FACT Magazine Qatar March 2012

THE SMART MONTHLY GUIDE TO LIFE IN QATAR

FACT M.E. - QATAR EDITION

THE FINEST ADDRESS IN QATAR

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ISSUE 11

hotel debuts :

MARCH 2012

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts extends a privileged invitation to experience the finest expression of luxury and an unrivaled commitment to service excellence at the latest addition to its portfolio, The St. Regis Doha.

Come, explore.

Now accepting reservations

The Communications Issue

FASHION. ART. CULTURE. TECHNOLOGY

Peter Fisk MARCH 2012

VOL 1, ISSUE 11 QR10

BD1

The business and marketing guru comes to Qatar... (p12)

Edge of Arabia The art movement from Saudi Arabia that’s taking the world by storm! (p22)

Calvin Harris LIVE in Doha!

Scottish DJ, producer, singer & songwriter set to perform at the Global DJs beach party! (p6)

Talking Telecoms in Qatar Everything you need to now about mobile phones, mobile broadband the internet and more in Qatar! (p34)

QITCOM Experience the latest technology that the IT & telecoms industry has to offer! (p16)

PLUS

The Fiat 500

Ali Driver tests the chic little Italian mini (p40)

+ The Camera

Collection

All the best cameras out there, from SLRs to digicams (p32)

+ All Day I Dream

About Sportswear

Stunning new collections for men and women from adidas

(p44)

27/02/2012 19:25

2

FACT QATAR MARCH

Qatar march Issue.indd 2

27/02/2012 19:27

THE SMART MONTHLY GUIDE TO LIFE IN QATAR

FACT M.E. - QATAR EDITION

THE FINEST ADDRESS IN QATAR

MARCH 2012

u

po box 14435 u

doha

u

qatar

tel +974.4446.0000 fax +974.4446.0001

abu dhabi

bal harbour sanya

doha

bangkok

florence

shenzhen

tianjin

stregisdoha.com

PG, St. Regis and their respective logos are the trademarks of

ISSUE 11

hotel debuts : mauritius

VOL 1, ISSUE 11 QR10

BD1

Edge of Arabia

Talking Telecoms in Qatar Everything you need to now about mobile phones, mobile broadband the internet and more in Qatar! (p34)

QITCOM Experience the latest technology that the IT & telecoms industry has to offer! (p16)

PLUS

The art movement from Saudi Arabia that’s taking the world by storm!

The Fiat 500

Calvin Harris LIVE in Doha!

Scottish DJ, producer, singer & songwriter set to perform at the Global DJs beach party! (p6)

6 Calvin Harris LIVE in Doha!

The Scottish DJ, producer, singer and songwriter to perform a gig in March!

6

NOTEWORTHY

12 Peter Fisk Symposium The business, leadership and marketing guru comes to Qatar.

Ali Driver tests the chic little Italian mini

(p22)

al gassar resort

west bay

Peter Fisk MARCH 2012

(p12)

the st. regis doha u

u

FASHION. ART. CULTURE. TECHNOLOGY

The business and marketing guru comes to Qatar...

Now accepting reservations

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts extends a privileged invitation to experience the finest expression of luxury and an unrivaled commitment to service excellence at the latest addition to its portfolio, The St. Regis Doha.

Come, explore.

The Communications Issue

(p40)

+

The Camera Collection

All the best cameras out there, from SLRs to digicams (p32)

+

All Day I Dream About Sportswear

Stunning new collections for men and women from adidas

(p44)

27/02/2012 19:25

2/20/12 5:57 PM

FACT Magazine M.E. Qatar Edition March 2012 Volume 1 Issue 11

Published by FACT M.E. Publishing W.L.L. Office 53, Building 872, Road 3618, Block 436, Seef. Bahrain Publisher & Chairman Mubarak Bin Rashed al Khalifa Editor-in-Chief Tony Sidgwick (editor@factlive.com) Deputy Editor Judi Jones Regional Sales Manager Laura Alvarez Qatar Sales Manager Victoria Ferraris Designer Rashed Bindaina Distribution & Office Manager Hayley Elaine Fashion Consultant Laura Bale Contributors Kelly Johnstone Lena Arkawi Photography Contributors George Mathews Rashed Bindaina PRINTED BY Dar Al Sharq ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Tel: +973 1721 6099 E-mail: laura@factlive.com All Rights Reserved. Opinion expressed within does not necessarily represent the opinion of the publisher.

All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy of the information within this publication. However, FACT M.E. Publishing cannot accept legal responsibility for any erroneous content or omissions.

16 QITCOM 2012!

The Qatar Information Technology and Communications conference takes place in Doha this March

22 Edge of Arabia

The art movement from Saudi Arabia that is currently taking the world by storm...

16

22

CULTURE

ARTS

26 John Carter

FACT previews the latest film by Pixar, which is also their first liveaction movie ever!

32 The Camera Collection

We take a look at some of the best cameras on the market today...

TECHNOLOGY

32

34 FACT’s Telecoms Overview

Ahead of the QITCOM conference, we bring you a round-up of the telecoms market in Qatar...

44 Adidas collections

We bring you two stunning new collections from adidas that redefine the term ‘sportswear’...

44

FASHION

THE INDEX FACT QATAR MARCH

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NOTEWORTHY

FROM THE EDITOR

Keep Me In The Loop I don’t know whether it’s an age thing, but if you’d asked me ten years ago whether or not I wanted to attend a conference on IT and Communications, my response would’ve been, at best, unenthusiastic.

At worst, it might have been outright ridicule!

However, these days, something like QITCOM has me all excited. Perhaps it’s because I realise that this kind of event isn’t all about “the benefits of broadband for the banking and finance sector,” etc. There is also going to be the latest and greatest gadgetry and software on display as well, and I can’t wait to have a play with all that. Most exciting for Qatar’s residents, though, is the big announcement planned about Qatar’s new Fiber broadband network, which promises speeds of up to 100Mbps! Waiting three days for a

movie to download will be a thing of the past...

On the other hand, maybe what has me excited is the after party, the Global DJs Calvin Harris gig on the InterCon beach! Ok, ok, Calvin Harris isn’t actually the QITCOM after party, but it’s a party, and it’s right after QITCOM, so…

And Calvin Harris I’m looking forward to immensely! I never caught any of his live shows back in the UK, so it’s awfully considerate of him to come here to Qatar instead to perform a gig just for me! What a nice chap. In actual fact, it’s local nightlife guru Jared McCullough we’ve got to thank for this particular gig (as with so many others), and you can hear more from him in our Noteworthy Intro (p.7).

Overall, an interesting month of March!

Tony Sidgwick Editor-in-Chief tony@factlive.com

My favourite story this issue

FACT Adores Calvin’s Tunes

NOTEWORTHY

Calvin Harris LIVE in Doha! p6-7 The Scottish DJ, producer, singer and songwriter is performing a live set at the Global DJs beach party this month, and we can’t wait!

2

FRI

3

SAT

4

SUN

Legendary Scottish, singer, songwriter, producer and DJ Calvin Harris is set to perform a live gig in Doha in the latest instalment of the infamous Global DJs Beach Parties this March!

- QITCOM tech expo (see p.16)

5

MON

- QITCOM tech expo (see p.16)

6

TUE

- QITCOM tech expo (see p.16)

7

WED

C

- Calvin Harris LIVE in Doha @ InterContinental Doha Beach (see opp.)

8

Katara (see p.22) THUR - Edge of Arabia exhibition @

9

FRI

10 SAT

appearance by Hasan Hujairi @

Special guest Bay (see p17) 11 -Coral SUN

12 MON

13 TUE

14 WED

15 THUR

16 FRI

17 SAT

appearance by Hasan Hujairi @

Special guest Bay (see p17) 18 -Coral SUN

19 MON

20 TUE

21 WED

22

- MENA HOG Rally in Doha (see p10)

THUR

23

- MENA HOG Rally in Doha (see p10)

FRI

24

- MENA HOG Rally in Doha (see p10)

SAT

25 SUN

26 MON

27 TUE

- Peter Fisk Symposium @ Renaissance

28 (see p12) 29

Hotel

WED

THUR

30

- Recycled Raft Race @ InterContinental

(see p11)

FRI

31 SAT

6

4

alvin Harris is the Scottish global hitmaker who rose to fame with his gold-selling debut album, I Created Disco, which boasted two Top Ten Singles, ‘Acceptable in the 80’s’ and ‘The Girls’.

His second album, Ready for the Weekend, hit Number One on the UK Album Charts, with one Number One single and one Top Five single cementing the artists a-list status.

He has since worked with a long list of artists, producing and mixing chart-topping singles for the likes of Kylie Minogue, Dizzee Rascal, Mary J. Blige, the Ting Tings, Tinchy Strider and Rihanna, no less. played has He alongside any of the greats you’d care to mention, from Faithless and Groove Armada to Tiesto, Carl Cox, Afrojack and Rihanna.

He is currently on a massive world tour ahead of the release of this third studio album, as yet unnamed, which has so far produced the hugely successful singles ‘Awooga’, ‘Bounce’ (which featured singer Kelis and debuted at Number Two) and ‘Feel So Close’.

Harris will be playing on the beach at the InterContinental Doha on March 8, in the latest Global DJs Beach Party. This is a gig you definitely don’t want to miss!

Megastore GO: Tickets are on sale at Virgin at the InterContinental Hotel, and online Tickets for www.tickets.virginmegastore.me. gents are ladies are QR150, and tickets for 21+ QR200. VIP tickets are QR300. Age to only. For more information, log on www.GlobalDJs.org.

FACT Penthouse

,,

This month, FACT bids a fond farewell to Deputy Editor Judi Jones, who is moving on to pasture new, and we wish her all the best! We’re sponsoring the Global DJs Calvin Harris event this month, so look out for us at the front of the crowd when he plays ‘Bounce’... We’re also sponsoring the QITCOM event, which we’re really looking forward to, so look out for us there as well!

QUOTE OF

Calvin Harris LIVE in Doha!

DONT MISS...

March

1

THUR

News from the

FACT catches up with

Jared McCullough,

the man behind the Global DJs events in Qatar, to find out more…

Calvin Harris

How excited are you about booking to play in Qatar?

DJ, and having seen I’m super excited! Calvin is an awesomeI know that he really him live a few times around the world, music is perfect for knows how to work the crowd and his I have played a Doha. Being a DJ as well as the organizer, down amazingly well lot of Calvin’s music before and it goes will react when on the dancefloor, so I know how people like ‘Feel So Close’ or he drops one of his massive tunes, ‘Awooga’, for example. as Calvin’s music This is a massive event for the countryrecent collaboration status is A-list at the moment with hisLove’, which was the with Rihanna on the track ‘We Found the charts for weeks biggest-selling single of 2011 and topped at a time. and America, Calvin was hugely popular in Europe in Qatar will so how do you think audiences receive him? now, and I don’t think Calvin is huge all over the world right Everyone will be up that will be any different here in Qatar.to excite and surprise, for it, I’m sure. We are always looking peak of his career is and to land Calvin when he is at the

THE MONTH “Tourism is central to Qatar’s vision of creating a diversified and sustainable economy.”

QTA Chairman Ahmed Al Nuaimi,

commenting on the current strength of Qatar’s leisure and tourism industry, according to recent growth statistics.

Is Qatar becoming a regional tech centre?

simply amazing.

Harris’s music?

How big a fan are you of Calvin where incredible, I love his music – his first and second albums else had at the time. He offering a fresh new sound that no one for Kylie Minogue, is amazingly talented, producing records of the tracks he has Dizzee Rascal and other a-list artists. All dancefloor bombs; so, released in the last few years have been Harris! you could say I’m a massive fan of Calvin to most about the What are you looking forward concert? happy people, many so – The beach events are always special better than seeing so many happy faces; there is nothing away listening to thousands of people rocking the night new people, and I’m the hottest music, having fun, meeting up for Calvin Harris personally looking forward to warming with my buddy Paul Mendez.

Fiber With the introduction of the national like broadband network by Qtel, events

QITCOM, and other major developments in the industry recently, is Qatar becoming sure a regional technology hub? We’re to like business like Fifty One East would so... think

FACT QATAR FEBRUARY

7

FACT QATAR FEBRUARY

FACT QATAR MARCH

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FACT QATAR MARCH Qatar march Issue.indd 5

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NOTEWORTHY 1

March

THUR

2

FRI

3

SAT

4

SUN

5

- QITCOM tech expo (see p.16)

MON

6

- QITCOM tech expo (see p.16)

TUE

7

WED

8

- QITCOM tech expo (see p.16) - Calvin Harris LIVE in Doha @ InterContinental Doha Beach (see opp.)

THUR - Edge of Arabia exhibition @ Katara (see p.22)

9

FRI

10 SAT

Special guest appearance by Hasan Hujairi @ 11 -Coral Bay (see p17) SUN

12 MON

13 TUE

14 WED

15 THUR

16 FRI

17 SAT

Special guest appearance by Hasan Hujairi @ 18 -Coral Bay (see p17) SUN

19 MON

20 TUE

21 WED

22

- MENA HOG Rally in Doha (see p10)

THUR

23 - MENA HOG Rally in Doha (see p10) FRI

24

- MENA HOG Rally in Doha (see p10)

SAT

25 SUN

26 MON

27 TUE

Peter Fisk Symposium @ Renaissance Hotel p12) 28 -(see 29 WED

THUR

30 - Recycled Raft Race @ InterContinental (see p11) FRI

31 SAT

6

DONT MISS...

Calvin Harris LIVE in Doha!

Legendary Scottish, singer, songwriter, producer and DJ Calvin Harris is set to perform a live gig in Doha in the latest instalment of the infamous Global DJs Beach Parties this March!

C

alvin Harris is the Scottish global hitmaker who rose to fame with his gold-selling debut album, I Created Disco, which boasted two Top Ten Singles, ‘Acceptable in the 80’s’ and ‘The Girls’.

His second album, Ready for the Weekend, hit Number One on the UK Album Charts, with one Number One single and one Top Five single cementing the artist’s a-list status.

He has since worked with a long list of artists, producing and mixing chart-topping singles for the likes of Kylie Minogue, Dizzee Rascal, Mary J. Blige, the Ting Tings, Tinchy Strider and Rihanna, no less.

He has played alongside any of the greats you’d care to mention, from Faithless and Groove Armada to Tiesto, Carl Cox, Afrojack and Rihanna.

He is currently on a massive world tour ahead of the release of this third studio album, as yet unnamed, which has so far produced the hugely successful singles ‘Awooga’, ‘Bounce’ (which featured singer Kelis and debuted at Number Two) and ‘Feel So Close’.

Harris will be playing on the beach at the InterContinental Doha on March 8, in the latest Global DJs Beach Party. This is a gig you definitely don’t want to miss!

GO: Tickets are on sale at Virgin Megastore the InterContinental Hotel, and online at www.tickets.virginmegastore.me. Tickets for ladies are QR150, and tickets for gents are QR200. VIP tickets are QR300. Age 21+ only. For more information, log on to www.GlobalDJs.org.

FACT QATAR MARCH

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FACT Adores Calvin’s Tunes

,,

QUOTE OF

FACT catches up with

Jared McCullough, the man behind the Global DJs events in Qatar, to find out more…

How excited are you about booking Calvin Harris to play in Qatar?

I’m super excited! Calvin is an awesome DJ, and having seen him live a few times around the world, I know that he really knows how to work the crowd and his music is perfect for Doha. Being a DJ as well as the organizer, I have played a lot of Calvin’s music before and it goes down amazingly well on the dancefloor, so I know how people will react when he drops one of his massive tunes.

This is a massive event for the country as Calvin’s music status is A-list at the moment with his recent collaboration with Rihanna on the track ‘We Found Love’, which was the biggest-selling single of 2011 and topped the charts for weeks at a time.

Calvin was hugely popular in Europe and America, so how do you think audiences in Qatar will receive him?

Calvin is huge all over the world right now, and I don’t think that will be any different here in Qatar. Everyone will be up for it, I’m sure. We are always looking to excite and surprise, and to land Calvin when he is at the peak of his career is simply amazing.

THE MONTH “Tourism is central to Qatar’s vision of creating a diversified and sustainable economy.”

QTA Chairman Ahmed Al Nuaimi,

commenting on the current strength of Qatar’s leisure and tourism industry, according to recent growth statistics.

Is Qatar becoming a regional tech centre?

How big a fan are you of Calvin Harris’s music?

I love his music – his first and second albums where incredible, offering a fresh new sound that no one else had at the time. He is amazingly talented, producing records for Kylie Minogue, Dizzee Rascal and other a-list artists.

All of the tracks he has released in the last few years have been dancefloor bombs; so, you could say I’m a massive fan of Calvin Harris!

What are you looking forward to most about the concert?

The beach events are always special – so many happy people, so many happy faces; there is nothing better than seeing thousands of people rocking the night away listening to the hottest music, having fun, meeting new people, and I’m personally looking forward to warming up for Calvin Harris with my buddy Paul Mendez.

With the introduction of the national Fiber broadband network by Qtel, events like QITCOM, and other major developments in the industry recently, is Qatar becoming a regional technology hub? We’re sure business like Fifty One East would like to think so...

FACT QATAR MARCH Qatar march Issue.indd 7

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NOTEWORTHY

THE SCOPE

LOVE IT !

Seat Belts Save Lives

Qatar is the Richest Country

SO OBVIOUS!

And while we’re on the subject of beating off the competition, it seems that Qatar itself can now call itself the richest country in the world, in terms of per capita income – and yes, that is richer than Abu Dhabi! According to Forbes, the per capita income of Qatar is a whopping US$88,000.

And we’d like to know where OUR portion is then!

Doha’s Highest Restaurant Opens

Well, the Torch are going to be miffed – the InterContinental Doha The City have just beaten them in the ‘highest restaurant in Doha’ stakes with the opening of their Strata restaurant and lounge, which sits on levels 55 and 56 of their West Bay tower. The speciality of the restaurant will be chilled seafood, served in three distinct styles.

CAN’T BELIEVE IT

Taking the campaign against car crash calamities one step further is the Voucher Clubs, an up-and-coming discount voucher website. They’ve created car stickers to raise awareness about the need for children to wear seatbelts in the back of cars – an issue that is all too relevant in Qatar! If you want to support the campaign and place a sticker in your car, email info@ voucherclubs. com, or call 3396 2631.

HATE IT! Zara’s Question of the Month:

How bad is your road rage?

I

swear there is something that happens every day on the roads that doesn’t fail to surprise me.

If it isn’t some numpty adopting the “Saudi swerve” and ultimately ending up in the central reservation, it’s someone else attempting to overtake on a turning, on a corner or just when it is physically impossible. So is it ever acceptable to vent your anger even when you’re not involved?

A friend of mine did just this the other day – instead of shouting, she gave the naughty hand gesture, which was completely justified by the way.

Illegal? Yes of course. Deserved?

