+ SUMMER TRENDS HACK GATE STOMP: TIMELINE JAGUAR XF PACHA IBIZA KATARA EXHIBITIONS
JUNE 2013 | VOL 3 | ISSUE 2 | QR10 | BD1
MEET THE BLOGGERS ONLINE WITH EXPERTS
W in
THE SMART MONTHLY GUIDE TO LIFE IN QATAR
Inside: a brand new Nokia Lumia 920 and dinner for two at Agora! FACT QATAR JUNE
1
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Let us take you on a cruise at sunset.
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Let us delight your palate with our culinary skill. Let us slow your world down at our Spa. Let us show you that sometimes life’s about being, rather than doing.
QR2750
Summer is here. Grab the ”Summer Splash Down” offer for a one-month membership at The Ritz-Carlton Spa and cool off this season in a watery twist at the world class aquatic facilities. For more information and registration, call The Ritz-Carlton, Doha at +974 4484-8000 or visit ritzcarlton.com/doha
until August 30,JUNE 2013. Rate is per month for single membership; cannot be combined with any other offer. ©2013 The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. QATAR 2Offer validFACT
Content
NOTEWORTHY
CULTURE 26. The Blogosphere
Our cover story this month pays homage to the people behind-the-screens. They’ve poured their souls into those blogs and we believe they warrant some muchdeserved print recognition!
ART 34. Stomp Arrives!
One of the UK’s best theatrical dance troupes heads to Qatar
36. Katara Galleries
The not-to-miss exhibitions in the cultural village this month
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TECHNOLOGY 44. Hack Gate
We speak to the team at Q-Cert who are keeping us safe online
Get The Party Started
Notable Spanish club Pacha Ibiza is heading to the Doha shores for a summer-opening party that is bound to be memorable
48. Jaguar XF
Find out what Ali Driver thinks of this luxury sports sedan
20 Celebrate 100 Years of Magic
Disney is coming to an ice rink near you so we had an exclusive chat to the lady who plays Belle and Nala about her interesting career choice
FASHION 58. CindaLayla
We take a look at LAS Fashion’s latest collection
22 What Makes an Event Great?!
70. The Boggi Files
We find out from the experts… a notable UK DJ and a fabulous event stylist who are coming to throw an epic pool party at Grand Hyatt
FACT M.E. - QATAR EDITION
+ SUMMER TRENDS HACK GATE STOMP: TIMELINE JAGUAR XF PACHA IBIZA KATARA EXHIBITIONS
JUNE 2013 | VOL 3 | ISSUE 2 | QR10 | BD1
MEET THE BLOGGERS ONLINE WITH EXPERTS
JUNE 2013
Win
ISSUE 25
Inside: a brand new Nokia Lumia 920 and dinner for two at Agora! THE SMART MONTHLY GUIDE TO LIFE IN QATAR 5/28/13 10:24 AM
FACT Magazine M.E.
| Qatar Edition | JUNE 2013
Chairman Mubarak Bin Rashed Al Khalifa Chief Operation Officer Rami Khalil General Manager Hussein A. Zreik Editor-in-Chief Tony Sidgwick (editor@factlive.com) Editor Katy Gillett (katy@factlive.com) Deputy Editor Zara de Haldevang Assistant Editor Dina Kabbani Fashion Writer Nefeli Christofides
Spring/Summer 2013 from this Italian menswear brand is pretty swish |
Volume 3, Issue 2
Creative Director Paula Leal Designer Rashed Bindaina Photography Contributors Rashed Bindaina Creative Designs Regional Head of Sales Laura Alvarez Sales Manager Johanna Romero (johanna@factlive.com)
ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES E-mail: laura@factlive.com Tel: +974 6624 1964 Distributed in Qatar by Dar Al Sharq
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. FACT M.E. Bahrain Publishing W.L.L. Office 53, Building 872, Road 3618, Block 436, Seef.
www.fact-magazine.com Scan the QR Code to get all the up-to-theminute news on FACT magazine and the people behind it...
FACT QATAR JUNE
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The editor
My favourite story this issue MEET THE BLOGGERS Qatar’s blogosphere is a busy place and there are some fantastic and passionate individuals out there that keep up the good work for pure enjoyment. I loved meeting and talking to each of them so I hope you like reading about them, too!
So long, farewell… Katy Gillett Editor
katy@factlive.com
A
s many of you bid adios to our little desert, either for the summer holidays or even for good, I will be saying goodbye to the readers of FACT. This past year has been amazing, and I have enjoyed every minute of it, but it’s now time to let someone else have a go at entertaining you with all that Qatar has to offer. But before I left I wanted to pay homage to the unsung heroes of journalism in the country… the bloggers (read more on page 26 to 31). In my opinion, it is the seamless interchange of information between print and online that makes local knowledge go round in this part of the world. And our chosen bloggers are the ones that make much of this happen. Keeping in line with the FACT vision, we found a representative for noteworthy, fashion, art, culture and technology and met with them all to find out why they started blogging in the first place and how they’ve become successful. The feature is also full of tips and tricks for you in case you want to start your own blog! I think it’s unfair that so many people think blogs are like online diaries where people 4
FACT QATAR JUNE
write about mundane life experiences that would never interest anyone but their grandmother. Sure, some are, but many are much more than that. There are so many stories you wouldn’t hear about if we didn’t have passionate individuals documenting them online. Nowadays we rely on manuscripts and old scrolls to find out what our ancestors were up to. But think of what we’ll know in future generations – the Internet is a constant livestream record of history and I’m pretty sure these blogs, vlogs, podcasts, tweets etc. will come in rather handy (although of course a lot of them won’t!). Well I hope this offers some sort of inspiration. Whether you start your own blog or just follow these guys because they’ll keep you updated on what’s what in Qatar (alongside us of course!). And if that isn’t your thing then do explore the rest of the mag as it’s jam-packed this June!
Goodbye for now and keep in touch readers!
News from the FACT Penthouse As of next month, my lovely readers, you’ll be enjoying another editor’s work as I head off to other pastures. Dina Kabbani comes to us from Egypt and is rather new to Doha so you’ll have plenty of fresh perspective. Make sure you get in touch to say hello!
Image of the Month
Harding Meyer’s Eye to Eye Portraits exhibition is stunning and this painting in particular certainly caught my eye! Read more on page 36.
FACT QATAR JUNE
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NOTEWORTHY
Decadence on the Beach Pacha Ibiza’s world tour hits the Qatar shores this month at the Doha Marriot. Because of this there are only two words that make any sense any more: let’s party!
For the uninitiated, Pacha is a world-renowned nightlife brand that was started over four decades ago in the Spanish beach town of Sitges. Since then, it has gone from strength to strength and infiltrated the world. You’ll see Pacha clubs in Ibiza (the most famous one to date), other Spanish cities such as Madrid and Valencia, and then all around the globe in popular travel destinations like Brazil, the US, Germany, Russia, the UK, Portugal and Austria. It’s not just about clubbing anymore either; there’s the modern and luxurious El Hotel Pacha, the free-spirited Pacha Collection and Accessories, a music label, bilingual magazine and the infamous Pacha 67, a cruise that sails around Ibiza with party-goers stowed aboard. The latest and greatest creation from the team, too, is the exclusive club, restaurant and cabaret Lio. But it’s the Ibiza club, which in 2012 was voted by DJ Magazine as one of the world’s 100 best nightclubs, that’s coming to teach us a thing or two about partying in Doha this 6th June. Organisers, LOUD Entertainment – who have been responsible for numerous exclusive events and beach parties in Europe (Malta, Ibiza, Italy etc.) and further afar in places such as Bali, New York and Las Vegas – will be setting up the very first Pacha beachside event in Doha. Expect an elegantly decorated VIP area with white cloth tables and hostess service, Pacha’s own 6
FACT QATAR JUNE
resident dancers strutting their stuff throughout the night, and, most importantly, world-class DJs spinning the decks and bringing the crowd to their knees. Among them will be Pacha Ibiza resident Juan Diaz, Dubai’s favourite DJ Sabrina Terrence, and Malta’s biggest export Mykill. So, if you consider yourself as part of the chic and trendy elite in Qatar, then just follow the ‘two cherries’, which denote a stylish, free-spirited Mediterranean lifestyle and a glamorous night of pure indulgence n. GO: It’s on from 8pm to 2am. Limited tickets are available from Virgin Megastore and online at www. tickets.virginmegastore.me, Doha Rocks Café (Airport Road) and the Doha Marriott Hotel reception. Prices are QR200 for women, QR250 for guys and QR350 for VIP (only 150 are available).
“Expect an elegantly decorated VIP area with white cloth tables and hostess service, Pacha’s own resident dancers strutting their stuff throughout the night, and, most importantly, world-class DJs spinning the decks and bringing the crowd to their knees”
NOTEWORTHY
SNIPPETS OF THE MONTH
“Every step of the way @Moealthani says he was thinking about the help he hopes to give to Nepal education projects by raising money for ROTA” Arabs with Altitude (@EverestArabs) tweeted as Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani became the first Qatari to climb to the summit of Mount Everest last month
DOHA NIGHTS: The Living Room at Flamingos saw its soft launch at the Ritz-Carlton last month. It offers 100 comfy seats, drinks and shisha with spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf.
1,400 FARMS: The amount of estimated farms there are here, according to Al Arab. But the Ministry of Environment detected last year that some 71 of them were being misused for other purposes.
FLASH MOB: The launch of casual French fashion shop Jezequel went off with an energetic bang last month as Lagoona Mall saw an unruly ‘fashion mob’. Keep your eyes peeled for the vid! FACT QATAR JUNE
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NOTEWORTHY
Zara’s RANT of the Month
‘Can you beat the holiday blues?’
The art of switching from holiday to work mode I got a pretty stern telling off the other day by a friend whose name is Munky – the nickname didn’t really emphasise the seriousness of his words but, all the same, I took note. His words were, “When are you going to write a happy column? You sound like a right old grump.” And then I realised how very right he was. Perhaps it is because I have just returned from a 10-day trip home. Perhaps it is because I detached myself from my phone, computer, work clothes and red Nissan Tiida on a daily basis. And perhaps it is because I escaped the country, even if just for a little while... I find myself somewhat more positive and refreshed. Enough to stop whining for 300 words anyway. In all honesty, it is a pretty hard transition to make, the work to holiday and back to work mode. I am blaming it on being half German that I struggle to get to grips with doing nothing. It takes me 10 days to unwind, let alone enjoy a holiday. What I
did learn is that a month detox means that the days spent back home did blur into one, where headaches were suffered and copious amounts of food eaten.
Note to self: Re-read this next month, when stress levels are sky high.
Hate It
Virus spreads through human contact
THE SCOPE
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FACT QATAR JUNE
The lurking new respiratory novel coronavirus that is related to SARS and which is thought to have originated in the GCC is apparently now known to spread through human contact, says the World Health Organisation. It has yet to become a full-blown pan/ epidemic but with recent cases and numerous deaths in Saudi, we’re not taking any chances… We’ve got our surgeon’s masks at the ready!
Now I am back here, heavier and broke, yet happier, and Sunday mornings are not so much of a drag anymore. The supposed 13-minute drive to work (which is actually 30 minutes due to road plonkers) is made better by the discovery of an ancient iPod and some classic playlists. The four walls I find myself confined in are a little whiter and brighter; even my chair seems a little more comfy… ok TOO far, it doesn’t, just got a serious positive mental attitude (PMA) going on. n
Love It
Doha’s Little Free Library
Penny Yi Wang wrote on Doha News recently about four-yearold Umayr Ansari who has set up his own Little Free Library in Al Wakrah, which is the first of its kind in Qatar. It comes as part of a growing global movement of around 5,000 other mini-libraries where the idea is to take a book and leave another behind when you do. We think it’s a great idea and are even thinking of starting our own. Thanks Umayr.
Can’t Believe It
Katara set to expand beyond belief
During an unrelated press conference last month we were able to set eyes upon the model master plan for Katara Cultural Village. Sources say it is currently only around 20 per cent complete and there is much more to come, including, a possible luxury hotel, shopping area and even a water park! Nothing is set in stone yet but we’re very excited to see what happens.
FACT QATAR JUNE
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Social Media.
@
We’ve been paying attention to your social feeds peeps and we like what we see… Here we’re sharing a few of our favourites.
THIS MONTH IN QATAR
We’ve been searching for the country’s best bloggers (see page 26 for more) but we still want to find more! Get in touch with us via social media if you have a blog to share.
Mr. Q - I Qatar.net Pick up the passports, pack the bags, then it’s time for me fly off to #korea and go #oppaDohastyle on #gangnam street
Paula Elliott Crook Chupa Chup to the first person that spots a Qatar car plate starting with 6 (has to be 6 digits) Can’t be far away...?
Posted by Jared Mcculloch
“Getting ready…” It was the last beach party of the season last month with Paul Van Dyk. Roll on Autumn when we can get our rave on again!
COMPETITION! Hamish Scott @VirginMENA @Moeys @SandanceDubai when you guys going to stage a Sandance in Doha? Surely it’s financially viable as Dubai is next door?
Frances Robinson Would love a vino but instead I’m off to feel the burn with @ gem_rogers followed by a herbal tea #lifeinthefastlane
Saleh Nass Being kicked out of that festival in Saudi will do wonders for the ‘too handsome’ man’s career. Wait & see.
Shadi Hamid Few things shake my faith in humanity more than Justin Bieber tweeting “gonna go on a walk” and getting 65,631 retweets.
APP of the month Funky Qatar Blog Funky Qatar Blog has a new Forum! www. funkyqatarblog.com/ fqb-forum.html#/ … … What do you keep on your bedside table? #Doha #Qatar
Brooke Colleague “Brooke, would you like to sit and go through this 40-page contract line-by-line???” “Oh please can we??” said Brooke, never
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND MAYBE YOU’LL BE HERE NEXT MONTH! @FACT_Qatar
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FACT QATAR JUNE
HERE City Lens
For nokia phones This is a nifty little app available on Nokia smartphones. If you point the camera at a city street (any city!), HERE City Lens information about restaurants, shops, hotels and more pops up on the surfaces of buildings.
Find this dapper looking fellow chilling out somewhere in the magazine. Email me at editor@factlive.com as soon as you spot him and get the chance to win a Nokia Lumia 920!
UCL Qatar
EDUCATING A NEW GENERATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE PROFESSIONALS UCL is Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Global University. At UCL Qatar we offer a world-leading selection of postgraduate degree programmes, focusing on archaeology, conservation and museum studies. Through outstanding teaching and innovative research, we are creating the leaders of tomorrow. Discover more and apply online at www.ucl.ac.uk/qatar UCL Qatar, PO Box 23689, Georgetown Building, Hamad bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar T: +974 4457 8680 E: admissions.qatar@ucl.ac.uk
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THE DOHA MINUTE
“Friends are an integral part of living in Doha”
Six-year Qatar resident, Simone Arnheiter is a marketing professional and soon-to-be trained yoga teacher. She spills the beans on how she spends her days here… Why did you initially come to Qatar?
I used to work for airlines in sales and marketing and was travelling the world as much as I could. The Arabic culture fascinated me. I changed jobs in Europe and when I received an offer from Qatar Airways, I decided to take up the challenge and move to the Middle East. In short, I moved because I wanted an adventure. The fact that I enjoy hot and sunny weather was just a positive add-on. What is the biggest change you’ve seen since coming?
The biggest change is in the city’s skyline, the traffic and the entertainment offers. When I moved here, there were hardly any towers in West Bay and lots more parking. The way of driving was even worse. No one respected traffic rules and there was a car wreck at every intersection all day long. And yes, there was not much more than shopping, going to the beach and the desert when I moved here. I am happy to see the changes and great achievements the country has made until today. What is Doha’s best-kept secret in your opinion?
There are many small restaurants and shops that offer amazing food and great products outside of the shopping malls. One just needs to know where they are. There is a tiny restaurant in Souq 12
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Waqif and the old Gold Souq that offers fantastic barbeque. Westerners would rarely go there. The same applies for shops in less popular areas of the city. But the shop owners would give an arm and a leg for providing you amazing support and service. What do you think is missing in the country?
Having lived here for quite a while, you only realise that you miss something as soon as you travel abroad. I got used to Doha’s lifestyle. I am content with what exists and is being offered. If I want something different, I travel for a few days. It all depends how flexible you are and what your expectations are.
Everyone knows what is on offer before moving here, so nobody has a reason to complain about things missing. If someone doesn’t like it, they should have moved somewhere else. Describe your ideal day off here…
My ideal day off includes lots of relaxation, fitness and most importantly meeting friends. I enjoy going to the beach, especially in the north, or taking a boat trip, best if it is together with friends. I am an outdoor person and will take up any activities outside until super-hot summer kicks in. To round off the day, I will meet up with friends who I haven’t seen regularly due to busy schedules. n
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image by Margaretta K. Mitchell
Fly Off with the Flugtag
The Philharmonic’s Season Finale
Closing up a year of 36 wonderful public concerts, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra is ending its 2012-2013 season with a bang with a performance led by American conductor James Gaffigan (pictured). Known for his natural ease of conducting and his work with leading orchestras around the world, Gaffigan will lead the Philharmonic on 29th June in Ludwig van Beethoven’s Pastorale Symphony No
6 as well as the Eighth Symphony of Beethoven. This performance will mark the recording and performance of all nine Beethoven symphonies for Gaffigan with the Qatar Philharmonic. Tickets are being sold for QR75-300, so hurry up and get yours either at Virgin Megastores or at the Opera House. GO: It will be held at the Opera House in Katara Cultural Village Building 16. Visit www.qatarphilharmonicorchestra.org
Inventors and adrenaline junkies get ready as Red Bull and Ford Middle East team up with the Qatar Museums Authority to bring you the 1st Red Bull Flugtag here in Doha on 1st November at the Museum of Islamic Art Park. Teams will have to both design and build their own human-powered flying machines, which they will fly on the day of the event in front of a jury who will judge them on three main criteria: creativity of the craft, showmanship and flight distance. In addition, teams will each have to perform an entertaining show for one minute, which they will be judged on, before flying off a six-metre platform as far as possible. The deadline for registration is 10th June and selected teams will be notified on 15th June. Candidates should be 16-plus, and pilots should be 18-plus. GO: Visit www.redbullmea.com/flugtag for more information
A Taste of Reggae Retail Therapy with a Cause Cat lovers get ready to spend some money for a cause close to heart. The Cats in Qatar foundation is holding a shopping event called “Retail Saturday” at Riviera Gardens, offering a wide selection of new and nearly new clothes, shoes, bags, kids clothes and home accessories for sale, with 100 per cent of proceeds going to charity. GO: Contact info@catsinqatar.com or call 3393 7645 for more information as well as donations
In the mood for some chilled and relaxing beats? The Grand Regal Hotel is offering some sweet African reggae tunes for those fans among us. Join in the fun with African Night, on 7th June, at Rancho’s. Dance to the music of the finest dancehall and reggae radio DJ Kriss Darlin from 8pm to 2am, with a warm-up session by DJ Ras Ken. Entry tickets are QR80 for ladies and QR100 for men and the dress code for the evening is smart-casual. GO: Call 4409 4600 or 4409 4444 for more information
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Laugh Your Problems Away
We all know that yoga is already super relaxing, but now you can totally Zen out with the Art of Abundant Living team who are bringing us Laughter Yoga classes to put a fun spin on things. This amusing practice uses physical as well as behavioural exercises to relax muscles, increase confidence, and put a smile on one’s face. Classes are available at Al Ahmadani centre on Mondays at 6pm to 7pm and Thursdays at 10am to 11am. Try out a class for QR50 or get a 10-session card for QR450. GO: Visit www.artofabundantliving.com for more information or call 5580 0395
En Garde
Join the Museum of Islamic Art on a fantastic journey in the new Steel and Gold exhibition. Get introduced to the finest swords and find out the stories behind these fascinating pieces dating from the 9th century all the way to the 20th, with the majority never having been displayed before. The swords exhibited are all unique – some are made of steel and embellished with precious stones and gold while others convey a more historical beauty with old designs and manuscripts carved on to them. The exhibition hopes to show these pieces in a new light, demonstrating that they are just as much fashion and design masterpieces as they are weapons used to fight and kill. The exhibition is running until 14th December. GO: Visit www.mia.org.qa for more information
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Jazz tunes at the St Regis For all you jazz fans, a night at Jazz at Lincoln Center in St Regis Doha this June is a must! Every night until the 15th, American composer and bassist Ben Allison will be performing the funky groovy melodies he is so well known for with the rest of his quintet. Bringing a cool mix of jazz with influences from rock and folk all the way to classical music, Allison’s style blends beautifully and cohesively together. Born in Connecticut, the artist has performed
and worked with a slew of impressive artists, appearing on over 50 albums. His impressive list of collaborations includes artists like saxophonists Lee Konitz, tap dancers Gregory Hines and Jimmy Slide, and oudist Ara Dinkjian. He has also done work for music, film, and radio, writing the theme for the National Public Radio as well as a webcast show hosted by famous rapper Pharrell Williams.
