FACT Qatar November 2013

Dare to be different

Sands of Time fact magazine NOVEMBER 2013. VOL 3 ISSUE 7 . QR10 | SR10

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IN VILLAGGIO STORE NOVEMBER 14 TH HM.COM

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FACT Magazine Qatar Edition October 2013 Volume 3, Issue 7 Fact M.E.

Dare to be different

Stargazing in Qatar’s Desert November 2013 Issue 30

Sands of Time NOVEMBER 2013. VOL 3 ISSUE 7 . QR10 | SR10

cover oct 5

10/30/13 1:29 PM

Chairman Mubarak Bin Rashed Al Khalifa Chief Executive Officer Greg Hughes Chief Operation Officer Rami Khalil General Manager Hussein A. Zreik Editor Dina Kabbani (dina@factlive.com) Creative Director Paula Leal Designer Rashed Bindaina Photography Contributors Rashed Bindaina Creative Design

contents

Regional Head of Sales Laura Alvarez Sales Manager Badir Bechara Advertising Enquiries E-mail: Badir@factlive.com Tel: +974 6604 2145

30. Qatar Gets its Wings The Red Bull Flugtag competition takes to the MIA Park for a day of crazy flying crafts and awesome entertaining skits.

Contributors Shabana Adam, Cara Mason James Fallon

34. Thanksgiving Tips

We put together the perfect guide for a perfect Thanksgiving; from places to go for the perfect dinner to where you can buy your turkey.

39. With the Band

Indepth interviews with the coolest bands in the capital. Find out more about them, the music they play, and the venues they perform in.

52. A Holy Journey

The MIA debuts Hajj- The Journey Through Art exhibition, the first of its kind in the Middle East.

Distributed in Qatar by Dar Al Sharq

60. Camp Revamp

Find out where to go camping in Qatar, what to pack, and the best spots to pitch your tent. This is the activity to do this November.

73. The Birth of a Brand

Qatar launches its first ever fashion brand QELA, and we were there behind the scenes to see the fashion house come to life.

80. The Great Outdoors

With the cooler weather al fresco season starts, with outdoor venues being the place of choice to go enjoy a meal this autumn.

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PRINTED BY Dar Akhbar Al Khaleej, Bahrain.

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...

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THE EDITOR

“Changes in the wind...”

F

inally after months of stifling

humidity and soaring temperatures

Can you feel it? The crispy taste of the coming Autumn... gets us excited everytime, making us glad to live in a world with Novembers!

Dina Kabbani Editor dina@factlive.com

one can finally venture outside and leave behind the comfort of the air

conditioning we sought solace in for those scorching summer months.

Autumn is at the door and we’re super excited to welcome it in with its cool breezes and shorter days. Now is

definitely the time to enjoy al fresco

just want to gaze into the night sky

rooftops and outdoor restaurants in

we’ve rounded up everything you need to know in order to camp out in Qatar’s beautiful desert (pages 58-64).

The music scene is a buzz this month with bands from all over the city performing at awesome venues way into the night. Catch your favourite with our in depth interview with the coolest six performers in town (pages 35-40).

Art lovers and museum buffs will find so many wonderful galleries and exhibitions on display. Head over to the Museum of Islamic Arts to see “HajjThe Journey Through Art” the biggest exhibition of its kind about the holy Muslim pilgrimage (pages 48-49). Or check out Katara Art Centre which is playing host to the wonderful Italian

season by heading out to the best patios, town; check out our favourites (pages 84-85).

But the main treat November brings

with it is that finally one can head out to the desert! Whether it’s a spot of

dune bashing you’re looking for, or you

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and spend an evening under the stars,

artist Francesco Vezzoli’s “Museum of Crying Women”, filled with beautiful actresses and female icons of our time (page 47).

Finally FACT went behind the scenes at QELA, Qatar’s first ever luxury fashion house, to see how designers are bringing the brand to life (pages 75-77).

THE NEW 2013 NISSAN 370Z WITHIN YOUR REACH. BEYOND THEIRS. THE NEW 2013 370Z. WITH A CUTTING-EDGE LOOK AND THE SAME ICONIC PERFORMANCE. Iconic Design | Ahead of the Curve | Superior Handling

facebook.com/AlManaCompany

@saleh_almana_co

Nissan-me.com

SALEH AL HAMAD AL MANA CO. (Exclusive Agent) Main Showroom: Salwa: Tel: 4428 3333, Al Sadd Showroom: Tel: 4444 1334, Bin Omran Showroom: Tel: 4488 8618 fact magazine Showroom Timings: 8:00am to 9:00pm (Sat-Thu); 4:00pm to 9:00pm (Fri).

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LISTEN UP

“I prefer a night in, okay?”

Since when did I get so old?

Cara’s Rant of the Month

Discover more of Qatar with Fact Finds

Every month we’ll bring you our favourite eatery, activity or interesting find from around the country.

Avid video game players listen up!

Doha finally has the spot to go kick back and play your favourite games.

Founded by Doc Michael, Fahad Qureshi, Bilal Taha and Ali AlMarafieh, the two floored gaming lounge has over 50 stations of PlayStation 3, Xbox, and PCs; a total gamers heaven. The place offers both individual and group play options, at QR15/ hour per person, and has two VIP rooms with 60-inch TV screens, available for QR100/hour. With the world’s top games on hand like FIFA, Call of Duty, and Halo, gamers won’t

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want to play anywhere else!

The lounge is open to boys and girls of all ages, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are weekly tournaments with prizes so their website is definitely worth a visit with announcements being held online. You never know you might find yourself wining the title of Doha’s best gamer!

GO: For more information visit www.tglqatar.com or check out www.facebook.com/tglqatar

There comes a time in every young adults life when they will utter the words ‘I prefer a night in’. For me, this happened last week. You’d think, having just moved to a new country, I’d want to be out at every opportunity, right? (especially because everyone likes to party in Doha). But I’ve recently found myself getting home and being content catching up on my TV shows (Oh no, I sound just like my Gran!) whilst getting a little creative in the kitchen.

I thought this was supposed to happen in your mid 30’s, not at the tender age of 23? Don’t get me wrong, I like to go out and party like the best of them, but it’s more like once a month than once every 24 hours.

But you know what the worst part of all this is? I actually like staying in. Yes, I said it; I like getting home and snuggling down on the couch or making a mushroom and leek risotto – what’s so wrong with that?

I’ve had my heyday and I’m perfectly happy to settle down a little.

So to all my fellow stay-at-homers (and I know you’re out there!), don’t be ashamed, embrace your need for some warm slippers and a good TV show – just remember to show face occasionally so that the world knows you haven’t completely lost sense of your youth.

IF YOU LOVE FRESH HOME MADE PASTA..

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“Fresh Casual Dining�

Pasta, pizzas, antipasti and salads are ordered directly from the chefs at the individual stations in the middle of the guests.

Everyone can have his meal prepared to his own personal preference. Favorite dishes can be created, and the individually refined. The herb garden and the fresh herbs on the table are not just for decoration, but to offer the special taste that every dish deserves.

The guest will see how the pasta and dolci are made fresh each day in a glassed-in manifattura.

Our pizza dough, our sauces and dressings, and our pesto are all prepared in house.

Vapiano is perfect setting for a quick lunch, an afternoon break, or a pleasant dinner with friends or family. Have you tried Vapaino yet?

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MASH UP

twitter

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND MAYBE YOU’LL BE HERE NEXT MONTH! @FACTQatar

3,316 @FACTQatar

Hussain. @HUSSVIN

Amin Isaac @ TheOptimistMe

Firas Alola @ Firawesome

Don’t “Drake” and drive, you’ll end up at your ex’s house.

My father’s display of affection is waiting until I enter his house before he tells me my beard is ugly and I have a dead end job.

Here are the tweets that had us cracking up this month. Don’t forget to check this spot next issue, your tweet just might be one of them!