Even more so.

It is bad enough being a woman here

8

sometimes (I count my stars I am not blonde) but being a female driver is a whole new board game. The new road near my house is now the ultimate crash hub; every day new tyre marks appear on the road, where 90mph idiots hurtle themselves in front of pickups, just so they get the one up on the junction. A dog has been killed, my sister has almost been run over whilst running. Yes, I admit to occasionally ignoring my Lancer beeping when the 120 mark has been hit but when it comes to being safe? Stop staring, put your phone down and learn the definition of the term ‘fast lane’.

I think what this all boils down to is just how easy it is to get your

license here. A close friend of mine paid his instructor to lie about how many driving hours he had done so he could pass his test. Another acquaintance doesn’t even have a license and still hits the roads at ridiculous speeds and in various states. Is everyone just waiting for something bad to happen for us to get some sense knocked into us?

Without wanting to sound like a complete wimp, bad driving really freaks me out… so stay safe and watch out for the idiots unfortunately this seems to be the large majority of people behind the wheel.

Ok, rant over!

FACT QATAR MARCH

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THE DOHA MINUTE

“There are few professional lady photographers in Doha and people are surprised to see a lady holding a camera.”

FACT caught up with Fritsche ‘Chai’ Bautista, a professional photographer at Creative Design Media Production Agency in Qatar.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT LIVING IN QATAR?

One of the things I like about living in Qatar is that my family and I feel safe. I once left my mobile phone in a restaurant, and when I came back a few hours later my phone was still on the table. It’s also nice to know that you can travel from one place to another without wasting too much time; everything is close by and the environment is clean too.

WHAT ARE THE MOST REWARDING/CHALLENGING ASPECTS OF YOUR JOB AS A PHOTOGRAPHER?

There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing my clients happy with the photos and satisfied with the services I offer them. The most challenging aspect is being a lady photographer. It was initially awkward, but I’m used to it now. It’s slightly challenging each time I cover events alongside male photographers, as there are few professional lady photographers/videographers in Doha and people are surprised to see a lady holding a camera.

WHO OR WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE PERSON OR EVENT TO PHOTOGRAPH SO FAR?

I once shot two separate engagement shoots for my close friends in a famous place in Doha. It was my wedding gift to them. From the concept down to the execution; both couples were game for anything. I’m grateful that a dear friend helped me to pull that project off. The photos look perfect!

THERE ARE MANY LIVE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES AND CONCERTS HAPPENING IN QATAR THESE DAYS. WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE PLAYING IN THE FUTURE?

I’m a huge fan of Celine Dion and Beyoncé, so I’d really enjoy seeing them perform live in Qatar. I wouldn’t be taking photos or videos though, I’d just want to concentrate and enjoy each and every moment of their performance.

WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX AND SWITCH OFF FROM WORK?

I take photos even on weekends, together with my cophotographers in ‘Team Creation and Concepts’. We eat out together after the shoot. Mostly I prefer to stay at home, watch movies and get a good night’s sleep.

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW?

I began modelling before I took up photography. However, I eventually decided that taking photographs was more exciting than posing in front of the camera. I’m also fond of creating short films; shooting, directing and editing them myself. I am inclined towards video more than photography.

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NOTEWORTHY

The MENA HOG Rally Comes to Town!

The regional gathering of the Harley Owners Group takes place in Doha this month, bringing HOGs from across the region together!

Q

atar will play host to the 12th Annual Harley Davidson Owners Group MENA Rally this month, from the 22nd to the 24th March. The event will see hundreds of HOGs from across the region coming together to swap stories, catch up, show off their bikes, and, most importantly, ride together in what is the biggest regional gathering of Harleys to take place each year.

HOG bikers will kick-off with a ride to the north, stopping in Al-Khor town to experience Qatar culture on the 23rd of March, and there’ll be a dazzling Custom Bike Show at the Doha International Exhibition Centre in addition to organizing a series of exciting games for riders, passengers, families and kids.

On March 24th, the bikers will have a long ride to the historical Fort of Al Zubarra, and head over to the Losail International Circuit before carrying the official and highly-awaited grand parade on Doha Corniche where thousands will gather to get an upclose feel of the historical event. The event will end with a finale which will commemorate the different HOG Chapters with awards and prizes.

Harley-Davidson established the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) in 1983 to build on the strong loyalty and fraternity of Harley-Davidson enthusiasts as a means to promote not just a consumer product, but a lifestyle.

In 1991, HOG went international, with the first official European HOG Rally in Cheltenham, England. Today more than one million members and more than 1400 chapters worldwide make HOG the largest factory-sponsored motorcycle organization in the world.

GO: To get involved, log on to www.hogdohaqatarchapter.com.

10

Niche Art and Print Brand Gallery One Opens in Qatar

Already open in Dubai, Bahrain, and even London, Gallery One now brings its unique collection of painted, printed and photographic artworks to Qatar

G

allery One is a unique concept that brings art to the masses, but in an accessible way that lets the buyer choose how much they’d like to spend. They offer photography and photo graphics applied to a wide range of print media.

The works increase in value depending upon the size, originality and form of the pieces.

Small, mass produced prints are the least expensive, whilst highend collectable prints by big name photographers and impressive large scale canvases are higher up the price range. These are available as large-format prints and can be customised with frames and mount options.

There is a wide collection of artful photographic prints, most often themed on Arabian landscapes and wildlife, but presented in an artistic way using lights, shades and colours.

However, there’s also something special in store for sports and movie aficionados. Gallery One also stocks

one-off celebrity memorabilia such as signed football strips and F1 driver helmets, and movie posters signed by a-list celebrities too!

Among the highlights of the outlet at The Pearl-Qatar at the time of the launch were iconic collector’s items like a boxing glove autographed by Mohammed Ali and a track shoe with Usain Bolt’s inimitable scrawl on its side. Featured pieces such as these are expected to cycle through the outlet as soon as buyers are secured for incumbent items in the store’s showcase.

The ambitious brand wants to grow to reach major cities all over the world. The addition of Qatar to the international network is part of Gallery One’s recently launched franchise program in key territories and Qatar is just the third country after the UK and Bahrain to host a Gallery One store outside the United Arab Emirates.

GO: To find out more, visit the Gallery at the Pearl-Qatar, or log on to www.g-1.com.

FACT QATAR MARCH

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,, Hope Floats

Style & Fame at The Pearl-Qatar

Jammed packed to the hilt with designer brand stores and deluxe outlets, The Pearl-Qatar is the go to place to indulge in some serious retail therapy. A prime location, then, to hold Qatar’s first International Fashion Week and reveal MENA’S Next Top Designer!

A

glamorous backdrop at Qatar’s most swanky address is the setting for The Pearl-Qatar’s first International Fashion Week to be held from November 7 to 10. If that’s not exciting enough, to coincide with the prestigious event will be the culmination of MENA’s Next Top Designer – a search for the region’s newest innovative design talent which will be aired on MBC4.

World renowned Lebanese haute couture designer Zuhair Murad will judge the ground-breaking show, which will see internationally-known designers alongside Qatari and regional designers participating for the coveted title.

Created by Zoulikha El Fassi and Zoul Projects, the fashion reality TV show MENA’s Next Top Designer, airing on the Pan Arab Free-To-Air Satcaster, MBC4, will chart the progress of emerging design talent, both male and female.

Alongside ‘Master Judge’ Zuhair Murad will be several high profile judges, including Qatari businesswoman Aisha Al Fardan. The show will focus not only on the design skills of the contestants, but also their business acumen, which is obviously a vital factor. For the 11 part series, contestants will be drawn from around the MENA region with the finale being held on November 10 2012 at The Pearl-Qatar.

The prize for the lucky winner of this season’s competition is a store at the

Pearl-Qatar for one year, plus a start up budget and mentorship offered by Zoul projects, UDC and Commercial Bank of Qatar.

“Zoul Projects is committed to showcasing the very best Doha can offer in terms of fashion and lifestyle.

We are confident The Pearl-Qatar Fashion Week and MENA’s Next Top Designer will raise awareness about Qatar as an emerging design and fashion incubator,” says creator of the event Zoulikha El Fassi.

The soon-to-open St. Regis Doha, Qatar’s newest luxury hotel, will serve as official home for international fashion designers and fashion media attending the events.

Qatar’s fashion scene is a growing force these days. Fashion Week will be the hub for stunning catwalk shows and various VIP events over the four-day celebration of international and regional fashion expertise and the future of design, all centred on the Island. Several Qatar-based designers will take the opportunity to showcase their work during the event with a view to gaining international attention and seek new markets.

Doha will play host to a wealth of high profile visitors and fashion glitterati as they descend on the first of what is anticipated to become an annual event on the international fashion calendar.

GO: For more information, log on to www. menasnexttopdesigner.com.

1st Annual Recycled Raft Race

A unique annual event kicks off this month with the 1st Annual Raft Race at the InterContinental Doha.

S

trengthening its green credentials, the InterCon is raising awareness about the environment by hosting the 1st Annual Recycled Raft Race, aimed at showcasing the many creative uses for previously discarded materials and products.

The race, which takes place on March 30, challenges participants to build a safe, seaworthy craft out of recycled materials and race it around a pre-set course in the waters by the InterCon’s beach. Points will be awarded to the most creative raft and stylish crew as well as for those who finish the course in the fastest time.

Winning teams will receive an assortment of fantastic prizes, but everyone is guaranteed a great and fun day out. Team registration is QR500 for schools, and QR1000 for companies. Your team size cannot exceed six persons.

Even for the spectators and families of the race teams, the beach is the perfect spot for a family day out. A kids village comprising of bouncy castle, music, face painting, beach soccer, and an assortment of fun interactive games, will keep the little ones entertained, while parents enjoy the race, soak up the sun, and savour the five star food and beverage.

GO: Entrance for the day is QR50 per person, or QR200 per family (up to 6 persons). For more information, call The Bay Club on 4484 4852.

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NOTEWORTHY

Marketing Guru

Peter Fisk

Comes to Doha Described as “one of the best new business thinkers” by Business Strategy Review, Peter Fisk is a best-selling author and inspirational speaker, a futurist to leading companies around the world and an experienced business leader. And he’s coming to Doha for a live symposium this March!

P

eter is founder and CEO of Genius Works, a strategic innovation business that works with senior management and business leaders to adopt a more inspired approach to strategy, innovation and marketing. His clients include American Express and Coca Cola, Marks & Spencer, Microsoft and O2, Shell, Virgin, Vodafone and Volkswagen.

He is credited with discovering an innovative technique on how to connect your left-brain analysis with rightbrain intuition to deliver the exceptional.

The symposium, which is organized

by Network Business Events, will be taking place on 28th March 2012 at Renaissance Hotel City Center Doha. It’s an amazing opportunity for corporate executives and academia to embrace the practical marketing tools of the future – insight maps, brand blueprints and social networks.

Attendees will learn about tapping trends and the customer agenda, future scenarios and the seven whitespaces, context changing and new business models, reframing and fusion, collaboration and community building.

From Einstein to Picasso, Steve Jobs to Shigeru Miyamoto, the symposium will explore the secrets of the new market leaders, the future of brands, and 50 practical strategies for you to drive innovation, profits and growth. The discussions will combine new insights and inspirations with your imagination; the symposium will put light on what it takes to be a leader in the new business world.

GO: The symposium will be taking place on 28th March 2012 at Renaissance Hotel City Center Doha between 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. For information, log on to www.network qatar.com.

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Ideas to be introduced at the symposium...

Power shifts – economic crisis as the pain of a changing

world, from West to East, big to small, volume to value – the rules of business have changed.

Ideas matter – the value of creativity, knowledge, design and

innovation – in a world where everything else is commoditized, digital or accessible.

White spaces – finding the new opportunities, from women to water, genetics and nanotechnology, educations and healthcare.

Game changers – rise of the new market leaders – and how people and technology, collaboration and sustainability matter more.

Finding purpose – defining a better vision for your brand that gives more direction and differentiation, enables and inspired people to do more.

Engaging propositions – articulating value propositions based around people, not products, benefits not features, value, not price.

Delivering performance – focusing your portfolio,

resources and investments on the best opportunities to maximise ROI and value creation.

50 Marketing Strategies – from “Pilot Fish” to “doing an iPod”, licensing to “free” – which of these strategies could you embrace now?

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WANTED: Amazing Mothers Applicants should have a minimum nine months experience, with the ability to juggle over 100 tasks at any given time whilst catering to the extensive requirements of a small number of EXTREMELY demanding clients. Ability to filter out high noise levels an advantage…

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o celebrate Mother’s Day, the Mövenpick is running a Mothers of March campaign, where they are looking for the Qatar’s best mums in a bid to celebrate their monumental efforts in juggling motherhood and daily life, often whilst holding down full or part time jobs, and all the while just being generally fabulous!

Where motherhood has no vacations, no sick days and no pay rises, Mövenpick will offer a full months’ vacation throughout the hotel for all mothers and matriarchs across Doha.

The Position:

24 Hour Mothers Wanted Mother, also known as Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Resources.

To qualify for the position of Mövenpick Mother of March you must have at least one credential (child). All new graduates from the school of Motherhood are welcome.

You must operate your own property (home) maybe in cooperation with an Assistant Manager (Daddy) efficiently and effectively paying close attention to maintenance, service bed and breakfast included.

You must be a qualified part-time nurse, part-time maid, part-time therapist, part-time chef, part-time referee, part-time chauffer, part-time dentist. Other duties may be required throughout your 24 hours, 7 day-aweek schedule.

We are looking for several key qualities, 100% dedication to your team (all children), acceptance that there will be no sick leave, no pay rises and no vacations and that your employees will probably never leave the office for at least 18 years.

Compensation: Free weekend stay at Movenpick Tower and Suites in a luxury suite with a panoramic view of the city with one additional guest. Including free Spa package and one year’s free gym membership To apply: If this sounds like you, please submit your resume (story) to: www.facebook/movenpick.tower.doha FACT QATAR MARCH

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CULTURE

p14: Sisqo - LIVE in Doha!

GETTING UNDER QATAR’S SKIN THIS MONTH

Get Connected in Qatar

Kicking off on 5 March, this year’s QITCOM promises to be even bigger and better than last year’s inaugural event. FACT gets the lowdown on what you can expect from Qatar’s three-day information and communication technology (ICT) conference, and finds out why it is such an important date in the country’s events calendar. It’s enough to bring out the geek in all of us!

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CULTURE

Get Connected in Qatar

Kicking off on 5 March, this year’s QITCOM promises to be even bigger and better than last year’s inaugural event. FACT gets the lowdown on what you can expect from Qatar’s three-day information and communication technology (ICT) conference, and finds out why it is such an important date in the country’s events calendar. It’s enough to bring out the geek in all of us!

T

his year, for the first time, the National Convention Centre will play host to one of the region’s largest and most well attended technology and communications conferences.

Attracting more than 200 exhibitors from the MENA region, QITCOM is seen internationally as the ultimate platform for networking, business opportunities and dealmaking, not to mention somewhere we can go to find out about Qatar’s technological developments, breakthroughs and future plans.

The conference also provides a gateway for international and regional ICT companies and organisations to see what Qatar has to offer in terms of partnerships and research and development centres.

Over the past 30 years Qatar has experienced remarkable growth, something that can be largely attributed to an economic policy that has focused on developing its vast oil and natural gas reserves.

But it’s no secret that forwardthinking Qatar is keen to diversify its economy into a variety of non-energy sectors, and high on the country’s agenda is its desire to create a knowledge-based economy.

Development of the ICT sector is

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key in supporting this vision and as such, Qatar has embarked on a number of large-scale ICT projects.

With such huge importance being placed on advancing technologies and communications, QITCOM is pivotal in spreading the key messages, achievements and developments of Qatar’s vision.

The conference will facilitate a variety of discussions focusing on relevant industry topics that are crucial to the development of a sustainable ICT ecosystem in Qatar and the MENA region.

This year’s program has been devised to reflect the current industry trends as well as those topics that are of particular relevance to the Middle Eastern market. As well as industry leading exhibitors, the conference will also feature visionary keynote speakers, seminars and panel discussions all hosted by some of the leading names in the ICT sector.

Some of the hottest topics earmarked for discussion include digital media and broadcasting, digital content, e-gov and e-education, web presence and optimization, green tech and smart cities, mobile applications as well as assistive technology and satellite.

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CULTURE

Broadband Like We’ve Never Seen Before

BUT one of the highlights of this year’s conference will be an update on Next Generation Broadband. An entire nation is waiting with baited breath to learn more about ictQatar’s imminent plans to deliver an ultra high-speed broadband service, known as Fiber, to offices and homes across the country over the coming months.

Fiber is Qatar’s $3.7billion broadband project that will enable around 95% of the population to receive connection speeds of over 100 Mbps by 2015, and the event’s conference on “Broadband, Network and Infrastructure” taking place on the second session on the opening day of the exhibition, is expected to attract large numbers of industry experts, ICT stakeholders and business leaders.

Mr. Ali Al-Khulaifi, QITCOM organising committee chairman, keen to highlight the importance of a more advanced broadband network, said: “As broadband takes its place as an infrastructure, it must meet universal coverage, it must be high-performance, and open to a variety of user characteristics. The future broadband network should see development of these trends, feature high bandwidth, be open, and affordable.”

According to Al-Khulaifi, all of these issues will be covered in detail by a range of industry experts on the first day of the conference at which time audience members can look forward to hearing about the advancement of the National broadband infrastructure.

As broadband takes its place as an infrastructure, it must meet universal coverage, it must be highperformance

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CULTURE

International Experts

ONE such expert is Dr. Stagg Newman, Mckinsey advisor and expert in providing technology, regulatory, and strategic advice who will be leading these discussions on Next Generation Broadband, and sharing his extensive experience and knowledge of broadband technology.

Other conferences scheduled for the first day include: ‘Accelerating Entrepreneurship in the Arab World’, ‘Internet Broadcasting and IPTV’ and ‘Social TV’.

Day two kicks off with a keynote speaker who promises to draw in a big crowd. Jeffrey M. Stibel, a brain scientist and entrepreneur who has helped build numerous public and private companies, will be taking centre stage at 9am. Stibel is currently Chairman and CEO of Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Corp and former President of Web. com, a public company that helps entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses on the Web. Author of Wired For Thought, a book which takes a close look at how the brain is shaping the future of the internet, Stibel will be giving an informative and motivational presentation and is definitely one not to be missed.

The day two conference schedule

is centred around the relatively new concept of Cloud, with two separate seminars entitled ‘Cloud Computing Trends’ and ‘Cloud Computing Case Study.’ Additionally, attendees can learn more about national digitization and e-Accessibility.

However, the highlight of day two will likely be presentations by keynote speakers Dr Michio Kaku, theoretical physicist, best-selling author and popularizer of science, and Mr Abdulla Zaid Al-Talib, chairman of QU Wireless Innovations Centre (QUWIC).

