and open to people of all ages.

The House of Wow also hold weekly open mic nights every Friday from 7 to 10pm. All talents and people of all ages are welcome to attend the free event.

For more information, email [email protected] or call 3106-1589.

Bonus

• Rugby matches: Qatar will go head to head with other GCC countries on Oct. 9 at the Asia Rugby West’s Gulf Premiership. Doha 2nd will play Muscat at 1pm while Doha 1st will face Bahrain at 3pm at the Doha Rugby Football Center. Entrance is free and open to the public. (Second match has been canceled.)
• Arts and crafts workshop: FNAC at Lagoona Mall is hosting a series of creative workshops this fall. This week’s workshop will focus on making candle stands, and will be held this Saturday, Oct. 10, from 4pm onwards. The session is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page here.
• Boxing tournament: Tickets are still on sale for the AIBA World Boxing Championships, which runs through Oct. 15 at the Ali bin Hamad al Attiya Arena in Al Sadd. Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao will be in Qatar tomorrow to watch some of the matches. For more information on who’s competing, see the full schedule here.

What are your plans for the weekend? Thoughts?