I’ve seen men holding hands and got annoyed a little but HOLDING PINKIES!!? Come on dude!!

Jack Thomas Taylor @ MrJournalJunkie

faizzy! @ faisaladam_

The Aziz @ AzizSharif

Reem. @ itssilverfox 5h

Scott Boyes @ scottyboyes

Not in the office 5 mins and I have had three people look me up and down and not say anything. What does that mean? *looks for a mirror*

“love is being a wallpaper on someone’s phone.” - emirkr

Twerking and Selfie have been added to the dictionary. Future and Optimism have been removed.

People in traffic staring at me like they’ve never seen a white girl jamming out to Informer at 8.20am before.

Whenever you’re having a bad day, just remember Ryan Seacrest tried to high-five a blind guy

Instagram

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM AND MAYBE YOU’LL BE HERE NEXT MONTH! @factqatar

WIN Where’s Rashed?

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Find FACT’s dapper looking fellow chilling somewhere in this issue. Email me at dina@factlive.com as soon as you spot him and get the chance to win a Nokia Lumia 920. We’re super sneaky so good luck finding him!

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SCOOP

Around the world Qataris doing it big!

Bringing you the latest news of fellow Qataris around the world. Find out what they’ve been up to and what’s going on outside of the country. If you know anyone doing anything cool let us know @FACTqatar!

Virginia

18-year-old Abdullah Al Tamimi, the first Qatari to reach the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Junior Championship, proved that that was no beginner’s luck by reaching the last-four stage of the inaugural PSA Challenger 10 event at Charlottesville last month. With the way things are going, we’re bound to see big things happen in this young man’s future!

Cambridge

As part of the Qatar UK 2013 year of culture and Inter Faith week 2013, Prof. Aisha Yousuf Al-Mannai, Director of Mohammed Bin Hamad Center for Muslim Contribution to Civilization, Qatar Foundation will head over to Cambridge on November 19 to deliver the Second DICID-Woolf Lecture.

Palermo

For its fifth biennial, the Hamad bin Khalifa symposia will take place this year in Palermo, Italy on November 9. The three-day conference will address major themes in Islamic art and culture, from the imagery of light in the Qur’an to light’s role in buildings, paintings, and other works of art.

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Qatar Buzz

Hate It

Traffic Woes

It has become beyond impossible for one to enjoy a pleasurable drive anymore! As most of you would agree, Doha’s roads have become a huge burden that nobody wants to wake up to in the morning. Detours, closures, and tiny one-lane ways have made many of us lose our cool on a daily basis. We smell trouble for Ashgal if they don’t get their act together for their November deadline!

Saudi Arabia

Home airlines Qatar Airways have further expanded their operations in Saudi Arabia with the launch of scheduled flights to Ta’if - the airline’s sixth destination in the Kingdom.

Love It

Culture Vulture

Ever since its launch last month, we just can’t seem to get off the new Qulture website. The online daily publication, founded by Sheikha Al Mayassa, is aiming to be the premier guide to Qatar and the region’s changing cultural landscape, bringing readers daily feeds on the Middle East’s art and culture scene. Oh and did we mention that everything is written in both English and Arabic? How cool is that!

Can’t Believe It

Controversial Landmark

Indonesia

We love a good game especially when one of our own wins! Qatar’s Saad Ahmed Maher scooped up the silver medal with his winning performance in the men’s Takewondo final (under 74kg) at the Third Islamic Solidarity Games in Sumatra, Indonesia.

This was Qatar’s fourth medal won in the games!

While driving by the Corniche you must have spotted the new five-metre-tall Zidane “Head Butt” statue; the bronze sculpture created

by Algerian artist Adel Abdessemed sticks out like a sore thumb making it hard for anyone to really miss. Why on earth they’d want to immortalize such a foolish football moment and credit it to being part of QMA’s public art program is beyond us. Baffling really!

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noteworthy

Flea Market Finds Get ready to rummage for second-hand treasures!

A visit to a flea market can be an exciting way to spend a few hours, and a chance to pick up a unique souvenir or add to a collection. It is a place where things can be picked up, sniffed and shaken; where one man’s garbage is another man’s treasure. That’s why Mohamed Separus and Conrad Pallares teamed up to bring Doha its very own flea market. Yes the capital now boasts a monthly do where second hand goods are king and the older and more vintage things are, the higher the demand is for them. Set up last month at the Swiss Belhotel, not a very scenic spot, this is a flea market for people keen to buy rather than sightsee. Brace yourself for tabletops piled with household bric-a-brac, boxes overflowing with crockery, household furniture and smart vintage pieces. You’ll find an abundance of records and home décor, from the kitsch to the classy, as well as some new pieces that never even left the box they came in. The first edition of the DFM saw 50 vendors participating, each divided in different categories: second hand, handcraft & fashion design and foodie. For those looking forward to rent a booth for next month registration is done through their website, where stalls go for QR200.

GO: For more information visit www.dohafleamarket.com or www.facebook. com/pages/Doha-Flea-Market/1401588370054190

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dino-mania hits doha

Trusted by moms, adored by children, and loathed by fathers who are haunted by the never-ending lyrcis of “I Love You”; love him or hate him the friendly purple dinosaur has made his way into our homes throughout the years, here to stay forever. But what do we really know about Barney?

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As far as culture icons go, Barney the Dinosaur has left his mark over the years with great big hugs and kisses for all. In fact, if there are no small children in your life, there’s a good chance you don’t know much about the purple tyrannosaur. But toddlers do. And their parents do, only too well.

A two hundred million year old, six-foot tall, purple tyrannosaurus rex with a green belly, has become part of most people’s childhood. Barney, who first appeared on TV April 6 1992, has undoubtedly changed many households bringing entertainment and education to living rooms across the globe.

CHECK IT OUT

GO: Visit www.facebook.com/events/ 403634526426638 for more information

Quote of the Month “QELA is the beginning of an exciting journey. It is Qatar’s first home-grown global fashion brand, international in style with understated Arab influences” QLG’s Managing Director and Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors Haya bint Khalifa Al Nassr quoted on the launch of Qatar’s first fashion brand.

This Month...

But how did this friendly loveable character come to life? As all great ideas begin, it all started with a simple problem: a bored child and a mother who was looking to keep him entertained.

Sheryl Leach, like other mums, had run out of ways to amuse her two-year-old son Patrick. Trying to think of how she could mix entertaining her child with educating him, she came up with the concept for Barney. Originally set out to be a blanket, the concept proved to be too hard to execute so they changed him into a teddy bear. However Patrick,

WIN… We’re giving away two tickets to go see the purple dinosaur with your little ones. Just send your answer to the below to

dina@factlive.com for a chance to win!

What is the name of Barney’s green girl dinosaur friend?

fascinated by dinosaurs he had seen at a museum particularly the Tyrannosaurus Rex, made Sheryl convince her partner Kathy Parker to change him to a t-rex.

The terms were clear; Barney would be a dinosaur but on the condition that he was not to appear menacing! The end result: he was coloured purple to appeal to both genders; his features softened (he got toes instead of claws); and he got a friendly name (Barney). Even though the original videos were only a modest success outside of Texas, Barney became a major hit when the character and format were revamped for the television series and were picked up by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), debuting as Barney and Friends in 1992.

Since then he’s entertained the masses with educational messages through songs and small dance routines with his pack of friendly dinosaur friends.

This month for the first time ever in Doha, “Barney Let’s Go! Live on Stage!” show is coming to town from November 28 to December 2, at Al Rayyan Theater in Souq Waqif.

Workers’ Rights

Recent media reports about the mistreatment of migrant labourers have caused quite a stir internationally, with people now questioning the country’s eligibility for hosting the world cup

216 Tons

The collective weight of Damien Hirst’s 14 bronze statues that make up the “Miraculous Journey” collection, that was specially commissioned by Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, chairwoman of QMA.