Day three’s conference program has a few more lighthearted seminars such as one that focuses on internet gaming and social media, while another looks at the countless number of apps out there in the market place and how they have changed and shaped the way we use our phones and computers. The conference schedule closes with a look Cyber Resiliency.

So, if technology floats your boat, then you really don’t want to miss out on what promises to be a three day event packed full of all the latest industry news, updates and product launches.

GO: To find out more, log on to the QITCOM website, www.qitcom.qa, where you’ll find a comprehensive list of exhibitors as well as the all-important conference program.

App Attack!

Another highlight of the conference will be Qatar’s first ever ‘Appathon’ event, which has come about through a partnership between QITCOM and Vodafone Qatar.

THE Appathon 2012 contest will bring together talent from all over Qatar to compete for prizes and inclusion in ictQATAR’s coveted Dajtala start-up incubation programme. During the competition, teams will code and create working demonstrations for new mobile applications using Android, Blackberry or iOS platforms.

The competing teams will be required to create one of the following types of applications: Apps in Arabic, Apps for Women, Apps for Games or Apps for Al Sadd Fan Club.

The teams will have 48 hours from 12pm on March 5 till 11:59 am on March 7 to complete a working demonstration of their application. Following the 48hour coding marathon, teams will present their applications to a team of experts, made up of representatives from Vodafone Group and Vodafone Qatar.

Names of the winners will be announced at a press conference in the QITCOM Innovation Center later on 7 March.

To take part in ‘Indie Fikra: Appathon 2012’, participants must be a resident of Qatar and at least 18 years of age, have a new idea for a mobile application in one of the provided categories, have the capability, with a team, to build a smartphone application of their idea in 48 hours for either the BlackBerry, Android or iOS operating systems, and have a laptop with all the software, accessories and equipment needed to code application, including any tools provided by BlackBerry, Android or Apple through their developer portals.

The event will be webcast live to Vodafone Qatar’s booth at QITCOM.

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fact 194x

Connecting Arab States Taking place alongside the QITCOM conference is the ITU’s Connect Arab States Summit, which is the third in a series of regional events aimed at mobilizing resources to support a rapid, region-wide transition to broadband digital infrastructure and services…

BEING held from March 5 to 7, the Connect Arab States Summit will be hosted by Qatar’s Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology, and organised in partnership with organizations from the region and around the world.

By bringing together key global and regional players in the sector, the Summit will help generate human, financial and technical resources needed to support ICT growth, widely recognized as the engine of future economic prosperity and sustainable development.

Connect Summits attract regional leaders from the public and private sectors, financial institutions and international and regional financing and development agencies. The event will offer a unique opportunity to network face-to-face and forge new partnerships. The Summit

programme features high-level panels and networking sessions as well as announcements of new partnerships.

“The ITU Connect Arab States Summit is an important opportunity for Arab States to collectively work towards improving ICT development in our region, and Qatar is pleased to be hosting this important event,” said Dr. Hessa AlJaber, Secretary-General, ictQATAR. “The Arab world must leverage ICT to promote business opportunities, entrepreneurship and innovation, and empower various social groups.”

Highlighting the collaborative approach of the summit, ITU Secretary-General Dr Hamdoun Touré, said, “ITU is pleased to provide a neutral platform to bring together all interested stakeholders.

We need to work together to expand and fully leverage the power of

broadband-enabled ICT networks and services for development throughout this region and the world.”

Sami Al Basheer Al Morshid, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau added, “While the Arab region enjoys significant mobile coverage, we are convinced that more can be done by partners to expand ICT access and use. An emphasis on developing affordable broadband Internet infrastructure and services is needed to support the ever-growing demand for business and government applications.”

The Connect Arab States Summit builds on the successful Connect Africa Summit held in Kigali, Rwanda in October 2007 and the Connect CIS Summit held in Minsk, Belarus in November 2009.

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ARTS

KEEPING QATAR’S EYES, EARS AND MINDS IN SHAPE

THIS MONTH YOU MUST...

p22: Edge of Arabia p24: Choice Tunes p26: On Screen

Edge of Arabia

The art movement from Saudi taking the world by storm!

(see p22)

READ

Agent 6 by Tom Rob Smith

The thrilling third instalment of the series. (see p29)

HEAR

Neighborhoods

by Blink-182

The new album from the pop-punk trio... (see p24)

WATCH

John Carter

The first-ever live action flick from Pixar studios! (see p26)

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ARTS

Edge of Arabia

Illuminating New Generation Art T

he first-of-its-kind exhibition, entitled ‘Bending History’, opens on March 8, and will be open until April 8. The Katara Gallery, in partnership with Edge of Arabia, will showcase the works of four renowned and talented Saudi artists, Abdulnasser Gharem, Ahmed Mater, Sara Al-Abdali, and Saeed Salem. Visitors to the exhibition will see twelve iconic pieces of art which symbolise the hopes and fears of a new generation, in an era of great turmoil and transformation.

Stephen Stapleton founded EOA in 2003, following an invitation by a group of Saudi artists to visit their studios and observe their lives at Al Miftaha Arts village in Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He states, “Edge of Arabia witnesses the culmination of a personal artistic journey that began in Southern Saudi Arabia and announces the opening of a new chapter in the history of contemporary Saudi Arabian art. I am proud and humbled to be a part of it,” The artists showcased at the Katara exhibition will represent the Edge of Arabia perspective; its projects promote “a fruitful and colourful image of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its festive culture,” states EOA Creative Director Abdullah Al-Turki.

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Sara Al-Abdali

A creative movement born out of Saudi Arabia, known as Edge of Arabia (EOA), aims to inspire a new generation by offering a platform for artists,and art enthusiasts to share ideas and grab the attention of both the local and international art community.

The Katara Gallery opens its doors to a new exhibition featuring a powerful range of new generation art.

K

nown as one of Saudi’s first street artists, Sara AlAbdali has showcased her work at ‘Create and Inspire’, a sister show to the Hajj exhibition at the British museum. Sara’s artwork of spray-painted stencils on Jeddah walls appealed to an urban audience. Katara Gallery will feature ‘Makkah Street Sign’, which represents a sign pointing to Makkah’s skyline overlooking a barely visible Kaa’ba.

Saeed Salem

A

rtist Saeed Salem will show his work ‘Neonland’, an iconic symbol of Jeddah and, as described by the artist, a futuristic “ball of consumer energy”. Commenting on the exhibition, Sidonio Costa, Artistic Director and Head Curator of Katara Art Centre, said, “Edge of Arabia is a contemporary art movement which I am delighted to present to the art lovers of Doha. The works portray the voice of the new generation, expressing themselves through powerful art.

The exhibition is a testimonial of Katara’s mission to cultivate an artistic community whilst building cultural bridges.”

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ARTS

Ahmed Mater

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ecognised as one of the most influential Saudi artists today and co-founder of EOA, Ahmed Mater is currently exhibiting works at the British Museum’s Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam exhibition. His work encompasses photography, calligraphy, painting, installation and video, and explores the narratives and aesthetics of Islamic culture in an era of globalisation, consumerism and dramatic flux. At Katara, Mater will showcase his artwork ‘Magnetism’.

Abdulnasser Gharem

K

nown for his Message/ Messenger installation, which sold for a record price at an auction in Dubai, Abdulnasser Gharem became the highest selling living artist in the Gulf. Gharem will present a selection of his signature stamp paintings, such as ‘Men at Work’, ‘No Exit’ and ‘The Stamp’, which is inscribed with the phrase “Have a bit of Commitment: Inshallah.”

“It is often assumed the divisions in Saudi Arabia are religious or political,” says Abdulnasser Gharem.

“But they are really between the old and the new. I think after the Arab spring a lot of people in Saudi have realised it’s time for the next generation to move up – challenging our past, reclaiming our future, and bending history.”

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o coincide with the new exhibition Katara Gallery has organized a series of workshops to be hosted by the artists. Art enthusiasts are invited to join the walk through.

GO: For more information, email education@katara.net, or call 4408 0000.

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ARTS

NEW ALBUMS, ARTISTS, AND AUDIOPHONICS

CHOICE TUNES

In Association with Virgin Megastore, Villaggio Mall and Landmark Mall, Doha

Punk/Rock

Neighborhoods

The band looked perplexed by this new fangled device they called a “camera”...

By Blink-182 WHAT’S IT LIKE:

After a five-year hiatus, and eight years since their last LP, you would have been forgiven for thinking that Blink-182 were dead and buried, especially given the tension that made the band separate the first place, and drummer Travis Barker being involved in a near-fatal plane crash.

Then there was the untimely demise of one of their favoured producers, Jerry Finn, which was another blow to the band.

However, perhaps all of these tragic events allowed the band to put their differences aside and realise there are bigger issues in life, as they have now come back a stronger and more mature group overall.

They’ve lost some of the teeny-punk cheese factor, and have instead come out with a more mature sound that shows growth in the group. For example, ‘Up All Night’ breaks down into a deliciously heavy-rock guitar riff, and tracks like ‘Ghost on the Dance Floor’ and ‘Kaleidoscope’ are catchy and upbeat, but with a definite darker tone than their old material.

In addition, the vocals of Tom DeLonge are less squeaky-teen, which, in our opinion, makes for a vast improvement alone!

A-

Rock

Rap

Pop

Nostalgic Vibes & Wired Virtues

Watch the Throne

Battleground

By Freefall

By Jay-Z & Kanye West

WHAT’S IT LIKE:

WHAT’S IT LIKE:

Supporting regional talent, we bring you Nostalgic Vibes & Wired Virtues, the first LP from Freefall, a Kuwait-based band.

The album is a heady combination of heavy, alternative rock and grinding ballads that will take you on a journey from 80’s Motley Crue-esque hedonistic guitar riffs to 90’s lyrical disillusionment to modern-day hardcore cynicism.

The heavy guitar riffs and pounding beats of ‘Tic Tic Tock’ will have you playing air guitar along with the best of them, and the haunting melodies and sultry samba beat of ‘From Where You Are’ wash through your mind like a dusty night breeze.

We’d love to say that the album is good for a Kuwait-based band, but that would be a lie. This album is good for a band from anywhere in the world, and it’s encouraging to see talent like this being uncovered in the region, as it only spells good things.

B+

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By The Wanted

The title of this album is a telling clue as to the content, with a young prince of the urban music scene, West, hungrily eyeing the throne currently occupied by the seasoned and battle-hardened veteran, Jay-Z. That the egos of these two musicians managed to get close enough, for long enough, to complete a collaboration is a testament to the mutual respect between the two. However, the strain often tells, with some of the tracks coming across as a little loosely assembled.

However, no two talents like this could come together without some magic being made. Impressively, they even manage to aim the focus away from themselves for long enough to deal with some social issues along the way, with tracks like ‘Murder to Excellence’ commenting on black-on-black homicide in the States. A worthy offering.

B+

WHAT’S IT LIKE:

So it seems pretty boy bands aren’t completely dead after all, though aside from Take That’s recent efforts, it also seems that originality is still somewhat lacking in the genre, which thankfully is noway near as prolific as it used to be.

Battleground is a well-polished affair from the cheeky-chappie Irish group, with contributions from heavy hitters like Xenomania adding to claimed writing credits from the band members themselves lending a certain amount of credibility to their efforts, even if, at the end of the day, decent pop is the best you could call it.

Vocally, the band don’t lack talent at all though, and the boys themselves are pretty enough to get the girls excited, so Battleground will undoubtedly enjoy a modicum of success.

However, not a single heterosexual male will go near it with a barge pole!

B

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ARTS

TOP FILMS SHOWING THIS MONTH IN QATAR

ON SCREEN

John Carter D: Andrew Stanton C: Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Willem Dafoe, Samantha Morton

WHAT’S IT ABOUT:

An American Civil War veteran is somehow transported to Mars through astral projection, and instead of a barren planet, he finds a lush environment inhabited by 12-foot tall barbarians, who are instantly suspicious of this new arrival from earth. There he also finds a gorgeous princess (luckily enough) who is in need of a saviour. He obviously obliges, and lots of feats of heroism ensue.

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Taking the snaggsckraglacks for walkies was never a simple affair...

WHY IT’S WORTH WATCHING:

The premise for this movie sounds absolutely ridiculous, and if it was a completely new story it would be worthy of instant dismissal!

However, it’s actually based on a much-loved character that celebrates his centenary this year, having first been penned in a novel in way back in 1912 (when a story like this was much more sellable to the general public)!

If you really try not to take the plot seriously at all, what you’re then treated to is a very fun action hero adventure with bags of great CGI effects, epic monsters and lots of eye-

catching fight scenes with said monsters (see image above).

It is fantasy escapism through and through, where the main character is transported to a parellel world where be can be a heroic figure, save the princess and her people, and get the girl.

This is also animation specialist Pixar’s first foray into live-action movies, so you know they will be throwing the full weight of their impressive expertise in animation into it, so expect the effects to be top-rate.

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Project X D: Nima Nourizadeh C: Thomas Mann, Oliver Cooper, Jonathan Daniel Brown, Dax Flame

ARTS

If there’s one way to feel popular for a night, it’s to throw a party and invite EVERYONE on Facebook!

WHAT’S IT ABOUT:

In a dramatic re-enactment of a situation that’s hit the news several times in recent years, three high-school geeks throw a party to try and raise their social standing in school. However, the party rapidly spirals out of control as word spreads through social media, and the chaos and carnage spreads throughout the neighborhood.

WHY IT’S WORTH WATCHING:

This is a story that is both every teen’s fantasy and nightmare at the same time - your party turns out to be the bash of the century, and for one night you are elevated to the status of kings - the most popular people in school, the stuff of legend. However, then it starts to get out of control as the alcohol takes effect, and chaos kicks in. From beginning to end, this film looks like an absolute scream, and even if you’ve never thrown a party like this (which most of us haven’t) then at least you can live it for one epic night. This is American Pie meets Superbad on steroids.

He suddenly wished he hadn’t commented on their ridiculous tuxedos...

Wrath of the Titans is the sequel to the first mythological fantasy action flick Clash of the Titans, and sees Sam Worthington reprise his role as Perseus, who goes on a quest to rescue his father Zeus, who has been taken prisoner by his treacherous other sons, Hades and Ares. Along the way he finds, much to his chagrin, that the Kraken isn’t the only colossal hellish terrifying creature knocking about...

Stab it in the head!

No, the OTHER head, with the flames coming out!!

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is the story

21 Jump Street

D: Phil Lord & Chris Miller C: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube, Jake M. Johnson

WHAT’S IT ABOUT: Revisiting

the much-beloved old TV series from the 80’s starring Johnny Depp, the movie follows the story of two underachieving cops who are sent back to high school in an undercover operation to break a criminal ring dealing synthetically-produced drugs to high school students, which has resulted in deaths.

of a fisheries expert who is employed by a Yemeni sheikh to realise his unlikely dreams of bringing salmon fly-fishing to Yemen, using his breeding and technological know-how. The story, of course, becomes much more than that thanks to the interesting characters he meets along the way.

They couldn’t help but feel that salmon fishing in Scotland would’ve been easier!

WHY IT’S WORTH WATCHING: The original 21 Jump Street series was hugely popular, and launched the career of a very young Johnny Depp.

Each episode dealt with social issues, and had moral messages, but this movie version seems to have focused more on the comedy route. Given the comedy chops of Jonah Hill, when combined with tough-guy image of Channing Tatum, it could make for entertaining viewing.

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ARTS

QATARS BEST READS THIS MONTH BY GENRE

CHOICE WORDS

In Association with Virgin Megastore, Villaggio Mall and Landmark Mall, Doha

Fiction

Agent 6

By Tom Rob Smith WHAT’S IT ABOUT:

This is the third and final instalment in a trilogy following the life of Soviet government agent Leo Demidov.

Formerly an idealist who firmly believed that his work suppressing dissidents would lead to a crime-free communist utopia, over the course of three books his ideals are shattered by the discoveries he makes about the actions of his government.

Now we come to him in this final episode, where he is a bitter, disillusioned and opium-addicted wreck training Afghan communist sympathisers in the height of the Cold War, who is helpless to save his family as tragedy strikes them during a socalled ‘friendship-building’ trip to the US.

WHAT’S IT LIKE:

There is a reason why the first two books in this trilogy have received such critical acclaim. Tom Rob Smith’s lead character has committed countless atrocities whilst serving his government, but the sympathy with which the author treats the character as he realises all his efforts and life’s worth were misguided is impressive to behold.

While the book does stand alone very well, and is a rollicking good read, we would advise reading the two prequels first, as they lay the foundations and back story Afor the character that enrich this third and final episode.

Fiction

Crime Fiction

Fiction

The Third Reich

The Night Stalker

The Decision

WHAT’S IT ABOUT:

WHAT’S IT ABOUT:

WHAT’S IT ABOUT:

By Roberto Bolaño

The Third Reich follows the story of a young German couple, protagonist Udo and his girlfriend Ingeborg, who take a holiday in a Spanish resort town on the Costa Brava.

On the face of it, it’s a typical idyllic holiday spot, but soon cracks begin to appear in the facade. The boyfriend of another German couple they meet and befriend inexplicably disappears, and while the two girls return home, Udo remains behind to try and discover what happened to him.

Eventually, his mental condition begins to decline, and sinister events unfold.

WHAT’S IT LIKE:

What should have been yet another great posthumous novel from the late literary master, The Third Reich is unfortunately a bit of a clumsy effort by the Chilean writer.

The book takes a painfully long time to get going, long past the point that the average reader would have given up and put the book down. Bolano attempts to keep us going with tense atmospheric prose, but it doesn’t quite achieve the desired effect.

However, the second half of the book improves significantly, as Udo’s mental condition deteriorates into a delicious C+ downwards spiral. Worth it in the end, but only just!

by Chris Carter

The third book in the Detective Robert Hunter series by Carter. This time, he’s on the case of a serial killer, as the mutilated bodies of unidentified women begin to turn up with gruesome messages contained within.

Hunter is pulled off another case to investigate, and his case soon becomes embroiled with another missing persons case being investigated by the razor-sharp Whitney Meyers, and it begins to become apparent that many women might be held hostage by the killer.

WHAT’S IT LIKE:

The first two books in this series were highly successful, largely thanks to Carter’s tense, thrilling and fast-paced style that keeps you turning the pages.

It is, in fact, sometimes hard to stop yourself from flicking ahead, as cliffhanger after cliffhanger are dropped in, which whilst sometimes frustrating, undoubtedly adds to the tension - a neat trick by the author.

Once again, the story follows a serial killer stalking female victims, and it would be nice to see a little variety in this respect. The details of the murders are also B+ quite grisly, but it will appeal greatly to fans of the genre.

By Penny Vincenzi

The Decision follows the story of a young couple in the sixties - upperclass fashionista Eliza and the workingclass Matt, who is making his fortune in property - who meet, fall in love, get married, and have a beloved daughter.