GO: Call 4446 0105
Spanish Fiesta Time at The Grill The Grand Hyatt is going all-out Spanish at The Grill with special Andalusian themed menus all month long. Head over for their fiesta of a brunch featuring everything from delicious tortillas and hearty paellas to finger-licking tapas you won’t want to share. Prices are QR280 or add QR115 for selected beverages, and enjoy a 20 per cent discount if you have a Spanish passport. If you miss the brunch, don’t worry, as The Grill is offering a “Special Spanish Menu” every Sunday
from 6.30pm until 11.30pm for QR150 or QR295 with selected beverages. Also, Wednesdays are Paella nights, where you can enjoy a special menu. GO: Call 4448 1240
´ PASTA | PIZZA | CAFE
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Getting Out and About THIS MONTH IN QATAR
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Saturday
SUNDAY
Sweet crabmeat takes centre stage at New York Steakhouse until the 20th with delicious dishes such as spicy crab risotto and fennel, and steamed King crab legs. Call 4419 6100
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MONDAY
Head to the Qatar National Convention Centre to see incoming Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra music director Han-Na Chang conduct for QR50. Visit www.qatarphilharmonicorchestra.org
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SUNDAY
Check out the Ben Allison Quintet, lead by bassist and composer Ben Allison, who are in residency at Jazz at Lincoln Center in St Regis until the 15th. Call 4446 0105
Attend a workshop on dairy for QR95 in the morning or evening. It’s run by Art of Abundant Living and will explore the benefits and misconceptions about this controversial topic. Call 5580 0395
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TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
DJ Aline Magnier and DJ Sune are flying in from Berlin, Germany to entertain crowds at Wahm from 10pm to 2am on 5th, 6th and 7th. Call 4453 5135
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THURSDAY
Get your party on at the Doha Marriott beach tonight as Pacha Ibiza comes to town to rock your socks off. Read more info on page 6.
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MONDAY
Michelin-starred Chef Gilles Bosquet is inviting food connoisseurs to Gordon Ramsay for a lavish four-course supper with Arabic influence this month from 3rd to 8th for QR425 (food only) or QR750. Call 4446 0105
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TUESDAY
The ETH Architecture Exhibition will be in Katara Art Center from today until the 25th. Catch it while you can! Call 4408 0244
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07
FRIDAY
There’s a brand new brunch in town! ‘Aina Awakea at Trader Vic’s has launched with a five-course set menu of Traders classics and free-flowing selected beverages with lively Cuban beats. Call 4423 3118
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SATURDAY
It’s the last day of British dance art performance Stomp at the Qatar National Convention Center so make sure you head over! Read more info on page 40.
The Flying Carpet restaurant at The Torch Doha has kicked off its Authentic Thai Specialties week for lunch. It will run from 8th to 13th. Call 4446 5600
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WEDNESDAY
Dust off those whites as the White Party with DJ Adrien Callier from Zuma Dubai is back at Wahm tonight from 10.30pm to 2am. Witty white garments are rewarded! Call 4453 5135
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THURSDAY
Kids will have a ball as the first performance of Disney on Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic kicks off this evening at the Qatar National Convention Centre. Read more info on page 20
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FRIDAY
There are father’s day deals and brunches on in InterContinental The City at The Square, Prime and Strata; and over at Rennaissance City Center Hotel in Crossroads Kitchen and Ipanema. Call 4015 8888 and 4419 6100 respectively
There are so many exciting events going on in Doha these days. So, we’ve put together an events calendar for the entire month, just for you! It’s interesting and never boring… This is what FACT recommends (and you can still find more throughout the rest of the mag!).
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SATURDAY
Rafael Payare will conduct Hector Berlioz’ Episodes in the Life of an Artist at Katara Cultural Village Opera House from 7.30pm tonight. Visit www.qatarphilharmonicorchestra.org
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THURSDAY
All month when you grab a cupcake over at Red Velvet Cupcakery you get a cup of coffee of your choice for free. Call 4408 0700
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SUNDAY
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MONDAY
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FRIDAY
‘The Summer Is Here’ brunch at Market by Jean-Georges will celebrate the first official day of summer with a special themed brunch for QR290 or QR380. Hawaiian shirts and flip flops are allowed! Call 4453 5135
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SATURDAY
Enjoy the sounds of a world premiere and Gustav Mahler’s Fifth Symphony at the Katara Cultural Village Opera House at 7.30pm tonight. Visit www.qatarphilharmonicorchestra.org
TUESDAY
Head Sommelier at one of the largest cellars in Doha is inviting connoisseurs for his monthly grapes and cheese night at Opal by Gordon Ramsay. From 6pm to 8pm for QR375. Call 4446 0105
WEDNESDAY
DJ, producer and Parisian re-mixed DJ Yass will be in Wahm pumping some soulful house from 10pm to 2am. Call 4453 5135
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THURSDAY
DJ Stephane Karl is flying in from St Tropez to spin the decks in Crystal Club from 11pm to 2am tonight. Call 4453 5135
The Transformational Tapping Group are back for their bi-weekly meeting at Six Senses Spa from 6pm to 7pm tonight. Learn an interesting way to deal with holiday stress. Call 4425 6999
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WEDNESDAY
French restaurant La Varenne is celebrating the region of Bourgogne from today until 2nd July with a business lunch menu featuring classic dishes. Call 4499 0680
For a limited time only the very rare, very tricky-to-handle Fugu Fish will be available at Nusantao: Sea Kitchens at Four Seasons. Only qualified chefs can handle this uncommon treat so catch the tasting menu while you can (no pun intended). Call 4494 8888
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TUESDAY
Hilton will host its second comedy night in collaboration with the Punchline Comedy Club tonight from 7pm for QR300. Price includes dinner, the show and a welcome drink. Call 4423 3333
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SUNDAY
The Torch Doha’s Flying Carpet restaurant is hosting Mamma Mia week from 22nd to 27th when everything will have an Italian twist. Call 4446 5600
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MONDAY
The ever-popular Radisson Blu quiz night will be hosted this evening over at Shehrezad for teams of six. Doors open at 5pm, quiz starts at 8pm. Call 4428 1428
FRIDAY
Relax to an evening of Spanish music with tango featuring the talented international tenor, Neil Latchman and international pianist Amira Fouad at St Regis Doha from 7pm. Call 4446 0105
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SATURDAY
Champions will be opening early on 22nd, tonight and 6th July to show the live broadcast of the British Lions! Only 250 tickets are available for QR295 including a British brunch and unlimited selected drinks. Call 4419 6100
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SUNDAY
A special designed menu paired with the recommendations of the Sommelier is on offer tonight from 7.30pm to 10.30pm at Market by Jean-Georges for QR350 per person. Call 4453 5135
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Skater Girl
The much-anticipated Disney on Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic is coming to Qatar this month so we spoke to one of the primary skaters, Marina Bystryakova, who plays Beauty and the Beast’s Belle and The Lion King’s Nala, about what a fascinating career she has… How did you originally get into skating?
I started skating when I was four years old. My mum is a figure skating coach, so I was growing up at the ice rink. It was always so fun to be around lots of kids my age. Why do you love skating?
I’ve been skating all my life. First competitive then in the ice show and this is what I love the most! Putting my skates on, stepping on the ice... it’s such a great feeling! Skating outside of the show makes me feel free. I can put my favourite music on and have fun with it, or if I want to learn new moves and challenge myself - it’s always good to never stop learning! I love performing in the show. It’s such an amazing feeling! I love coming on stage and seeing so many people that come to watch the show. For me, to see kids and parents smiling, singing along with characters, laughing, is priceless. How would you describe the 100 Years of Magic show?
If you love Disney, you will love this show! It has all of your favorite characters - Mickey and Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Chip and Dale, Toy Story, Nemo, The Incredibles, Pinocchio, Cinderella, Ariel, Aladdin and Jasmine... so there is something for everybody! There is amazing Academy Award-winning music like When You Wish Upon A Star, Beauty and The Beast, A Whole New World, Can You Feel The Love Tonight. We have really talented skaters from all 20
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over the world, so you will see cuttingedge choreography, big production numbers, amazing sets and costumes! Why do you think the show inspires adults and children alike?
Well, I think when you come to see the show it’s like a little holiday. Families get together, having fun; kids and parents are happy! I think this show brings lots of love and happiness to peoples’ everyday life and makes them never forget how fun and exciting it is to be a little kid at heart. What message do you hope to get to kids through your performances?
Dreams do come true! I hope all kids after watching the show are so happy. I want them to believe in happily ever after, true love and magic kisses!
“Logistically, this is one of the most challenging projects we have ever taken on. The show is coming from the US and we need to ship the entire show in over 30 containers. The ice then needs to be made here, using over 48,000 litres of water and a refrigeration system that is brand new to Qatar National Convention Centre and the engineers. This is a mammoth production with over 100 cast and crew arriving in Doha to make this possible.” Ali Haidary, CEO of organisers Sports and Entertainment Solutions told us
Marina skates as The Lion King’s Nala character
How do you feel about travelling to Qatar with the show?
I am really excited to visit Qatar and work there. I think it’s going to be a really good experience! I’ve never been and I can’t wait to see this country. I hope we have some time to walk around, go to museums and take lots of pictures. I know it’s really hot but the country is surrounded by water so hopefully we can do some water sports! What are your plans for the future?
I am still skating and I love it so I will be with the show for a while. After that I want to have kids and family and no matter what I do I would love to keep skating and make people around me happy! n GO: Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic will be on from 13th to 16th June at the Qatar National Convention Centre. You can buy tickets in Virgin Megastores in Villaggio Mall and Landmark Mall or online at www.virginmegastore.qa
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Learn to Ska te
Maybe one day it ca n be you out there performing as one of the best Disney characters! The Qatar Figure Skating Club offers kids and adults alike (from age five upwards) thr ee packages, between QR500 an d QR1,500, to learn from professional co ach Zsolt Kerekes (an international skate r himself!). For more informati on check out www.qata rskating.com or email qatarska ting@gmail.co m
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Sip, Splash and… Spin
One of London’s highest profile female DJs will be flying in to Qatar this month to entertain us on the decks at a Coco Latté party by the Grand Hyatt pool. We spoke to DJ Philly, who has performed for A-listers like Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom, ahead of her arrival about her style and future party plans.
How would you describe your spinning style?
My style is very much an eclectic but sophisticated blend of party music. I like to merge genres and really play with people’s expectations. One minute it’s R’n’B, the next it is house music, and then an old school classic. You never know what’s coming next but it all works seamlessly to create an exciting and energetic sound. I have always had a deep love of music, but my inspiration to actually get behind the decks came one night in a very small nightclub in London. I was introduced to a lady earlier in the evening and we chatted politely for about five minutes about the club night and the music. She was very shy and quiet and seemed to almost not fit in with her surroundings. Later on that evening, the music suddenly took on a whole new life, and the room was captivated by it’s sound – myself included. I looked up to the DJ booth to see who was playing, and it was the same quiet, shy lady – except she was now this incredible force that was holding the whole club night in her hands! From that moment on I was entranced with the concept of being a DJ – the ability to share your music with people, 22
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images courtesy of coco latte
What inspired you to first become a DJ?
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and captivate them like that. There was no turning back! Who would you love to collaborate with and why?
I would love to work with Missy Elliott – she’s so incredibly talented and creative. I think it would be incredible to work with someone who pushes boundaries each and every time. I also think it’d be really fun to do a gig with Calvin Harris. His music is so perfect to party to – so very alive – and I think we’d have really good fun and the energy would translate into the music. Who is your idol? Why?
It’s not music related, but I find Steve Jobs incredibly inspiring – even after his sad passing. He started with something so small and literally changed the world for ever. What have you noticed about the Qatar crowd when you’ve been here previously? [Ed’s note: DJ Philly has entertained the crowds at Crystal Club in the past]
One thing that I noticed immediately is that they approach every night as if it was their last, which I love! They dress up, look sharp, and party all the way to the very last tune.
What are you looking forward to most about heading over to Doha in June?
It’s been a little while since I’ve been over to Doha, so I’m looking forward to seeing how the city has changed. It’s such a dramatic place. I really fall in love with it a little more each time I visit. n
Where the Party’s At…
DJ Philly will be DJ’ing exclusively at Coco Latté presents Sip, Splash & Twirl on Friday 21st June at Grand Hyatt Doha. Entry is QR150 including one free drink; VIP wristbands are QR400 including reserved seating and open bar all night; and the super deluxe QR1000 package includes reserved seating at the party, open bar all night, hotel room overnight, breakfast in bed and late checkout. The party starts at 8pm. Call 7021 8096 or check out www.facebook.com/ cocolattelondon/events for more.
We’re Speaking about Style We also got the lowdown from professional event stylist and Coco Latté hostess, Margaret Tapping. Here’s what she had to say… “Being an event stylist means I can be creative, and knowing what the client wants and being able to fulfil a client’s dreams is a great achievement. Presenting the guest with a wow factor when they enter the venue, getting the right balance, which includes the space, the décor, the music, the entertainment, all the way down to mixing up the perfect cocktails for the event. “My style is moves with times without losing myself. ‘Comfortable’ is my motto in order to enjoy and be myself. Recently my style has had a bit of a makeover and I’ve become more classic rather than outrageous, whilst retaining a cool look. “The secret is to create an event that people will talk about for years to come, an event that people will remember for all the right reasons. It’s sometimes difficult to be original; it’s like designing a shirt – how many ways can you change a shirt before it no longer resembles a shirt? It’s the same for an event; how can you make this event different from the last one? Music plays a major part, plus the event space and the party’s host. Being myself helps since I love to talk, I’m a people person, and so making my way around the venue making sure guests are happy is a priority for me and comes very naturally.” n
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CULTURE.
GETTING UNDER QATARâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SKIN THIS MONTH
QatarI blogosphere
We speak to our favourite bloggers about their passions and get their advice on what works best for being successful online
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Searching the Blogosphere A blog is more than just an online space to vent your frustrations or explore quirky passions. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a way of life. As more and more spring up on the web about Qatar, this month we decided to speak to some of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most interesting bloggers about what got them started, their success and find out what their tricks of the trade are.
Are you a seasoned or amateur blogger? Or were you inspired by this article to become one?
images by creative design qatar
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Whatever way you got started, we want to know! Give us a shout and let us know about your blog so we can share it with all our readers. Find us on Facebook (Fact Qatar Magazine) or follow us on Twitter @FACT_Qatar.
CULTURE
The Noteworthy One www.shamozal.blogspot.com, English
Who? Kirsty Rice is an Australian expat who moved to Qatar three years ago. She started her blog, 4 Kids, 20 Suitcases and a Beagle, around the same time. What? Kirsty, her husband, four kids (and of course the Beagle) have been travelling for twelve years because of G’s job (as she likes to refer to him in the blog). They kicked off in Indonesia, and then went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, then on to Libya, Texas and finally Canada. Now they’re in Doha. Interestingly, she had her children (Lizzie,13; Annabelle, 10; Fred, 9; and Henry, 6) in four different countries. So, it’s a bit of travel, some mummy parenting, lots of humour and plenty of Qatar and community all rolled into one. Why? Once she arrived in Doha Kirsty started blogging by accident. “Remember when everyone used to do the big bulk email of ‘hi, we’re here, we’ve landed’ or ‘here’s my new
Kirsty’s Top Tips
• Be really honest. Don’t try and be someone that you’re not. People will see straight through it. Quite often there will be thousands of people out there who can really identify with what you’re saying and thinking ‘oh yeah I do that too’. • Don’t think about who’s reading your blog. If you think too much about who’s reading it that will change you. • Don’t make your posts too long. That can be a mistake. People now with online have gotten very quick and fast with what they want to read whether they’re standing at the check-out line or doing whatever... people just pop in and want to be able to read and go on their way.
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baby’ or ‘here’s my new house’? When we got here we’d collected so many people along the way as friends that I didn’t want to feel like I was bombarding them with information. “So I said I might just do a blog so I don’t feel like I’m making them look at photos and if they want to check in they can.” She did 10 posts in her first year and now she does one almost every day. It started with a couple of friends and family checking in and now she has over 100,000 page views a month! One of her blog posts, ‘So What Do You Do All Day?’ has even been published on the New York Times website and now she’s signed with publishing agents Curtis Brown to write a book! How? “There’s a huge community of women out there who have found themselves sitting in hotels all over the world thinking ‘what on earth have I done?’,” she says. “It kind of exploded one day when I wrote a post called ‘The Expat Wife’ and that went viral. From then it slowly gets bigger and bigger and bigger every day.” u FACT QATAR JUNE
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The Fashionable one www.nomadstyle.tumblr.com, English
Who? Carla Mallari co-founded Nomad street style blog with fellow Virginia Commonwealth-Qatar alumni Ahmed El Sayed three years ago now, but she has been running it on her own for the last couple of years. What? Nomad* Style was Qatar’s first street style and fashion blog. As it states on the website, “It’s [sic] aim is to capture the best-dressed and the stylish inhabitants of Doha, no matter where they are from. It would like to encourage all to express their individuality (whether cultural or not) through their clothing.” It’s great for fashion inspiration as she snaps the most stylish around town. Why? “I thought it would be a great idea to celebrate Qatar’s multicultural mix and diversity through fashion,” Carla tells us. “I wanted to break stereotypes on how people live in the Gulf, whether you were an expat or a local.” Her favourite thing about it all, though? “Meeting people from different walks of life. After having asked all the fashion-related questions like where do you shop, where did you get your style from, etc, I love asking the question ‘so, what brings you to Doha?’ Mostly everyone’s answers are because they wanted to try something new and experience a different lifestyle.” 28
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What next? Carla also has a clothing line called Cala Mari. Her background is in fashion design and she would like to expand this to incorporate street styles she’s seen. “I put together one-off pieces for my own independent clothing line,” she says. “It would be great to see the various traditional wear thrown into one collection – a mixed bag of nomadic influences.” u
Carla’s Top Tips
• If you’re to blog about anything, make sure it’s something you’re passionate about. Adding new entries wouldn’t be such a chore if it were something you care about. If it’s a topic that excites you, your readers will have a more pleasant time visiting your blog. • It’s one way to express yourself and what you are enthusiastic about. You often discover something as you go along. It’s a great way of learning by doing.