Book Worms

Finally WHSmith bookstore opened its doors at Ezdan Mall, making bookworms like us rush out to get our much-needed literary fix.

The store has two other outlets set to open in Doha. Hurrah for readers!

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LISTEN UP

DFI Puts Doha on the World Cinematic Map

A Legend Goes Home

Some of the most talented and ambitious people likely discover their passion at a very young age; aspiring musicians will do karaoke at school; renowned athletes will take part in a sports club; and future movie stars may have had a role in the annual nativity play, well, the same can be said for Doha-based artist Hala Al Khalifa.

For her new exhibition at Bahrain’s Bin Mattar House, she takes inspiration from something close to home - the stunning waters that surround the GCC. This body of work, aptly titled ‘Sea’, is an exploration of the legacy of pearl diving, a dangerous yet rich activity that holds great significance for many Arabian Gulf families and communities as it provided them with a lifeline. GO: Fly with Gulf Air to Bahrain.

‘Sea’ exhibition is on at Bin Mattar House, Muharraq until November 30.

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The debut of Qatar’s brand new film festival.

It was big news when Doha Film Institute and New-York based Tribeca announced their parting of ways recently. It left us all wondering what would happen next. And now we know… a brand new film festival! Ajyal, which will take place this November, is the five-day Film Festival for the Young, which aims at bringing generations together through events that inspire creative interaction. The new festival consists of the Doha Film Experience – which includes a feature narrative as well as short film competition – and the Made in Qatar/ Students sections. The festival also features family-friendly special screenings, thematic retrospectives and tributes, while masterclasses for students of all ages, workshops for children, parents, teachers and industry professionals and panels will aim to enhance film education and appreciation.

GO: The festival will take place from November 26 to 30. For more information visit www.dohafilminstitute.com

New Addition to the Souq

Qatar’s premier hotelier, Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels has launched its latest luxury boutique hotel experience with Al Bidda. A chic sanctuary, the 32-room hotel exudes old world Arabic charm. Inside its modern yet cosy interiors make for a nice surprise, completely transporting you away for the souq-like feel to the comforts and design of a contemporary boutique hotel.

GO: For more information & reservations call 4433 6666 or visit www.swbh.com

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HAPPENINGS

10. Sunday

Getting Out and About

Sweet Tooth Grab a cupcake from Magnolia Bakery who have the yummiest ones in town.

You’ll definitely find it hard to stop at just one.

11. Monday

Midday Break Escape the office for your lunch hour and try out the new Paper Moon restaurant at the Jaidah Square Complex. We recommend the pizza there; it’s yum!

This month in Qatar

Say goodbye to boredom this month and mark your diaries with these allimportant dates. We’ve put together a calendar packed with happenings just for you! This is what FACT recommends (and you can still find more throughout the rest of the mag!).

12. Tuesday

Modern Arts Day Why not break up your weekly routine with a quick dose of art at MATHAF’s latest exhibit L’âge d’or by Adel Abdessemed.

13. Wednesday

Aspire Park Lunch Stop by the awesome Burgerry for a quick meal of burger and fries at the vintage looking restaurant.

04. Monday

European Gateaux in Doha Get your dessert fix by popping past the newly opened La Patisserie at Al Bidda Boutique Hotel. We here at FACT can’t get enough of their macaroons.

05. Tuesday

01. Friday

Melbourne Cup Breakfast The Grill is hosting a special breakfast for all those wanting to watch the race and indulge in a great inspired Australian menu. Call 7021 8093

02. Saturday

Seafood Night at the Square It’s time to indulge in everything wonderful the sea has to offer with a seafood feast at the InterContinental Doha the City for QR250/QR350.

Call 4015 8888

Qatar Gets its Wings Finally the big day is here: the RedBull Flugtag competition at the MIA Park. Get ready for some crazy flying machines!

06. Wednesday

Arty Weekend Spend a lazy Saturday afternoon touring the new Damien Hirst Relics exhibition at Al Riwaq Center. It’s free admission Beach Party of the Month and his biggest exhibit to date!

Put on your coolest shades for the “Sunglasses at Night” party at the Marriott beach feat. DJ Seherezade.

Tickets sold at Virgin Megastores.

Soulful Tunes at Kempinski Kéyali Mayaga brings the Lounge to life with her blues and soul sounds from 9pm to 12am. Call 4405 3325

07. Thursday

03. Sunday

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CaféScientifique Event Get the opportunity to hear and interact with eminent scientists in an informal setting at the Falcon Souq today from 6pm to 8pm.

09. Saturday

Baffling Art Pieces Last day to catch Iraqi-Canadian contemporary artist Mahmoud Obaidi’s Confusionism exhibition at the Katara Art Center.

Tikki Time at the Beach Celebrate Qatar’s favourite beverage at the Hilton Doha beach with an awesome barbeque and killer beats.

Entrance is QR150 and event starts at 8pm.

15. Friday

Brunch Time Get ready for Doha’s favourite meal and head out to the Four Seasons Doha where we think they have one of the best brunches in town!

16. Saturday

Saturday Signature Breakfasts End your weekend on a high note with breakfast at Chac’Late at Katara available from 8am to 11am daily.

17. Sunday

X’Press Lunch Start off your workweek with the Cellar’s 3-course quick bites menu for only QR95. You’ll be the envy of the office!

18. Monday

25. Monday

Midweek Fitness Get off the couch and go for a crazy Zumba workout at the InterContinental Doha the City from 8pm to 9pm for QR60.

It’s Barney Time Take the little ones to go see their favourite purple dinosaur at Al Rayyan Theater.

26. Tuesday

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DFI Launches New Film Festival The new Ajyal Youth Film Festival opens today, and will be going on until the end of the month. Visit www. dohafilminstitute.com for more info

Steakhouse Offer Try something different this month with the Doha Marriott’s ‘Goose liver & vino’ promotion at JW’s Steakhouse.

Call 4429 8499

27. Wednesday 20. Wednesday

Biggest Ladies Night The intercontinental Doha offers unlimited free selected drinks for ladies at the bar in Paloma from 10pm until late!

21. Thursday

Dance the Night Away La Cigale’s Club 7 is the place to see and be seen in on a Thursday night. So get ready to dance late into the night at this Doha hotspot!

22. Friday

Sacred Pilgrimage Soak in some Arabic culture with HajjThe Journey Through Art exhibition at the MIA. Visit www.mia.org.qa for more info

23. Saturday

Burger Nights Choose your favorite burger, your favorite side dish and one amazing Sundae at the W Hotel’s Market by Jean- Georges for QR110.

Parillada Night All you can eat Argentinian parillada at the Sheraton Doha’s Latino. Bring your appetite for this massive carnivoreousfeast! Call 4485 4071

28. Thursday

Thanksgiving at Lagoon Celebrate the festivities with turkey and all its trimmings at the Ritz Carlton restaurant with family and friends.

Call 4484 8512

29. Friday

Magic Hits Doha Adam and Selina “The Mystifiers” bring their magic show to the capital for only a few days; hurry up and catch them before they pull a vanishing act!

30. Saturday

Picnic in the Park Pick up a picnic hamper with a selection of sandwiches, sweets, and more from The Torch for QR80 and head out for a day at the park.

24. Sunday

Visiting Practitioners Align your chakras and truly relax and unwind through meditation with leading new age wellbeing consultant Shivani Aldalja at Six Senses Spa. fact magazine .29

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LISTEN UP

Red bull flugtag: Crafts, skits and more, November’s show promises to be a killer feat!

Brace yourself for a thrilling ride as daring teams take to the plank in their creative flying crafts to see who can pull off the best performance and fly the furtherest. the show promises to be one funny entertaining performance full of creativity and awesome craftmanship.

Inventors and adrenaline junkies get ready, this is the moment we have all been waiting for! Finally, after months of preparation, teams across the capital will get the chance to test drive their crafts, seeing who can fly the furthest into the MIA Park’s water. Teams will be evaluated on three main criteria: creativity, showmanship and flight distance, they also have to perform a 60 second show to impress both jury and crowd. We decided to catch up with two of the Flugtag crews to try and get a sneak peek at their flying crafts; this is what we found out!