The book charts their marriage as the cracks begin to appear, before it ultimately falls apart, and they must decide what to do about custody of their child.

WHAT’S IT LIKE:

The main strength in this book is the richness, detail and vitality Vinceni gives to all the characters in the story, so that you begin to feel you know them, and they become part of your life.

As a result, you almost begin to live vicariously through the book, like watching a soap opera, and the actual reading of the novel becomes more important than the development of the story itself, which is no mean feat for an author.

The sheer size of the book means that it’s not recommended for light readers, but for everyone else, it’s a meaty tome that will keep you entertained for a long while, and leave an empty space in your life B+ when it’s done. However, not best for travelling light...

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TECHNOLOGY KEEPING THE PEOPLE OF QATAR STATE-OF-THE-ART

p32: The Camera Collection p38: The Lab p40: The Fiat 500

The

Camera Collection...

With all the great stuff going on around Doha each and every month, never has there been a better time to be a photographer, amateur or professional, than now. If you’ve ever been thinking about taking up photography as a hobby or career, then stop thinking, read this feature, and start doing!

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The

Cameras

TECHNOLOGY

Camera Collection...

With all the great stuff going on around Doha each and every month, never has there been a better time to be a photographer, amateur or professional, than now. If you’ve ever been thinking about taking up photography as a hobby or career, then stop thinking, read this feature, and start doing!

Hasselblad 202fa

In any round-up, we like to start with a bang, so here it is – the Hasselblad 202FA. Hasselblad cameras are considered an industry leader in photography, and as such, are priced well out of the range of your average photographer. Expect to pay upward of QR50000 for a reasonably equipped one! The digital ‘back’, which is the attachment that allows you to take digital images, alone costs anything from QR20000-60000! For example, the rangetopping Hasselblad CFV-50 Digital Back costs around

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$17,000 online, which is QR64,000. And that doesn’t even include the camera itself!

They’re not available in Qatar, so you have to order them or buy them from the States or Europe. And why, you ask, are we even featuring them? Well, because they’re good. So good, in fact, that NASA uses them to take pictures from space.

They can capture images of up to 50MP resulting in images that are 65MB in size!

And it’s always nice to dream…

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Nikon D4

The professional-grade Nikon D4 is a high-end digital SLR camera with a 16.2MP full-frame sensor. It’s based heavily on its predecessor, the highly popular D3S, with a few changes to improve the product.

As the D3S was so popular, Nikon obviously didn’t want to play with it too much, so the changes on the D4 are minimal. The area that has been improved most is the video capture capability. The biggest technical change is the addition of a 91,000 pixel ‘metering’ sensor, replacing the 1005 pixel example used up until now. Nikon also claim to have drastically improved low-light focusing too, with an ISO of 204800, which is huge, resulting in clear pictures in dark settings.

TECHNOLOGY

Canon G1X

This is a fantastic compact camera that is a ‘step-up’ product for amateur photographers who want to take things a little more seriously without going the whole hog with an SLR. It’s a large 14MP sensor camera with a 4x zoom lens and extensive manual controls.

Leica M9-P

Canon 1DX The Canon 1D X is the latest in Canon’s 1D line. It boasts slightly more impressive specs than the Nikon D4, with an 18MP full-frame sensor, and includes more professional video capture features than any of its predecessors.

The most impressive feature is the three DIGIC processors, including Dual DIGIC 5+ image processors, capable of delivering approximately 17 times more processing speed than DIGIC 4, and a dedicated DIGIC 4 for metering and AF control which utilizes a new 100,000-pixel metering sensor for enhanced exposure accuracy with color and face detection. The Dual DIGIC 5+ processors provide high-speed continuous shooting, lower noise, and a significant increase in data processing speed than previous EOS-1D models.

Like the Nikon, the 1DX also has an ISO of 204800.

Sony A77

Employing different technology than normal SLR cameras, the Sony A77 uses Translucent Mirror Technology to offer high-speed shooting and a smaller body size. Compared to a conventional DSLR camera, Translucent Mirror Technology has a fixed, translucent mirror that splits the optical pathway between the main image sensor and a separate phasedetection autofocus sensor, and offers a simplified mechanical design that enables the camera to be smaller.

The Sony A77 can shoot fullresolution 24.3 megapixel pictures at up to 12fps as well as 1080p Full HD video, whilst maintaining continuous auto focus and auto exposure, an impressively fast rate for such a relatively inexpensive camera.

A good value-for-money offering is Leica’s 18MP full-frame rangefinder camera, which is the world’s smallest full-frame digital system camera.

Designed for value and reliability, the sapphire crystal LCD screen is possibly the toughest of its kind on the market.

Fujifilm w3

The FinePix Real 3D W3 is Fujifilm’s second 3D compact camera, and is the first to shoot movies in 3D HD, with dual 10MP CCD sensors and twin lenses. It comes with a 3.5-inch 3D LCD display, as well as a new Auto 3D mode, and records sound in stereo as well.

Sony DSC-TX200V

Placing as much emphasis on aesthetics as functionality, the Cybershot DSCTX200V is a compact 14MP digicam with a sleek design, and a range of good features, including 5x optical zoom, and autofocus with contrast sensor, tracking and face detection – a great happy snapper.

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TECHNOLOGY

Talking Telecoms in Qatar Welcome to FACT’s overview of the telecommunications services on offer to you, the buying public, in Qatar today. It all boils down to two main providers, Qtel, the incumbent, and Vodafone, the challenger.

Read on for an FAQ on the telecoms industry in Qatar, with Kelly Johnstone…

W

hilst many of us may dream about a whole day without our mobile phone or the Internet, the truth is that when it comes to the crunch very few of us could really live without either of them. A number of surveys even conclude that the more technology advances, the more reliant we are becoming on what it can do for us.

So common is the all-consuming terror we feel when we forget to pay our internet bill and get cut off or, heaven forbid, when we leave our mobile phone at home on the kitchen table, that some reports state that technology is an real bona fide addiction. In fact, ‘Nomophobia’ is an actual term to describe the panic and fear that set in when we find ourselves without our mobile phone.

Communication is important. It’s important for businesses and it’s important for each one of us individually. And because it’s so important, we felt it would be useful to give you a complete guide to your telecoms options here in Qatar – after all, if nothing else, you need to be able to keep an eye on FACT’s Facebook page and website, you don’t want to miss out on all the fun things going on here!

What telecoms providers operate in Qatar?

Qtel and Vodafone. As with everything, Qatar is investing a huge amount of money into creating and maintaining an extensive telecoms network to enable most households to have access to fixed lines, but there is still the potential for development. Qatar was the last country in the region to introduce competition to its telecoms market (which originally consisted of only Qtel) when it allowed Vodafone Qatar to set up operations in March 2009. Subsequently, Vodafone has rapidly gained a sizeable share of the mobile market.

Similar to neighbouring markets in the region, Qatar possesses a mobile market characterised by high penetration levels. Competition has improved tariff levels and encouraged development of specialised products targeted at specific market segments such as expatriate workers. Both mobile network operators, Qtel and Vodafone, have deployed 3G/HSPA networks that are supporting growth of the nascent mobile broadband market.

Having two telecoms providers is good news for all of us as it allows for a bit of healthy competition in pricing, which means regular offers and competitive rates across all services. For example, Vodafone regularly promotes low international calling rates across both its pre-paid (Red) and post-paid (Freedom) services.

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Having two telecoms providers is good news for all of us as it allows for a bit of healthy competition in pricing

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TECHNOLOGY

How do I find out about new handsets?

Your best bet is to keep an eye on the Facebook pages of Qtel, Vodafone and Starlink, which are updated regularly not only with new product launches but also with special offers and promotions.

Can Qtel and Vodafone sort out all of my home and business communications solutions?

Vodafone can sort out all your mobile solutions either personal or business, whilst Qtel offers landline and internet solutions for work and home as well as mobile phone services.

Do I have to sign up to a year’s mobile phone contract?

No, the good news is that there are plenty of options available to you. Both Qtel and Vodafone offer a range of pre-paid and post-paid packages that you can choose from. Your best bet is to go into a Vodafone or Qtel store and speak to one of their experts to find the package that’s right for you.

Do mobile phone contracts, either pre-paid or post-paid, come with a handset?

Unlike most American and European operators who tie you into a contract based on the mobile phone you choose, with Qtel and Vodafone you buy a handset and then sign up to your choice of one of their pre-paid or postpaid packages. With brand new smartphones being launched all the time, it’s definitely a benefit to be able to upgrade your phone at a time that suits you, rather than being tied into a contract on a particular handset for a year or more. And, when it comes time to upgrade, Vodafone offers a trade-in scheme that allows you to hand in your old handset for recycling and get money off a new one. Starlink, a subsidiary of Qtel, also offers a trade-in service and gives you the value of the old handset in vouchers that you can spend in their stores. All Starlink phones come unlocked, so can be used on any network.

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Services

Not Available

Installation of Fiber is being rolled out across houses in Doha. The service has launched and customers are being upgraded automatically over the coming months.

Not Available

Available

Not Available

Hala Pay as you Talk SIM card

Red. 200QR a month for 4GB.

Choose from a range of Shahry packages to suit your mobile phone usage.

Easy monthly payment.

Freedom. Choose from a range of packages that include bonus value (free minutes, messages etc) and free access to Facebook, Twitter, Maktoob and Orkut.

Easy monthly payment.

As a Shahry customer, choose from a range of mobile internet plans that allow you to pay for a defined volume of data for surfing, mailing, downloading etc A SIM activation fee of 100QR will be added to your first bill

Freedom Mobile Broadband.

Choose to have a monthly limit or no limit for 200QR a month for 4GB.

Mobile Broadband SIM card and Mobile Broadband USB.

Red Mobile Broadband.

A number of packages available.

Blackberry service

150QR a month.

Roaming enabled for everyone for 49QR a month or 12QR a week.

Micro SIM

A SIM activation fee of 50QR for voice calls and 100QR for data will be added to your first bill.

If you are an existing Vodafone customer you can get a micro SIM for free and can keep your mobile phone number.

Handsets

Available

Available

Regular offers.

Regular offers.

At qtel.qa and at starlinkworld.com

At vodafone.com.qa

Scratch cards and at Qtel self service machines.

Scratch cards.

Mozaic TV.

Not Available

Fiber – Super fast internet connection

Both operators have shops in most of the major shopping malls in Doha and on The Pearl. You can also check out their websites where you can make online purchases of most of their products and services.

Landline Pre Paid mobile phone packages

Post paid mobile phone packages

Anything else I need to know about?

Yep. Qtel’s Fiber Optic, that’s what! The new ultra fast broadband network will have us all browsing the World Wide Web at super fast speeds. Broadband represents the majority of Internet connections.

ADSL accounts for the majority of fixed broadband services, given the previous monopoly of Qtel in the market. Advertised broadband speeds are currently relatively low.

However, recognising the need and the inherent opportunities in faster communications for social and economic development, Qtel is planning to replace 100% of the existing copper connections with Qtel Fiber Optic by mid2013, allowing users to browse the internet over a hundred times faster!

Over the coming months new products and services will start to be made available on the new high speed broadband network that could go up to 100 megabits per second (Mbps), one of the fastest speeds in the world!

Useful Websites:

www.qtel.qa www.vodafone.com.qa www.starlinkworld.com www.ictqatar.qa www.facebook.com/starlinkworld www.facebook.com/vodafoneqatar www.facebook.com/qtelqatar

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Vodafone

4 speed options: 1Mbps for QR200, 2Mbps for QR300, 4Mpbs for QR400 or 8Mpbs for QR600 per month

ADSL

Where are Qtel and Vodafone shops located?

Qtel

Post paid mobile data roaming

Pre paid mobile data roaming

Package deals with handsets Online bill payment and pre paid top up Other ways to top up pre paid account Internet Television

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TECHNOLOGY

LAB TEST

BOSE BLUETOOTH HEADSET Available: BOSE Stores (Price: TBC)

LET’S face it: Bluetooth headsets are NOT cool. Granted, they’re an excellent idea in the car – not just a legal requirement, but a life saver.

However, anyone seen outside their car wearing one, like some sort of yuppie jewellery, deserves to have it slapped off their head!

(NB: FACT Magazine does not endorse, or encourage, the slapping of any heads, Bluetooth-enabled or otherwise, or any other acts of random physical abuse of any kind – Ed.) However, if you’re going to insist on wearing one around town, as if you’re a professional of such importance that having your phone surgically attached to your head is a case of absolute necessity, then you might as well make it a high-brand one. While it might not reduce your status as a pretentious geek, it at least sets you apart from the rest as one with some modicum of taste!

So, a Bose Bluetooth Headset might be just what you need. To start with, they’ve made the design very compact and unobtrusive, meaning that should you get caught wearing it in public, you can plausibly use the excuse that you simply forgot it was there.

As for actually making calls, as

one of the leading brands in audio hardware in the world, you can bet that the sound clarity will be excellent, and not as if you’re receiving a call from a late relative “from the other side”!

It also boasts a dual microphone system that works to improve speech intelligibility from your side, reducing the interference of background and wind noise, and this is further improved by ‘signal processing’, which synthetically cancels out background noise. The upshot of all this is that you can make a call on it without shouting aloud to yourself like some sort of

EMOTION

BOSE BLUETOOTH HEADSET EXPERIENCE-METER Happiest human ever

Very impressed

“If you insist on wearing one, then we recommend this one!”

“It’s small and compact, even for a Bluetooth headset.”

“It functions extremely well, transmitting and receiving sound of a very high quality, as we’d expect from Bose.”

Pleased

Indifferent

“Not a traditional fan of Bluetooth headsets, but let’s give it a go…”

Ouch!

PROS

TIME

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village idiot.

Another nice feature is the Bose Adaptive Audio Adjustment technology, which measures background noise and adjusts the volume in the headset accordingly, so that you don’t have to keep fiddling with the volume when you walk from a noisy room into a quiet one and back again.

So, to summarise, the Bose Bluetooth headset reduces much of the irritating aspects of Bluetooth headsets, making it as socially acceptable as they get. It’s small and unnoticeable, it doesn’t require you to shout into it in public places, and it doesn’t need you to keep poking at it like an agent out of the Matrix.

In fact, we would go as far as to recommend that this headset should be issued as standard equipment to anyone taking a job in a financial institution or talent agency.

-Background noise reduction -Adaptive audio adjustment

CONS

-You have to wear it.

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TECHNOLOGY

LAB TEST

LG 72-inch 3D LED TV

Available: Major Electronics Retailers (Price: QR40-45,000)

THIS, ladies and gentlemen, is what LG claim to be the largest 3D LED Smart TV available for public retail in the world. Now, the word ‘largest’ is bandied about all-toooften these days.

When we Googled ‘largest 3D LED TV’ whilst writing this review, every different manufacturer’s name came up at least once in the results, INCLUDING Porsche Design, no less, and there were bigger TVs than this listed. So, what gives LG the right to make this claim?

Well, it seems that the key phrase is ‘Smart TV’. A pretty obscure niche, but this is, in fact, the world’s largest 3D LED Smart TV. Until someone else makes a bigger one, that is…

Whatever can be said about this TV, however, the one undeniable fact is that it is colossal – it would completely dominate the average homeowner’s living room. It’s six feet diagonally across – the height of a large fully-grown man!

That equates to 59 inches wide and 40 inches tall. And, the price is far bigger than the average homeowner’s budget, at over forty grand! So, now that we’ve established that this TV is for rich people with massive living rooms,

let’s get down to the TV itself, which is, without doubt, hugely impressive. Watching a 3D movie on a screen of this size beats the actual movie theatre experience hands down, as the picture is better, thanks to the amazing clarity of the LED screen, and to the fact that you get the experience from the comfort of your own home.

What sweetens the deal is LG’s Smart TV technology. It comes with a series of LG applications that enable you to view web content, browse social networks and just surf the Internet in general with a simple point-and-click Magic Motion remote system.

EMOTION

LG 72-inch 3D LED TV EXPERIENCE-METER Happiest human ever

“The Smart TV features are fantastic!”

“Wow, look at the size of it!”

Very impressed

“The 3D experience is very good.”

Pleased

Indifferent

It’s enabled with UGC (User Generated Contents), SNS (Social Networking Service), Photo Sharing Service, weather forecasts and other useful applications from LG. We could’ve spent hours playing with it!

The 3D viewing experience is great too – it just seems to get better and better with each new generation of TV these days.

This is mainly thanks to features like the film patterned retarder, which pretty much abolishes flickering, and the 3D glasses themselves, which employ passive 3D technology, are lightweight and battery-free, and therefore more comfortable.

And finally, the TV’s special Smart Share function allows you to wirelessly access the content stored in your digital devices including digital cameras, mobile phones, tablets and PCs, which is very convenient.

It also features a highly intuitive user environment featuring the LG Home Dashboard that allows users to navigate several functions from a single main menu.

All in all, this TV is a highly impressive device, that is, if you can afford it…

Ouch!

PROS

“look at the price of it.”

TIME

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CONS

-It’s massive! -It’s also massively -Smart TV expensive. features

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TECHNOLOGY

ALI DRIVER SAYS THAT

“The Fiat 500 is the absolute definition of European retro chic!”

Our Mystery Motoring Expert, Ali Driver, had a great time whizzing around in the Fiat 500 pretending to be young, gorgeous and Italian…

I

t’s hard to define the place a important question, which will be car like the Fiat 500 has in the vital to the success, or failure, of the Gulf. In Europe, it’s easy – it’s Fiat 500 in the Gulf: What is it like to a desirable, stylish, trendy and drive? affordable compact car that’s easy to To begin with, lets start with some park, light on fuel and cheap to tax. facts: However, in the Middle East, there Among the countless awards the is no tax, and fuel is cheap. Plus, in a Fiat 500 has already won are “City region where big is better, compact is Car of the Year 2009” by Business seen as ‘cheap’ rather than desirable, Car UK, “Best Car of 2009” by Auto and yet the Fiat 500 is not as cheap as Motor Und Sport Germany, “World other compact cars available on the Design Car of the Year 2009” at the market, so will not appeal to people New York International Motor Show, actually looking for an economy option. “City Car of the Year 2008” by BBC’s So, again, we come to the question: Top Gear, “Small Car of the Year where does the Fiat 500 fit in?

2008” by UK TV Show Fifth Gear The key to solving this riddle and “Car of the Year 2008” by Car comes in the shape Magazine in the UK. of the Gucci versions It has also been It’s surprising of the Fiat 500 that awarded the the amount of sit alongside the impressive 5 Star standard model on Rating from safety performance the showroom floor. experts Euro NCAP, you can get out It’s a novelty – a cool is phenomenal of it and, more which plaything – a quirky for a small car, and importantly, and unique accessory only a handful of cars that makes a statement how much fun in the whole world about the driver, and have been awarded enabling them to stand you’ll have When you stand out from the rest on the whilst doing it! outside the Fiat crowded streets of the 500, you can’t help region’s capitals. but feel that it will Other cars that do the same thing be cramped inside, which is why are the VW Beetle and the Mini. you’ll be amazed at how spacious However, whereas the Beetle was a it is when you do climb in. There is boring drive, the Mini is an absolute easily enough room for four large hoot to whizz around in, making it adults, or five skinny teenagers, inside cool AND fun, which more than the 500, with everyone being quite doubles its appeal. comfortable.