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The Arty Ones www.artsqatar.com, bi-lingual English and Arabic
Who? artsQatar is a very new site that was created by a group of three artistic friends – Mahmoud El-Achi, Tony Elias and Nick Bradshaw. Mahmoud loves all things photography, Tony has a background in graphic design, digital calligraphy and sketching (to name a few!), and Nick has experience in music production and reportage photography. What? This independent group of art lovers writes blog posts about anything and everything art-related going on around the country. “Sure, we talk about some of the things that are coming to Qatar, some of the bigger events, exhibitions and artists,” says Nick (the self-admitted chatty one in the interview), “but we also want to highlight and showcase, particularly, up-andcoming artists here in Qatar of which there are a number under the radar.” On top of that, they each want to start being critical. “There’s a tradition of people reporting these events are happening but not necessarily reviewing them,” says Nick. “Art thrives on criticism.” Why? They all agree that the main reason they started the blog was because they were
artsQatar’s Top Tips
• Look at other blogs and websites that are out there. • Make use of templates. Make use of things like Wordpress. You can start with a template and then make it your own. Sometimes when you look at some really high profile professional websites they’ll be doing that. • Essentially, just go for it. You will find that there will be likeminded people out there and it’s a great way to reach them because unlike in say print media, where you’ve got to pay for the product and distribute, there’s an ease of access on the Internet. • Make it eye-catching and do spare some time on the design. It shouldn’t just be a case of lots of words, as that can look quite dull.
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becoming a bit frustrated with finding out about events after they’d happened (as is the Doha way). With online, they felt, they have more freedom to post events as and when they hear about them. Tony says their ultimate goal is to connect all the people who have any interest in art and spread the message. “We are aiming to be the main website that everyone has a look there and see what’s upcoming,” he tells us. What have people said? Since the trio decided to launch artsQatar, they’ve been doing surveys and polls to find out what people want to know about. They only launched in February 2013 but so far they’ve had some good feedback and, they say, the whole idea fits in with Qatar’s vision for the country, too. “You sense sometimes people are searching for information on things and we can give that,” explains Nick. “It’s nice when you do something because you’ve got an interest in it and you find out that you’re not the only ones and other people are interested.” So, if you’re one of those people and want to contribute to artsQatar – if you’re an art lover, artist, or events organiser – then contact hello@artsqatar.com. They’re a friendly bunch! u FACT QATAR JUNE
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CULTURE
The Cultural One www.iloveqatar.net, English
Who? Khalifa Haroon is undeniably one of the more famous Qatari bloggers out there. He runs the online forum iloveqatar.net and his alter ego, Mr Q, has a blog. What? Rather than asking what is there on the website, it’s probably best to ask what is not! There’s a forum, news and events pages, classifieds, a guide to Qatar, and much more. Then, of course, there is Mr Q’s blog. On it, he writes opinion, includes videos and is also critical about his various experiences. “On my blog, I try to be balanced,” Khalifa tells us. “I don’t bash – I share experiences and then I leave it to the user to decide.” Khalifa says it’s important to be honest. “I think it’s very clear to people that I Love Qatar is all about making Qatar a better place,” he says. “So the only way to make your country a better place is to acknowledge what the issues are so that we can fix them.” Why? Khalifa started this in 2009 as a little side project but it has seen massive growth and he recently started focusing on it as a business and a brand. Ultimately, he says, it’s not about money or taking over the world – it’s about bridging the gap between expats and locals and making people realise they each go through the same frustrations. “I think that at the end of the day,” he says, “my idea is that I just want to create a healthy community where people feel they can communicate, talk, share... I know a lot of my expat friends don’t have Qatari friends so, okay, I can be your online friend,” he laughs. What does Mr Q think? Initially, it was all about the I Love Qatar brand, says Khalifa, but then people starting being interested in what Mr Q said and did. “I thought that was really cool,” he says. “So I guess today, I Love Qatar symbols the heart and Mr Q symbols the star. Doesn’t mean that I think I’m a star or anything!” he jokes. “I think when you create a brand behind your personality, you’ve got something that is worth sharing and talking about. Because I would love not just for people to interact with me but for them to take what I’ve said and create their own thoughts.” u 30
FACT QATAR JUNE
Mr Q’s Top Tips:
• When you read my blog posts, I hope you can hear my voice. I write the way that I speak. Let me hear you talk. Like don’t talk to me; let’s have a conversation. • Don’t treat your blog as if you’re a lonely island. When you see a really good blog post, share it with people so that that blog will then share your post and you’ll create this nice little ecosystem. • Don’t forget to create categories and sections. If somebody loves your blog and they like a particular topic that you’re talking about, make it easy for them. • Also, if a post is still relevant today, even though you wrote it three years ago, bring it back up to the top because now you’ve got a new audience who probably haven’t read that article.
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CULTURE
The Techy Ones
www.digitalqatar.qa, bi-lingual English and Arabic
Who? This blog falls under the banner of ictQatar and is led by content development section manager Anirudh Sharma and the rest of the pictured team that write in both Arabic and English. What? It’s actually one of the very first blogs to have technology content in Arabic and one of the few techy blogs in Qatar. Simply put, it’s ‘all things digital and all things technology’. So, says Anirudh, “we have simple topics like tips on writing for the web but then we also have blogs about search engine optimisation. “Usability testing, targeted mobile advertising, open source software for SMEs (small and medium enterprises), online privacy, Arabic domain names, etc. You name it, and chances are we have covered it through Digital Qatar. And if we haven’t, thank you for the idea, we will cover it soon.” Why? “Through Digital Qatar we truly try to start conversations and dialogues about latest
Digital Qatar’s
Top Tips
Check out their blog post Back to Basics. Here’s an extract: “Start with identifying your goal and your audiences. Who do you want to target? What do you want to communicate? How often will you blog? How will you advertise? From there – take the next steps to building and designing your blog – all of this can be easily done through free online templates such as WordPress. Then, start writing and posting pieces – disseminating your blog through every known channel. Who knows, in the future, people may be sipping their morning coffee and starting their day to your blog.”
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trends in technology,” says Anirudh. “What we talk about is not limited in any way. We hope it is beyond categories and keywords.” Overall, their main aim is to “deliver the benefit of ICT to the people of Qatar… That is what marks us in the direction of where we are heading.” How is it managed? The communications and content team at ictQatar take care of it for the most part but they also welcome contributions from the society at large. Anirudh says they have weekly content meetings and focus on the blog. “It’s the most bizarre meeting,” he laughs. “We have a whiteboard just full of ideas. When we brainstorm we go really deep, looking at everything that’s happening, anything that can happen or possibly will. “What comes out is a bit of structure after that chaos of creativity. It’s inspiring to see the number of people who are doing stuff in Qatar and who are doing it because they are passionate about technology.” n FACT QATAR JUNE
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ARTS.
Keeping QATAR’s eyes, ears and minds in shape
THIS MONTH YOU MUST...
visit katara
We look at the mustsee exhibitions in the cultural village this June READ
alex cross, run james patterson
This is a fantastic installment to the everpopular Alex Cross series. Patterson has really outdone himself and we challenge you to put this one down. LISTEN
WATCH
g.o.o.d. music: cruel summer
man of steel
We’re blaming a certain Kardashian for distracting Kanye and causing him to produce something we’re less than impressed with.
Superheroes are the future and we can’t wait to see what Snyder does with Superman.
kanye west
action/adventure
FACT QATAR JUNE
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ARTs
The Vision of Rhythm Stomp is arguably one of the most successful theatre stories and it will be performed for the first time in Doha this month. It has little or no melody in the traditional sense; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about the energetic rhythms of life.
The Lowdown Borne of British roots, Stomp is a unique performance of dance movement, physical comedy, percussion beats, clever choreography and unadulterated rhythm. Having started on the bustling streets of Brighton 22 years ago, Stomp has since become a world-renowned show with a number of awards under its belt. We take a look back over the history of the performance and celebrate its successes up until this very day. 34
FACT QATAR JUNE
ARTs
The Timeline
1991
heights. This includes a piece involving the live synchronisation of classic film clips and on-stage action, with 20 performers.
British street performers Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas start Stomp on the streets of Brighton, England. They produce, finance and direct the original show, which previews at London’s Bloomsbury Theatre and premieres at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh.
1996
1991 to 1994
In the summer, Luke and Steve create and direct Stomp Out Loud, a 45-minute TV special for American channel HBO, which combines stage material with new pieces made for the show.
Stomp becomes the Guardian’s ‘Critic’s Choice’ and The Daily Express awards the show ‘Best of The Fringe’ at the 1991 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Between these years, it also wins Olivier awards for ‘Best Entertainment’ and ‘Best Choreography’, following a season at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London.
1994
Stomp begins its Broadway run at the Orpheum Theatre in New York, when it wins a number of awards and where it continues to play to this day.
1996
A celebrated appearance at the Academy Awards elevates Stomp’s fame to greater
Brooms, a 15-minute short film based on the opening routine of Stomp, is nominated for an Oscar.
1997
1998
The TV show receives four Emmy nominations and won the award for multicamera picture editing.
2000
Stomp is performed at the Lincoln Memorial for President Bill Clinton’s Millennium celebrations.
2002
The IMAX movie Pulse – A Stomp Odyssey, which Luke and Steve produced in Brazil during Carnaval 2000, is released.
2003
Pulse wins two awards at La Geode Film Festival in Paris. Luke and Steve receive the Innovator Award at the American Choreography Association in LA.
2004
The film is awarded the ultimate IMAX Award for ‘Best Film’ at Montreal’s GSTA. The West End show at London’s Ambassador’s Theatre begins.
2007
New show, Stomp Out Loud, is launched with a bigger cast and performed inside a new USD28 million theatre created for it in Las Vegas.
2012
Stomp features in the London Olympics closing ceremony.
2013
The show heads to Qatar for the first time for a three-day run at the auditorium theatre in the Qatar National Convention Centre on 6th to 8th June. GO: Doors open at 6.30pm, show starts at 8pm. Tickets are on sale at Virgin Megastores and online at tickets.virginmegastore.me. Prices range from QR299 to QR799 for silver, platinum, gold and VIP tickets. FACT QATAR JUNE
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ARTs
Harding Meyer’s portraits are big, beautiful and full of emotion
Winning photo series for staged portraits stories by Stephan Vanfleteren
Wandering Galleries There are five great exhibitions to be seen in Katara Cultural Village throughout this month. Katy Gillett went to have a meander about the buildings to find out more. Hey’Ya: Arab Women in Sports
Until 16th June, QMA Gallery, building 10 What is it? Hey’Ya means ‘let’s go’ in Arabic and this energetic photo and video exhibition is inspirational by showing pure determination and a gungho attitude. Commissioned by the Qatar Museums Authority, the exhibition features a series of large-scale photos by Brigitte Lacombe of more than 60 Arab 36
FACT QATAR JUNE
sportswomen, Olympic competitors and non-Olympians, from 20 different Arab countries, shown alongside videos created by her sister, Marian Lacombe. Opinion: I sat riveted to the videos made by documentary filmmaker Marion in this exhibition. One after the other, from all around the Arab region, each film outlines the challenges each of the women have had to go through to
make it to where they are. Once you watch them and then look around at the surrounding photos they suddenly take on a more profound meaning and you’re able to connect. World Press Photography
Until 15th June, building 18, gallery 1 What is it? This epic photography show is a collaboration between the Qatar
ARTs
The dream coat that inspired it all by Moosa Omar
Designed to Win
Until 23rd June, building 3 What is it? This Katara exhibition demonstrates the ways in which design and The first prize singles image sport are combined to push the limits of by Daniel Rodrigues. human endeavour and allow us to achieve Football on military barracks previously unthinkable records. Hosted, in in Guinea-Bissau collaboration with the Design Museum in London to celebrate the Year of Culture, A wall of trainers Qatar-UK 2013, Designed to Win explores but it’s so much more ways design has shaped the sporting world, for example, through the introduction of revolutionary new materials, technologies, fashions and equipment. Opinion: The successes of human intelligence are celebrated here; how we’ve evolved and become stronger, fitter through the use of clever design and know-how. In this way, Designed to Win is inspiring and makes you think what an Photographic Society, Katara and the World Press Photo organisation to bring exhibition of its kind would present in another 20 years or so. It’s also quite fun, to us the winners of this year’s most prestigious photojournalism competition. with elements of interactivity and shows the astonishing in the mundane. Chair of the 2013 jury Santiago Lyon, commented on the work showcased, saying they play “an important role in Dream Coat the crucial work of documenting global Until 23rd June, building 19, gallery 1 events and telling compelling stories, What is it? It took three years for Omani through which we can better understand artist Moosa Omar to prepare for the the complex world in which we live.” original Dream Coat exhibition that first Opinion: In some parts, this exhibition showed in the Modern Art Museum in is harrowing. Images of Syria, Gaza, Kuwait. In this Doha exhibition the Qatar Africa, tell tales that many of us have not Visual Arts Centre presents his works along and will never be exposed to. with pieces by well-known Qatari artists But these photos serve to remind us Hassan Al Mulla and Maryem Al Moussa. of reality and how we always must Moosa often contemplates space and in appreciate the brave photographers who the exhibition catalogue he states, “Those enter unimaginable circumstances to spaces are like skies where I can fly without uncover hard truths. limits as a legendary bird with one thousand In other categories, however – nature wings which ventures into all corners, visits and sport – human victory and beauty stars and sneak into galaxies borrowing from that is both inspiring and overwhelming them what I choose to borrow and return to is celebrated. blend all that with real life on earth.” This is truly a must-visit exhibit. Opinion: This exhibition is colourful and
fantastical. What really makes it special is the tribute from local artists. Each person reflects on the collection and makes it their own. It’s great to see the interpretations and feel the respect one artist has for another. Eye to Eye Portraits by Harding Meyer
Until 23rd June, building 18, gallery 2 What is it? Brazilian, Germany-based portrait artist Harding Meyer is currently an artist-in-residence at the Katara Art Studios and last month hosted a painting workshop where he engaged with Qatari artists. The exhibition he now presents features 13 large-sized portrait paintings. The subjects of the paintings were chosen at random but the execution was intimate. The curators write in the catalogue that he “manages to captivate and glimpse into the soul of every subject he paints.” Opinion: The paintings are huge. They tower over you and almost alarm as you walk into the gallery. But they are beautiful, textured and very detailed. The subjects are also stunning and, at the risk of sounding cheesy, these portraits are quite simply windows to their soul and leave you with mixed emotion. There is so much feeling captured in each one, it is hard not to empathise. n GO: Buildings and galleries are listed here. For further information visit www.katara.net or call 4408 0050. For QMA Gallery visit www.qma.org.qa for more.
FACT QATAR JUNE
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ARTs
TOP FILMS SHOWING THIS MONTH IN QATAR
ON SCREEN ‘OHHHH MYYYYY - it’s so damn hot in this!’
Man of Steel D: zack snyder C: henry cavill, russell crowe, amy adams, kevin costner
WHAT’S IT ABOUT:
This is the story of Superman. Everyone who is anyone knows this story but for you plonkers who need reminding here goes: Clark Kent (Cavill) is a journalist in his twenties who was adopted by Jonathan and Martha Kent (Kevin Costner and Diane Lane), after he was transported to Earth from the dying planet of Krypton. Raised with values of his adoptive parents, he feels alienated because of his unique superpowers and struggles to find his own 38
FACT QATAR JUNE
place in life. When the world is attacked, he becomes the hero named Superman to protect the Earth and its people.
WHY IT’S WORTH WATCHING:
WE ARE THIS EXCITED THAT WE ARE WRITING IT IN CAPITALS. Imagine a Christopher Nolan story with all the Snyder effects and action... we might even go as far as to suggest that this could be the film of the year. A bold statement but by gosh we will eat our words if it appears to be false. Prior to the release of this film, all was quiet on the media front. The main reason for this was that the creators wanted to create as much hype as they could. And what hype there was.
The trailers released prior to the screening painted Snyder’s movie reboot as a contemplative and morose take on the character. In fact, the previews do Superman or the film little justice as tonnes of butt-kicking action has been intentionally missed out. In simple terms, Man of Steel is realistic, but not overlyserious, in its approach to the fantastical comic book mythos. Ever-since the release of the likes of Captain America, The Avengers, Batman and even Hunger Games, heroes and heroines are hot-beans right now. Plus, Superman’s cape is CG’ed most of the time and looks totally awesome. Shotgun best seats.
ARTs
The Internship D: shawn levy C: owen wilson, vince vaughn, rose byrne, john goodman
WHAT’S IT ABOUT:
Two salesmen, Billy (Vaughn) and Nick (Wilson), whose careers have been torpedoed by the digital age, find their way into a coveted internship at Google. Here these forty-something-year-old men must compete with a group of young, tech-savvy geniuses for a shot at employment.
WHY IT’S WORTH WATCHING:
This is the first time this duo have been paired since 2005’s Wedding Crashers and, despite the break, they still play well off of each other, both showcasing their own brand of bumbling, naive charisma. There are plenty of ‘old guy’ jokes to cement the comedy pair as the underdogs and enough bromance to make sure the story has heart. They may be getting on a bit now, but it’s always refreshing to see that a movie relationship can continue to work if done well. Bravo boys.
‘Where’s the power button?’
Jamie that stinnkkksssss!
[ SYNOPSIS]
This Is The End has got some great names like Jonah Hill, Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen, James Franco and Emma Watson in it. Comedy at its finest, all the cast members must face the true meaning of friendship and redemption as the world ends around them, following a series of cataclysmic events in LA. Sony Pictures actually released this as a trailer for Pineapple Express 2 on April Fool’s Day - well played we thought. Great for a lighthearted giggle, we will be watching this again.
White House Down Byzantium sees residents of a British coastal town learn, with deathly consequences, the secret shared by two mysterious women who have sought shelter at a local resort. Expect vampire performances from Saoirse Ronan, Gemma Arterton (woohoo at last!) and Sam Riley. People disappear, blood is sucked, a lot of folk die and we all go home after the credits roll wishing we had saved our BD3.
D: roland emmeric C: channing tatum, jamie foxx, maggie gyllenhaal
WHAT’S IT ABOUT: While on a tour of the White House with his young daughter a Capitol policeman springs into action to save his child and to protect the president from a heavily armed group of paramilitary invaders. Intense...
WHY IT’S WORTH WATCHING:
This is one of a trio of blockbusters (Olympus and G.I.Joe: Retaliation), since September 11, which shows terrorists violently attacking Washington landmarks. We really adored Jamie in Django Unchained but this one leaves us feeling a bit ‘bleurgh’ about his role decisions. Once again Channing is looking hunky and massive, shame neither of these rubs off on his acting skills or lack thereof. FACT QATAR JUNE
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ARTs
NEW ALBUMS, ARTISTS, AND AUDIOPHONICS
CHOICE TUNES Kanye West: the creator of a complete mish-mash of an album.