CAMELOT Member Names + Age Fouad Antonios (41), Abdullah Yehya (17), Hussein Sadek (34), Moaz Abdallah (19) Jobs Architect, Civil Engineer, Student.

How did you come up with your team’s name? Was it easy to pick one?

The team’s name came from the concept of our plane, which is basically designed around a camel and pilot. So the name just automatically came after we chose the idea.

We know it’s a surprise, but what can you reveal about your craft?

We’re only going to tell you what we mentioned above, the rest is for you to come and see for yourselves on November 1!

What materials are you using for your plane?

We’ve used a mix of materials; everything from wood and PVC fabric to tubes and ropes.

Are you scared that you might crash or not get that far?

Actually not at all! We joined the Flugtag competition to have a fun time. We wanted to have a blast and not be too serious about it. After all we are pretty confident that our plane will fly (fingers crossed).

How did you pick the pilot? Did anyone volunteer?

Our Pilot was chosen because of his light weight, because the lighter the load the further the plane will fly. He’s also our friend and loves anything that gives one an adrenaline rush, so it was a perfect fit!

Have you had any problems along the way design-wise?

Not really, we planned to use bamboo sticks as the main structure of our plane but we couldn’t find the length we needed so we were obliged to replace the bamboo with PVC pipes. In the end we made it work.

Tell us about your skit? Have you prepared something funny?

The plane itself is funny but the skit is not- it’s more complementing to the concept of our plane.

We know that the audience plays a roll in the competition, so how can people support you?

Thanks God we have lot of friends who will come out to watch and support us. We are counting on them and their encouragement.

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THe pinkredibles Member Names + Age Charlotte, Fiona, Yola, Cath, Gill (ages we keep a secret!)

Jobs Marketing, Public Relations and Administration Managers, Housewife and Mother, Cancer Research Nurse, Medical Physicist

How did you come up with your team’s name? Was it easy to pick one?

As the only Ladies-only team our focus is on PINK, it’s such a great feminine colour.

We’re an intelligent bunch of incredible ladies who enjoy life, love a challenge, can do anything and nurture great friendships – The Pinkredibles…

We know it’s a surprise, but what can you reveal about your craft?

What do all ladies love (apart from chocolate!)? No not handbags…

What materials are you using for your plane?

A combination of materials: wood, foam board, shower curtain material and of course glitter!

Are you scared that you might crash or not get that far?

No we are entering this competition with an amazing positive attitude – we’ve done the calculations – we know we can fly. It’s a great adventure and fantastic fun – we’re going to soar!

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How did you pick the pilot? Did anyone volunteer?

Charlotte and Fiona walked out of the Red Bull offices after meeting with Tala the Flugtag Ground Controller for the first time absolutely buzzing with excitement – who will be in the team, what design, what will be our name – all these questions, when Cath (Pilot) walked past us. We thought now there is a lady who loves a challenge and is a great sport (she’s also a wee slip of thing – weight is important when building a flying machine) – it was meant to be!

Tell us about your skit? Have you prepared something funny?

It will be very impactful, our team song is catchy, quick and dynamic – the audience won’t be able to resist tapping their feet, singing along and bubbling with excitement.

We know that the audience plays a roll in the competition, so how can people support you?

We have some excellent plans for the audience, we already have a huge number of people coming to support us on the day, some of the teams families are flying in from the UK for the event complete with musicians and professional singers .

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A Novice’s Guide to a Perfect Thanksgiving

We’re talking turkey, pumpkin pie and all the trimmings; get ready for the best Thanksgiving yet!

If you’re staying here over Thanksgiving, chances are you’ll gather whatever friends and family you have in Doha for a festive dinner. For those of us who are job-bound, children-busy, and oven illiterate, a homecooked meal really isn’t an option. So we’ve gathered a selection of restaurants dead-set on recreating Mum’s turkey and Grandma’s pumpkin pie, so you won’t go hungry this Thanskgiving. Gobble Gobble!

Eight great spots for Thanksgiving dinner

Doha Marriott

Celebrate with a lavish buffet at the Restaurant Gallery with traditional turkey dishes, seasonal favourites and a warm atmosphere on November 28, all for QR225 for regular package or QR320 for the bubbly one.

GO: For more information & reservations call 4429 8499 34. fact magazine

Grand Hyatt Doha

Executive Chef Jean-Christoph is preparing a traditional Thanksgiving set menu at both The Grill and Rocca for a special Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends. GO: For more information & reservations call 7021 8093 for The Gril / 7021 8096 for Rocca

Hilton

Indulge in a sumptuous brunch at Mawasem who’ll have an amazing live band playing some true festive tunes, all for QR250 with soft drinks or QR360 with house beverages.

GO: For more information & reservations call 4423 3333

Turkey to Go! Want to celebrate at home instead of going out? The following hotels all offer a fantastic service where you can pre-order your turkey and just pick it up on the day of: Sheraton Doha, Kempinski Residences & Suites, Doha Marriott, Sharq Village & Spa, and W Hotel Doha.

TURKEY RECIPE

For those wanting to impress and show off their culinary skills, we stopped by the Sheraton Doha and got their famous turkey recipe. Get ready to prepare the star of your Thanksgiving table…

Ingredients: 7-9 Kg Turkey 50 Gr. Oil 10 Gr. Salt 7 Gr. Pepper Remove the neck and giblets and set aside for the sauce then roast the Turkey for 2.5 Hours in the oven at 175 C ͦ .

Oryx Rotana

Head over to Choices for a different twist on Thanksgiving, where they’ve tossed out the turkey and replaced it with a seafood themed buffet. This is one Thanksgiving that’ll definitely be different than the rest!

GO: For more information & reservations call 4402 3333

Four Seasons

Turkey and all its trimmings will be part of the evening dinner at Il Teatro, where family and friends can celebrate the blessings of the season from QR260 or QR380 with special beverages.

GO: For more information & reservations call 4494 8888

Sharq Village & Spa

Al Dana is throwing a for a four-course Thanksgiving dinner of roast turkey, pumpkin pie and more to celebrate good fortune and friends for QR280.

GO: For more information & reservations call 4425 6999

W Hotel Doha

Enjoy a wonderful festive set menu at Market by Jean Georges. The W Hotel hotspot is throwing a wonderful festive evening for those staying in town all for QR280. GO: For more information & reservations call 4453 5135

Stuffing & Gravy: 1 Kg. Minced Veal 600 Gr. Minced Turkey Breast 400 Gr. Minced Chicken liver 400 Gr. Toast bread 150 Gr. Celery green 500 Ml. Whipped cream 120 Ml Red Grapes Juice 200 Gr. Raisin 100 Gr. Shallots chopped 30 Gr. Garlic chopped 30 Gr. Parsley chopped 200 Gr. Cashew nuts roasted & crushed 300 Gr. Chestnuts roasted & crushed 200 Gr. Dry Prunes thinly sliced 150 Gr. Liquid Butter 15 Pcs. Egg Serve with side dishes of: honey roasted pumpkin, caramelized chestnuts, new baby potatoes, chipolata sausage, fresh mixed vegetables, cranberry and giblets gravy sauces.

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noteworthy GO: Tickets are sold at Virgin Megastores as well as online at www.tickets. virginmegastore.me/ index.php?event_ id=1702

They’ve sold out tours and appearances across Australia, throughout Europe, Asia, Canada and USA, and now Adam and Selina are coming to Doha. Considered by many as one of the world’s most captivating mystifiers, the famous duo has become synonymous with magic, spectacle, and mystique. Their allure and uniqueness that separates them from any other illusionists or magic performers in the world is that they are a ‘brother and sister’ team. Adam, who first got started in magic at the age of six, has studied and mastered the art of illusion. His sister, Selina, joined him later on where they created a show based on close-up magic, mentalism, escapes, and illusions.