So, now we come to the next most The automatic gearbox isn’t the

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most refined I’ve ever seen, with sometimes jerky shifts, especially when you’re giving it a bit of oomph.

However, put it into the manual option, and the sequential gear changes open up a whole new world of fun to be had in the 500, with the option of the steering-wheel paddles, or the actual stick shift. Once again, I find myself disappointed to live in a region where fully manual gearboxes just aren’t the done thing.

The plucky little 1.4l 100hp engine doesn’t sound like much, but it’s an engine that begs to be let loose. If you keep the revs high and work the gears right, it’s surprising the amount of performance you can get out of it and, more importantly, how much fun you’ll have whilst doing it!

Remember that speed is relative, and in a car this size, you really feel like you’re going faster than you are, and slotting it in and out of tiny spaces as you power through busy traffic becomes like a game. You’ll quickly find that you can slip through gaps that no sedan, or even most hatchbacks, are ever going to manage.

This is exactly what this car is for – the crowded streets of city centres, and not long motorway journeys, which makes Doha the Fiat 500’s perfect playground!

And the list of options that come with the car is the real icing on the cake. Inside the stylish interior there is a very decent six-speaker stereo system with an MP3 compatible CD player and a USB connection. There’s

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also Bluetooth hands-free connection and steering wheel-mounted controls for most of the above.

Overall, the 500 doesn’t impress at first, but after a while it begins to carve itself a place in your heart, and as the time to return it to the showroom drew near, I suddenly found myself reluctant to give it back!

So, I ended up taking it for one last lap of Doha, and was genuinely a bit sad when I handed over the keys.

Once you learn your way around it, it’s an incredibly fun little car to drive.

Don’t get me wrong – it’s definitely no Mini. However, it’s also half the price of a Mini, and yet it’s not half as good. In fact, it’s way more than half as good. If I were a father, I would buy this as a first car for my daughter. And she would love me for it, and I would be happy in the knowledge that she is kept safe by the 5* NCAP rating.

But, would I buy it for myself?

Well, don’t get me wrong – I had a fantastic time whizzing around in this plucky little car. Until, that is, I saw my reflection in a window on a high street. It was at that point I realised how ridiculous a man of my age, size and slightly overweight build looked in it!

So the answer is yes – if I were in my twenties, Italian, gorgeous and fashionable, I would buy this car.

I would drive it around with my aviators on and a cigarette dangling from my bottom lip, and I would toot cheekily at pretty ladies on the street, and flash them a dazzling smile, and they would pretend to be offended but secretly be thrilled.

However, I am not any of those things, so I will stick to my large, comfortable sedan with shaded windows that no-one can see in through!

There are, though, many young Arabic guys I know who could easily pull off the above image with aplomb, looking very much like Italians in their dress sense, skin tone, eye and hair colour, etc.

The only problem is, they all want Mustangs.

So to answer my earlier question, yes, the Fiat 500 does have a place in the Gulf. It’s just that no one knows it yet!

Who is Ali Driver?

1. He lives in Qatar and says he grew up hard on the mean streets of Doha, but we think he’s actually from a rich family with lots of cars, and won’t admit it!

2. He says his car skills are all self-taught, but we’re sure we’ve seen a course certificate from the Losail International Circuit on his wall.

3. He drives cars better than anyone we know (but don’t ever tell him).

4. He claims to be able to change a regular car tyre in under 4 minutes, but we’re sure that’s only when his wife helps him.

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FASHION

FIGHTING THE BATTLE AGAINST BAD TASTE IN QATAR

p82: Two of the latest trends from stylish sportswear maker adidas

All Day I Dream About Sportswear…

Gone are the days when sportswear was just for sports – it has creeped into our lives in an ever increasing way, from the days when high-tops and shell suits became mainstream, till today, when the worlds of fashion and sportswear become ever more intermingled.

One company that is taking this to a higher level is adidas.

The iconic three stripes have been part of our lives since, believe it or not, 1947, and have been worn by sports stars and Olympic athletes pretty much ever since. However, it wasn’t until the seventies that they became a fashion statement, when their basketball shoes became part of popular culture.

Since then, their popularity has waxed and waned depending on fashion trends, but in the past decade their retro styling has enjoyed an upsurge in popularity. However, in recent years collaborations with designer brands have planted adidas firmly in the realm of highly fashionable sportswear.

We recently brought you a collaboration between adidas and Oysho in our January issue, but these two latest lines that were announced last month have really stirred things up on the FACT penthouse’s fashion desk.

Read on to find out more…

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FASHION

For the ladies…

Adidas Originals

I

n 2012, adidas Originals celebrates a special anniversary: it has been 40 years since the legendary three-leafed trefoil was introduced.

Today the products that bear the mark are all part of the Originals collection, and the people who wear them honour its authentic, original sportswear.

In Spring/Summer 2012, timeless classics return to the forefront of the collection, including the Track Top and the Polo, which have been re-designed in a host of fresh, vibrant colours. Next to a solid, authentic sportswear and street-style offer, this season’s collection also includes more innovative silhouettes ranging from outfit-driven fashion pieces to tech-lifestyle footwear.

1972 was the year of the Munich Olympics and also the first time when the iconic three-leafed logo was used. In 2012, adidas Originals celebrates the Trefoil logo by re-introducing classic apparel and footwear pieces from that era, like the iconic ’72 Track Top, which has been updated as a more fitted, contemporary piece appealing to today’s fashionconscious youth. The adiStar Racer, a classic running shoe from the same year, is a sleek addition to the vintage footwear family.

With the 2012 London Olympics coming in summer, adidas Originals also presents dedicated product packages celebrating both next year’s host and iconic adidas silhouettes of former contests. A melange of products, from apparel featuring union jack inspired prints to metallic footwear in gold and silver will bring a dash of style to fans of the biggest sport event in the world.

The Spring/Summer 2012 women’s collection offers collegiate styles from sporty to stylish and as well as more fashion-inspired pieces. From hooded-dresses featuring the “72” logo to casual beachwear in bright block colours and lighter, fresher prints, the Originals women’s collection is perfect for the warmer summer months.

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For the gents…

FASHION

Adidas Porsche Hybrid Designs

P

orsche Design Sport is collaboration between adidas and Porsche Design.

The range of luxury sportswear utilises the industry’s most advanced technologies in concert with luxurious, exclusive materials, performance-enhanced details and impeccable craftsmanship.

Porsche Design Sport has long been distinguished by its exclusive materials, performance enhanced details and meticulous craftsmanship. The Spring/Summer 2012 collection continues the tradition, with design details that pay homage to professional car racing. One standout piece, the Racetrack Jacket, offers an exciting and unexpected combination: the classic lines of a biker jacket, executed in a highly functional fabric that whisks away moisture, repels water and stains, and creates a cooling effect.

The newly updated Driver’s Pant is engineered with the same advanced fabric technologies. Another piece, the short sleeve Pique Polo, features UVP treatment for high performance moisture management and UV protection from the sun.

In footwear, the Drive Athletic II driving shoe offers a supple, summer-weight aniline leather upper with ergonomically placed, carinspired ventilation inserts for superior airflow.

A low-profile rubber outsole is designed to heighten pedal sensitivity.

FACT QATAR MARCH Qatar march Issue.indd 45

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SUBSCRIPTION CAMPAIGN Are you a keen FACT and Ohlala! reader?

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Email: zara.dh@nansgroup.com 46

FACT QATAR MARCH

Qatar march Issue.indd 46

The Essence of Style

27/02/2012 19:30

INDEX For anyone who’s uttered the words: ‘There’s nothing to do in Qatar.’ We really, really beg to differ...

FINAL WORD

What’s your

QATAR

IQ

QATAR IQ - p66

Our sly monthly round-up of recent Qatar news

m

Qatar march Issue.indd 47

S.A.T’s? M.B.A’s? Pah! In Qatar, only

one test score really matters: your Qatar

IQ!

The Qatar Motorshow takes place this month. Are you:

a

massively excited, because you’re a complete petrolhead, and you can’t wait to check out all the awesome machinery, custom cars and exotics? completely indifferent – your car has a stop pedal and a go pedal, and that’s all you need to know about? getting dragged along by an overenthusia stic partner, but would rather be home watching Ugly Betty?

b

c

A New Year means New Year’s Resolutions! Do you:

a

conscientiously write out a list of all your objectives for 2012, and dutifully stick to them, thereby losing weight, giving up smoking, learning the guitar, and

generally making everyone else feel inadequate? b dig out the crumpled remains of last year’s list, give it a read

through, decide it’ll do, copy the whole list of unfulfilled ambitions onto a new piece of paper, and stick it back in the bottom of the junk drawer with vague self-promises to try and get at least one

or two of them done this year? c decide that you don’t need any resolutions this year. Why

mess with perfection?

With the Festive season now behind you, are you:

a completely broke? b completely exhausted? c completely relieved?

66

FACT QATAR JANUARY

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VENUE REVIEW

CROSSROADS KITCHEN

SPORTS

NIGHTS

EATS

Renaissance Doha City Centre (Tel: 4419 6100) QR500 Friday Brunch for two persons

BODIES

LEISURE

IF your ideal Friday in Doha includes feasting on a banquet of fabulous international cuisine until you’re fit to burst, then the newest brunch on the block will not disappoint! Crossroads Kitchen, at the Renaissance Doha City Centre Hotel ticks all the boxes, and will no doubt give the rest of Doha’s legendary brunch contingent a run for their money.

What’s more, the price will not leave your wallet greatly wounded either.

As part of the Renaissance’s West End dining, entertainment and relaxation venues, Crossroads Kitchen specialises in all day dining – buffet style, with a focus on Asian, African and Middle Eastern flavours.

What you’ll notice upon entering is the bright and cheerful atmosphere that infuses the restaurant. It’s like a breath of fresh air to have floor to ceiling windows that offer not only plenty of daylight (if you’re brunching or lunching) but also panoramic views of the glossy towers of West Bay. The background music is uplifting and hints at retro lounge which doesn’t invade conversation but adds to the laid-back ambience.

The interiors offer a contemporary look and cleverly compliment the playful colours of bright blue, reds and yellows of the furnishings. It’s both swish and comfortable and you’ll receive a warm welcome from the staff, management and chefs.

48

Once seated you’ll be offered the choice of a refreshing watermelon or raspberry Mojito cocktail to kickstart your taste buds. If you opt for the non-alcoholic package there’s an extensive list of soft drinks available too.

You probably won’t dawdle too long before heading to the buffet, where you’ll mingle with several chefs, proudly presenting their speciality dishes at live cooking stations. It’s one of the few, if not the only brunch to offer a Peking Duck station; freshly cooked ducks hang in a line waiting to be transformed by the chef into bite size aromatic pancakes.

Another station tempts you with large baskets of freshly steamed dim sum; always a nice way to start a brunch. If you’re a soup lover you’ll be satisfied too. There’s a choice of two; you just need to search a little and it’s worth finding.

You can’t miss the sushi counter.

The delicate offerings are fresh and flavourful and it’s a challenge to resist going back for more… and more. All the while you’re grazing the buffet your gracious and attentive waiter is keeping you well and truly watered, there are no empty glasses waiting at this brunch!

The choice of mains has been carefully thought out and is not overwhelming. Dishes include fish, meat and poultry that are spicy

and mild along with a choice of vegetables and rice. Alongside, chef is ready to cook you up a storm of pasta if you so desire with your own customised choice of fillings.

The desert selection is centrally positioned to entice even the most ardent calorie counter. Sweet toothed individuals won’t ignore the smell of freshly cooked pancakes and syrup, while cheese lovers are spoilt for choice. Young diners in the meantime can hang out in the kid’s zone and feast on kiddie faves. It’s true to say, Crossroads Kitchen has certainly got its brunch on.

THE BILL 2 x Friday Brunch (includes QR500 unlimited alcoholic beverages) or 2 x Friday Brunch (includes unlimited soft drinks)

QR380

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RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE CHECKLIST :

48/50 N Y

RESERVATIONS 1. Was the telephone operator clear and friendly?

2. Did they give the impression they are keen for our custom?

AT THE DOOR 3. Were we greeted pleasantly?

4. Were we seated quickly (assuming we were on time)?

5. Were we escorted to our table?

ONCE YOU’RE SEATED 6. Were we greeted promptly by the waiter?

7. Did he/she maintain a professional and cordial attitude?

8. Did he/she seem happy to have us there?

9. Were we told any specials/promotions/useful information before we’d made up our mind?

10. Did we feel at ease to order at our leisure?

SERVICE / STAFF 11. Did the waiter know the menu and/or wine list and explain them in an articulate way?

12. Was he/she well groomed and at ease at the table?

13. Did he/she answer questions completely or find out the answers promptly?

14. Did he/she remove and replace plates and utensils between courses?

15. Did he/she put the plates in front of the right person?

16. Did he/she wait until everyone is finished before removing the plates?

17. Did he/she check in a timely manner to see if we needed anything?

18. Did he/she perform his/her overall duties in an unobtrusive manner?

19. Did he/she communicate with you freely and voluntarily (including any delays)?

20. Did he/she listen and act accordingly to your requests/complaints?

21. Did he/she correctly judge how much attention our table wanted?

THE MENU 22. Was the type and design clear and unconfusing?

23. Did the written description reflect what was on the plate?

24. Was there abundant choice?

25. Did the food prices reflect the standards the surroundings and service might suggest?

FOOD 26. Were all the dishes correct?

27. Did the plates have a consistent style?

28. Was there an attempt to make the food visually appealing?

29. Was everything cooked as ordered?

30. When we took your first bite, was our immediate reaction pleasant?

31. Did the appropriate flavours stand out as described on the menu?

32. Were the flavours bright as opposed to dull?

33. Were the flavours integrated as opposed to conflicting (i.e unintended overwhelming tastes)?

34. Was the consistency and structure of the dish as described?

35. Were we, space permitting, inspired to eat as much as we could?

36. Did the dish compare favourably to similar dishes we’ve had at other restaurants?

ATMOSPHERE 37. Was the decor well-maintained and clean?

38. Was the decor a stand-out feature of the venue?

39. Was the music / noise well managed?

40. Did the place smell clean and fresh?

41. Was the smell notably pleasing?

42. Were the tables large enough to accomodate all the food and diners?

43. Were the seats comfortable?

44. Was the look of the table - flatware, napkins, etc. - consistent with the price?

45. Did the overall atmosphere have an appealing mood (e.g. lively, popular, relaxed, romantic, etc) 46. Were the bathrooms sanitary?

47. Were the bathrooms a pleasure to use?

LEAVING 48. Did the waiter make himself available to us so that we could ask for the check?

49. Did the waiter or someone at the door acknowledge us as we left?

50. As we left did any particular unique memorable touches to the experience stand-out in your mind?

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LEISURE

SPORTS

NIGHTS

EATS

NORTH AMERICAN APPLEBEE’S Huge portions, great French fries, and eternally refillable drinks. We defy you to leave this place hungry. Standard Tex-mex menu. No alcohol.

Al Rayyan, City Center-Doha, Near Qatar Sports Club, Suhaim Bin Hamad St. Tel: 4481 6239 (Al Rayyan), 4493 4880 (City Center), 4493 3208 (Qatar Sports Club), 4442 7753 (Suhaim Bin Hamad)

CHILI’S The reliable tex-mex chain will always fill you up satisfactorily with fajitas, burgers, steaks, etc. Great ‘Guiltless’ menu for dieters. No alcohol.

Souq Rawda-Salwa Rd, The Mall-D Ring Road, City Center Tel: 4444 5335 (Salwa Rd), 4466 0663 (The Mall)

DAIRY QUEEN GRILL’N’CHILL Pretty upmarket as far as fast food goes. Interesting desserts, esp. the Blizzard. No alcohol.

Ramada Junction Tel: 4432 0982

JOHNNY ROCKETS Burgers that taste like the picture makes you think they taste. Nicely conceptualised Americana concept.

Fast food as it should be.

Al Emadi Center Salwa Road Tel: 4455 2792

RIC’S KOUNTRY KITCHEN Authentic home-made American meals – basic but tasty. Very relaxed atmosphere. Fun-loving staff usually create some good times. Good for parties.

Ras Abu Abboud Tel: 4443 7846

BODIES

ARABIC AL ADHAMIYAH IRAQI RESTAURANT Truely Authentic Iraqi cusine.

Souq Waqif Tel: 4432 4326 QR50-80 per person

KEBAB KING Shwarmas not made at the restaurant but they do offer a stall ideal for parties at home.

Souq Khalid, Ras Abu Aboud St Tel: 4443 3118 (Souq Khalid), 4441 0400 (Ras Abu)

Tel: 4435 5554 QR100-200 per person CHINESE RUBY WU’S Exploring the vast cuisines of China, this outlet offers specials from Hong Kong to Beiling. Modern decor transports you to a relaxed contemporary Asian atmosphere.

Ramada Plaza Tel: 4428 1428

TSE YANG The international brand of Chinese finds its way to Qatar from New York and Paris.

Porto Arabia Tel: 4495 3876

EUROPEAN AROMA RESTAURANT Contemporary European brasserie with a sense of place, and a mix of classic dishes and fine dining.

Kempinski Tel: 4405 3325

BISTRO 61 This eatery focuses on all-day dining and convenience.

Whether you’re looking for a contintental breakfast, a quick business lunch, an evening meal or a take-away.

Al Fardan Towers, West Bay Tel: 4498 9393

BISTRO BISTRO Echoing the atmosphere of a Meditteranean cellar, this charming little spot offers a cool place with a fresh menu.

Ramada Plaza Tel: 4428 1428

MAXIM A sophisticated spot where artfully presented food mixes with fine wines. As much attention is paid to the gourmet food as it is to the service.

Ramada Plaza Tel: 4428 1428

PICASSO’S A tapas restaurant that brings Doha the taste of Spain.

Bright interiors and colourful dishes bring the vibrancy of the country to life. Nice Sangria too.

Ramada Plaza Tel: 4428 1428

FAR EASTERN

TANGIA Morrocan food.

Doha Marriot Tel: 4434 3333

ASIA LIVE! Classic woody venue with a selection of Asian cuisines from Japan to Malaysia.

Doha Marriot Tel: 4429 8472

TAJINE RESTAURANT Morrocan food.

Souq Waqif

CHOPSTICKS Modern venue with authentic Asian feel. Cuisines come from China to Japan, with a Sushi Corner and business

50

lunch good for businessman in a hurry.