R&B
G.O.O.D. music: Cruel summer By kanye west (++)
Pop
halcyon
By eLlie goulding
WHAT’S IT LIKE:
We found a certain peace in reminding ourselves that Cruel Summer is not Kanye West’s record. In fact, it is a crew album, where all the rappers he’s signed to his G.O.O.D. imprint during the R&B
Trouble Man: Heavy is the head
In association with Virgin Megastore
past few years momentarily feel like they own the place. You are blessed with sounds from former greats, like Pusha-T, to half-decent punchline rappers, like Big Sean, to entourage bottom-feeders like CyHi the Prince. Too much time with this lot makes you feel like you’re trapped in a realityTV house, especially as Kanye does the occassional drop-by and plays a minute role in the entire album. In all honesty, this collection of mish-mash feels uncharacteristically disposable. Once the early run of singles are out of the way, of which ‘To the World’ is the only one worth a listen, you get to Kid CuDi’s dribbly alt-rock solo ‘Creepers’... it kind of makes you feel that even the artists involved have left the room. You may have Ma$e sounding pretty slick in ‘Higher’, but a handful of guests aisde, this album makes a weak case for all the bragging Kanye has done in the run up to this release. Massive disappointment. We blame it on a certain Kardashian for being the distraction. Pop
global warming By pitbull
By T.I
WHAT’S IT LIKE:
LIKE chocolate bars with raisins and tweed elbow patches, Ellie’s music sometimes gets pegged as stuff British people like. Maybe it’s because she performed at Big Will’s wedding or that her single ‘Lights’ took so long crawling up the US charts. Halcyon could have gone for easy crossovers, but the album is slightly too weird for that... and that’s what makes it good. Words of warning: there are harp solos, digitally tweaked cyborg harmonies and at least one tribute to bodily fluids ‘My Blood’. ‘Anything Could Happen’ is a real smasher (just don’t tell QBS it’s actually about skinny-dipping) and ‘Only You’ captures that Adele-esque heartbreak down to a T with smouldering electronicsoul. In this case, Ellie stands for edgy, exciting and eccentric. 40
FACT QATAR JUNE
WHAT’S IT LIKE:
THIS is defintely a step forward from the MC’s previous effort, but saying that, it has been six years since he has made an album that is worthy of a listen. Inspired by Marvin Gaye’s Trouble Man soundtrack, T.I’s eighth album packed full of a list of featured artists including Lil Wayne, Andre 3000, R. Kelly, Cee Lo Green and even Akon, who makes a very poor stand-in for Elton John and spoils one of the albums many meditative tracks. ‘Sorry’ is a somber track, where T.I and Andre 3000 drop verses that necessitate numerous listens to fully absorb and ‘Ball’ is an unruly listen, comprimising of a whirlwind synthesis of throwback and contemporary sounds. Great for background music, volume 4, but not one to bore your friends through.
WHAT’S IT LIKE:
VOCALLY Pitbull ticks all the boxes for being a MC/party promoter than being a vocal talent. With all that said, we wouldn’t mind rubbing shoulders with all the celebs at his parties, as it seems everyone on the planet is on the guest list. His last album Planet Pit positioned this Cuban-American party ambassador as an international concern and his latest album re-ups this man’s booming brand with bordercrossing dance-floor thumpers, swagembedded journalism, and duets with globally bankable artists like The Wanted, J..Lo and Enrique Iglesias. A definite highlight is ‘Feel This Moment’ - a collaboration with ever-shrinking, ever-bloating Christina Aguilera. This is a guilty pleasure enjoyed on full blast.
ARTs
QATAR’S BEST READS THIS MONTH BY GENRE
CHOICE WORDS
In association with Virgin Megastore
Fiction
alex cross, run By james patterson
WHAT’S IT ABOUT:
This title just goes to show that James Patterson is really at the top of his game.
Fiction
touch & go By lisa gardner
TOP plastic surgeon Elijah Creem is renowned for his skills in the operating room, and for his wild, no-expense-spared industry parties. That is until Alex Cross busts one of Creem’s lavish soirees and ruins his fun. Now Creem is willing to do anything to avoid going to jail. In the meantime, a beautiful woman has been murdered in her car, another is found hanging from a sixth-floor window and a third body is discovered. Alex is under so much pressure solving these three grim cases that he hasn’t noticed someone else is investigating him... Someone so twisted they will do anything to gain vengeance. Non-Fiction
The book of deadly animals By gordon grice
WHAT’S IT LIKE:
Ever since Alex Cross first came on the scene back in 1995, he has become somewhat of a fictional hero. James Patterson currently holds the New York Times bestsellers list record with 63 titles.. and this book is worthy of another win. In true Patterson fashion, the story includes every element a good cop tale needs: shootouts, car chases, mysterious characters and bad boys galore. This is a must-read for anyone who enjoys the ultimate crime thriller. It also goes to show that, even after 20 novels with Alex Cross as the protagonist, Patterson is still able to keep you on the edge of your seat. Gripping stuff and will make you beg for more once you reach the last page. Biography
Harry Styles Every piece of me By Louisa jepson
WHAT’S IT ABOUT:
JUSTIN and Libby Denbe have the kind of life that looks good in the pages of a glossy magazine. A beautiful 15-year-old daughter, Ashlyn, a gorgeous brownstone house in an elite neighbourhood and a great marriage. When investigator Tessa Leoni arrives at a crime scene at their house, the entire family seems to have been abducted. There are no witnesses, no ransom demands and no motives. Just an entire family, vanished without a trace. WHAT’S IT LIKE:
This is a testament to what a terrific mystery writer Gardner is. Jam-packed action with layers of secrets make this a fantastic read under the covers in the early hours of the morning. This puts this author on the map as one of the reigning queens of domestic drama.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT:
WHETHER at a zoo, on a camping trip or hidden under our bedsheets, we are surrounded by animals. While most are perfectly harmless, it’s the magnificent exceptions that populate this book. Readers are taken on a tour of the animal kingdom - from grizzly bears to great white sharks, big cats to crocodiles. Imagine pages overflowing with astonishing facts and unforgettable stories of their encounters with humans. WHAT’S IT LIKE:
Not only will the words in this book horrify, delight and amaze you, the awe-inspiring photographs of beasts and bugs add to the drama. Packed full with a wealth of information, Grice is a beguiling writer, leaving your heart in your throat every time you flip a page. Fresh, wonderful and fascinating.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT:
PART of the global boy band sensation that is One Direction, Harry is often considered the favourite amongst the 1D fans. This book lifts the lid on life as a member of the world’s biggest band; it is the story of how a boy from Cheshire followed his dreams to become an international star and hearthrob to millions of devoted fans. WHAT’S IT LIKE:
An absolute joke. We are struggling to understand how this kid can have a book written about him when he has only just hit puberty. He probably hasn’t even kissed a girl yet... well that’s a lie after his infamous fling with Taylor Swift. This isn’t even worth a glance on the shelf let alone wasting hours of your life reading. He may be part of the biggest boy band but he is not old or talented enough to have his name in print. FACT QATAR JUNE
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TECHNOLOGY.
Keeping THE PEOPLE OF QATAR state-of-the-art
Speaking with the hack gate officers Cyber security is a hot topic at the
moment so we got on the phone with the people who know what’s what in Qatar...
LAB TEST
SAMSUNG S4 we review
DRIVEN...
jaguar xf british class
We look at the latest from Samsung and swoon at the amazing-ness that is this brand new smartphone. AND ALSO...
apple tv we test
We tried to determine if the Apple TV is a worthy buy of non-Apple users. We weren’t convinced...
The XF is finally what is always should have been says Ali Driver. Read his review and find out why he’s happy with this ride. FACT QATAR JUNE
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TECHNOLOGY
Tell us a bit about what you do…
I’m the cyber security resiliency section manager. Resiliency is the term and philosophy behind security - not just securing but keeping organisations resilient and ready for anything they encounter; how they can get back to work and make sure the damages are minimal when compromised. We’re dedicated to government and all other critical sectors. What do you do to raise awareness of threats to cyber security?
With a number of high profile
hacks being executed around the
world and in Qatar, now is a very
good time to pay attention to your online security. We speak to Dana Al-Abdulla of Q-Cert to find out
what’s being done in the country.
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FACT QATAR JUNE
We’re doing a lot of things in terms of proactive and reactive measures. With reactive – we have prepared a team for incident management. Whenever anyone has a problem with hacking, they can contact Q-Cert to help them mitigate that. There is a hotline, website and email address. Anyone can contact us for any hacking or system compromise and we are offering this to the public and organisations. On the other hand, we have a lot of proactive measures like awareness and training to educate people. We want to raise education level on information
TECHNOLOGY
security and provide them with an advisory. Whenever we see through our tools any kind of threat for Qatar’s cyber security, we will issue an alert for people and send out advisories. We also have a weekly newsletter with the latest news, tools and a lot of information. What is the biggest cyber threat to Qatar right now?
Threats are evolving. We see a lot of things happening every day. Maybe the thing we have highlighted [recently] is the ransomware. We’ve seen it a lot and we’ve seen people are victims to it. Basically, it’s a Trojan that locks the computer and screen. It tells the user to pay for that account to make their system release and the message looks like it’s from the Ministry of Interior or the Qatar police. We have highlighted that and published an advisory so people don’t fall into the trap and pay. Phishing is something to mention to people as well and we are saying this a lot. This is when people create a website that looks legitimate for bags and sales. Then people sometimes get in the trap and submit all personal and financial information to this fake website.
What laws protect users
Where did your interest in online
in Qatar?
safety come from?
Currently we have the e-commerce law, which has some of the factors that protect people with regard to consuming money online. But we’ve been asked this question a lot. There will be a cyber crime law that will be published soon. It’s from the government of Qatar and we’re waiting for it to be published. We don’t know when this will happen, as we’re not the owner.
I studied computer engineering in Qatar University. Since I was in university I was very excited about cyber security and I got to know Q-Cert because they came to the uni and introduced their ideas. I thought that this is really what I want. When I graduated I joined and since then I’ve gotten involved in security and all other aspects. I was an incident handler and now I’ve moved to the resilience team. It’s not boring and every day there’s something new. And it’s also important for Qatar and I really believe in this.
What tips would you offer the regular user to protect their system?
Install an antivirus software and make sure it comes from a legitimate website. People in the Middle East often rely on cracked software. Make sure they update antivirus and the operating system is installed and updated regularly. Never neglect that. Also, don’t click on suspicious links especially from an email. Scan attachments before opening them and never open an attachment or email from a stranger. Keep aware of social networks – like Twitter and Facebook – by not clicking on links from people they don’t know. These are the main things, along with educating themselves in general on cyber security.
Do you have a message you’d really like to get out to the public?
Try to read about cyber security and don’t ignore it. Personally I believe cyber security should be a culture and this is our message. I encourage users to read about how to protect themselves online, not just on email but also on mobile devices and smartphones. This is the best message we can possibly give. n GO: If you’ve noticed weird online behaviour then don’t hesitate to contact Q-Cert Call Centre on 4499 5444
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LAB TEST
Apple TV Available: virgin megastore (QR435)
There are a lot of people sitting on the fence about this one. The latest update wasn’t quite as ‘full-on’ as people had hoped. Rather it was a small revision to the existing media streamer of last year, retaining the same form factor but with an updated menu system and faster processor. Perhaps the biggest change, though, is its ability to stream and play full 1080p HD movies – last year’s model could only just manage 720p, which was all the iTunes Store offered for movie rentals and purchasing anyway. This, of course, means that Apple is going to have to update a lot of its iTunes Store
catalogue to 1080p for you to get the most out of it. As well as enabling you to purchase and rent movies, Apple TV does two other things to take note of: it acts as a browser for selected Internet content (YouTube, Vimeo, Netflik, iCloud, Podcasts etc) and thanks to Apple’s AirPlay system it can receive content streamed from a Mac, PC or iOS device and play it on your television. To be clear, this is what it can’t do – most importantly, you still can’t use it to watch free-to-air TV channels, so it’s not a proper set-top box solution and you can’t use it to browse the full web or write some emails, like you can with the iPad. The full implications of this become
clearer when you realise that some popular websites, which would make total sense to be accessed via an Apple TV, are unavailable… these include BBC’s iPlayer – although you can watch iPlayer on your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad then use AirPlay to send it to your Apple TV. If you already have some Apple devices in your home, then Apple TV is a natural fit and, at this price, you should really consider getting one. For everyone else, there is no compelling reason to buy it over other media streamers. n PROS
- Easy to use - Movies in 1080p HD quality
CONS
- No TV tuner - Still no iPlayer application
Unimpressed
Pleased
“It is now able to play full 1080p HD movies”
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‘The latest update isn’t quite what people expected”
Neutral “Only great for Apple device addicts”
TECHNOLOGY
LAB TEST
Samsung Galaxy S4 AVALIABLE: vodafone (QR2,599)
Every year, Samsung’s flagship Galaxy smartphone sets the tone for the company – its features proliferate across the Galaxy line and its physical design informs new phones and tablets… that’s A LOT to live up to. But is the Galaxy S4 worried? Not one bit. In fact, the mobile world may have just got a new king. Riding high on the popularity of the Galaxy S3 and the Galaxy Note 2, the S4 walks a fine line between not throwing out what still works while adding new features to dazzle consumer eyes. Bigger display, full HD resolution, quadcore processor, 13-megapixel camera… the list goes on. The big question is, can the battery handle everything owners will throw at this phone? (see later). The design language of the latest model stays close to that of the S3 (why mess with a good thing?); the S4 is just as comfortable to hold, light and as goodlooking. The power and volume buttons stick out just enough to find without looking, the plastic unibody design means battery access is easy, as well as getting to the microSD and SIM card slots. What’s great is that the S4 is 4.6 ounces – 0.1 ounces less than the S3. This has even been done with adding a bigger screen… impressive. The 5-inch display on the S4 approaches, but doesn’t exceed, the fragile line between phone and ‘phablet’. It is still one-hand friendly (if you have normal to large size hands). Also, the screen boasts a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution and has all those bright colours we’ve come to expect from Super AMOLED displays. The 2,6000mAh battery inside the S4 is barely enough to keep the battery juiced if you’re a heavy-duty user. On the days using LTE, it lasts between seven to eight hours with heavy use but the good
Impressed
“Stays close to S3 design… thank goodness”
Pleased
“The mobile world has a new king”
JUST AMAZING
“One of the best smartphones you can buy right now”
news is, at least you can swap it for another one. Without a doubt, one of the best smartphones out there. GO AND BUY THIS NOW. n
PROS
CONS
- Comfortable, lightweight - Great camera
- Mediocre battery life
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ALI DRIVER SAYS THAT
“The Jaguar XF brings a touch of British class to the mid-size executive saloon segment, but will that be enough?” Our Mystery Motoring Expert, Ali Driver, takes Jaguar’s sports saloon for a spin…
I really don’t envy the Jaguar XF. To say it has stiff competition would be akin to saying summers in the Gulf get a bit warm. It’s up against the likes of the Audi A5 and A6, the BMW 5 Series, and the Mercedes E Class, all of which are very well established models in the segment. The XF was brought in to replace the Jaguar S-Type in 2007, and represented one of the biggest disappointments in my career as a motoring journalist. This is because they built up a massive hype around this new model with the concept it was based on, the C-XF. This 48
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concept was an absolute work of art – smooth flowing lines of brilliant silver flowing back from a front fascia that looked like a predator ready to pounce. Which is why, when the actual production model XF was unveiled in 2007, I stood aghast. It didn’t look anything like the bloody concept! Sure, the general shape was there, but it had been completely toned down, and the front lights, with their little round curve on the top, looked less like predator than prey – a rabbit caught in the headlights. Thankfully, this second generation
is the car that the XF should always have been, reverting much more to the original styling of the C-XF. The general size and shape are the same, but somehow the car manages to look 100% better simply through the facelift that put it more in line with the original concept. So, having established that the new XF is better, now we can get down to the nitty-gritty. The model I took out was the entry-level Luxury model, which is powered by Jaguar’s smallest engine, the 2.0l turbocharged inline four-cylinder. Interestingly, though, thanks to the turbo this engine puts
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out more power than the previous generation 3.0l engine, at 241hp and 340Nm of torque, but actually consumes less fuel. The dealership were keen for me to review this model, because anyone can be impressed by a sports saloon with a monstrous supercharged 5.0l V8 in it, but this entry-level model puts the XF within the means of many more people, and those are the people who Jaguar wants to buy the car. From a standstill, performance is relatively good. This model gets to 100km/h from standstill in 7.9 seconds, which isn’t exactly blistering. However, at higher speeds the power delivery is much better, and this is helped by the 8-speed auto, which helps to extract the most power from the engine at any given speed. You can tell that the gear ratios were designed for maximum overtaking ability rather than a blistering launch from a standing start. The experience is improved by smooth, fast gear changes that are barely noticeable under normal driving conditions. Ride comfort is, as you’d expect, fantastic, and the car handles just as well as you’d expect from a premium sports sedan, largely thanks to the JaguarDrive Control traction control system. The interior is a lovely place to be, with soft, comfortable leather seats and lashings of leather trim. The lines on the dashboard are simple, clean and stylish, if a little utilitarian,
This model is everything I had hoped it would be in the first place
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It has great style even though it focuses more on function
It’s the little things that count and this Jag is full of touches I appreciate, like the gear selector. It’s the effort that counts after all!
though the wood panelling, leather u padding and chrome finishes give everything a truly premium feel. The infotainment system is simple, straightforward and easy to use, controlled through the 7-inch colour touchscreen display, where you can select the stereo, the navigation controls, and also manage all the car settings. The gear selector is perhaps the most novel touch – it’s a circular dial that raises up out of the centre console when you start the car, and then slips back down into is when you switch it off again. It’s touches like that that are perhaps what I like most about the Jaguar XF. It has a character all of its own, and provides a refreshing alternative to the current list of established names in the premium executive saloon segment. However, while I did enjoy the Jaguar, and found absolutely nothing to fault with the 2.0l turbo engine, there was one nagging thought buzzing round and round in my head the whole time I drove it, and this was: “Why, oh why couldn’t they give me the 5.0l supercharged V8 model?!!”n 50
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ALI DRIVER SAYS THAT
“A Chevy Traverse is a MPV disguised as a CUV on steroids – now figure THAT one out!”
Our Mystery Motoring Expert, Ali Driver, was thoroughly impressed with the versatility of the Traverse…
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n all honesty, it took me a while to figure out what the Traverse was, before I finally came up with the genius but less-thanspecific definition above. When I first looked at it, I instantly thought “CUV”. However, then I looked at the high ground clearance and thought “SUV”. Then I looked at the three rows of seating and the two fold-flat rows and thought “MPV”. Err, confused… So, let’s get to the bottom of this. It does have a relatively high ground
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clearance compared to other CUVs, as well as all-wheel-drive, but that front spoiler would catch on steeper inclines, and there’s no four-high/ four-low gear selector. So it’s not, by any means, a full-on off-roader, though it will get you many places a car wouldn’t. It hasn’t got a sliding side door, it’s a standard five-door format, so it’s not an MPV either. So it looks like “CUV” is the best way to describe it, though it’s more versatile and capable than most I’ve seen.