Combining the best of both of their talents, they have managed to find the perfect formula to help bring out the best in each other. Their shows blend the latest cutting-edge magic and spectacular illusions together with a slick performance style and some theatrics for the ultimate entertainment experience. From being

36. fact magazine

Mystifying Act

As little children magic meant pulling bunnies out of a black hat, sawing people in half, and making objects disappear by simply uttering the word abracadabra. Nowadays it’s a bit more complicated than that with a new breed of modern day magicians and illusionists hitting the stage with much more than just a wand and a few made-up magic words. finalists on “Australia’s Got Talent” to touring the world, the duo have come a long way and now appear regularly on television and radio stations, in newspapers and magazine articles, as well as other mainstream media throughout Australia and around the globe.

Audiences will have to be prepared for a night of extreme magic, hilarious comedy, and spectator participation. Running from November 27 to 30 there will be two shows per day, one at 7pm and the other at 10pm.

WIN…

We’re giving away tickets to go see the duo in action. Send us the answer to the below to dina@ factlive.com “What show did Adam & Selina get their big break on?”

A- Australia’s Got Talent B- The Voice C- American Idol

First Ever Full Show in Doha

28th NOVEMBER TO 02nd DECEMBER 2013

SOUQ WAQIF - AL RAYYAN THEATRE

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38. fact magazine

I’m with the Band

Headlining tours, screaming hoards of fans, and killer tour buses are just a few perks of being in a band. But on the local scene it’s a lot calmer, with artists performing in smaller venues and to smaller crowds. Nevertheless the music is still great and the result is the added bonus of a much more personal experience. So whether you’re into Rock’n’Roll, salsa, blues, or jazz the capital is buzzing with live bands for every taste. Here are our favourites… fact magazine .39

THE BAND

Mariachi trio luna nueva

Where is your hometown?

We all come from the wonderful and vibrant city of Bogota, Colombia.

How did you come up with the band name?

Our band is a crazy fusion between mariachi and Latin music so we wanted to come up with a different name, something cool and catchy. In Spanish Luna Nueva means New Moon, and we think it matches perfectly with the type of band we are; fun, crazy, and pure Colombian.

How long have you all known each other?

And when did you form your band?

We’ve known each other for a long time and have all been working in the music scene for a while. Each of us were playing in different bands at the time, then two years ago we decided to join forces and create our own band.

Describe yourself in one word…

We are all about parties, Latin joy and Mexican feelings.

What’s your favorite song of all time?

Well our favorite song to play together is el Milagro de tus ojos, because it has such a beautiful harmony.

Do you guys have any other hobbies?

Ester: Well I like to read and draw, Mauricio’s into playing video games, and Claudia likes to play volleyball.

Members Esther Doria, Claudia Martinez, and Mauricio Lara Where to check them out Doha Marriott’s Salsa Restaurant

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x-centric Where do you all come from?

Our hometown is Bangkok in Thailand and we have been in Doha for 7 months so far.

What was the inspiration behind your name?

We actually chose it simply because we like the name itself, it’s unique from the rest and we are also eccentric characters.

Have you known each other for long?

We have known each other and been friends with one another for almost four years now. The band was only formed when we decided to move to Qatar. We found we had great chemistry and that we worked well together as a team, and decided that moving to a new exciting place would be a more exciting journey when travelling with friends.

Describe yourself in one word‌ We would describe ourselves as energetic fun loving individuals who want to entertain our customers to ensure they have as much fun as we do when performing.

What’s your favorite song of all time?

Our favorite song would definitely have to be Power of Love by Whitney Houston; she has a magnificent voice and the song is very powerful.

Do you guys have any other hobbies besides, obviously, making music?

Most of us have businesses in Thailand and this is one of our hobbies so we spend time working on these when we are performing, aside from this we enjoy surfing the internet, shopping and cooking. Qatar is a fabulous country and we love to explore the sights here as there is so much to see and do.

Where to check them out Radisson Blu

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Where is your hometown?

We’re all from the Philippines.

Yema Members Quincy Mallari, Riber Dela Cruz, Cerjay Satu and Alex De Peralta Where to check them out Ritz Carlton’s Admiral

How did you come up with the band name?

Quincy: Yema is a candy from the Philippines, and I was eating a piece one day when we were trying to think of a name so I suggested it and the name stuck!

How long have you all known each other?

And when did you form your band?

Cerjay: I wanted to form a band for The Clash, a band competition, in October 2012. I had the members suggested to me through friends. We got together and rehearsed, even though it was difficult due to Riber living and working in Ras Laffan and Alex living in the opposite direction in the industrial area. We gelled straight away and ended up as the Runner up in the competition; a great achievement for us.

Riber: We got our first gig at the Admiral’s Club in December and have been playing there each month since then. The Admiral’s has given us a place to play our music, our way.

Describe yourself in one word…

Quincy: Relaxed.

Riber: Yema.

Cerjay: Humble.

Alex: Reflective.

I was 15, so it’s been 16 years.

Kéyali Mayaga

Where to check her out The Lounge at Kempinski Residences & Suites, Doha

So Kéyali where are you from?

Bordeaux, in the south of France from my father’s side.

My mom originated from Cameroon so I like to point that bit out too and claim myself French-Cameroonian though it’s probably a lot more complicated than that having been an expat all my life…

How long have you been performing?

My first experience on stage, I was about six. But proper performance started when

42. fact magazine

Describe yourself in one word…

‘Passionate’ would sum it up pretty well I think.

What’s your favourite song of all time?

That is the hardest question of all time because there is a song for a specific moment and considering life is a string of moments choosing only one is virtually impossible.

Let’s just say I have a lot of favourite songs from In your eyes by Peter Gabriel to Tina Turner’s River Deep Mountain High… I could go on for hours…

Do you have any other hobbies besides, obviously, making music?

I enjoy art in general so I write, draw, paint and design/stitch clothing; cooking, quality time with my friends and family as well as anything that happens on the beach makes me a very happy and busy lady!

urban sprint

movember’s moathlon at Grand Hyatt Doha Movember is the month where people collectively and globally join forces to raise awareness and funds for research in prostate cancer. The idea behind Movember is to grow a moustache to show support for the fight against prostate cancer.

This year at Grand Hyatt Doha in association with Qatar Cancer Society, we are holding a ‘MoAthlon’ based on the idea of the triathlon, where everyone is welcome to participate and donate.

The first part of the Moathlon is a 1 km urban sprint in the hotel’s grounds with surprises along the way. Ready to get your feet wet and sandy? The second part is a barefoot parkour with a 600-m dash, where you’ll have to swim along the bay and race down the beach to the finish line.

difficulty levels

how it works

medium

three rounds of both circuits

light

hard

1.6 4.8km 10km km

one round of both circuits.

six rounds of both circuits

cost to join

qar 50 per participant.

You may donate more.

All proceeds will go to Qatar Cancer Society.

winners

We will be giving away prizes to top three of each difficulty and giveaways throughout the day.

For more information, please call +974 4448 1170 Hyatt. You’re more than welcome. grand hyatt doha West Bay Lagoon, P.O. Box 24010 Doha, State of Qatar facebook.com/grandhyattdoha

On the 23rd of November 2013 From 4pm to 7pm Prize giving at 7pm

fact magazine .43 Hyatt name, design and related marks are trademarks of Hyatt Corporation. ©2013 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved.

THE BAND

KANELA Where is your hometown?

Colombia.

How did you come up with the band name?

The name emerged years ago, and came from the fact that the majority of Latino people have tanned which we refer to as “cinnamon skin” (piel Canela), so we changed the first letter and became Kanela.

Members Alexander Rubio, Liliana Farley, and Nathali Rios Where to check them out Sheraton Doha’s Latino

How did the band start?