Grand Regency Hotel Tel: 4434 3333 CHOPSTIX Trendy fusion cuisine that mixes Chinese and Japanese styles in a modern atmosphere.

Holiday Villa Hotel & Residence Tel: 4408 4230

FRENCH

LA MAISON DU CAVIAR Delicately prepared, and flavoursome dishes attracts topend clientele to this hotspot for the cities most influential.

W Hotel Tel: 4453 5303

LE RELAIS DE L’ENTRECOTE This specilised format restaurant serves you their own choice of dishes chosen on a daily basis. But don’t worry, it’s nearly always excellent.

The Pearl-Qatar Tel: 4495 3876

PAUL BAKERY & RESTAURANT Themed on the French bakery from which it originated, Paul offers a very good menu of salads, snacks and main courses, as well as a delicious range of freshly baked breads, pastries and desserts.

Landmark Mall: 4486 0776 Villagio Mall: 4413 5508

INDIAN BOMBAY BALTI The speed of the food here belies the great quality of Indian dishes. For diners looking to test the spiciness of curries, this will be a popular spot.

Ramada Plaza Tel: 4428 1428

CHINGARI Another Indian restaurant at this hotel, this one offers a more traditional atmosphere and methods. Clay ovens and homemade marinades join the background music from live musicians.

Ramada Plaza Tel: 4428 1428

ROYAL TANDOOR This venue brings alive the rustic flavours of the NorthWest frontier and Nawabi cuisine, traditionally prepared in a clay oven.

Al Sadd Street Tel: 4444 6151

SAFFRON LOUNGE As part of the family of restaurants created by Michelin Star Chef Vineet Bhatia, the food here is fine, with just as fine surroundings as the Doha cultural hub comes to life around you.

Katara Cultural Village Tel: 4408 0808

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TAJ RASOI All the regions of India are covered in this authentic Maharaja style venue. A strong selection of Tandoori grills and friendly service.

Doha Marriot Tel: 4429 8470

Al Dana Restaurant (see International) is definitely a meal with a view!

STAR OF INDIA Very nice buffet daily. Also deliver to homes if you live close enough. In partnership with Caravan.

Al Markhiya Tel: 4486 4440

INTERNATIONAL AL DANA With a visually exciting show kitchen and sushi counter where diners can follow the preparation of their meal, as well as an al fresco environment, and good views over Doha bay, Al Dana is a choice spot.

Sharq Village & Spa Tel: 4425 6666

AL HUBARA All-day dining venue that offers nightly dinner buffets that range from carveries to seafood to Oriental and more.

Sheraton Doha Tel: 4485 4032

AL SHAHEEN With a private entrance and elevator, Al Shaheen restaurant is a rooftop restaurant located on the 11th floor. Enjoy a great fusion of International and Arabic dishes at Al Shaheen restaurant.

Sheraton Doha Tel: 4485 4444

AL WANIS TERRACE With breathtaking views over the resort, choose from a sumptuous oriental pix fixe menu, and enjoy the haunting melodies of the live oriental band.

Sharq Village & Spa Tel: 4425 6666

ANIMATO Movenpick Tower Tel: 4496 4444 BD5-10 per person

BENTLEY’S GRILL With an emphasis on their meat selection this outlet is firmly in the grip of Chef Jurgen and his creations.

Deep armchairs and chandeliers create a class atmosphere to go with the great food.

Ramada Plaza 4428 1428

BON BINI Either a la carte or buffet style menu serves up a full mixture of gloal cuisines.

Sealine Beach Resort Tel: 4476 5299

BLUE BRASSERIE International, buffet for all-day dining.

Al Sultan Beach Resort Tel: 4472 2666

BRASSERIE ON THE BEACH International, buffet with Lebanese accents.

Four Seasons Tel: 4494 8888

CORNICHE All-day dining destination that mixes a la carte dining with a large seafood buffet.

Doha Marriot Tel: 4429 8404

COSMO In the hear tof Doha, this venue offers both a la carte and buffet options.

Millenium Hotel Tel: 4424 7777

GRAND GOURMET Each day brings a new theme of buffet, from Arabian Night on Sundays to the Sea Harvest buffet on Tuesday.

A pianist adds to the atmosphere on Sundays, Thursdays and Fridays.

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Corniche at the Marriott Doha...quite a spread!

NIGHTS

EATS

FRIDAY BRUNCHES

BODIES

LEISURE

SPORTS

GRAND HYATT HOTEL @ The Grill

A delicious brunch for all the family.

Open kitchens offer prime cuts of meat, a superb selection of seafood and sushi, an array of vegetable dishes and the all important scrumptious choice of desserts.

Plus a section of kiddie’s favourites. With excellent service from the staff, it’s a first class brunch.

12.30 – 16.00 QR220 (includes soft drinks) QR395 (selected house beverages) 4448 1234 West Bay Lagoon

GRAND HYATT HOTEL @ Isaan

The choice of a French bubbly brunch, with high class, authentic Thai cuisine.

Entertainment from traditional Thai dancers and musicians.

12.30 – 16.30 QR250 (includes soft drinks) QR395 (includes selected house beverages) QR680 (includes one bottle of bubbly) 4448 1250 West Bay Lagoon

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA HOTEL @ The Cafe Restaurant A popular venue with an international buffet, offering an excellent variety of dishes for a satisfying family feast.

12.30 – 16.00 QR250 (includes bubbly) 4484 4444 West Bay Lagoon

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA HOTEL @ The Fish Market An up-market brunch of ocean delights.

Featuring lobster, oysters, tiger prawns and the catch of the day cooked to your liking.

Plus live musical entertainment.

12.30 – 16.00 QR275 (includes house wines, bubbly and soft drinks) 4484 4444 West Bay Lagoon

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DOHA MARRIOTT HOTEL @ Restaurant Gallery Corniche

and

Incorporating all of the popular restaurants to offer a sumptuous feast of international flavours. There’s a kiddie zone to keep mini diners entertained.

12.00 – 15.00 QR235 (includes soft drinks) QR340 (includes selected house beverages and bubbly) 4429 8888 Khulaifat

MOVENPICK HOTEL @ Seasons Restaurant

A delicious brunch with a purse-friendly price tag. The international buffet offers salads, seafood, an array of main dishes and a selection of mouth-watering desserts. Plus, a supervised kiddie corner and child-friendly munchies.

12.00-15.30 QR185 (includes soft drinks) QR230 (with selected beverages) 4429 1111 Mirqab

RAMADA PLAZA HOTEL @ The Hyde Park Restaurant

A great value for money brunch, presenting a variety of International and Middle Eastern flavours. A feast of starters, mains and the all important chocolate fountain leading the desserts.

12.00 – 15.00 QR 140 (includes soft drinks) 190 (includes beverages and sparkling wine) 4428 1428 Rawdat Al Khail

RITZ-CARLTON HOTEL @ The Lagoon

A lavish buffet with a fusion of European, Arabic and Far Eastern dishes. Enjoy a lively, yet laid back atmosphere and impeccable service.

12.00 -15.30 QR 220 (includes soft drinks) 295 (includes selected beverages and bubbly) 4484 8000 West Bay Lagoon

ORYX ROTANA HOTEL @ Choices

Live music entertains while you indulge in a variety of appetizers, seafood, sushi, roasts and grills from the open kitchen.

Indoor and outdoor seating available.

12.00 – 15.00 QR210 (includes soft drinks) QR 285 (selected house beverages and bubbly) 4402 3333 Umm Ghuwaylina

SHARQ VILLAGE & SPA @ Al Liwan

An international buffet with a focus on Lebanese cuisine, traditional meets modern. Child-friendly favourites and divine desserts.

From 12.30 – 16.00 QR250 (Includes soft drinks) 4425 6666 Khulaifat

W HOTEL @ Market by Jean-Georges

An elegant brunch offering a buffet of international and Arabic dishes, inspired by fresh local produce. Dine to the live sounds of the Doha Jazz Band.

12.00 – 16.00 QR320 (includes selected beverages and sparkling wine) 4453 5353 West Bay

W HOTEL @ Spice Market

Innovative South East Asian cuisine creates a sumptuous brunch featuring Far Eastern flavours. Live cooking stations for dim sum, tempura and wok. Plus unique desserts, cool cocktails and child-friendly junior chopsticks. Plus DJs entertain with vibrant sounds.

12.00 – 16.00 Introductory price QR320 (includes selected beverages) 4453 5353 West Bay

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Grand Regency Tel: 4434 3333

LAGENDA Poolview restaurant that serves a mixture of Asian and Arabic cuisine on a wide buffet.

Holiday Villa Hotel & Residence Tel: 4408 4220

MAXILL Resident Chefs take it in turns to impress diners at this venue that offers all-day dining including a breakfast buffet and a la carte dinner and lunch.

Swiss-Belhoutel Tel: 4407 8888

THE GRILL A wide selection of meats, but also a nice choice of poultry desserts and vegetarian dishes. The Wagyu beef comes highly recommended, as does the grass-fed yearling. Nice garden views.

Grand Hyatt Doha Tel: 4448 1240

DOHA GOLF CLUB Ideal for a quiet drink, limited menu but still very nice food.

ITALIAN BICE One of the more popular eateries on the Pearl-Qatar, with fine Italian food in a casual friendly atmosphere.

The Pearl-Qatar Tel: 4495 3876

CUCINA Traditional Italian restaurant with notoriously fresh ingredients used. Good location in the center of town.

Rennaisance Doha Tel: 4488 6170

DI CAPRI Modern and moody, this venue is a low-lit treasure for trendy diners. Fresh food and interesting takes on Italian classics make each visit here worthwhile.

La Cigale Tel: 4428 8888

SPORTS

THE LAGOON An intriguing blend of Continental, Arabic and Far Eastern cuisines, with 40-foot high windows overlook landscaped gardens.

Ritz Carlton Hotel & Spa Tel: 4484 8000

SPICE MARKET Inspired by the best of South East Asia, this contemporary styled venue has no expense spared for the hotel’s signature restaurant. Family-style dining means that food continues to flow throughout the meal experience.

W Hotel Tel: 4453 5363

J G SANDWICH CELLER Traditional English fare at reasonable prices.

Ras Abu Abboud St Tel: 4435 7559

NIGHTS

LE CIGALON A sumptuous combination of a Continental and Mediterranean buffet and live cooking the in the open kitchen in this all-day dining venue.

La Cigale Hotel Tel: 4428 8888

SEASONS RESTERAUNT A huge Buffet that rotates through different theme nights througout the week. A particularly good Cheese fondue.

Movenpick Tel: 4429 1111

Spikes Bar & Fairways Tel: 4483 2338

EATS

LA BRASSERIE A varied little spot featuring a menu with a Meditteranean twist, but serving a wide range of dishes.

Mercure Grand Hotel Tel: 4446 2222

MAZE GORDON RAMSEY Gourmet food to share from the International Celebrity Chef. Probably the most interesting menu in the city.

The Pearl-Qatar Tel: 4495 3876

IL TEATRO Contemporary Italian cooking in an elegant venue

LEISURE BODIES Asia Live (see Far Eastern) picks dishes from Japan to Malaysia

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EATS NIGHTS SPORTS BODIES

LEISURE

with tranquil ambience. A nice outdoor terrace and interesting ‘Espresso’ business lunch concept.

Four Seasons Hotel Tel: 4494 8888 BD5-15 per person

LA VERANDA Nice views of the corniche complement this authentic spot that features a traditional wood-burning oven for fresh pizzas and prides itself on its past a night.

Sheraton Doha Tel: 4485 4488

PORCINI This five-star restaurant has excellent Italian fare delivered in a classy slick atmosphere. An open kitchen exhibits the fine cooking prowess and when the flavours hit your mouth, it will thank you!

The Ritz-Carlton Tel: 4484 8503

THE ITALIAN JOB Rustic decor that channels the 1969 film, and brings it with a sense of humour. Singing waiters and fresh food make this a memorable meal out.

Ramada Plaza Tel: 4428 1228

JAPANESE SAKURA Popular spot that’s famous for its Teppanyaki cooking

54

acrobatics. For all lovers of cuisine theatre, this is your place.

Ramada Plaza Tel: 4428 1428

YEN SUSHI BAR Featuring rice paper walls and handmade stools by Italian furniture design company Poltrona Frau, YEN Sushi Bar brings together the culinary essence of Japan with creatively-crafted sushi and sashimi presented through a rotating belt.

La Cigale Tel: 4428 8888

SUSHI MINTO A stylish and well-designed venue that served delicately prepared sushi, noodles and teppanyaki with new dishes from Sushi chef Agrifino.

Al Muthanna Complex, Salwa Road Tel: 4467 5577 / 4467 7055

LEBANESE AL LIWAN Here Chef de Cuisine Ali Hadla has seamlessly combined the traditional principles of Lebanese gastronomy with his own modern twist.

Sharq Village & Spa Tel: 4425 6222 BURJ AL HAMMAM An impressive assortment of traditional Lebanese dishes served in an upscale classy environment.

Porto Arabia, The Pearl Qatar Tel: 4495 3876

LE CIGALON An all-day-dining outlet located on the lobby level overlooking an open kitchen area and features a buffet for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

La Cigale Tel: 4428 8888

ZAMAN Authentic Lebanese fare on the rooftop of the hotel with BBQ section and interesting twists on Lebanese classics.

Millennium Hotel Tel: 4424 7777

AL MOURJAN This award-winner not only has great views across Doha’s West Bay, but boasts one of the biggest capacities in Doha. Worth visiting to find out what the fuss is about.

Corniche Tel: 4483 4423

MEDITERRANEAN LA VILLA On the 12th floor, this venue offers some good panoramas of the Corniche and West Bay, with a wide selection of Mediterranean favourites. A private room is also available for bookings.

Mercure Grand Hotel Tel: 4446 2222

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MYKONOS Experience all the flavours of Greek & Mediterranean cuisine, an ideal place to relax whilst enjoying the sun, the sea, fine food and an ambiance befitting its waterside location.

Intercontinental Doha Tel: 4484 4444

THE CELLAR Specialists in a variety of tapas as well as a worthy collection of vintage wines.

Oryx Rotana Tel: 4402 3333

IPANEMA Brazilian Churrascaria where you decide how much/fast you eat with roaming meat kebabs that you can receive selections off at the press of a button.

Rennaisance Doha Tel: 4488 6170

PAMPANO The same brand that was born in New York with Chef Richard Sandoval, this Modern Mexican at its best.

With contributions from Placido Domingo himself, any Mexican lover will be more than satisfied.

The Pearl Qatar Tel: 4424 7777

AL DANA With a front-row seat to one of Doha’s best beaches, this venue offers great views to complement the great food.

An exclusive enclave with show-kitchen, sushi counter and daily fish market.

Sharq Village & Spa Tel: 4425 6666

PONDEROSA STEAKHOUSE Excellent value buffet for all non-steak offerings, and a good selection of cuts and meats on the a la carte.

Very kid-friendly, not suitable for a night out. More a quick bite. No alcohol.

Salwa Road

FISH MARKET Attractive beachfront situation provides a great backdrop for the catch of the day offering some the freshest fish in town.

InterContinental Tel: 4484 4919

LE GRILL Meat connoisseurs will enjoy the care taken over good meat here. Chicken and seafood also get the gourmet treatment.

The Diplomatic Club Tel: 4484 7444

LA MER The Ritz’s signature restaurant on the 23rd floor, offers some stunning panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf.

Elegant and sophisticated design join gourmet french cuisine for an excellent experience.

The Ritz Carlton Tel: 4484 8503

THE OLD MANOR STEAKHOUSE A cosy little venue that offers traditional intimacy and old-world style. The pub food and juicy steaks mix well with a nice English brew, and there’s even regular sports on the plasma screens.

Mercure Grand Hotel Tel: 4446 2222

LE CENTRAL A genuine Mediterranean seafood experience, with a lively atmosphere thanks to a capacity of 220 people and LCD screens and live projectors displaying noteworthy events and happenings.

La Cigale Hotel Tel: 4428 8888 PIER 12 Gourmet seafood where only the best catches make the menu. Ahi Tuna, Dover Sole, you name it, it’s here, fresh from the sea.

Ramada Plaza Tel: 4428 1428 AL SAYYAD The Diplomatic Club Lunch: 12:00 - 15:15 (weekdays) Dinner: 19:00 - 23:30 Tel: 4484 7444

BEST FISH Al Mirqab Al Jadeed St, Al Sadd St Tel: 4443 8507 (Al Mirqab), 4442 1005 (Al Sadd) Lunch: 11:30 - 14:30 Dinner: 17:30 - 00:00

THAI

THAI SNACK HOUSE Popular Thai restaurant. No alcohol sold.

Al Mirqab Al Jadeed St Tel: 4432 9704

ISAAN One of Doha’s premier restaurants, named after the region in Thailand where food comes first! Stylish venue, strong cuisine and good service.

Grand Hyatt Tel: 4448 1250

TURKISH MARMARA ISTAMBUL Legendary Shwarmas. Will deliver to certain addresses.

Aziziya, Bin Omran, Al Sadd, Tel: 4447 4801 (Aziziya), 4436 2947 (Al Sadd)

FACT QATAR MARCH Qatar march Issue.indd 55

RETAIL

SALSA A concept restaurant that has strong Tex-Mex theme, complete with Wild West swing doors. Their trademark ‘Espadas de Carbon’ are arm-length skewers of meaty goodness.

Doha Marriot Tel: 4429 8464

NEW YORK STEAKHOUSE Modern Steakhouse with a wide selection of meats and cuts in convenient central location.

Rennaisance Doha Tel: 4488 6170

BODIES

PALOMA Everything from Fajitas to Burritos, Chimichangas to steaks served here. Along with the Colombian live band, the atmosphere is fun and light, and the meals filling and tasty.

InterContinental Tel: 4484 4919

SEAFOOD

JW STEAKHOUSE This venue offers a gentlemen’s club feel with leather armchairs and carpets. Large portions will feed hungry diners, with a nice exhibition kitchen on display too.

Doha Marriot Tel: 4429 8218

LEISURE

SOUTH AMERICAN

TANGIA Cooking up the spirit of Morrocco, this traditional venue brings wholesome hearty Moroccan fare, with occasional authentic musicians and an excellent Couscous Royale.

Grand Regency Hotel Tel: 4343 3333

STEAKHOUSES

SPORTS

ROCCA Excelent service, very friendly. Food is also very nice.

Grand Hyatt Tel: 4448 1270

MORROCAN

PIRATES COVE Sheraton Doha Tel: 4485 4444 19:00 - 23:30

NIGHTS

MARKET BY JEAN-GEORGES This re-imagining of modern dining sees Chef JeanGeorges invting you into his kitchen where casual Mediterranean fare is prepared fresh in full view. Lush decor and moody style pervades.

W Hotel Tel: 4453 5373

LATINOS Newly opened South American themed restaruant.