The model I was driving was the Traverse 2LT which, on top of the features, the two lower models have like rear park assist, 20-inch aluminium alloy wheels, keyless entry with remote start and ambient interior lighting, you also get a power remote liftgate, a very nifty 10-speaker BOSE sound system controlled through the really nice Chevrolet MyLink 6.5-inch touchscreen and three rows of leather seating. The interior is comfortable and
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It moves at a decent pace and the ride comfort is excellent, with the car soaking up all the potholes
well-appointed, with the leather seats and leather-padded dashboard along with the faux wood panelling and chrome trimmings, but there is definitely more consideration given to function rather than form. For example, despite the leather, the dashboard does give much more of an impression of a truck or van than a family MPV, and you can see much of the working bits of the rear seats, which is largely because of the many ways they fold and move. The Traverse is powered by a reasonably beefy 3.6L DOHC V6, which puts out 281hp and 361NM of torque. This makes the Traverse no slouch, and we’re sure that all that torque means it’ll still shift when it’s fully loaded with passengers or cargo. As expected, the driving experience of the Traverse doesn’t hold any surprises. It feels like a large crossover, but aside from the fact that it moves at a decent pace, the ride comfort is excellent, with the vehicle soaking up the bumps and potholes with finesse. The allwheel-drive and the STABILITRAK traction control system combine to make the Traverse pretty nimble for a car of this size, putting the power to the right wheels to make sure it doesn’t misbehave in tight cornering. The overall result is that the Traverse is actually a pretty pleasant place to be for a mid-range CUV. It’s comfortable, smooth and easy to drive. But what impressed me most of all was the versatility of the Traverse. For example, it will quite easily seat seven, although adults might feel a bit cramped in the third row. This is helped somewhat by the fact that the second row slides backwards and forwards, allowing for more legroom in the last row. However, the second and last rows also fold completely flat, giving you the option of a fiveseater with a huge boot, or what is, essentially, a two-seater van with a flat bed. And it’s surprisingly easy and straightforward to do all this, with u FACT QATAR JUNE
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“You can literally go from seven-seater MPV to flat bed van in about thirty seconds. How’s THAT for convenient?!” Ali Driver gets pretty hyped up about the options in the latest Chevy Traverse model
highly visible levers and pull-straps to do all this manoeuvring. You can literally go from seven-seater MPV to flat bed van in about thirty seconds. How’s THAT for convenient? The versatility of the Traverse is what really sets it apart in the CUV segment. You obviously can’t compare the on-road performance to the likes of smaller CUVs like the Ford Edge, but in terms of an all-round family wagon, few cars will give you as much for your money as the Traverse. n
In terms of an all-round family wagon, it’s got bang for its buck
Who is Ali Driver? 1. He lives in Qatar and says he grew up on the streets of Doha, but we think he’s actually from a rich family. 2. He says his car skills are self-taught, but we’re sure we’ve seen a 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 four 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
THIS MONTH YOU MUST...
suave and smart
boggi’s new collection
Women swoon and men step aside for the Boggi man this season as they pull out all the stops. But we’ll leave the decisions up to you...
Sunshine And Summertime It’s officially summertime, which means less clothes and more fun, but don’t let the sun make you lazy. Your wardrobe should be even hotter than the weather, which is why we’ve run down some of the season’s coolest looks to keep you looking fresh. So let the sun shine, we’re ready!
cindalayla local brands
We talk to Layla, behind LAS Fashion, about her inspirations and latest collection for Spring/ Summer 2013 FACT QATAR JUNE
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images by Vedran Strelar
Fashion
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Fashion
the fairy tale of summer trends Qatar-based LAS Fashion celebrated their first anniversary last month with the launch of founder Layla Asgar Siyabiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest SS2013 collection, CindaLayla; an Arabesque twist to Cinderella, inspired by bold textures and prints from South Asia. We caught up with her to find out more about her inspirations and plans for the brand. What inspires you on a daily basis?
I am inspired everyday by my family and the encouragement they give me to move forward. I think to be in the creative field, you constantly need to feel inspired, stay positive and believe in what you are doing. That is why I always find ways to stay inspired whether it is by doing research on other big designers (their success stories) or watching fashion shows or reading new books. What do you hope to achieve with your brand?
I hope to inspire others to follow their dreams, encourage women to be more confident in how they look and feel through our clothing and healthy
image campaign. And of course I hope LAS Fashion becomes a regional giant when it comes to designer brands. How did it all start?
It all started with my passion for designing and dressing others. I love seeing people happy in my creations. To know that you are the reason why a woman is exuding confidence is a very blissful thing for me. At first I decided to start with dressing my family and close friends and eventually started getting calls from strangers who loved my pieces seen on friends or on friends of friends. What do you think of the Qatar fashion market as it is today?
I think competitiveness has definitely arrived. There are many local u FACT QATAR JUNE
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Fashion
designer brands forming and the market is definitely keen on trying out new things. Women of Qatar are very stylish and so are the expats. There are a majority of people who would dress stylishly rather than be plain so we really have a good base to form our clients from in Qatar. Are your clothes available around the region?
It is based in Qatar but we deliver all over the GCC. We hope to expand the business and make a mark in Oman soon and then the rest of the GCC will be our domain. Do you aim to open a shop any time soon?
We have recently started working on our in-house studio. It is in the process of furnishing and last stages. This is where clients will be able to see my Ready to Wear collections as well as allow me to design custommade orders for clients. At the moment all our pre-collection is available at M Collection Boutique at Wathnan Mall. A few more boutiques have approached me for the new CindaLayla collection and we are in the process of deciding which would be a good fit for LAS Fashion. In the future we definitely want to have a fully operating fashion house. Who is the biggest fashion icon in your opinion?
In my opinion, Kate Middleton and the always stylish and chic HH Sheikha Moza. She is definitely a fashion icon for this region and both women are constantly in the public eye but have managed to keep their style chic, positive and inspiring. n GO: Find out more by visiting LAS Fashion online on Facebook (/LAS. Fashionqa) and www.lasfashionqa.com 60
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Boiling Point
This June we’re celebrating summer by choosing a wardrobe that embraces electric hues alongside clear neutral tones. Focusing on cuts and fabrics we show you how to never allow heat overpower your sartorial pursuits for greatness, hoping to once again prove that budget doesn’t dictate style.
Stradivarius
The simple silhouette and airy design is what makes this dress by Stradivarius a frock tailormade for the beach lover preparing their desert escape.
h&M
YSL We found this decadently sweet and feminine YSL shoulder bag that is sure to brighten up anyone’s day. Instantly fixated by our monstrous desire for this purse, we find ourselves reduced to the likes of a kid in a candy store by what truly is an accessory a girl could easily lose sleep over.
pull and bear Clean and comfortable, a pair of jelly sandals by Pull and Bear make for an absolute treat for your feet. Perfect for a walk on the beach or a long day of shopping, walking a mile in these shoes is a breeze.
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With the sun making its scorching debut it’s time to hit the beach. Ensure you’re the hottest thing on the shore this summer in this simple and sexy bikini by H&M. Life’s a beach and we plan on tanning.
JUICY COUTURE Currently a central accessory and textile trend, chains are one of the season’s preferred style accents to storm their way off the runway. Work the trend with this exaggerated neon chain bangle by Juicy Couture, paying a less than subtle homage to an animated and overindulgent pop culture.
h&M
This safari inspir ed jumpsuit is the ideal piece for a day out in the sun. The relaxed design and silk y material will ke ep you looking as cool as you’ll fee l.
carolina herrera For those days when the sun burns so hot you feel as vulnerable as a melting ice-lolly on the sidewalk, having this fan by Carolina Herrera in your summer arsenal will prove itself as more than just a unnecessary chic accessory.
Fashion
Lacoste
topshop
Delightfully summery and equally stylish this neon transparent tote by Lacoste will take you from the mall to the beach without breaking a sweat. Season appropriate and wonderfully practical - it’s a summer must-have.
With a literal and aesthetic edge this angular multi-tone ring by Topshop is an accessory to look out for.
Jane norman Playing a huge part in our summer colour palette, coral is a season favorite. Rock the look after dark in this seductive figure hugging bandage dress by Jane Norman.
TOPSHOP Perfectly paired with a cropped or oversized tee this metallic pencil skirt by Topshop is the sharpest way to hit all the right style notes. Incorporating one of the season’s hottest colour trends with a flattening body shaping cut, this skirt is the stand-out piece your summer wardrobe is missing.
MISS Selfridge
TOPSHOP Topshop brings us a chic redesign of the traditional rural overall. The silk grey jumpsuit will inject a sleek laid-back androgynous vibe to your urban street style, appropriate for most occasions barring any agricultural pursuits.
Truly ideal for any high season garden event is this almost gown like maxi dress by Miss Selfridge. Aesthetically romantic yet beautifully understated, the piece is comprised of fine appliqué flowers and an open-back detail, and when slipped on gives a flawless fairytale finish.
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Fashion
Summertime Blues
This season weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re feeling inspired by sandy beaches and maritime history. Sticking to a clearly nautical colour palette, get ready to set sail on a sartorial adventure. So let loose and embrace an undemanding relaxed style sensibility.
t for topman is our first stop on the hun clothing trends Topman e. The nonchalant styling of this look cult of t fron fore the on Always ineered with a youthful edg notable pieces cleverly engwback to 90s grunge. thro e urit favo our it makes Fred perry
Every city slicker, with a preppy style aesthetic, needs a pair of Fred Perry plimsolls. Avoid over styling by staying true to their minimalist design to create a crisp off-duty look. Complement the neutral white palette with a series of muted shades.
pull and bear This short-sleeved shirt by Pull and Bear is a sartorial classic. The sharp design and unchallenging colour makes it compatible to a huge list of garments and should subsequently see little time hidden in the back of your wardrobe.
topman Entirely understated with its offbeat uniform design this watch by Topman will soon have you telling time in style.
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Fashion
Lacoste LIVE Known for their perfectly constructed Polo shirts this particular piece from the Lacoste L!VE collection is a failsafe choice. The discreet tonal accents give it a distinctive finish. Score style points by teaming with a pair of slim fitting jeans in a daring colour.
GAP
This is a simple yet sophisticated look by GAP. Team up a dark top with some lighter shorts or boardies and guarantee your summer tan and body to look the part.
LES Benjamins
It’s the statement Tee we’re obsessing over. Les Benjamins elevates a staple garment with an eccentric graphic print that injects a dose of humor and wit to your summer wardrobe. Team with a pair of tailored Bermuda shorts and leather sneakers for a slick finish.
H&M
Amp up your summer staples with this quirky pair of maritime inspired shorts by H&M. The satirically educational diagrammatic knot print proves a curious twist to the ever-popular nautical trend.
Massimo dutti
Massimo dutti Every man needs a good watch and this summer piece by Massimo Dutti is just the thing. It even has changing straps to match the occassion.
For a pant that perfectly channels the great British countryside look no further than Massimo Dutti’s navy blue Prince of Wales print trousers. The slim fitting cut and immaculate tailoring lends itself best to a tall lean physique.
Lacoste Lacoste has long cornered the market on luxury sportswear and with their contemporary design this pair of red, white and blue visors fit seamlessly into our summer repertoire.
H&M
Style and comfort in equal measure, this pair of espadrilles by H&M effortlessly slip on for a day out in the sun your feet are sure to enjoy.
Massimo dutti An essential for the summer be it for the gym or a change of clothes - this bag will go with every and any outfit.
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Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hot 2
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Be on-trend this season with this fantastic footwear from around the country. The chunkier the better!
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1. Bershka qr250 | 2. Topshop QR330 | 3. Bershka QR250 | 4. Massimo Dutti QR530 | 5. Stradivarius QR290 6. Stradivarius QR290 | 7. Uterque QR650 | 8. Stradivarius QR250 9. Uterque QR595 | 10. Stradivarius QR250 | 11. Vincci QR149
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picks
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DRESSES These slinky summer numbers are designed to keep you feeling cool while looking extremely hot.
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1. Bershka qr175 | 2. Bershka QR195 3. Lacoste price on request | 4. salsa qr380 | 5. Stradivarius QR170 6. TOPSHOP QR310 | 7. NEXT QR380 8. TOPSHOP QR380 | 9. PROMOD QR227
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SHORTS You’ll never be a dull boy with these brightly coloured bottoms!
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1. Salsa QR4345 | 2. Lacoste price on request 3. Bershka QR175 | 4. Lacoste POR 5. NEXT QR165 | 6. LAcoste POR 7. Lacoste POR | 8. Salsa POR 9. BoggI QR500
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BELTS
Hoist up those shorts with these strapping and sophisticated belt options.
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1. Massimo dutti QR170 | 2. LACOSTE POR 3. SALSA QR170 | 4. SALSA POR 5. SALSA POR | 6. SALSA POr | 7. Massimo Dutti qr170 | 8. BOGGI belts QR310 and shoes QR630 | 9. Massimo Dutti QR170 10. Massimo Dutti qr170
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THE BOGGI FILES 70
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A taste of the traditional with a spin on modern day trends, Italian house Boggi offers clothes created to dress the man of today. Words by Dina Kabbani
Versatile yet classic, trendy yet unique, Boggi creates clothes for every occasion. This summer, the brand takes on an edgy approach with its new collection focusing on slim fit cuts, lightweight layers and timeless pieces. The colour palette is typically summery, consisting of bright blues, canary yellows, and geranium reds; good for those of us who want to stand out. You can channel preppy chic with a sporty jacket in this seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s must-have technical fabrics or go for one of their piquet polos (shirt style) in a myriad of oxford
Fashion
hues. Also don’t forget to check out their newly-added denim piquet version – it’s an interesting twist on sophisticated sportswear. Summer begs for prints; they’re bright and fun and you’ll find that in Boggi’s selection of traditional ties. Colour reigns supreme with bolder and brighter shades than the usual back-to-basics tones. Their classic shirt has gotten a makeover as well with an extra fine yarn count added for a silky feel. Their designs come in ever-so trendy stripes or checks for the plaid crazy among us. If you’re an avid traveller (who isn’t?), don’t miss out on their travel-wear; a fantastic collection of outerwear made of water-repellent fabrics, characterised by iPad-sized pockets, document holders, and key rings. This season, whether it’s downtown classic or utilitarian
chic you prefer, it’s all about dressing up by dressing down. This makes Boggi’s old time classic two-button blazer one of the jackets of the moment, smoothly taking you from day chic to nighttime cool. The Italian brand have certainly taken the time to focus on every occasion and, Pietro Rizzi, product manager of Boggi in Milan says, “This is why man can be sure to be elegant everywhere in the world.” So whether you’re a prepster at heart and can’t do without your sportswear, an on-the-go business traveller or just a man who appreciates the fit of a well-cut suit, Boggi’s summer collection is a pretty safe choice for the smart and dapper modern man. GO: Boggi is located in Lagoona Mall. Call 4480 9512 FACT QATAR JUNE
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QR435
Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On Offer? Find these collection pieces in the Boggi store now!
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INDEX The Living Room at Flamingos in the Ritz-Carlton offers great views of the Arabian Gulf
CHEF’S TABLE
PLUS MORE...
we taste
rejuvenation
correcting facial
agora
This brand new Turkish restaurant offers simple, elegant fusion cuisine and it’s delicious. Trust us!
An epic and relaxing way to improve your complexion through a range of techniques. We tried and tested...
VENUE
al sanbouk we review
Al Jasra Boutique Hotel opened this seafood restaurant recently so we headed over to taste. Here’s what we thought... FACT QATAR JUNE
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images by creative design qatar
THE CHEFS TABLE
Agora, Chef Emre Gok We went to check out the behind-the-scenes at Grand Heritage Doha’s newest Ottoman-inspired venue, Agora. What we found was a softly-spoken chef with a great talent and penchant for creating delicious dishes. 76
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gora has an old-world Ottoman charm that easily transports you to another dynasty. It’s authentically decorated and suitably sophisticated; you know you’re in for something special when you arrive. Yet most of the magic happens in the kitchen where Chef Emre Gok heads a team of five and creates what he likes to call Turkish-Mediterranean cuisine. From a young age Chef Emre was inspired by his uncle who is now a chef at a Four Seasons hotel in Turkey. From his initiation in the bustling kitchens
THE CHEFS TABLE
of Antalya, and through his rigorous training, Chef Emre has mastered the intricacies of Japanese, Italian and French cuisine at world-renowned restaurants and hotels such as Zuma London, Istanbul’s Four Seasons, and the Armani and Grosvenor House hotels in Dubai. Despite his success, however, Chef Emre remains quiet and modest as he speaks. It is in the kitchen, while he is producing his dishes, that the confidence shines through. “I’m making fusion,” he tells us. “I’m using the cooking style of Turkish but my presentation and combination is a little touch of Italian, Mediterranean. Not exactly Turkish.” He takes his time preparing the meals he has chosen: Gavurdagi Salatasi, their signature salad of tomato, cucumber, red pepper, walnuts, chilli flakes, rocket and pomegranate molasses; Kuzu Incik, which is braised lamb shank, cooked for nine hours in its own jus and served atop a creamy aubergine mash; and a baked patty made of
lemon zest, green zucchini, feta cheese, eggs, dill and parsley. Once each dish is complete he never forgets to garnish with fresh herbs and often ground pomegranate seeds. His favourite herb is fresh dill, which, he says, he can’t get enough of. But everything is fresh in the Agora kitchen and one of the things we particularly love about Chef Emre’s cooking style is that, where many Turkish dishes are deep fried, he will bake them instead. This healthy twist contributes to the clean, simple and mouth-watering tastes of his creations. Once we’ve watched him whip up his dishes, we sit down to eat. He brings over a cold mezze sampler with everything you would expect – hummus, stuffed vine leaves, mashed eggplant, ezme – but again the tastes exceed our expectations. For example, the hummus (which we are becoming connoisseurs of) has a smokey aftertaste that we have not found elsewhere and which makes it very moreish. We also had the privilege of tasting an off-the-menu fish dish that will soon find it’s way on. This was panfried wild sea bass with basil lemon sauce and vegetable caponata. The portion was incredibly generous but we couldn’t help finishing most of it off. It was absolutely divine – simple, yet full of flavour. Then we tucked into the lamb, which was so tender it melted in our mouths. Initially we were worried that the lamb taste might overpower but it
didn’t at all. It was so soft and worked perfectly with the eggplant mash. Overall, we were so impressed with the quality of food at Agora. Chef Emre really makes his mark by creating such a sophisticated Ottoman menu with that healthy yet simple Mediterranean twist. n
Agora Competition! Get the chance to win a dinner for two by answering some simple questions online. Like us on Facebook (FACT Qatar Magazine), follow us on Twitter (@FACT_Qatar) and keep an eye out for the questions throughout the month. There are three vouchers up for grabs! Just make sure you read this article carefully before answering.