Kanela started in the UAE in 2006 and was created by Alexander Rubio and Liliana Farley. We have been working with one or more members and now we are a trio band.

Describe yourself in one word…

Latinos!

Favourite song of all time?

La Vida Es un Carnaval.

rumba Where is your hometown?

Stella: We are both from Colombia. Leonard is from Bogota (capital of Colombia) and I’m from the small town Sogamoso.

What inspired the name of the band?

Leonard: Well everybody knows that rumba is a genre of Afro-Cuban music. But in Colombia the word “rumba” has a second meaning, which is party. So if we want to say “Let’s party”, we will say: “Vamos a rumbear” How long have you all known each other?

We’ve known each other for seven years; our band was formed six years ago.

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Describe yourself in one word…

It would definitely have to be “happiness” or “joy”.

Do you guys have any other hobbies besides music?

Stella: We both love travelling and dancing, and Leonard is a big fan of photography.

Members Stella Maria, Arias Torres, and Leonard Espinosa Soto Where to check them out Grand Regal’s Pub

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TRAVEL

46. fact magazine

24 hours

in vietnam

FACT was invited onboard Etihad Airways’ inaugural flight from Abu Dhabi to Ho Chi Minh City, a new route launched ahead of the airline turning a decade old. Here, Shabana Adam runs down the best of this unforgettable short trip and why you should consider a visit to one of Vietnam’s most fascinating cities...

7:00

Kick start the day with a traditional Vietnamese breakfast in Market 39, at the InterContinental Saigon.

Try Pho, the famous (and delicious) rice noodle soup with pieces of your chosen meat and lots of greens.

8:00

Wander the bustling streets in the early a.m. to get a firsthand experience of the freshfood culture here. Vendors sell fruit, veg, meat and fish!

10:00

Haggle for a bargain in District 1’s Ben Thanh Market, with everything from traditional ornaments, souvenirs and Vietnamese silk on offer, spilling over a labyrinth of 3000 stalls.

12:00

Settle for lunch at BO 33 MON, located on a lively street in Phu Nhuan. Run by two brothers the menu here serves up superb Vietnamese food inspired by their family roots – the fresh seafood spring rolls are super-tasty!

14:00

Discover Vietnam’s rich and diverse past at the interesting and informative History Museum as well as the War Remnants Museum.

15:00

Take a pit stop to people watch while enjoying a fresh fruit drink from a road-side vendor (the sugar cane juice is particularly yummy!).

16:00

A fusion of exquisite architecture, go and be in awe of the Gothic-style Central Post Office and neoRomanesque Notre Dame Cathedral, both worth a pic!

18:00

Watch the sunset and city lights down by the River Saigon. Packed with street food outlets serving delicious BBQ goat’s meat and veggies.

20:00

End your day with a fourhands massage in the holistic spa at the InterContinental Saigon. Hugely popular in Vietnam and Asia, two therapists work in harmony to provide the ultimate relaxation.

Getting Around Taxi

Taxis run on the metre and are relatively cheap.

Your hotel can call you a licensed cabbie and you can even agree on a set rate to have the same driver for the day.

On Foot A true culture fix means setting off on foot around HCMC. All you need is some basic Vietnamese phrases and a sense of adventure to get you going.

Vespa Want to whizz by city life? The roads of HCMC are packed with motorbikes, and one of the best (and exciting!) ways to explore the city is on a vespa tour, best booked before arrival.

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TRAVEL

Ho Chi Minh City through a lens

From top left to right: Aerial view of HCMC District 1; street vendors selling fresh fruit; French colonial central post office; artistic neighbourhood wall.

HOW TO GET THERE?

At just seven and a half hours away, Etihad Airways has daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Ho Chi Minh City. To book, visit www.etihad. com. Book your city tour with Vietravel. Visit www.tour-asia.net for more information.

Celebrity Chef

FACT meets world-renowned chef, Luke Nguyen, the man behind Etihad Airways’ Vietnamese-style onboard menu, especially designed for passengers flying on the Ho Chi Minh route...

He opened his first restaurant, Red Lantern, aged just 23, and has since gone on to produce numerous food shows about his beloved homeland, Vietnam. Now, the award-winning chef is a newly-assigned Etihad Guest Ambassador. Raised in Australia, he’s bringing a taste of his native roots to passengers on the Abu Dhabi to Ho Chi Minh route.

“I believe that food is, of course, delicious, but it’s not just about that, it’s about culture and everything I cook, every dish I make, has a story,” Chef Luke says. “It’s a great honour to be able to showcase to the world what Vietnamese food and culture is like – and to 48. fact magazine

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

be able to do that with Etihad is fantastic.”

The onboard menu, available on business class, includes a Vietnamese-inspired seafood mango salad and lemongrass and chilli chicken, among other recipes, all packed with fresh herbs and veggies.

For Chef Luke, Vietnamese cuisine is a standout staple of South East Asian food due to its “natural, elegant and delicate” ingredients.

“I like Vietnamese food because it’s so fresh,” he explains. “You see a lot of fresh herbs; a lot of meat, a lot of texture, and it’s very light. It’s got a lot of flavours, but it’s more toned down, vibrant and refined.”

Etihad Airways is renowned for its service, safety and hospitality – and now the airline also has something akin to a Michelin-starred dining experience – that’s another box ticked for Etiihad, and for Chef Luke, who says, “For me to be involved in this doing my traditional Vietnamese food is absolutely fantastic.”

Chef Luke Nguyen is an Etihad Guest Ambassador who has especially-designed a Vietnamese-style inflight menu for customers travelling on the Abu Dhabi to Ho Chi Minh route.

fact magazine .49

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THE ESSENCE OF STYLE

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THE ESSENCE OF STYLE

Razan Alazzouni

Turning heads across the globe

Garden SoireeS Chic fashion for spring

Luxe LaSheS

Get Diane Kruger’s beauty look

White Weddings

THE ESSENCE OF STYLE

The Shoe DiarieS

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Your Hot List for Summer

Georgia May Jagger

Lanvin’s Sensual Game

The Creative Fashion

IS WHERE SHE BELONgS

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may 2013 | issue 23

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Miss Emerald WiTH THE WOrLd aT HEr FEET www.ohlala-magazine.com

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THE ESSENCE OF STYLE

Celeb beauty SeCretS

ArAbiAn DreAms

Unveiled

Bring out your inner romantic

The Monumental Charles Aznavour

Spirit of Eskandar

Your Style Guide

Karen Mok

QaTar

Stylish Summers Hot looks to make a statement in

Ramadan Kareem YOur guidE TO THE HOLY MONTH www.ohlala-magazine.com

JUlY 2013 | issUe 25

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THE ESSENCE OF STYLE

tHE ESSENCE OF StYLE

Autumn SAfAri

Fate: An Amouage Finale

A sneak peek at the new season’s fashion

Wendell RodRicks

DANNIJO’s Boho’ Chic “It’s important to create beauty that also does good.”

Kirsty Bertarelli BaCk TO BaSiCS www.ohlala-magazine.com

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Motoring: The rising appeal of the VW CC

Opulent Indulgence Fine fashion & food

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A luxury fashion and lifestyle magazine for those who enjoy the good things in life!

Follow Us on Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/Ohlala-Magazine 50. fact magazine

ARTS

W

We love it here in Qatar when new artists bring their exhibitions to be shown for the first time ever in the Middle East. It proves that the capital is slowly making its mark as one of the leading culture centres here in the MENA region art scene, and we couldn’t be more proud!

This brings us to Francesco Vezzoli, the Italian artist who premiers The Museum of Crying Women for the first time in the Gulf. Presented by Qatar Museums Authority, the exhibition brings together Vezzoli ‘s most striking portraits of iconic female figures of the last century, including Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Crawford, and Lady Gaga. In a celebration of femininity and adorned with the artist’s signature of an embroidered glittering tear, the show will display portraits, embroideries as well as needleworks of Hollywood legends, first ladies, fashion icons and pop culture celebrities. The exhibition visits the drama that comes with women’s divided identities, exploring the anguish between living a public and private life.