Relaxed atmosphere with live Latino music. Nice food.

Sheraton Doha Tel: 4485 4444

EATS

LE CENTRAL This mezannine outlet attracts some of the movers and shakers of the country with it’s Wagyu offering and Black Angus selection. An antipasto station and business lunch round-out the attraction.

La Cigale Tel: 4428 8888

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BARS AND CLUBS

BODIES

LEISURE

SPORTS

NIGHTS

EATS

BELGIAN BEER CAFE This concept bar provides a more varied selection of beers amongst a classy, chilled out vibe provided by the nice wooden interior design. Very traditional Belgian/European feel to the bar and the food they provide.

Free Entrance Intercontinental Doha Tel: 44844444 LAVA BAR & LOUNGE One of the newest venues in Doha, Lava has a modern feel to it and is a good place to sit with a group of friends to enjoy some drinks and music.

Is pretty much one large corridor, so it is easy to find your way around and back to your seat.

Free Entrance Intercontinental Doha Tel: 44844444 THE IRISH HARP One of, if not the, most popular bars in Doha, gets very busy during the weekend. Live music and a local DJ play the songs we all love to listen and dance to after a few drinks. Membership needed so new visitors will need to pay to get in but entrance is free thereafter.

QR 30 Entrance Sheraton Doha Tel: 4485 4444 MADISON PIANO BAR Live Arabic music courtesy of their resident musician to a backdrop of classy seating and decorations, suitable for a quiet drink/date.

Cocktails, light snacks and canapĂŠs served here.

La Cigale Tel: 4428 8888 SKY VIEW Wonderful views of Doha from this suitably named rooftop lounge. A wide range of tasty cocktails and light snack served to the tunes of a chilling DJ mix. The bars here seem to be a popular place amongst the Lebanese crowd.

La Cigale Tel: 4428 8888 7 NIGHT CLUB This trendy spot (opened September 2010) is already a popular venue for clubbers and socialites.

QR100 for membership La Cigale Tel: 4428 8888 PEARL LOUNGE One of the original clubs in Doha and yet still remains slick and chic. Bars on each of the two levels as well as a special VIP area for those who wish to drink separate from the masses. A mezzanine level offers a unique view of the club.

Marriot Doha Tel: 4429 8444 BUBBLES ON 2 Champagne and caviar bar, two levels with a bar on each and live piano music occationally.

Ramada Plaza Tel: 44281428 MANHATTAN Very small, intimate bar which is quite popular amongst the Western expat community.

Ramada Plaza Tel: 44281428 THE LIBRARY Rooftop cocktail lounge with a reasonably exclusive feel to it and spectacular views of the city.

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Ramada Plaza Tel: 44281428 SHEHRAZAD LOUNGE BAR & IRISH TERRACE Very popular when hosting The Laughter Factory and the institution which is the monthly Quiz so book early. Also quite a popular place to watch the English Premier League on one of the many small screens scattered around the bar. Hosts the yearly Octoberfest too.

Ramada Plaza Tel: 44281428 QUBE One of the largest clubs in Doha with a great sound system. Occasionally hosts live music as well as the regular DJs playing the latest club and chart hits.

Annually holds the Battle of the Bands competition.

Ramada Plaza Tel: 44281428

CIGAR LOUNGE Quite small but very nice and quiet bar to enjoy a cocktail and a Cuban. Offers a repository of the world’s most exclusive selection of cigars.

Sharq Village & Spa Tel: 4425 6666 WAHM A very modern bar in unison with the rest of this classy and hugely popular hotel. Seating arrangements inside and out have a quite traditional Arabic feel to them with the comfy corner chairs forming a circle around a center table. Swimming pool outside.

W Hotel Doha Tel: 4453 5000 CRYSTAL LOUNGE Clubbers in Doha tend to flock to this classy popular modern night club and wont be disappointed by the modern club music played by a live DJ. W Hotel Doha Tel: 4453 5000

FACT QATAR MARCH

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27/02/2012 19:30

Seven, at CIgale Hotel...one of Qatar’s top nightspots is bringing the capital’s nightlife into the 21st century

EATS NIGHTS SPORTS LEISURE

APRES SPA CAFE TERRACCE Another exclusive, classy venue serving colourful cocktails and gourmet snacks.

Four Seasons Hotel Tel: 4494 8282 THE CELLAR Mediterranian tapas and a wide variety of vintage wines provided.

Oryx Rotana Tel: 4402 3333

JAZZ CLUB The sounds of Bourbon Street Jazz and Blues as well as refined cuisine.

Oryx Rotana Tel: 4402 3333 DOHA RUGBY CLUB A very busy bar (with inexpensive drinks by Doha standards) on a Friday and Saturday with occasional live music makes for a boisterous and fun filled evening. Membership is needed and there is quite a long waiting list, but members can sign two friends in at a time.

Doha Rugby Club Tel: 44683771 PIANO PIANO Relaxed Euro-American bar with a modern yet cosy atmosphere. Perfect for apres-work beverages, business meetings, or an easy evening with friends. Live jazz on

fridays from 21:00. Piano music entertains the rest of the week.

Movenpick Hotel Tel: 4429 1111 THE LOUNGE Stylish bar with a relaxed atmosphere, which specialises in cocktails. Only small bites to eat, but the intimate feel more than makes up for it.

Kempinksi Residences & Suites Tel: 4405 3333 ADMIRAL CLUB Trendy marina-side lounge with a club-like atmosphere. Features an indoor lounge-bar and outdoor terrace boasting incredible views of the Gulf.

Rityz Carlton Doha Tel: 4484 8484

FACT QATAR MARCH Qatar march Issue.indd 57

BODIES

LIBRARY & CIGAR LOUNGE An exclusive cocktail bar which serves a signature cocktail of Louis XIII cognac and Dom Perignon Millenium champagne and ‘home made infused vodka martinis’.

Four Seasons Hotel Tel: 4494 8282

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EATS

AEROBICS AL MASSA ACTIVE A variety of fitness classes as well as membership options. Separate men and womens clubs located next to each other behind Jarir Bookstore and on Salwa Road.

Tel: 4436 4850 (men) 4444 4161 (ladies)

LEISURE

SPORTS

NIGHTS

ASPIRE ACADEMY FOR SPORTS EXCELLENCE A range of fitness classes offered for men, women and children. www.aspire.qa Tel: 4413 6219 BOOT CAMP QATAR This is a group-based, structure, 60-minute class held at either Corniche Park (near Sheraton Doha) or ASPIRE Park.

Classes start 06:00, and 19:30 on wwekdays and 10:00 on Sun, Tue Thur.

Tel: 6685 4556 info@bootcampqatar.com CONTOURS EXPRESS Ladies only, at any fitness level. 29-minute Express Workout Daily from 07:00 -20:00 Tel: 4498 0099 www.contoursexpress.com CURVES Designed for the busy women, no men.

A Complete cardio and strength training workout in only 30 minutes.

Al Waab or near Landmark Mall Tel: 4469 9955 (Al Waab) 4421 7755 (Landmark) Email: doha@curvesme.com www.curves.com ENERGIE Villagio based fitness club.

Email: info@energie-qa.com www.energie-qa.com

BODIES

FITNESS FIRST City Center Doha, Level 3 Tel: 4411 5999 www.fitnessfirst.com FOUR SEASONS HOTEL DOHA Pilates classes every Monday and Wednesday 09:45 - 10:45am Tel: 4494 8888 INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA’S BAY CLUB Personal and group circuit training for members only.

Tel: 4484 4852 LA CIGALE’S OZONE SPA & GYM Fitness and resistance training. Non members pay a daily rate and can use all facilities available.

Tel: 4428 8888 SHERATON DOHA HEALTH & RECREATION CENTRE Pilates classes every Monday and

58

Wednesday and power-pilates on Thursday Tel: 4485 4600

Call Gail on 5581 1796 www.dohadartsleague.com

BADMINTON

FENCING

RAMADA’S CABANA CLUB Members and their guests attend Badminton socials held on Friday evenings.

Tel: 4428 1621

QATAR FENCING FEDERATION Classes available for dedicated beginners and advanced levels.

Training sessions from Sunday to Thursday 16:00 - 19:00 Tariq Bin Ziyad Training Centre, Al Sadd Tel: 4483 8392 Email qff@olympic.qa or visit www. qatarfencing.org

QATAR BADMINTON ACADEMY Junior badminton players and training for children.

Email: qatarbadmintonacademy@gmail. com

BASEBALL Qatar Little League American Baseball Open to all English-speaking boys and girls, aged 4-18 years.

Tel: 5556 0975

BASKETBALL RAMADA’S CABANA CLUB Members and their guests, Badminton nights on Sundays and Tuesdays.

Tel: 4428 1621

BOWLING STRIKE BOWLING 10-lane alley.

City Center-Doha’s Winter Wonderland, Ground Floor Open Saturday to Wednesday 10:00 22:00, Thursday 10:00 - 23:30 Friday 13:00 - 22:00 Tel: 4483 9162 GONDOLANIA BOWLING CENTER 12-lane alley.

Villagio Mall, Gondolania Theme Park.

Open Saturday to Wednesday 12pm 11pm Thursday 10am - 12pm Friday 2pm - 11:30pm Tel: 4403 9807 / 8 www.gondolania.com

CYCLING QATAR CHAIN REACTION Weekly road and mountain bike rides for all levels of cyclists in a multi-cultural group. www.qatarchainreaction.com or email xtfuel@gmail.com.

QATAR CYCLING FEDERATION Open to all keen cyclist. Regular rides and road races, individual and team races, moutain biking and time trials.

Tel: 4447 5522 www.qatarcf.org

DARTS DOHA DARTS LEAGUE Played at various venues around Doha on a Wednesday night.

FISHING FISHING TRIPS Through the Sheraton Doha (4485 4600) or Bassel direct on 5551 8100 QATAR SEA ANGLING ASSOCIATION Meets monthly and holds regular fishing cmpetitions.

Tel: 5550 1906 / 5589 4962 THE DIPLOMATIC CLUB Fishing trips arranged for members and non-members.

Tel: 4484 7444

FOOTBALL EVOLUTION FOOTBALL ACADEMY Top football training and instruction for children of all ages. www.evolutionsoccer.com EVOLUTION LADIES SOCCER Doha College 19:00 - 20:00 Tel: Richard 5500 4697 info@evolutionsoccer.co.uk QATAR WOMEN’S FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION For all ladies over 16-years old.

Email: qatar.wfa@gmail.com

FLYING QATAR AERONAUTICAL COLLEGE Located on the Ras Abou Abboud Expressway. Try your hand at being a high flyer.

Tel: 4432 9101 www.qac.edu.qa

FRISBEE Doha Ultimate Frisbee Federation Frisbee enthusiasts unite in Doha!

Tel: 4427 2913

GOLF DOHA GOLF CLUB 18-hole championship course, nine-hole floodlit academy course, putting and chipping greens and world class practice

FACT QATAR MARCH

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Doha Golf Club...the greenest place in the country?

EATS NIGHTS SPORTS

QATAR GOLF ACADEMY Tuition by qualified PGA pro’s at Doha Golf Club for adults and juniors.

Tel: 4496 0755 wwwdohagolfclub.com Email: academy@academy.com

HOCKEY

WANDERERS (Francis 4477 6240) PAKISTAN (Ajmal 5521 1703) GATEWAY (Ajit Menon 5581 3229) QATAR HOCKEY ACADEMY Coaching offered for a limited number of 6-15 year olds.

Call Mohammed Abdul Nazar 5587 8317

HORSE RIDING AL SAMARIYA STABLES

AL SHAQAB RIDING ACADEMY Group or private lessons in riding, dressage and show jumping.

Tel: 4481 2061 www.alshaqab.com QATAR RACING & EQUESTRIAN CLUB Horse racing season runs from October to May, races every thursday 16:-- 19:00. Entrance is free.

Al Rayyan Tel: 4482 5701 / 3 www.qrec.gov.qa QATAR RACING & EQUESTRIAN CLUB RIDING SCHOOL For new and experienced riders, lessons three times a week and are 45 minutes long.

Tel: 4480 7413 www.qrec.gov.qa

ICE SKATING GONDOLANIA ICE ARENA Full size ice rink. Beginners and advanced ice hockey and figure skating lessons available.

Villagio Mall Saturday to Wednesday 10:00 - 22:00 Thursday 10:00 - 23:30

Friday 13:00 - 23:30 Tel: 4440 3987 / 8 QATAR MINOR ICE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION For children aged 5 - 17 years.

Villagio, Gongolania Ice Rink Email: presedent@qataricehockey. com WINTER WONDERLAND Full size rink, ice hockey league games held on Thursday evenings at 10pm.

Tel: 4483 9163

KARTING GONDOLANIA THEME PARK Indoor karting track that measures 300m and can accomodate 8 drivers at a time.

11:00 - 23:00

KITE SURFING QATAR KITE SURFING CLUB Lessons offered by IKO registered instructors.

Tel: 5535 0336 (Jonathan) Email: qatarkitesurfing@hotmail.com

MARINE MOTOR SPORTS POWERBOATING 21-foot powerboats for rent Sunday to Thursday for waterskiing, wakeboarding and FACT QATAR MARCH

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BODIES

EXPATRIATE HOCKEY CLUBS: DOHA HOCKEY CLUB Open for all ages and standards, men and women. Played on astroturf at Al Rayyan Sports Club from September to May. Training sessions, league matches, tournaments and international tours. www.dohahockeyclub.com

Group or private lessons.

Sheik Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani’s farm Tel: 5525 7203 www.fbqmuseum.com Email: samstables2008@yahoo.com

LEISURE

facilities.

Daily 06:00 - 23:00 Tel: 4496 0777 www.dohagoldclub.com

59 27/02/2012 19:30

EATS

day trips. Six persons per boat.

Diplomatic Club Tel: 4484 7450 QATAR MARINE SPORTS FEDERATION Jetskiing and powerboat renting Tel: 4437 974 www.qmsf.org

MARTIAL ARTS

SPORTS

NIGHTS

KARATE Ramada’s Cabana Club Firday and Saturday 09:00-10:00 Tel: 4441 7417

LEISURE BODIES

DOHA HASH HOUSE HARRIERS Running club for families Tel: 5586 9492 (Alex) Email: abkuw@yahoo.com INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL DOHA BAY CLUB Run along Doha Corniche every Tuesday at 19:00.

Tel: 4484 4852 QTHLETICS TRACK AND FEILD CLUB Tel: 4442 6328 www.qmotion.com.qa

SHOTOKAN KARATE The International Academy for Intercultural Development Tel: 4432 0974

SAILING

The Qatari Centre for Self Defence (near TV Roundabout) Monday, Wednesday and Saturday Tel: 5584 8749 Capt Mohammed Al Naggar (4th Dan Black Belt and member of the Japan Karate Federation)

REGATTA SAILING ACCADEMY Professional dinghy and windsurfing instruction for everyone. Weekend racing for the more advanced.

Tel: 5550 7846, 4442 4577 Email: regatta@qatar.net.qa www.regattasailingacademy.com

TAEKWONDO Falcon Taekwondo Academy, The Center (Near Ramada) Tel: 4442 3012 4431 4415

FOUR SEASONS MARINA Professional yacht instruction and racing on Corby 28 and Kerr 9 m. Corportate days and yacht charter.

Tel: 4442 4577 Email: regatta@qatar.net.qa www.regattasailingacademy.com

Korea Taekwondo Centre Tel: 4465 9066 Coach JK Shin (7th Dan Black Belt) 5556 3305

MOTOR CYCLING MOTORCYCLING RALLIES Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation Tel: 4437 9800 www.qmmf.com QATAR MOTORCYCLING GROUP (QMG) An active group of motorcyclist that meet weekly for outings near Sealine Beach Resort and on Qatar’s roads Tel: Tim Stevens 5550 7876 E-mail: qmg@hotmail.co.uk www.zapmans.net/forum HOG QATAR Qatar’s Harley Davidson group. Friday morning rides held every week.

Tel: Carl 5532 3680 E-mail: caldous@gmail.com

RUGBY DOHA RUGBY UNION FC Matches and training Saturday to Wednesday from 17:00.

Near Doha College www.doharfc.com Tel: 4468 3771

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RUNNING

DOHA SAILING CLUB Tel: 4443 9840

ROYAL YACHTING ASSOCIATION COURSES Evening classes for internationally recognised sailing qualifications www.ryacourses-qatar.com

SAND SPORTS DESERT QUADS Sealine Beach Resort Tel: 4476 5299

SCUBA DIVING / SNORKELING DOHA SUB-AQUA CLUB A branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club offers BSAC training for new and experienced divers.

Meetings on Tuesday evening Tel: 5583 6240 lisanne.jones1704@gmail.com www.dohasubaquaclub.com

RAMADA’S CABANA CLUB Social squash matches on Sunday Ramada Plaza Members and their guests only Tel: 4428 1621 / 1622 SHERATON DOHA HEALTH & RECREATION CENTER Social squash matches on Monday and Wednesday.

Sheraton Doha Tel: 4483 6363, 4485 4600 THE DIPLOMATIC CLUB Tennis and squash lessons for members and non-members Tel: 4484 7444

SWIMMING DOHA DOLPHINS Toddlers and adults.

Tel: 4442 6329 www.qmotion.com.qa H20 SWIM CLUB Swimming lessons, for children and adults.

Mother and tot groups and aerobics classes.

American School Tel: 5556 8631 (Seema Pascoe) Email: info@h20swimclub.com www.h20swimclub.com INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA’S BAY CLUB Private or group lessons for members and nonmembers available.

Intercontinental Doha Tel: 4484 4852 RAMADA’S CABANA CLUB Group swimming lessons for children, Monday and Wednesday.

4pm - 5pm & 5pm - 6pm Tel: 4428 1621, 4428 1622 RITZ-CARLTON DOHA SPA & FITNESS Individual swimming lessons available to children and adults.

Weekdays, 09:00 - 18:00 Tel: 4484 8173 THE DIPLOMATIC CLUB Swimming lessons to members and nonmembers Tel: 4484 7444 TIDAL WAVES SWIM CLUB Lessons available for children from 5-18 years.

All instructors hold British qualification. www.tidalwavesswimclub.com

SQUASH

TENNIS

DUFFERS SQUASH LEAGUE Email: chris_coull@hotmail.com www.squashleagues.com

ELITE TENNIS ACADEMY Mini tennish (4 - 18 year olds), indoor. Adult development programmes, beginners to advanced. Cardio tennish and ladies morning sessions also available Tel: 5566 4747 (Eric) Email: info@elite-tennisacademy.com www.elite-tennisacademy.com

KHALIFA TENNIS & SQUASH COMPLEX 29 tennis courts and 2 sqush courts available by the hour to hire Tel: 4440 9666

KHALIFA TENNIS & SQUASH

FACT QATAR MARCH

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Khalifa Stadium at ASPIRE, once lonely, will have very many stadium friends in the near future

EATS NIGHTS SPORTS

INTERCONTINENTAL’S BAY CLUB Tennis clinics and private lessons for children and adults. Friday and Saturday 18:00 -20:00 Tel: 4484 4852

SEALINE BEACH RESORT Floodlit tennis court.