FACT QATAR JUNE
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VENUE REVIEW
EATS
Al Sanbouk
Words by Dina Kabbani
LEISURE
SPORTS
NIGHTS
Al Jasra Souq Waqif Boutique Hotel. Call 4433 6666
N
COMMUNITY
TRAVEL
BODIES
estled at the very edge of the bustling Souq Waqif you’ll find Al Jasra Boutique Hotel, a charming little escape that calls to you from between the hustling vendors and noisy antics of the market outside. Inside, a true paradise for seafood lovers awaits with the recent opening of Al Sanbouk. As soon as we enter, you see the idea behind dining at Al Sanbouk is to create a personalised experience for the eater - one that is just as interactive as it is about discovering their great food. The interior of the place is enveloped in different shades of blue, evoking a sense of being by the seaside. Catching our eyes at the centre is a beautiful setting of high and low tables each laden with an assortment of seafood. Our waiter is pleasant and courteous. He puts down a platter of freshly cut vegetables, with two small pots of dipping sauce – one a creamy thousand island, the other a tangy sweet and sour. Opening the menu, the first page tempts us to try the starter buffet - a
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selection of fish appetisers, sushi rolls and seafood salads. One that particularly stands out is the mussel and shrimp salad, mixed with crispy lettuce, buttery avocado and a hint of coriander. Its fresh citrusy dressing is the star of the show. For mains we pick a local hammour and decide to have it grilled in a light marinade and the Chef insists we try a couple of oysters, as we haven’t before. As we wait for those, we tuck into a THE BILL FOR 2 2 x Starter Buffet
QR70
2 x Soup
QR65
3 x Oysters
QR13
Fried Rice
QR12
Water
QR18
Mixed Juice
QR30
Total:
QR369
spicy Tom Yum soup. The clear broth is fragrant with the smell of fresh herbs, lemongrass and crushed chili peppers. The oysters arrive straight after, delicately displayed on crushed ice, served with a lemon Tabasco mignonette. Eyes closed, we swallowed those slimy suckers, and they weren’t half bad! Citrusy and fresh. For our next course, beautifully laid plates are placed in front of us, with that brilliantly pan-grilled hammour propped against a sweet and sour stir-fry and accompanied by a dish of steaming fried rice. Tempura prawns follow, nestled on a bed of fried noodles and joined by an assortment of sauces, of which we taste all and then settle on our favourite; the chili and garlic. Our verdict? This place is incredible; a fun twist to your typical fish market. Its Asian fusion method to cooking keeps flavours interesting and the waiters and staff make you feel like you have the entire restaurant to yourself. n
A Visual Art and Feast If art by thy food of love, then it only makes sense for a gallery to fuel it by serving a little real grub on the side. Enter Anima Lounge, a new part of the contemporary Anima Gallery in The Pearl-Qatar, which has opened its doors to foodies with international cuisine. On offer are low carb treats, including gluten-free pasta, light dessert and other healthy heart-warming meals, all in a trendy artfilled atmosphere from 10am to 3pm for breakfast and lunch, 7pm to 11pm for dinner, and at any time from 10am to 11pm for drinks and pastries. Enjoy it with a side of the contemporary paintings, installations and sculptures by local, regional and international artists that are on show in the adjoining gallery. Note, however, that the Lounge is closed on Mondays for photography lessons. GO: 30 La Croisette, Porto Arabia. Call 4002 7554
This Menu Ain’t Blue
A refreshed menu with bold flavours is now on offer at Blue restaurant in Grand Heritage Doha. The new dishes are cooked to order and feature a wide variety of ‘sizzling’ dishes and more Maki choices. For instance, enjoy a halloumi shawarma or saganaki sizzler for starter, followed by a rainbow or poached lobster roll. For mains tuck into the seared wild seabass or Thai hammour, and finish up with a pistachio crème brulee or black sticky rice pudding. There’s plenty more on offer, too, so go check it out! GO: Call 4445 5555
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RESTAURANT LISTINGS EATS
BISTRO 61
BISTRO BISTRO
NIGHTS
LA SAHITAINE
PICASSO’S
Chi’Zen Is Now Talking Business
LEISURE
SPORTS
For all of us in a constant rush it’s hard to get a proper meal in. Now, with Chi’Zen’s new business lunch menu, a good hot lunch is in store for all. Located at the contemporary Oryx Rotana Hotel, the elegant Chinese restaurant offers the perfect break in a chilled atmosphere, serving signature dishes with an East-Asian flair. Everything from their Warm Duck
Salad to their Sweet Chili Hammour is passionately prepared, making this a great one-stop destination for the businessman who wants to treat himself or for a business lunch with work associates. Courses are offered from QR65 for a two-course meal or QR75 for a three-course meal. GO: Available during lunch hours from 12pm to 4pm. Call 4402 3484
SORMANI
BELGIAN CAFÉ
FINE DINING THE DINING ROOM GORDON RAMSAY DOHA LA MER
BODIES
QUISINE BY GUY SAVOY
NORTH AMERICAN
NUSANTAO: SEA KITCHENS
APPLEBEE’S
Four Seasons
Four outlets across Doha
4494 8601
FRENCH
4493 4880 (City Center Mall)
ASIA LIVE!
LA VARENNE
CHILI’S
Doha Marriott
Four outlets across Doha
4429 8472
4444 5335 (Salwa Rd)
CHOPSTICKS
DAIRY QUEEN GRILL’N’CHILL
Wyndham Grand Regency
Three outlets across Doha
4434 3225
4432 0982 (Ramada Junction)
ISAAN
JOHNNY ROCKETS
Doha Grand Hyatt
Two outlets across Doha
4448 1250
DALLOYAU LE RELAIS DE L’ENTRECÔTE PAUL BAKERY & RESTAURANT MAXIM
TRAVEL
4455 2792 (Salwa Rd) ROGER’S DINER
BRAZILIAN
C Ring Road
IPANEMA BRAZILIAN CHURRASCARIA
INDIAN
4455 2333
West End Doha
BOMBAY BALTI
4419 6100 AFRO-PORTUGUESE
CHINGARI
NANDO’S
CHINESE
5 branches across Doha
RUBY WU’S
44360606 (Al Sadd)
Radisson Blu, 4428 1555
SAFFRON LOUNGE
COMMUNITY
TSE YANG
ASIAN
The Pearl-Qatar, Porto Arabia
WOK MEE NOODLE HOUSE
4495 3876 ext 2071
Movenpick Tower and Suites
80
STAR OF INDIA
4496 6600
EUROPEAN
SPICE MARKET
AROMA
W Hotel
Kempinski Residences and Suites
4453 5135
4405 3325
FACT QATAR JUNE
TAJ RASOI
SARANGI
St Regis Doha, 4446 0105
Grand Heritage Hotel Doha
OPAL BY GORDON RAMSAY
4445 5535
St Regis Doha, 4446 0105
FLAVOURS
FLYING CARPET
Grand Heritage Doha Hotel
The Torch Doha
4445 5544
4446 5600
LE CIGALON
YUM YUM
La Cigale Hotel
K108 Boutique Hotel
4428 8698
4433 3000
NIGHTS
VINE
BLUE
EATS
INTERNATIONAL
AL CANTEEN DI CAPRI
THE SQUARE
La Cigale Hotel, 4428 8840
InterContinental The City
CUCINA
4015 8888
Renaissance City Center Hotel
COSMO
4419 6100
Millennium Hotel
LAGOON RISTORANTE
4424 7362
Sealine Beach Resort
ANIMATO RESTAURANT
4476 5257
Movenpick Tower and Suites
IL TEATRO
4496 6600
Four Seasons, 4494 8888
CHOICES
CARLUCCIOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S
Oryx Rotana
The Pearl-Qatar
4402 3333
4495 3876 ext 3541
CROSSROADS KITCHEN
THE ITALIAN JOB
Renaissance City Center Hotel
Radisson Blu
4419 6100
4428 1555
BONBINI RESTAURANT
LA DOLCE VITA
Sealine Beach Resort
Souq Waqif
4476 5226
4436 7991
THE LAGOON
Millennium Hotel, 4424 7367
W Hotel
AL SHAHEEN
4453 5135
Sheraton Doha Resort
MAWASEM
and Convention Hotel
Hilton Doha, 4423 3112
4485 4071
AL DANA
AL MOURJAN
Sharq Village & Spa
Corniche
4425 6227
4483 4423
AL WANIS TERRACE
AL TABKHA
Sharq Village & Spa
The Pearl-Qatar
4425 6868
4495 3876 ext 5875
BLUE BRASSERIE
BURJ AL HAMAM
Al Sultan Beach Resort
The Pearl-Qatar
4472 2666
4495 3876 ext 1291
CORNICHE
LIZA
Doha Marriott, 4429 8404
The Pearl-Qatar
J G SANDWICH CELLAR
4495 3876 ext 1721
Ras Abu Abboud St
MAMIG
4435 7559
Katara Valley of Cultures
LENOTRE
4408 0800
Suhaim bin Hamad: 4455 2666
AL SULTAN BRAHIM
Villagio Mall: 4450 7255
St Regis Doha, 4408 0800
COMMUNITY
ZAMAN
MARKET BY JEAN-GEORGES
TRAVEL
LEBANESE
4484 8512
Tex-Mex heaven California Tortilla has finally opened its doors this side of the world with its first international store here in Qatar. The funky Mexican eatery has it all, from sizzling fajitas and delicious quesadillas to the all time classic burrito. This joint packs a kick. Known for its fresh made-to-order food and quirky in-store promotions, California Tortilla adds a fun Cali-twist to its menu making the already zesty dishes on offer more vibrant and flavourful. It also has a Wall of Flames with 75 different chilli sauces to choose from! They use only the best ingredients like white meat chicken breast and Grade A Sirloin beef as well as fresh produce with a 100 per cent Roma tomatoes and number one Hass avocados. Guacamole and salsa are also made in small batches throughout the day maintaining its freshness all day long. Yum!
BODIES
Ritz-Carlton
The Tortilla Craze Hits C-Ring Road
LEISURE
ITALIAN
Souq Waqif, 4433 6777
SPORTS
Arumaila Boutique Hotel
GO: Open 7 days a week, Saturday Wednesday: 11:00am - 12:00am, Thursday: 11:00am - 1:00am, Friday: 1:00pm - 1:00am. Call 4434 4144
FACT QATAR JUNE
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RESTAURANT LISTINGS
NIGHTS
EATS
THE WEEKEND BRUNCHES
Nusantao: Sea Kitchens at
SPORTS
Four Seasons offers brunch for QR300 per person
IPANEMA @ West End Doha
LEISURE
Fridays from 12.30pm to 3.30pm QR250 (soft drinks) or QR320 (house beverages), Call 4419 6100
CROSSROADS FAMILY BRUNCH @ West End Doha
Fridays from noon until 3.30pm QR 225 (soft drinks), Call 4419 6100
THE SQUARE @ InterContinental The City
BODIES
Fridays from noon until 4pm QR210 (soft drinks) or QR320 (house beverages), Call 4418 2846
FISH MARKET @ InterContinental Doha
TRAVEL
Fridays from 12.30pm to 3.30pm QR275 (house beverages) Call 4484 4444
LE CIGALON @ La Cigale Hotel Fridays from noon until 4pm QR200 (American coffee or tea) Call 4428 8698
COMMUNITY
NUSANTAO: SEA KITCHENS @ Four Seasons Fridays from noon until 4pm QR300 per person Call 4494 8888
AL LIWAN @ Sharq Village and Spa
Fridays and Saturdays from 12.30pm to 4pm 82
FACT QATAR JUNE
QR250 (adults) and QR125 (children aged six to 12) Call 4425 6666
AL SHAHEEN @ Sheraton Doha Resort Fridays from noon until 4pm QR190 (food only) or QR270 (house beverages) Call 4485 4071
OPAL BY GORDON RAMSAY @ St Regis Doha
RESTAURANT GALLERY AND CORNICHE @ Doha Marriot Fridays from noon until 3pm QR235 (soft drinks) or QR340 (house beverages) Call 4429 8888
THE LAGOON @ Ritz-Carlton Fridays at noon until 3.30pm QR240 (soft drinks) or QR295 (house beverages) Call 4484 8000
Fridays and Saturdays from noon until 4pm QR250 (soft drinks) or QR375 (selected beverages) Call 4446 0105
CHOICES @ Oryx Rotana
VINE @ St Regis Doha
MARKET BY JEAN-GEORGES @ W Hotel
Fridays from 12.30pm to 4pm QR250 (soft drinks) and QR350 (selected beverages) Call 4446 0105
THE GRILL @ Grand Hyatt Fridays from 12.30pm to 4pm QR220 (soft drinks) or QR395 (house beverages) Call 4448 1240
ISAAN @ Grand Hyatt
Fridays from 12.30pm to 4.30pm QR250 (soft drinks), QR395 (house beverages) or QR680 (inc a bottle of bubbly) Call 4448 1240
Fridays at 12.30pm to 4pm QR250 (soft drinks) or QR325 (house beverages) Call 4402 3333
Fridays at noon until 4pm QR320 (house beverages) Call 4453 5353
SPICE MARKET @ W Hotel Fridays at noon until 4pm QR320 (house beverages) Call 4453 5353
MAWASEM @ Hilton Doha Fridays at noon until 3.30pm QR222 (soft drinks), QR333 (house beverages) and QR444 French bubbly). Call 4423 3112
STRATA
La Cigale Hotel, 4428 8698
InterContinental The City
SAKURA
4015 8888
Radisson Blu, 4428 1555
FISH MARKET
YUZU
InterContinental Doha
Swiss-Belhotel, 4407 8888
4484 4444
MIDORI
PAMPANO
The Pearl-Qatar
The Pearl-Qatar, 4495 3876
4495 3876 ext 6779
ext 1221
SUSHI MINTO
RED LOBSTER
Salwa Road, 4467 5577
C Ring Road, 4444 1066
WAGAMAMA
PIER 12
Lagoona Mall, 4463 3876
Radisson Blu, 4428 1555 L’WZAAR
Katara - Valley of Cultures
LE CENTRAL
4408 0710
La Cigale Hotel, 4428 8698 THE GRILL
4433 6555
Doha Grand Hyatt, 4448 1240
ARAMEDE
PRIME
Crowne Plaza Doha
InterContinental The City
4408 7777
4015 8888
MYKONOS
NEW YORK STEAKHOUSE
InterContinental Doha
Renaissance City Center Hotel
4484 4444
4419 6100
THE CELLAR
BENTLEY’S GRILL
Oryx Rotana, 4402 3333
Radisson Blu, 4428 1555
ROCCA
ASTOR GRILL
Doha Grand Hyatt
St Regis Doha, 4446 0105
4448 1270
JW STEAKHOUSE
THREE SIXTY
Marriot Doha, 4429 8888
The Torch Doha
LE GRILL
4446 5600
Diplomatic Club, 4484 7420
PORCINI
Ritz-Carlton, 4484 8360
SOUTH AMERICAN
LE GOURMET
LATINO
Souq Waqif, 4436 1789
Sheraton Doha, 4485 4071 OYSTER BAY
AL MATAAM
PALOMA
Musheireb Boutique Hotel
InterContinental Doha
Souq Waqif 4433 6700
4484 4444THAI TURKISH
Sheraton Doha
SUKAR PASHA
4485 4071
Katara Valley of Cultures
MAJLIS
4408 2000
Doha Grand Hyatt
AGORA
4448 1250
Grand Heritage Doha 4445 5555
POLYNESIAN TRADER VIC’S
Hilton Doha, 4423 3118
IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR BUSINESS INCLUDED IN OUR LISTINGS CONTACT THE EDITOR. IF YOU NOTICE A MISTAKE HERE THEN DO TELL US ASAP!
Seafood Platter On Tuesdays, overlooking the marina, you are invited to enjoy a fresh seafood platter of lobster, prawns, fish and squid from 6pm to 10pm for QR260 per portion (serves up to two people). Barbecue Platter Promo A platter of BBQ good for two people inclusive of beef steak, chicken skewers, salmon fillet and lamb chops, hammour fillet, jumbo prawns with baked potato, condiments and chef’s salad, is available every Thursday and Friday from 6pm to 10pm for QR190 per portion. There’s an additional QR50 for fresh lobster. Roast Dinner Saturday evening is for roast at Admiral’s Club for a choice of roasted prime beef, lamb, chicken, Yorkshire pudding, chips and vegetables from 6pm to 10pm for QR120 per each portion.
Nights Out... Unwind @ Habanos QR40 for selected glass of red, white or rosé, daily expect Sundays from 5pm to 1am. Call 4484 8504 Fabuloso Domingo @ Habanos Selected beverages starting from QR25 every Sunday from 5pm to 1am. Call 4484 8504 Art of Cocktail Class @ Habanos Meet the team for an immersion in the art of creating exciting drinks on the 21st June from 5pm to 7pm for QR225 per person. Call 4484 8504 Senoritas’ Night @ Habanos Every Saturday and Sunday ladies enjoy one complimentary selected drink between 8.30pm and 11.30pm. Call 4484 8504 The Living Room @ Flamingos This brand new 100-seater outdoor area is open every day from 7pm to 11pm with comfy chairs and bean bags that look out onto the Arabian Gulf. Call 4484 8525 Jaula Spa at the@ Grand Hyatt, one of Doha’s most Marina Nights Admiral’s Club luxurious Live bands and DJ music invade both floors of Admiral’s every day of the week except Sundays. Get started for weekend nights with everything on the menu at QR25 from Wednesday to Saturday on the upper floor from 8pm to 10pm. Call 4484 8663 Salsa Nights @ Admiral’s Club Dance the night away on Latin rhythms, regardless of if you’re a professional or have never danced before. From 8pm to 2am every Saturday. Call 4484 8663
FACT QATAR JUNE
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COMMUNITY
AL HUBARA
Dining @ Admiral’s (Call 4484 8663)
TRAVEL
MIDDLE EASTERN
St Regis Doha, 4446 0105
+974 4484 8000
BODIES
STEAKHOUSES
Al Mirqab Boutique Hotel
Contact No:
LEISURE
EAST
The RitzCarlton, Doha
SPORTS
MEDITERRANEAN
HOTEL SPOTLIGHT
NIGHTS
SEAFOOD
YEN SUSHI BAR
EATS
JAPANESE
NIGHT LISTINGS LOUNGES
EATS
Getting in the party spirit...
