All photos by Chantelle D’mello
Thousands of Qatar residents thronged Souq Waqif last night during the opening of a weeklong festival that includes a wrestling competition, musical performances and circus-like antics.
Crowds of passersby gathered at a specially constructed arena at the Souq’s Al Ahmed Square, where renowned World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) performers and superstars threw down.
Inside the arena, six-time wrestling world champion Booker T introduced several of the night’s competitors, including current Qatar Pro Wrestling champion Chris Rabber, and demonic-looking Irish wrestler Luther Ward, also known as “Omen.”
Wrestlers took part in numerous scripted and choreographed matches, mimicking the style of the widely famous and televised WWE bouts, while the audience cheered them on.
Last night’s opener saw tag teams and one-on-one matches in a two-hour show complete with drama, lights, smoke and action. Subsequent shows will be held daily from 6:30 to 8:30pm until April 14, and will feature different performances each day.
Tickets to the event can be bought online or at the venue, and cost QR50, QR100 and QR300 per day.
Other entertainment
Adjacent to the arena, a traditional performance featuring young Qatari men singing Arabic songs, dancing and playing traditional instruments took place. Last night, residents quickly filled the sparse ground-level seats and the raised seating area behind it to take pictures, participate and enjoy the show.
Elsewhere in the souq, several street performers took to the alley on stilts and in elaborate costumes. Breakdancers moved to a marching jazz band of clown performers in a makeshift performance space in front of the Village, while other gymnasts and entertainers interacted with the crowd.
The performances are expected to continue through April 17 from 4pm to 9pm.
Meanwhile, at Al Rayyan theater, childhood favorites Scooby Doo and the gang put on an Egyptian-themed live show. Tickets to the shows, which run twice on April 11, 12, and 16 at 3:30 and 6:30pm, and once from April 13 to 15 at 6:30pm, cost QR50, QR100, QR150, and QR300, and can be bought online here.
Notably, when Doha News visited last night, parking seemed to be scarce.
Both of the Souq’s original above-ground parking spots have now been closed due to renovations and expansion.
Residents can instead park underground in the new Souq lot, or at the nearby Shioukh Mosque, and walk through the tunnel to get to the market.
There is also a paid parking lot next to Fanar, and another paid underground space a few buildings behind.
Have you checked out the festival yet? Thoughts?