Cry Me a River

Italian artist Francesco Vezzoli brings The Museum of Crying Women to the capital and with it a slew of female legends, icons and celebrities come to steal the spotlight.

Presented at the QMA Gallery in Katara, the collection will include a new series of artworks inspired by Oum Kulthom, the incredibly famous Arab singer whose music has a cult following throughout the Middle East.

The Museum of Crying Women has been created in dialogue with Hans-Ulrich Obrist (co-director of Exhibitions and Programmes and Director of International Projects at the Serpentine Gallery, London) Rem Koolhaas (founder of architecture firm OMA), and the artist.

GO: Visit Francesco Vezzoli’s exhibition at QMA Gallery in Katara until November 30.

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ARTS

Hajj: The Holy Muslim Pilgrimage One of the most sacred journeys in the world, the Hajj is a voyage every Muslim must embark on in his lifetime. This year, to celebrate that pilgrimage, the Museum of Islamic Art is bringing an exhibition dedicated to that very journey.

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One of the five pillars of Islam, the Hajj brings together the largest gathering of Muslims in a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca; seas of pilgrims dressed in white descend on Islam’s holiest site for a few very sacred days.

To celebrate this ancient tradition, the Museum of Islamic Art has launched “Hajj – The Journey Through Art”. Curated

by Dr Mounia Chekhab-Abudaya, MIA’s Curator of Manuscripts, and Cecile Bresc, former Curator of Coins, the exhibition is the first exhibition of its kind in the Muslim world, exploring the art revolving around the pilgrimage of Hajj.

Aisha Al Khater, Director of MIA stressed the museum’s dedication to sharing the Arab culture to the world: “Exhibitions such as this have traditionally been the purview of European and North American museums. MIA is dedicated to shedding light on our past to inspire future generations, and we believe the power of art is essential to bringing the story of our cultures to life. We have every confidence that this exhibition will do just that.”

With artworks from MIA’s personal pieces as well as objects from Qatari collections, many of which have never before been shown in public, the exhibition offers audiences a local interpretation of the pilgrimage. It visits the routes taken from Qatar to Mecca- the journey how it starts, the process, and a quick look into the oral histories of Qatar. The works on display are made up of 144 objects, from photographs

and videos to books, manuscripts and historic artefacts, all representing the beauty of the ancient Islamic pilgrimage.

The MIA has also added an art installation in its atrium by contemporary artist Idris Khan as well as an outdoor photography exhibition. The international photographers participating in the exhibition are Peter Sanders (Britain), Reem al-Faisal (Saudi Arabia), Kayuzoshi Nomachi ( Japan), Juliette Sawyers (Australia) and Khalifa Al-Obaidly (Qatar).

Building up on that as well, the museum has teamed up with Doha Film Institute (DFI) to present four Hajj-related films that reflect the themes of the exhibition.

For art enthusiasts there will also be a full educational program that will include art and calligraphy workshops, special tours, and lectures by a number of experts.

GO: “Hajj – The Journey Through Art” will be running until 5 January 2014.

For more information visit www.mia.org.qa

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EXPO

Up for Auction With the Middle East’s changing cultural landscape and ever-booming art scene, auction houses have flooded to the region to take advantage of the rapid growth. After fetching more than $15 million last April with its Contemporary Art Doha auction, the world’s largest broker of art Sotheby’s is back for more with a selection of outstanding artworks displayed last October.

Setting up at Katara Cultural Village, the capital’s epicentre of art and everything cool, Sotheby’s brought to town 15 contemporary pieces of art, valued collectively at $60 to $90 million; not your everyday run-of-the-mill exhibition. Housed at the Katara Art Center, the impressive display came previewed ahead of the New York Contemporary Art Evening Sale taking place this month in the Big Apple. Most say that the move was in part to woo buyers, considering April’s astonishing and regional setting record figures. Referencing the spring auction Alexander Rotter, Sotheby’s Head of Contemporary Art in New York: “Doha is an ideal audience for these artworks as it is home to the outstanding collection of Contemporary Art housed in Mathaf. For this exhibition we have chosen a range of works that is representative of the major sale that will follow in New York in November, and we have chosen pieces that are not only global in their appeal, but also reflect the international nature of Doha’s important arts scene and culture.”

Considered the main highlight of the Contemporary Art on display was Andy Warhol’s Liz #1 (Early Coloured Liz), 1963, est. $20-30 million. Known for being attracted to all things famous, celebrity obsessed Warhol captured the greatest movie star of all time, immortalizing her in Pop Art in a rare series of thirteen paintings; this is the only painting in the series that has a yellow background. Further Warhol highlights included a piece from the Death and Disaster series - 5 Deaths on Turquoise (Turquoise Disaster), est. $7-9 million; as well as Flowers (Five Foot Flowers), est. $10-15 million.

Other major artworks on view were John Chamberlain’s Candy Andy, 1963, est. $2-3 million; Robert Rymam’s Basis, 1998, est. $1.5-2 million; Roy Lichtenstein’s Stretcher Frame with Vertical Bars, 1968, est. $4-6 million.

Sotheby’s made over $15 million last year in its Doha auction.

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Following the exhibition in Doha, the works will be offered as part of the Contemporary Art Evening Auction on November 13 in New York.

The much-awaited sale will present one of the most remarkable paintings of the Post-War era: Andy Warhol’s Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster), a monumental testament to history painting in the twentieth century. The masterpiece will be accompanied by other historic models of Pop Art, as well as highly celebrated works from Dia Art Foundation, triumphs of Abstract Expressionism, and further archetypes of every major development of Contemporary Art.

Warhol Liz #1

Andy Warhol 5 Deaths on Turquoise John Chamberlain Candy Andy

Andy Warhol Five Foot Flowers

New York will be the stage where the following works of art will be put on auction on November 13.

fact magazine .55

SEE MY DOHA

azan_musayeb

_shaha

nashplateful

#SeeMyDoha

Jumping on the Instagram bandwagon is Jaidah Group who has been running SeeMyDoha, a photo competition showcasing the best of Qatar mobile photography through the latest social media channel Instagram. Using the #seemydoha, contestants had to capture a photograph that reflects what Qatar is all about. Here are some of the images that made it to the final!

sj_505

mkamaluddin

alcrows

zozalajail

affie_78

mohd_13

alexcoelholima

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iberyl_ amori84

ali88almaadeed

mr3bdoon

bh_o_o_ii

ghaadaa

theihno manoojaidah

noooonyta_qr

aishaalkobaisei

richardyosef

ryanndy

Although they didn’t win, these pictures were worth a shout out because they were spot on in capturing the beautiful city that is Doha. #FactPicks j_alnasr fact magazine .57

REVIEWS

On the Record pop/rock

Direct Hits,

By The Killers

A greatest hits album from The Killers? Are we really that old?!

Despite this, it’s a seemingly good record, taking the best of the bands pop/rock punch and putting it all into one. There are two new songs on the album that, if you were a fan of their earlier releases, you won’t love, but if you stretch to buy the deluxe edition, you’ll benefit from a beautiful demo of Mr. Brightside, and a Calvin Harris remix of When You Were Young – a greatest hits album that’s definitely worth buying.

POP/ R&B

The 20/20 Experience

By JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

We loved The 20/20 Experience when it was released earlier this year – in true Justin fashion, it had us on our feet whenever the tracks were on play. So, naturally, The 20/20 Experience 2 Of 2 held big expectations. When he released the first single Take Back The Night, all our expectations seemed to be met – it was a catchy song that managed to get right into your bones and make you move – but sadly, the rest of the album didn’t live up.