HIVE
THE LOUNGE
NIGHTS
GLO COCKTAIL LOUNGE WAHM TRADER VIC’S
Champions Keeping us Busy!
together your brainiest friends and be prepared to win some serious cash with Champions’ Quiz Night. You need to be a group of between four and six people to make things fair and then you can test out your general knowledge for a chance to win a whopping QR5,000. Plus, there are spot prizes throughout the night. The quiz includes questions about sports, music as well as general trivia, and includes three mystery rounds. Also, enjoy a few drinks before with Happy Times from 5pm to 7pm, in time to battle it out at 7.30pm. GO: Call 4419 6100 or visit www.westenddoha. com/champions
BODIES
LEISURE
SPORTS
Rugby fans rejoice! It’s that time of year again, when the British Lions take on the Southern Hemisphere, and this time it’s in Australia. Get together with your friends and head over to Champions Sports Bar for the live broadcast of each test match as they open far earlier in the day than usual. Tickets are for QR295 including a British Brunch and unlimited select beverages. With only 250 tickets available, hurry up and head over to the Champions and Quick Bites staff to join the Supporters Club to purchase yours. Matches are on Saturday the 22nd & 29th of June, and the 6th of July. Then, on 10th June, you better get
PEARL LOUNGE THE LIBRARY SEA LOUNGE
M-LOUNGE
CIGAR LOUNGE DUNES
HABANOS LIBRARY AND CIGAR LOUNGE VINTAGE CIGAR LOUNGE
EL CIGAR LOUNGE
TRAVEL
BARS
Beat the Heat: Rocca Pool Parties
COMMUNITY
June is finally here and with it comes the sweltering heat. Thankfully the good people at the Grand Hyatt have come up with a brilliant idea for all of us to enjoy the wonderful outdoors without passing out. This month they’re introducing a fun twist with pool parties by their poolside restaurant Rocca every Friday evening from
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FACT QATAR JUNE
8pm until 1am for QR150 including a welcoming drink. So put on your bathing suits and head over for some cool entertainment, with a different theme and music genre each week. The atmosphere is very chilled, with funky décor and a promise of a good night of poolside fun. GO: Call 4448 1272
DUNES
MADISON PIANO BAR SKY VIEW CHAMPIONS
IRISH HARP
ADMIRAL CLUB AND MARINA CLUB MEZZO BAR OYSTER BAY
MANHATTAN
DOHA RUGBY CLUB BAR
LIQUIDITY
TRADER VIC’S
KROSSROADS
CLUBS JAZZ CLUB
LAVA
Habanos @ Ritz-Carlton Sat, Mon-Wed from 17.00 - 20.00 Get two for the price of one
Hive @ InterContinental The City Daily from 17.00 – 19.00 Buy one get one free on selected beverages
Crystal Lounge @ W Hotel From 20.00 – 22.00 Get 50% off selected beverages
Jazz Club @ Oryx Rotana Daily from 18.00 – 20.00 Buy one get one free
Wahm @ W Hotel Buy one get one free everyday from 17.00 – 20.00
Champions @ West End Renaissance City Center Daily from 17.00 – 19.00 QR28 on selected beverages
Dunes @ Grand Hyatt All day on Sunday Half price on selected beverages
Glo Cocktail Lounge @ West End Doha Daily from 17.00 – 20.00 Selected beverages at QR25 or cocktails from QR35 Irish Harp @ Sheraton Doha Daily from 17.00 – 20.00 QR25 on selected beverages Admiral’s @ Ritz-Carlton Saturday to Wednesdays,17.00 – 19.00 Buy one get one free on selected beverages
Sea Lounge @ Sharq Village and Spa Daily from 17.00 - 20.00 Half price on regular brands and beverages The Lounge @ Kempinski Residences & Suites Daily from 17.00 - 19.00 Half price on selected beverages and food menu items
BODIES
CLUB 7
Paloma @ InterContinental Doha Daily from 17.00 - 19.00 50% off food and drink
LEISURE
MISTURADO
Lava @ InterContinental Doha Daily from 20.00 - 22.00 Get 50% off selected beverages and food
SPORTS
SHEHRAZAD BAR AND IRISH TERRACE
Level 23 @ Ritz-Carlton Sun-Tues from 6.30-8.30 Buy two get one free on selected beverages
NIGHTS
BUBBLES ON TWO
HAPPY HOURS
EATS
BELGIAN CAFE
Zawaya Bar & Lounge @ Hilton Daily from 17.00 - 20.00 Buy one get the same one free
CRYSTAL LOUNGE
TRAVEL
WINDOWS
QUBE
COMMUNITY
FAHRENHEIT
IF YOU NOTICE A MISTAKE HERE THEN DO TELL US ASAP!
FACT QATAR JUNE
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SPORTS LISTINGS EATS
WELCOMING BIG NAMES TO DOHA...
GYMS / FITNESS CLASSES
NIGHTS
AL MASSA ACTIVE
Lavish Praise for Qatar Scene
LEISURE
SPORTS
Qatar’s sports industry received some star-studded praise last month as Lord Sebastian Coe, double Olympic champion and chairman of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, came to visit. Speaking at a gala reception he said, “It is always hugely exciting to visit Qatar, a country where sport is taken seriously as a vehicle for socio-economic development, and a place where the worlds of business and sport are working so effectively together.” Lord Coe said the investment that is currently being poured into developing the sports sector will continue to bring about opportunities for people
in Qatar. “Sport has an unparalleled ability to affect global change and inspire future generations to achieve great things,” he said. “In Qatar today we see some wonderful examples of sport being a catalyst for good... and more opportunities for people of all backgrounds to take part. “The future for sport in Qatar is extremely exciting and, having seen at firsthand the positive effects that sport has had in my country, I have no doubt that the foundations of a fantastic legacy are being laid here.” Well, we for one are very happy someone noticed the good work being done!
ASPIRE ACADEMY
BOOT CAMP QATAR
CONTOURS EXPRESS
CURVES
ÉNERGIE FITNESS CLUB
FITNESS FIRST
DANA CLUB
BODIES
HEALTH AND FITNESS CLUB
SWISS BELHOTEL GYM AND POOL
GRAND HYATT GYM, POOL AND BEACH
TRAVEL
OZONE GYM
Evolution Soccer Summer School
COMMUNITY
Keep the kids busy this summer with some football courses that take place from 30th June to 11th July for QR150 per day. They’re designed for five to 14-year-olds of all abilities to have fun, learn new skills and meet friends in a safe environment. Tailored coaching is offered to each child and they receive a free gift,
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FACT QATAR JUNE
certificate and the chance to win trophies and medals! Plus Evolution Soccer’s Coaching Courses, which have been designed by UEFA qualified coaches, teach different aspects of the game. All the kids need is a playing kit, plenty of drinks, a healthy lunch and a bundle of enthusiasm. GO: Call 6622 4800
PURE LEISURE AND WELLNESS CENTRE
BAY VIEW 26 WELLNESS CENTRE
VITALITY ZONE HEALTH CLUB
POOL, BEACH AND FITNESS FACILITIES
EATS
The Diplomatic Club offers plenty of activities including kayaking and watersports
NIGHTS SPORTS LEISURE
QATAR BOWLING CENTER
QATARSUB
THE BAY CLUB
CRICKET
DOHA SUB-AQUA CLUB
Wyndham Grand Regency 4434 3152 InterContinental Doha 4484 4852
FITNESS FACILITIES AND CLASSES
Ritz-Carlton Hotel 4484 8173
Al Bidda Street 4432 9178
QATAR CRICKET ASSOCIATION
Near Doha Golf Club 4431 4154 qatarca@hotmail.com
Souq Waqif 4434 1234
Near Sharq Village Dohasubaquaclub.com PEARL DIVERS
4444 9553 FISHING
QATAR CYCLING FEDERATION
TRIPS THROUGH SHERATON DOHA
SIGNATURE SHERATON FITNESS
QATAR CHAIN REACTION
Sheraton Doha Resort and Convention Hotel 4485 4600
Qatarcf.org 4447 5522
Qatarchainreaction.org info@qatarchainreaction.org DARTS
QATAR BADMINTON ACADEMY
DOHA DARTS LEAGUE
BOWLING
DIVING
GONDOLANIA BOWLING CENTER
QATAR DIVERS
qatarbadmintonacademy@gmail.com 4483 9162
Villagio Mall 4403 9800
dohadartsleague.com Call Elsa on 6664 1750O
By Doha Marriott Hotel 4431 3331
Call Bassel on 5551 8100 THE DIPLOMATIC CLUB
West Bay Lagoon 4484 7444
QATAR SEA ANGLING ASSOCIATION
Call Tony Moorat on 5550 1906
COMMUNITY
BADMINTON
TRAVEL
CYCLING
LEISURE AND SPORTS FACILITIES
The Diplomatic Club 4484 7450
BODIES
FITNESS CENTRE AND SWIMMING POOL
ARE YOU A COACH, LOOKING FOR SOME READY AND WILLING STUDENTS? ARE YOU LOOKING FOR TO JOIN A CLUB OR TEAM IN DOHA BUT CAN’T QUITE FIND WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR? THEN CONTACT US AND WE’LL TRY OUR BEST TO HELP YOU OUT!
FACT QATAR JUNE
87
SPORTS LISTINGS
The Sharq Village & Spa
EATS
pool is stunning during the day
LEISURE
SPORTS
NIGHTS
and in evenings, too
FOOTBALL EVOLUTION SOCCER QATAR
Evosportsqatar.com 5506 4794
QATAR WOMEN’S FOOTBALL ASSOC.
BODIES
Qatar.wfa@gmail.com FLYING
QATAR AERONAUTICAL COLLEGE
Ras Abu Abboud Street 4440 8888 FRISBEE
TRAVEL
DOHA ULTIMATE FRISBEE
Rayyan Road Park or American School of Doha Visit sites.google.com/site/qatarulti
QATAR HOCKEY ACADEMY
Qatar Hockey Federation 5587 8317
FALCON TAEKWONDO ACADEMY
Al Mansoura | 4442 3012 KARATE
HORSERIDING
The International Academy for Intercultural Development 4432 0974
4421 8857
AIKIDO
AL KHOR RIDING CENTER AL SAMARIYA STABLES
Sheraton Doha 5562 4178
AL SHAQAB RIDING ACADEMY
MOTORCYCLING
Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani farm 5525 7203 Alshaqab.com 4454 6320
QATAR RACING AND EQUESTRIAN CLUB RIDING
Qrec.gov.qa 4480 8122
DOHA QATAR CHAPTER HOG
Hogdohaqatarchapter.com QATAR MOTOR AND
MOTORCYCLE FEDERATION
Losail International Circuit 4472 9151
KITESURFING GOLF DOHA GOLF CLUB
COMMUNITY
West Bay 4496 0777
FLO KITE SCHOOL
Call Flora Pestre on 5504 1039 TOM TOM KITE’AR
www.tomtomkitear.com 6661 2749
HOCKEY DOHA HOCKEY CLUB
info@dohahockeyclub.com WANDERERS HOCKEY CLUB
Bosco_menezes@hotmail.com 88
FACT QATAR JUNE
PARASAILING SHERATON DOHA
Call Bassel on 5551 8100 PILATES ASPIRE ACADEMY
MARTIAL ARTS KOREA TAEKWONDO CENTRE
Al Muthanna Complex, opp Jarir Bookstore 4465 9066
www.aspire.qa 4413 6219
GOT A SPORTY STORY TO SHARE? THEN EMAIL THE EDITOR NOW & TELL US ALL!
Doha Rugby Union FC
LEISURE AND SPORTS FACILITIES
Doha Rugby Club, near Doha College
The Diplomatic Club
4468 3771
4484 7450
GET YER KICKS...
EATS
RUGBY
SIGNATURE SHERATON FITNESS
Sheraton Doha Resort and Convention Hotel
DOHA BAY RUNNING CLUB
4485 4600
Dohabayrunningclub.webs.com
FITNESS FACILITIES AND CLASSES
QATAR HASH HOUSE HARRIERS
Ritz-Carlton Hotel
5551 9603
4484 8173
abkuw@yahoo.com
ELITE TENNIS ACADEMY
QTHLETICS
Samrya Garden Compound and Doha College
Al Sadd Sports Club | 4411 7911
5566 4747
NIGHTS
RUNNING
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL
SAILING
West Bay
DOHA SAILING CLUB
4494 8888
4443 9840
TRAMPOLINING
REGATTA SAILING ACADEMY
GYMNASTICS ACADEMY DOHA
InterContinental Doha | 4442 4577
Doha English Speaking School 6664 5032
SQUASH VOLLEYBALL
Email Williams@qp.com.qa
3RD FILIPINO VOLLEYBALL ASSOCIATION
www.squashleagues.com/duffers
Philippine International School
KHALIFA TENNIS AND SQUASH COMPLEX
5585 2101
Dafna | 4440 9666 LEISURE AND SPORTS FACILITIES
WAKEBOARDING/WATERSKIING
The Diplomatic Club
Leisure And Sports Facilities
4484 7450
The Diplomatic Club
SIGNATURE SHERATON FITNESS
4484 7450
Sheraton Doha Resort and Convention Hotel YOGA
FITNESS FACILITIES AND CLASSES
YAMA YOGA STUDIOS
Ritz-Carlton Hotel
Salwa Road, West Bay and Al Dana
4484 8173
6617 5802 PURE LEISURE AND WELLNESS CENTRE
4405 3307
Dafna behind Qatar Sports Club
FITNESS FACILITIES AND CLASSES
4496 0600
Ritz-Carlton Hotel
DOHA DOLPHINS
4484 8173
Doha College and Hamad Aquatics
SIGNATURE SHERATON FITNESS
(Aspire Zone)
Sheraton Doha Resort and Convention Hotel
4411 7911
4485 4600
ENGLISH SWIM CLUB
SIX SENSES SPA
lessons@englishswimclub.com
Sharq Village and Spa
3348 7308
4425 6999
H2O SWIM CLUB
ASPIRE ACADEMY
American School of Doha
4413 6219
5564 1475
TENNIS
KHALIFA TENNIS AND SQUASH COMPLEX
Dafna 4440 9666
IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR BUSINESS INCLUDED IN OUR LISTINGS CONTACT THE EDITOR. IF YOU NOTICE A MISTAKE IN ANY OF OUR LISTINGS THEN PLEASE LET US KNOW IMMEDIATELY!
COMMUNITY
Kempinski Residences & Suites
DANA CLUB
TRAVEL
SWIMMING
BODIES
4485 4600
We have a genuine Retro is the new modern in this season’s adidas Originals footwear collections. Inspired by the 70s and 80s, designs that are made for the sports hall and the street, are making a comeback as part of the Archive and Women’s Tennis collections. Archive shows off some iconic shoes ranging from retro runners to training and basketball shoes. It also includes some vintage designs that are carbon copies of old school models and pay homage to original colours and materials. Women’s Tennis is influenced by 80s tennis culture and features the Tennis Court Top (with recycled mesh lining) and Court Star. In the clothing collections, they’re taking Spring/Summer 2013 seriously by creating a couple of new graphic ranges; floral and bones. These packs consist of casuals such as jumpsuits, swimwear, t-shirts and, of course, more footwear. The women’s collection floral pack range adds a fresh, summery feel to classics like ballerinas, totes and comfy tees. On the other hand, the bones line includes monochromatic pieces with all-over bone graphics, inspired by American fashion designer Jeremy Scott.
LEISURE
DUFFERS SQUASH LEAGUE
Retro Fitness Wear with a Trendy Twist
SPORTS
Ras Abu Abboud Street
GO: Adidas is in various locations around Qatar. Call 4421 8197 for the Landmark Mall store
FACT QATAR JUNE
89
Leisure LISTINGS EATS
WORTH YOUR TIME
Al Markhiya Gallery www.katara.net
Until 22nd June: There NIGHTS
will be an exhibition on showcasing works by prolific female Qatari artist Amal al Athem and Bahraini artist Ahmed Anan
Where? Souq Waqif,
SPORTS
behind Zataar W’ Zeit
LEISURE
Katara amphitheatre at night. Image by Saif Alnuweiri
GALLERIES AND STUDIOS
ARAB POSTAL STAMPS MUSEUM
AL MARKHIYA GALLERY
Building 22, Katara Cultural Village
Souq Waqif
5553 2918
6609 9687
FAISAL BIN QASSIM AL-THANI MUSEUM
SOUQ WAQIF ART CENTRE
Al Samariyah
Souq Waqif
4486 1444
Artcentersouqwaqif.com
BODIES
KATARA ARTS STUDIOS
BEACHES
HILTON DOHA
ST REGIS DOHA
HERITAGE
Katara Cultural Village education@katara.net
Qatar has around 200 forts, castles and
KATARA ART CENTER
heritage sites worth checking out.
Katara Cultural Village
Here we have listed a few. For more
info@kataraartcenter.com
information visit qma.com.qa.
TRAVEL
VISUAL ART SECTION
Building 19, Katara Cultural Village
AL KOOT FORT
4408 1471
Al Bidda
QMA GALLERY AT KATARA
AL WAJBAH FORT
Building 10, Katara Cultural Village
Al Rayyan
4402 8045
FANAR: ISLAMIC CULTURAL CENTRE
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
Next to Souq Waqif
Education City
BARZAN TOWER
Exhibitions.qatar.vcu.edu
Umm Salal Mohammed
COMMUNITY
AL KHOR TOWER AND MUSEUM
90
MUSEUMS
Al Khor, north of Doha
MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART (MIA)
AL WAKRAH MUSEUM
Corniche
Al Wakrah, south of Doha
Mia.org.qa
MARWAB FORT
MATHAF: ARAB MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
West coast of Qatar
Education City
AL ZUBARAH FORT
4402 8855
Around 100km west of Doha
FACT QATAR JUNE
DOHA MARRIOTT
SHARQ VILLAGE AND SPA
QATAR UNIVERSITY
Ras Abu Abboud Road
College of Arts and Sciences
4442 4424
4403 4584
KHOR AL DAID
Offbeat 3 to Run on 6th June
DOHA COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA
dohafilminstitute.com
Dohaorchestra.com
ASPIRE LADIES CINEMA
3385 7784
4499 7664
LITERATURE
CINEMA LAND
QATAR NATIONAL LIBRARY
Landmark Mall
Various branches
4488 1674
4438 9888
GRAND CINECENTRE
PHOTOGRAPHY
City Center Doha
QATAR PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
4483 9064
Qps.com.qa | 4408 1812
GO: Katara Art Center is in building 5 at Katara
DOHA SINGERS
Al Khor, north of Doha
dohasingers@gmail.com
AL WAKRA BEACH
DOHA JAZZ
Al Wakra, south of Doha
5571 0746
KATARA BEACH
THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR MUSIC
Katara Cultural Village
Villa 81, Ahmed bin Hanbal Street
4408 1017
4467 1354 QATAR PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
THE CINEMA PALACE
SPORTS
Qatarphilharmonicorchestra.org
DOHA FILM INSTITUTE
MUSIC
AL FARKIYA
NIGHTS
FILM
The forward-thinking experimental music workshops that have been running at Katara Art Center for the past few months will be on again this 8th June with Offbeat 3 (delayed from 29th May). Karim Sultan, who is the Offbeat organiser and musician himself explains why they created this series, “Experimentation, improvisation, and pushing the creative envelope with music is a part of contemporary art practice and is a natural extension of our growing programme.” So, if you’re a sound artist or appreciation this relatively new art form then you must head down there for an evening of interesting music created by local talent.
The Inland Sea, southeast tip of Qatar
EATS
OASIS HOTEL AND BEACH CLUB
LEISURE
Cultural Village. Call 4408 0244
Royal Plaza 4413 0000 MALL CINEMA
The Mall, D Ring Road 4467 8666 THEATRE DOHA PLAYERS
BODIES
Amateur dramatics group Doha_players@yahoo.com KATARA AMPHITHEATRE
Katara Cultural Village Corniche QATAR NATIONAL THEATRE
National Theatre roundabout
FANAR: QATAR ISLAMIC CULTURAL CENTRE
www.fanar.gov.qa BERLITZ
E Ring Road, Mesaimeer 4455 0506 QATAR EASTERN LANGUAGE CENTER
4491 9580 or 6690 8551 INCEPTION LANGUAGE CENTRE
Equestrian Street 4412 6660 or 4412 6661 STENDEN INSTITUTE
Fereej Bin Omran 4488 8116
The second festival, which will launch in March 2014, will be known as the Qumra Film Festival. The idea for this one is to give a boost to first- and second-time film directors by showcasing their works, running competitions and presenting awards. No one knows what happened with DFI and Tribeca but a DFI spokeswoman told Doha News last month that “it was just time to do something different.” Well, this is certainly different! FACT QATAR JUNE
91
COMMUNITY
Salwa Road
Not One But Two New Film Festivals Are Announced It was big news when Doha Film Institute and New-York based Tribeca announced their parting of ways. It left us all wondering what would happen next. Well, now we know… Two new film festivals! The first, which will take place this November, is the five-day Ajyal Film Festival for the Young, which will aim to encourage appreciation of film among a family audience.
TRAVEL
LANGUAGES
Bodies LISTINGS EATS
WHERE TO GET A GOOD PAMPERING...