QR 20 per hour Tel: 4476 8173 SHERATON DOHA HEALTH & RECREATION CENTER Mixed tennis socials every friday 16:00 - 19:00.

Ladies only on Tuesday and Sunday 09:00 12:00 Sheraton Doha Tel: 4483 6363, 4485 4600 THE DIPLOMATIC CLUB Tennis and squash lessons for members and non-members Tel: 4484 7444

TRAMPOLINING

SHERATON DOHA HEALTH & RECREATION CENTER Offers yoga and pilates combo classes every day execpt Monday Tel:4485 4600

VOLLEYBALL

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL DOHA Monday and Wednesday 8:30 - 9:30 (advanced), 11:00 - 12:00 (beginners) Tuesday 17:30 - 18:30 (beginners and advanced) Members and Non-members Tel: 4494 8888

3RD FILIPINO VOLLEYBALL ASSOCIATION Tournaments at the Philippine International School on Fridays from 5pm Tel: 5537 5994 (Joey) RAMADA’S CABANA CLUB Volleyball night on Sunday and Wednesday 19:00 - 21:00 Tel: 4428 1621 / 1622

YOGA INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY FOR INTERCULTURAL DEVELOPMENT Mixed and ladies classes on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Tel: 4432 0974 INTERCONTINENTAL’S BAY CLUB Sunday and Tuesday 06:30 Monday and Wednesday 19:00 Tel: 4484 4852

YAMA TOGA STUDIOS Full range of yoga classes for beginners to advanced Tel: 4494 8888 SIX SENSES SPA ‘Hot’ yoga classes in a specially heated room.

Sharq Village & Spa QR 50 per lessson (includes towels, mat, water & use of facilities) Tel: 4425 6999 www.grassrootsyoga.com THE MERZAM RESIDENCE Ashtange and Hot Yoga classes.

Tel: 4431 4168 www.merzamhotels.com FACT QATAR MARCH

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BODIES

RAMADA’S CABANA CLUB Social tennis matches held on Wednesday and Friday. Private lessons daily execpt Saturday.

Ramada Plaza Tel: 4428 1621 / 1622

GYMNASTICS ACADEMY Keep fit and have fun, or hone your kite surfing and wake baording skills.

Doha English Speaking School Tel: 6664 5032 salomemig@hotmail.com

LEISURE

COMPLEX 29 tennis courts and 2 sqush courts available by the hour to hire Tel: 4440 9666

61 27/02/2012 19:30

WORTH YOUR TIME

www.mathaf.org.qa Excellent new art space showing some of the best in Arabic modern art.

LEISURE

SPORTS

NIGHTS

EATS

MATHAF - MODERN ART MUSEUM

ART AND CRAFT AL HOSH AL QATARI LIL FUNOON GALLERY

Local and regional art, located in the heart of the souk.

Souk Wakif, Jasra Tel: 4441 1305 Sat to Thurs 09:00 - 12:00, 16:00 22:00 Fri 16:00 - 22:00

AL MARKHIYA GALLERY

Permanent and temporary exhibition highlighting emerging and established talent, working with major international galleries.

Souk Wakif, Jasra Tel: 4442 8007 Sat to Thurs 10am - 12pm, 4pm10pm Fri 4pm - 10pm

BODIES

MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART A stunning architectual landmark.

Al Corniche St, Doha Port Sat - Thurs 10:30 - 17:30 Fri 14:00 - 20:00 Tel: 4422 4444

MATHAF - ARABIC MUSEUM OF MODERN ART Modern art collection transformed into large contemporary gallery with regular exhibitions from local artists. www.mathaf.org.qa

QATAR ISLAMIC CULTURAL CENTRE

Regular exhibitions and workshops in painting, drawing, design and ceramics.

Abdullah bin Jassim St Tel: 4425 0250

QATAR QUILT GUILD

Women only meet at various times throughout the month for sewing

62

workshops.

Email: qqguild@hotmail.com

Al Shamal Rd, Umm Salal

SEWING ART STUDIO

UMM SALAL MOHAMMED FORT

Group meets on alternate Wednesdays Tel: 585 2154 (Sveltana) www.lekala.com.qa

HERITAGE AL KOOT FORT

Houses a ethnographical museum Al Asmakh St, Jasra Tel: 4442 4143

AL WAJBAH FORT

Oldest and most attractive for in the whole state 15km north of Doha, New Al Rayyan 200 fils entrance 08:00 - 14:00

AL ZUBARAH

A fort-tuened museum, constructed in 1938 Al Zubarah, Shamal

BARZAN TOWER

Originally built as a watchtower some time in the 19th century Wadi al Waiba St, Umm Slal

DOHA ZOO

Several enclosures, with the reptile section being the most interesting.

Al Waab St, Aziziyah 09:00 -19:00, Sat - Thur 13:30 - 19:00 Fri Tel: 4468 2610

JEBEL JASSASSIYEH

Thousand year old rock carvings on view here 60km north of Doha, towards Al Huwailah, Shamal

UMM SALAL ALI

Site of a field of historic grave mounds, about 27km North of Doha.

Built in the 20th Century for military purposes.

Al Shamal Rd, Umm Salal

BEACHES KHOR AL UDEID/THE INLAND SEA At the southeast tip of Qatar. Popular beach outside of Doha.

Near Mesaieed

SEALINE BEACH RESORT

Hotel, two swimming pools and landscaped grounds. Villas available and chalets available for overnight, weekend and holiday hire, also open for day visitors. Watersports and dune buggies available.

Just South of Mesaieed Tel: 4476 8173

DOHA MARRIOT HOTEL Ras Abu Aboud St. Tel: 4429 8499

SHARQ VILLAGE & SPA

Ras Abu Aboud St 08:00 - 22:00 Day pass - QR150/175 per person Tel: 4425 6666

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA Al Astiqlal Rd QR180 per person QR150 per person (with a member) QR80 for children Tel: 4484 4444

GRAND HYATT DOHA

West Bay Lagoon QR150 for pool &beach facilities, QR250 including gym facilities.

Tel: 4448 1234

FACT QATAR MARCH

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RITZ-CARLTON HOTEL & SPA Tel: 4484 8000

ALADDIN’S KINGDOM 18 games and rides, including rollercoaseters and trampolines Open 16:00 - 22:00 Mon to Sat Omaiza St, West Bay Tel: 4483 1001

CIRCUSLAND

GONDOLANIA

Newist indoor theme park with rides, 4D cinema, go-karting and a bowling alley Villagio Mall, Al Waab St. Open Sat to Wed 09:00 - 23:00 Thurs 09:00 - 00:00 Fri 14:00 - 00:00 Tel: 4451 9993 www.playlandco.com

DOHA PLAYERS

Act in an amature production - various shows take place throughout the year. Or help behind the scenes Tel: 4447 4911

QATAR GUEST CENTRE

HOBBIES QATAR PHOTOGRAPHY SOCIETY

MUSIC & SINGING

Improve your photography, take part in exhibitions and critique other members work.

Tel: 4467 7793

CAFE CERAMIQUE

Paint various crockery and enjoy a snack at the same time The Mall, Old Airport Tel: 4467 1100

CERAMICS GALORE

DANCE

KIDZART

Kids painting and handicrafts activities.

Salwa Road Open Sat 9:30 - 23:30 Tel: 4435 2598

Courses include watercolour, chalk pastels, sculpture and more.

Gympanzee, Villagio Mall Tel: 5566 4402

QATAR PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

The largest collection of international standard musicians performing regularly throughout the year.

Tel: 5520 6319 qpo@qf.org.qa

INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR MUSIC

Musical lessons for all kinds of instruments.

Tel: 4467 1354

DOHA SINGERS

Regular singing troupe, with rehearsalas and performances throughout the year.

Tel: 5557 4671

DOHA COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA

Adults and children welcome at this casual concert group, either as listenres or players!

Tel: 5521 2257

LEISURE

A range of forms taught, including classical ballet, jazz and more.

Tel: 4442 8351

Full range of professional language courses with varying length. Languages include Arabic, French, Spanish, German and more.

Tel: 4455 0506

Casual evening classes (free of charge) for people wanting to learn Arabic (textbooks not included).

Tel: 4486 2390 www.qgc.com.qa

Indoor theme park with nine attractions.

Hyatt Plaza, Muraikh Open Sun to Thurs 13:00 - 22:00 Sat 10:00 - 22:00 Tel: 4469 4848

DOHA COLLEGE

BERLITZ

SPORTS

JUNGLE ZONE

DRAMA

LANGUAGE

NIGHTS

Rides, games and an activity zone suitable for children under 12 Open Sat to Thurs 9am - 10pm Fri 15:00 - 22:00 Landmark Mall, Umm Lekhba Tel: 4487 6333

All ages and levels welcome for courses in Royal Academy Ballet, hip hop, and more.

Tel: 4467 1354

EATS

KIDS

INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR MUSIC

Sharq Village & Spa’s beach... one of the best ways to enjoy the Arabian Gulf

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EATS

SALONS BRAVO SPA Hair cuts and basic beauty treatments Rawdat Al Khail 10:30 - 20:00 Tel: 4435 5868

NIGHTS

COIFFURE FRANCAISE Haircuts for women only.

Salwa Rd, New Al Khulaifat Daily 08:30-12:00, 15:30-19:00 Tel: 4468 9211 CUT (BY ALEXANDRE ZOUARI) W Doha Hotel & Residences, West Bay 09:00 - 21:00 Tel: 4453 5353

SPORTS LEISURE BODIES

STUDIO 1 Al Mirqab Al Jadeed St, Markab 09:30 - 19:30 Tel: 4444 7494 STYLO LADIES BEAUTY CENTER Al Sadd 09:00 - 13:00, 15:30 - 20:30 (15:00 21:00 Fri) Tel: 4436 3626

HEALTH SPAS

FRANCK PROVOST Four Seasons Hotel, West Bay Tel: 4494 8888 9:00 - 20:30 (15:30 - 21:30 Fri)

ANGSANA SPA Javanese, Thai, Ayurvedic, Indian Head Massages, Shirodhara Treatment, Rainmist and Angsana Spa Packages. Micure/Pedicure. Facial and hydrotherapy packages. Hydrothermal treatment facilities such as sauna, cold mist shower, steam essance and Pelotherapy Chamber.

Grand Regency Tel: 4434 3152

GLOW AMERICAN SALON Salwa Rd, Al Wabb & Beach Tower, West Bay 10:00 - 19:00 (Tue - Thurs) 11:00 - 20:00 (Fri) 10:00 - 19:00 (Sat - Sun) Beach Towe, West Bay Tel: 4468 9945 Salwa, 6686 4220 Beach Tower

BAY VIEW 26 WELLNESS CENTRE Aromatherapy, Deep Tissue massage, Swedish masage, combination massage, foot relexology, Head Massage & foodt/hand/back massages.

Movenpick Towe & Suites Doha, West Bay Tel: 4496 6410 tower.doha@moevenpick.com moevenpick-doha-tower.com

MANILA BEAUTY SALON Al Buhaira St, Tarfa 08:30 - 20:30 (16:00 - 20:30 Fri) Tel: 4443 6164

BE BLOOM BEAUTY CENTRE & SPA Purifying or oily skin programme, anti-aging and refining programme, whitening programme, winter programme, summer programme and oxy-peeling facial programme.

Montaza Rd, Hilal Area, Altadanum roundabout, Villa 10.

Tel: 4455 4422 bebloomsaloon@yahoo.com

DIPLOMATIC CLUB BEAUTY CENTER Al Istiqlal St, West Bay Lagoon 09:00 - 21:00 Tel: 4484 7444

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SHERATON SALON FOR LADIES Women only Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, West Bay 09:30 - 13:00, 14:00 - 20:00 Tel: 4485 4444

MICHEL Intercontinental Doha Hotel, West Bay Lagoon 09:30 - 20:30 Tel: 4484 4444

PARIS NAILS Al Markhiya St, Duhail Tel: 4487 8643

BIO-BIL HEALTH BEAUTY & SPA Ladies: relaxing body massage, reflexology and foot spa. Manicure/pedicure. Hair removal.

Body treatments and Morrocan bath. Makeup.

Facials.

Men: facials, manicure/pedicure and relaxing head, neck and back massage offered in a separate venue downstairs.

Bilal Suites Tel: 4493 4433

PATRICE SALON Men’s salon.

Landmark Mall, Villagio Mall, Sheraton 09:30 - 21:00 (15:00 - 21:00 Fri) Tel: 4486 5970 (Landmark), 4450 7199 (Villagio), 4485 4012 (Sheraton)

BLISS SPA Various face and body treatments, oxygen treatments, laconium room, waxing and nail services. Separate amenities for men and women.

W Doha Hotel Tel: 4453 5555

PINKIES Full primping with manipedis, reflexology and massages Freej Abdul Aziz Tel: 4431 7959

BRAVO SPA Massages, hammam and threading.

Ramada Junction, Rawdat Al Khail Tel: 4435 5868

NAILS Nail treatments, therapies for hands and feet, and more.

Al Sadd Tel: 4413 0222

CABANA CLUB Swedish reflexology massages on offer.

Ramada Plaza Doha, Rawdat Al Khail Tel: 4441 7417 DADOS SPA One of the newist Spas in Doha.

Lusail Street, West Bay Tel: 4498 0033 DIPLOMATIC CLUB SPA Luxury spa with plunge pools.

Al Istiqal Street, West Bay Lagoon Tel: 4484 7444 DIVA LOUNGE BEAUTY SALON Based on the elements of earth, wind, fire and water. Indulge your senses with the holistic approach to treatment.

Al Kinana St, Al Sadd 09:00 - 22:00 Tel: 4431 8488 DOHA MARRIOT SPA Aromatic, hot stone, Swedish, Shiatsu, back, neck and shoulders massages. Hydrotherapy available includes Turkish bath, therapy baths, foot bath, plunge pool, steam room.

Reflexology. Body treatments. Fantasy Spray tanning services. The Juice Bar offers healthy snacks and meals.

Doha Marriot Tel: 4429 8520 FOUR SEASONS SPA & WELLNESS CENTER 11 treatment rooms including a Private Spa Suite where a wide range of treatments, massages and facials are offered for the ultimate therapeutic experience. The restorative cycle begins with water in the Spa’s chemical-free hydrotherapy lounge.

Four Seasons Hotel, West Bay Tel: 4494 8801 HABIBS HAIR N BEAUTY SPA Purifying back treatment, hydro-active mineral salt scrub, thermo stamp back massage, quick tension release, luxury foot massage, aromatherapy treatment and ayurveda body massage.

Al Sadd, opposite Royal Plaza Mall Tel: 4413 0672 / 5554 0938 / 5552 3836 INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA SPA Swedish, shiatsu and sports massages. Body treatments. Reflexology. Steam room and plunge pool.

Intercontinental Doha, West Bay Lagoon Tel: 4484 4444 JAULA SPA Aromatherapy, Muscle Release, Nurturing Mother massages, body treatments and rituals, facials, hair removal, scalp and hair treatments.

Grand Hyatt Doha Tel: 4448 1056 LADY SIAM MASSAGE Thai massage. Women only.

Al Kinana St, Markab Tel: 4435 4115

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EATS

LUCIE SAINT-CLAIR Harmonising, anti-cellulite, correcting back massages, facial and body treatments, manicure/ predicure Royal Plaza Tel: 4447 7725 OZONE GYM & SPA Faicial and body treatments, hydrotherapy massage, steam room, sauna, indoor swimming pool and jacuzzi.

La Cigale Hotel, Sultan Bin Hamad Street Tel: 4428 8888

NIGHTS

MEDICAL CITY Hydro, thermal stone, aromatherapy, Ayurvedic, Thai, Swedish, shoulder, neck and back Thaiyoga massages. Reflexology. Morrocan bath, Balinese Island, Japanese and various other body treatments. Hair removal, manicure/ predicure and a number of facial treatments.

Dermatology Clinic offers microdermabrasion and IPL L900 epliation treatments.

Villagio Tel: 4451 7725

SPORTS

PURE SPA Moroccan and aromatic bath treatments. Steam room, sauna and jacuzzi. Massage and body treatments. Facials. Manicure/predicure.

Millenium Hotel Tel: 4424 7777

LEISURE

RECREATION CLUB Gym and outdoor pool, beach, watersports, massages, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room.

Al Istiqlal St, West Bay Lagoon Tel: 4484 7444 SIX SENCES SPA Arabesque style spa with sublime treatments using Australian Sodashi products.

Sharq Village & Spa, Khulaifat Tel: 4425 6999

BODIES

SPA CHAKRA Luxury spa with views, a gym and a pool.

Al Funduq St, West Bay Tel: 4499 9250 THE RITZ CARLTON SPA TREATMENTS Specialised facial treatments, essential facial therapies, facial enhancements, wellness service (massages), massage enhancements, scrub bar therapies (must be booked in conjunction with another treatment). Body therapies, senory journies, RC spa for him and a waxing service.

Membership is also available Ritz Carton Hotel Tel: 4484 8000 THE SPA Gym, classes, whirlpool, spa, steam room, outdoor pool, beach, jacuzzi and tennis courts.

Doha Marriot, Khulaifat Tel: 4429 8520 Jaula Spa at the Grand Hyatt, one of Doha’s most luxurious

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FINAL WORD

What’s your

QATAR

IQ

S.A.T’s? M.B.A’s? Pah! In Qatar, only one test score really matters: your Qatar IQ!

It’s Mother’s Day this month. Do you:

a express your gratitude for a mother who cared for you, nurtured you, and raised you to be the person you are today by showering her with gifts and love? whisk her off on a luxury holiday to say thanks for all those times she took you to Disneyland and Seaworld and all your other favourite destinations as a child? put the old bat in a home?

b c

Calvin Harris is playing a live gig in Doha this month. Do you:

a buy two tickets, go along and have a whale of a time dancing like a loony to his latest releases? b avoid it completely – you’d rather eat glass? c Calvin who?

The QITCOM IT and telecoms conference takes place this month. Do you:

a attend every single day, and survey all the latest technological advancements to take place in the

regional industry? buy a stand so that your company can demonstrate its technological prowess and expertise to the assembled leaders and captains of industry?

“Oooh, I think I’ll give it a miss, I’m not very good with all that surfing the t’interweb and the Facebooks”?

b c

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FACT QATAR MARCH

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Bahrain - Qatar - Saudi Arabia - UAE - Kuwait - Oman - Jordan - Lebanon www. maya-la-chocolaterie.com FACT QATAR MARCH 67 Qatar march Issue.indd 67

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