SPAS JAULA SPA
DADOS SPA
NIGHTS
OZONE SPA
PURE SPA
SARAY SPA
SPORTS
ANGSANA SPA
Fresh-faced and a Pure Glow
LEISURE
eforea signature correcting facial (with microcurrent) eforea: spa - Hilton Doha, West Bay (call 4423 3333) 90 minutes, QR750
Tired faces are rejuvenated with this signature facial package that uses a range of techniques to enhance that natural glow. Words by Katy Gillett
COMMUNITY
TRAVEL
BODIES
Ashvima, my Mauritian therapist with the magic hands, led me to the dimlylit but plush treatment room on my arrival to the Hilton’s eforea: Spa and sat me down to explain the facial she was about to perform. She trained in Mauritius and was transferred to Doha from the Hilton spa in her home country. As I explained my skin woes – sensitive, particularly since I moved to Qatar – she empathised and immediately decided what course of action she would take in this customisable correcting facial. First off, she starts by asking me to smell three oils and decide which journey I want to take: relaxing, peaceful or spiritual. I went for a bit of peace (who wouldn’t!?). Once I was comfortably on the bed, she asked me to deeply breathe in the chosen scent and applied pressure on points of tension around my head. I relaxed immediately. She then kicked off the facial with a bit of cleansing and toning, followed by the use of a pro-multi acid exfoliation 92
FACT QATAR JUNE
that rejuvenates the skin and isn’t too harsh on sensitive faces like mine. Once that was over, she dragged over the Kerstin Florian K-Lift machine and used its red LED light technology over my face to relax the muscles, regenerate cells and lift the skin. She can also firm the face with this, but this wasn’t necessary for mine. This is a wonder machine because, following that, she used another function to soothe my skin using a hyaluronic serum. Again, there is also the option to use Vitamin C to reduce wrinkles. The whole experience is topped off with a hydrating peel-off masque that was left on as Ashvima expertly massaged my feet with eucalyptus and then performed an acupressure scalp massage. Just one more tone and moisturise, and it was time to see the results. I looked in the mirror and was happy to see my skin was already glowing. It felt smooth but not at all oily. It was so great in fact that I actually bought the hyaluronic serum, which they sell in the spa! All in all, I was mighty impressed.
BLISS SPA
BODYLINES LEISURE AND FITNESS CLUB CHANTARA SPA DOHA
THE RITZ-CARLTON SPA
EFOREA
DIPLOMATIC CLUB SPA
GUERLAIN ALFARDAN SPA
DOHA MARRIOT SPA
FOUR SEASONS SPA AND WELLNESS CENTRE THE BAY CLUB
SIX SENSES SPA
REMEDE SPA
BE BLOOM BEAUTY CENTRE AND SPA
Al Mirqab Al Jadeed
4493 4433
4444 7494
HABIBS HAIR N BEAUTY SPA
STYLO LADIES BEAUTY CENTER
Al Sadd
Al Sadd
4413 0672
4436 3626
LADY SIAM MASSAGE
NARA SALON
Al Kinana Street
Al Waab
4435 4115
4447 8008
LUCIE SAINT-CLAIR
LE SALON and LA SALON
Royal Plaza
Alfardan Towers, West Bay
4447 7725
4420 8660
NIGHTS
STUDIO 1
Bilal Suites
EATS
BIO-BIL HEALTH BEAUTY AND SPA
HABIBS HAIR AND BEAUTY SALON
BEAUTY SALONS
Villa #205 Muntaza road, Al-Hilal Area
THE BEAUTY CENTER
4413 0672
The Diplomatic Club GLOW AMERICAN SALON
Salwa Road and West Bay 4468 9945 and 4411 7652 AL SAYYAD GENT’S SALON
Wyndham Grand Regency 4434 3445 CAROLINE
4402 3333 DIVA LOUNGE
Al Kinana Street 4431 8488 FRANCK PROVOST
Four Seasons Hotel 4494 8844 JACQUES DESSANGE
4444 9194 LA DUREE
La Cigale Hotel 4428 8888 PORTO SALON
The Pearl-Qatar 4495 3876 Grand Hyatt Hotel 4448 1100 CUT BY ALEXANDRE ZOUARI
W Hotel 4453 5353 PATRICE
4486 5970 and 4485 4012 MARIE CLAIRE
Salwa Road 4468 9211 PINKIES
The Centre
The Revelation @ eforea:Spa
Refresh and De-Stress @ Six
facials that are taken in succession to
This journey includes a 50-minute full-
Indulge in a package of three tailored
deliver a powerful natural Botox effect. Get two treatments of one hour each and one treatment of 90 minutes for QR950. Call 4423 3441
Rejuvenate @ Saray Spa
This June get a 55-minute body
treatment and 55-minute massage for
Senses Spa
body Moroccan Hammam to cleanse the body and leave the skin fresh; followed by a 50-minute de-stress massage to remove any tension and rejuvenate tissues.
The package is 100 minutes for QR1,050. Call 4425 6999
QR700 at the Renaissance City Center
Diamond Dream @ Ritz-Carlton Spa
about their traditional Arabic hammam
Body Treatment that features a range
Hotel’s spa. Also don’t forget to ask treatments. Call 4419 6090
Treatments @ Saray Spa with
Beauty Salon Jean-Louis David
The Renaissance City Centre Hotel’s
spa and salon have joined together to offer a full body massage, manicure and pedicure at a reduced rate of QR672. Call 4419 6090
Aromatic Abhyang @ Six Senses Spa Experience a traditional Ayurveda
full-body treatment that incorporates
premium oils to balance your doshas. Plus, receive a free Subtle Energies
50ml Ramayana Body Oil to continue
the treatment at home. The treatment is 100 minutes for QR850. Call 4425 6999
Get a Diamond Facial and Diamond of techniques – aromatherapy, cryo-
therapy, shiatsu pressure point massage, signature diamond music and an
exclusive diamond sensory massage.
The treatment is two hours for QR1,500. Call 4484 8173
My Way @ Ritz-Carlton Spa
This is a highly customisable package
where you are able to choose your own facials, massage, body treatments and
beauty services to create a tailored day
COMMUNITY
Landmark Mall and Sheraton Hotel
Great Spa Deals This Month!
TRAVEL
YAHYA ZAKARIA
around the country
BODIES
Salwa Road
available in L’Occitane stores
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOUR BUSINESS IN OUR LISTINGS, CONTACT THE EDITOR.
LEISURE
Oryx Rotana
La Collection de Grasse is
SPORTS
4484 7407
The exclusive fragrance collection
spa package.
You can also incorporate your own
favourite fragrance in with it. Choose from 90 minutes for QR650 or two hours for QR800 or QR1,000. Call 4484 8173
4431 7959 FACT QATAR JUNE
93
Travel LISTINGS EATS
WHERE ELSE COULD YOU BE THIS MONTH?
TRAVEL AGENTS JAULA SPA
NIGHTS
SPACE TRAVEL
MANNAI HOLIDAYS
Image by COMO Shambhala Estate
QATAR TOURS
REGENCY TRAVEL AND TOURS
Bali, The Perfect Tropical Paradise Call 4449 6666 to fly with Qatar Airways or book your ticket online at www.qatarairyways.com
LEISURE
SPORTS
DARWISH TRAVEL BUREAU
Sun lovers and spiritual seekers alike swear by the island. Find out what makes a trip to Bali a must!
COMMUNITY
TRAVEL
BODIES
With endless horizons of white sand and gorgeous blue waters, this small magical island offers the perfect getaway, both tranquil and dreamy. A slice of heaven, with its raging jungle backdrop, Bali is a buzzing place to be, acting as a vibrant capital for devout Hinduism among one of the world’s largest Muslim populations. For most people, what draws them here are the long stretches of beach, the pulse-pounding surf, and the scent of frangipani in the air. The warm blue waters and swaying palm trees give tourists that tropical escape they come looking for. Others come in search of spiritual learning, and from a culture so deep and rich it’s no wonder everyone here is so relaxed. Walk around the island and you’re bound to stumble on roadside shrines and humble offerings that seem to materialise out of nowhere, so beautiful and exquisite. Hedonistic retreats 94
FACT QATAR JUNE
are scattered all around the island, offering soul searching in addition to luxury accommodation, making for the perfect wellness hideaways to recharge as well as relax. You can also indulge in a soothing yoga session or reconnect with nature at one of their holistic spas; all of course while enjoying the serenity and spectacular views Bali has to offer. Food lovers know that a culinary journey awaits them, for the adventurous foodie though the real taste of Bali lies on the streets of the island. Little roadside shacks (warungs) serve traditional dishes to customers outside on wooden benches. Some guidebooks will warn you that it’s risky to try the local warungs, but Bali is just as sanitary as it is safe so there’s no need to worry about spending the rest of your trip in the bathroom. For those looking for the perfect time to visit the Indonesian hotspot then the dry season, from April to September, is the best time to go with humidity being at its lowest.
TRANS ORIENT TRAVEL & TOURISM
ALI BIN ALI TRAVEL BUREAU AAMAL TRAVEL
AL JABER TOURS AND TRAVELS
AL JASRA TRAVEL
AL BATEEL TRAVEL
ALSHAMEL TRAVEL AND TOURISM
AL SULAIMAN TRAVEL
FALCON TRAVEL
KANOO TRAVEL
MILANO TRAVEL
BON VOYAGE QATAR
Al Gharrafa Complex 4491 6111 AIRLINES AIR ARABIA
www.airarabia.com 4407 3434 www.airindia.com 4442 7747
AIR FRANCE / KLM
SAUDI ARABIAN AIRLINES
LUFTHANSA
SRI LANKAN AIRLINES
MEA
SYRIAN AIR
OMAN AIR
TURKISH AIRLINES
www.kuwaitairways.com 4443 5340 www.lufthansa.com 4431 0623 www.mea.com/lb 4434 2976 www.omanair.com 4432 1373 PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL
BAHRAIN AIR
AIRLINES
BIMAN BANGLADESH
QATAR AIRWAYS
BRITISH AIRWAYS
ROYAL JORDANIAN
www.bahrainair.net 4442 1807 www.biman-airlines.com 4443 3117 www.britishairways.com 4432 1434
www.piac.aero 4442 6290 www.qatarairways.com 4449 6666 (call centre) www.rj.com 4443 1431
www.srilankan.com 4444 1217 www.syriaair.com 4441 2911
www.turkishairlines.com 4443 3028
HAVE A GREAT TRAVEL STORY TO SHARE? DON’T HOLD BACK! EMAIL THE EDITOR AND LET US KNOW AND WE MIGHT EVEN SHARE IT FURTHER.
SPORTS
www.klm.com | 4432 1208
www.saudiairlines.com 4444 0121
NIGHTS
AIR INDIA (and AIR INDIA EXPRESS)
KUWAIT AIRWAYS
EATS
DANA TRAVELS & TOURISM
IF YOU NOTICE A MISTAKE IN OUR LISTINGS THEN PLEASE LET US KNOW AS SOON AS YOU CAN!
CATHAY PACIFIC
www.cathaypacific.com 4445 8319 www.cyprusair.com 4411 9017 DELTA AIRLINES
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL
LEISURE
CYPRUS AIRWAYS
HOT NEW CITY HOP...
ON June 1st, Etihad Airways will be launching their latest route to Sao Paulo from their hub in Abu Dhabi. GO: Call 4436 6657
www.delta.com 4483 0725 EGYPT AIR
BODIES
www.egyptair.com 4435 6020 EMIRATES
www.emirates.com 4438 4477 ETIHAD AIRWAYS
www.etihadairways.com 4436 6657 FLYDUBAI
TRAVEL
www.flydubai.com 4422 7350 GULF AIR
www.gulfair.com 4499 8037 IRAN AIR
www.iranair.com 4441 5318
COMMUNITY
IRAQ AIRWAYS
www.iq-airways.com 4443 7788 JET AIRWAYS
www.jetairways.com 4407 2222
FACT QATAR JUNE
95
COMMUNITY LISTINGS EATS
REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT...
ANIMAL WELFARE CATS IN QATAR
Daytime number: Gill on 3393 7645 Evenings and weekends: Vicki on 3393 7646 QATAR ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY
www.qaws.org 5539 6074
NIGHTS
2ND CHANCE RESCUE QATAR
www.2ndchancerescue.com 6644 1087 (Katharine Body) QATAR PET RELOCATORS
www.qatarpetrelocators.com 5528 6335 QATAR VETERINARY CENTER
SPORTS
Off Al Waab Street 4421 6405
PAMPERED PETS KENNEL AND CATTERY
www.ppkdoha.net 5588 4132
Eco-friendly Living Gets a Boost
LEISURE
Qatar has officially entered the environmentally friendly space age. Join us in celebrating the ‘Passivhaus’.
COMMUNITY
TRAVEL
BODIES
Only last month, the construction of Qatar’s first Passivhaus (‘passive house’ in English) was announced. It’s an eco-friendly, cost-effective, ultra-low energy villa created in a joint initiative by Qatar Green Building Council, Kahramaa and Barwa Real Estate Group. The experimental project that saw the creation of Passivhaus is known as Baytna. It was thought up as an effort to study the benefits of the Passivhaus design in Qatar’s hot, sticky and arid climate. So far, so good... The villa is beautiful, it proves to use far less energy than usual, and now recent figures show it doesn’t cost much more than it does to build normal buildings either. Ultimately, this new route into construction could seriously diminish Qatar’s currently rather hefty carbon footprint. “One of the main outputs of the Baytna project is to derive the most cost effective and practicable means of achieving more sustainable housing in Qatar and the region,” said Dr Alex Amato, Head of Sustainability at 96
FACT QATAR JUNE
QGBC, who led the comparative cost analysis of build costs for the 225sqm Passivhaus villa and its neighbouring conventional villa, which was built as a control for the Baytna study. “In less than eight months, the Passivhaus villa has been constructed to target with all the comforts of modern living, and with just a 16 per cent increase in capital costs the villa is predicted to consume 50 per cent less water and energy, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by half,” he also said. The eco-friendly villa costs that bit more because of construction costs for increased thickness of insulation, triple glazing of window and door systems, high-efficiency and advanced lighting systems, as well as sun shading devices in the atrium. And Dr Amato also believes that there is yet more potential to further reduce the capital costs. All in all for the moment, however, it created a super-insulated airtight building that requires little energy for cooling. Quite an impressive feat in such a hot, hot region! This is technology that could travel...
QATAR BIRD CLUB
Bin Omran | 4487 4731 DOGS IN DOHA
dogsindoha@gmail.com 6618 2924 PARKVIEW CENTER
info@parkviewcenter.net 4417 1560 or 5509 9494 (emergencies) QATAR PET REGISTER
www.qatarpetregister.com
info@qatarpetregister.com CHARITIES / SOCIAL WELFARE QATAR CHARITY
10 branches across Doha 4466 7711 (main) QATAR RED CRESCENT
Old Salata | 4402 7700
QATAR FOUNDATION FOR COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING
4491 2888
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER
C Ring Road 4454 2400
NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE
Salwa Road 4444 4012
REACH OUT TO ASIA
Education City 4480 029
THE YOUTH COMPANY
info@theyouthcompany.com 44118132 BEST BUDDIES QATAR
www.bestbuddies.org.qa 4466 6095
HAMAD GENERAL HOSPITAL
FRIENDS OF THE ENVIRONMENT CENTER
Bin Omran 4487 4731
WOMEN’S HOSPITAL
SUSTAINABLE QATAR
www.sustainableqatar.com 5516 2764 (Katrin Scholz-Barth, President)
AL AMAL (ONCOLOGY) HOSPITAL
responsibility@moe.gov.qa 4420 7777
AL AHLI HOSPITAL
SOCIETIES THINK PINK QATAR
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
Thinkpinkqatar.com Contact through online submission form
A little beacon of hope has been given to the Qatar Animal Welfare Society as their landlord extends their lease for another month. QAWS is still looking to secure another location before time runs out, with the government facing pressure from members of the Central Municipal Council to dedicate land specifically for the shelter. If you’re an animal lover and want to help, then visit www.facebook.com/qaws.org to support their cause.
NIGHTS
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT
QAWS Lasts
EATS
ENVIRONMENT
6673 0674
SPORTS
CANCER SURVIVORS AND SUPPORTERS GROUP
SERIOUS GENEROSITY...
DOHA MUMS
AMPHITHEATRE DONATES PROFITS
www.dohamums.com info@dohamums.com
Qatar’s Cultural Village Katara has teamed up with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crecent for a partnership that will see Katara donate all income its Amphitheatre generates towards the Federation’s humanitarian and development efforts in the Middle East and North Africa.
AMERICAN WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION
www.awaqatar.com Contact through online submission form
LEISURE
FRENCH SPEAKING WOMEN’S COMMITTEE
The French Cultural Centre 4493 0862
INDIAN WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION
www.iwaqatar.com 4442 5937 CLUBS
QATAR CHESS ASSOCIATION
BODIES
Corniche, Al Bidda Tower 4494 4292
QATAR NATURAL HISTORY GROUP
www.qnhg.org chairman@qnhg.org (Rob Ross)
QATAR PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S NETWORK
Melissa Mitchell, QPEN leader Info@qpwn.org
TRAVEL
QATAR TOASTMASTERS
www.qatartoastmasters.net 5554 7248 TUESDAY LADIES GROUP
Tlgindoha@gmail.com 5573 5078 QATAR EXPATS
QATAR FOUNDATION FOR CHILD & WOMAN PROTECTION
4467 9444 (hotline)
Image by Adrian Haddad
MEDICAL
COMMUNITY
www.meetup.com/Qatar-expats Online sign-up
GO: Ladies, head to one of your local clinics for a screening and/or, both men and women alike, encourage all your female friends to do so!
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S.A.T’s? M.B.A’s? Pah! In Qatar, only one test score really matters
your Qatar IQ! WHAT’S YOUR QATAR IQ
We have done a big fat feature on bloggers in the Qatarsphere this month. Do you:
a.
Rush to the computer and start that blog you’ve always wanted to and dedicate it to your friends at FACT?
b. c.
Think bloggers are losers and that you have far better things to do with your time?
Couldn’t possibly think of something to write about that might interest anyone but your grandma? Nothing anyone writes is much interesting to their grandmas for that matter…
All your favourite childhood characters will be gliding on ice this month to celebrate 100 Years of Magic. Are you:
The summer is most definitely here and the unbearable heat is seeping in our houses any which way it can. Are you:
a.
a.
b.
b. c.
More excited than your kids? You’re going to get a seat so close to the ice you’re practically sitting on it!
Not bothered? You didn’t have a TV in your house when you were little so your favourite childhood characters were your best imaginary buds.
c.
Umming and ahhing about going because you think it might be a little chilly and you already find it hard enough in the cinema!?
At the beach every day or by the pool? You will be the tannest of the tanned when summer is over (or looking like a leather handbag).
Heading down under where it’s winter and where you can be as cool as a cucumber in more ways than one?
Not very affected? Every where you go it’s an igloo anyway so as others are busting out the bathing suits you’re donning a fur coat.
What does it say about you? Mostly As: You’re as sunny as the Qatar summer sun and a geek at heart but incredibly enthusiastic with it so you’re pretty likeable. Just make sure you ply on the suncream first! Mostly Bs: Wow, you’re a bit too cool for school aren’t you? You might want to melt that icy heart a bit so we can all warm to you. Mostly Cs: You’re a lovely person albeit a little too self-conscious. But most importantly we think you should check your circulation. It’s not that cold inside! 98
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100
FACT QATAR JUNE