On one hand there were some old skool Justin vibes, and on the other it all just seemed a little ‘try too hard’. There’s no denying that the production and vocals are strong, but this record lacks that special something. We’re sorry to say 2 Of 2 should have got the boot!

alternative rock

In A Perfect World,

By Kodaline

It’s clear to see where Kodaline get their inspiration from, they’re part of the Coldplay generation and this is very much evident in their music. They have a way of hooking you into songs with meaningful lyrics and strong choruses. This is quite an uplifting album, with tracks such as Love Like This and High Hopes making quite the triumphant impression. A strong first album that’s already received plenty of praise.

Fully Booked CRIME FICTION

The Cuckoo’s Calling

By ROBERT GALBRAITH

It’s understandable that J.K Rowling decided to use a pseudonym to release her first mystery novel, after all, there’s nothing worse than critics setting you up for a fall by creating a sky-high buzz. Fortunately, in the case of The Cuckoo’s Calling, the reviews were high and mighty way before the Harry Potter creator was revealed as the author behind this brilliant mystery.

This story is about detective Cormoran Strike, who is barely scraping by after losing a leg in Afghanistan. He’s a private investigator who’s just broken up with his longtime girlfriend and is now living in the office. Then comes along a suspense-filled case that plunges Strike into the world of multimillionaire beauties, rock-star boyfriends, and desperate designers – can he resist the pleasure, enticement and seduction of this world?

In Association with Virgin Megastore

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BIOGRAPHY

Steve Jobs

By WALTER ISAACSON

There are three things necessary for a great biography: a compelling subject, accuracy, and engaging storytelling. This book has all three. If the fact that this is the biography of one of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, doesn’t entice you, then the compelling narrative will. This tale is based on over 40 interviews with Steve Jobs over two years, filled with lessons about life, character, leadership, values and innovation.

Big Screen

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

The second in The Hunger Games franchise is set to be another blockbuster

Director: Francis Lawrence Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson Sam Claflin What’s It About: Katniss Everdeen and fellow tribute Peeta Mellark return home to District 12 after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games.

They must now embark on a “Victor’s Tour” of all the districts, during which Katniss senses a rebellion brewing against President Snow and those who control the Capitol. As clashes begin, the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) are in preparation - a competition that could change Panem forever.

Why It’s Worth Watching: Our advice: watch the trailer, NOW! In two and a half minutes the adrenalin rush, excitement and tension will have you counting down the days until the second installment of The Hunger Games hits the big screen. The first film was, no doubt, the most satisfying starter to a franchise that we’ve had in a long while. It’s strengths came in the form of a talent-driven cast and crew, something that is set to continue, if not peak, in Catching Fire. We also hope that, like its predecessor, this film will stay true to the pages of the book bringing to life the moral conflicts, cultural values and societal pressures that us everyday folk can relate to. On a lighter note, we’re definitely more concerned with the exceptional amount of eye candy on display, especially the Katniss-wooing Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin) who seems to possess an innate gift for making time stand still (and that’s not a complaint). This is definitely THE November release to mark in your diary!

Thor: The Dark World

Director: Alan Taylor Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgard What’s It About: Number two in this Marvel comic series leads us to believe that this may just be the best filmic achievement for Marvel to date. Here we see Thor (Chris Hemsworth), somewhat of an underdog hero, embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet where he’ll be reunited with Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and forced to save the world. Oh and did we mention that, hot off the Game of Thrones director’s chair is Alan Taylor, leading this film towards the big bucks.

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Director: Justin Chadwick Cast: Idris Elba, Naomie Harris, Terry Pheto, Robert Hobbs

What’s It About: Ten-years-in-the-making, this is the film version chronicling the autobiography of Nelson Mandela.

Any film that tries to take on a huge chunk of Nelson Mandela’s life carries an enormous burden of expectation, here, it certainly helps to have the charismatic and physically imposing Idris Elba in the lead role.

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CAMPING

Camp Revamp: Qatar Then and Now For thousands of years camping was a way of life for the Bedouin of Qatar, as tribes kept on a constant move across the vast desert setting up tents and following herds of camel and sheep to greener pastures. Today there is very little left of that world, and like most time-honoured traditions camping has matured with time.

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Rewind back to 50 years ago to a time where the Bedouin way was the only way of life in Qatar. The desert was filled with indigenous tribes, whose tent-dwelling nomads wandered aimlessly the harsh landscapes with no permanent home in sight. Life and camping back then was simple, where the basic enjoyment was to be out in the middle of nowhere living under the stars; goat-skinned tents were called home and camels were the only method of getting around.

Flash-forward to 2013 and it’s a completely different story. Today there’s little trace left of that ancient lifestyle with camping evolving to keep in sync with modern ways of living. Now, hitting the desert comes out of the need to do something different, a need to escape the mundane life and seek solace in the vast emptiness. Today constant sunshine and some idyllic locations make it a popular activity especially during the cooler months between November and March.

For those seeking a camping trip in

Qatar’s desert, a must for visitors as it is for residents, there are three different ways to go about it. Many find that tour companies offer the best options, with special packages custom designed to one’s timeframe, needs and budget. Desert safaris are the most popular, whisking away people on thrilling 4x4 rides over massive sand dunes all the way to the beautiful inland lagoon, for a day of swimming and a night in a luxurious yet traditional tent.

Locals on the other hand do it completely different, setting up semipermanent winter camps all along the coast.

The camps, which are fenced, are licensed by the government and have all the modern day amenities and comforts of home; water tanks, generators, electric lighting, televisions, and even air conditioning! This pimped out version of Bedouin living is very popular, with white canvas tents spotting the desert landscape through the cooler months and acting as weekend retreats for family and friends.

For those who want to get a real piece of Bedouin living though, one has to forsaken all the comforts of home and get ready to rough it. The way to do it is to grab a tent and be mobile just like the Bedouin were, and pitch camp anywhere really as long as it’s under the stars. And with Qatar’s great climate and vast majority of camping spaces, it’s so easy to go camping without it being a hassle of packing and preparation.

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CAMPING

It’s PrepTime Here’s your guide to getting desert ready; this is Camping 101…

Grill It Heading out to the desert? Get a nice barbeque going with The Anvil Rooms’ Executive Chef Stuart Collins’ recipe to Thai Style Barbeque Beef; it’s a fantastic way to celebrate the sunshine.

“The steaks are great on top of the salad. It is lightly pickled, keeping the meal fresh on a hot day!” Stuart Collins

Steak

For those adventure and adrenaline junkies forget about the 4x4 experience and get yourself a Quad motorcycle to hit the dunes with.

Feel the powerful free sensation of driving a 4 wheel bike with no limits though the desert with nothing but the sight of dunes for company. The Yamaha 4 quad bike is definitely the best bike to experience the wonderful Qatari desert!

Rent It: Once you reach the Sealine Resort there are plenty of Quad bike stalls to rent from for the day.

Buy It: Head over to the Yamaha showroom where you can pick your bike from a wide selection. It’s near the Sana Signal, opposite the Old Museum near the QP building.

Call 4432 0715 for more information

Where to buy your gear Go Sport

We can’t seem to get enough of this store!

With all the sporting goods available on planet earth, it’s packed with a wide selection of the latest camping gear. From tents and sleeping bags to state-of-the-art torches and lanterns, you’ll find everything you need in this sporting haven.

Carrefour

Our favourite hypermarket has an awesome collection of camping goods, ranging from two people tents to a cool foldable dining set perfect for that barbeque you want to have.

Souq Waqif

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Amidst the Falcon Souq are a couple of shops selling hiking/camping gear. They have quite a few interesting pieces that are worth a check.

Ribeye steak, 2cm thick 20g Garlic, peeled and finely chopped 20g Ginger, peeled and finely chopped ½ Lemongrass stalk, trimmed and finely chopped 3g Black peppercorns, crushed ½ Red chili, finely chopped 10ml Fish sauce 15ml Dark soy sauce 25ml Vegetable oil Mix all of the ingredients together and marinade the steaks for 3 hours before cooking.

Salad 150g Carrot, peeled and cut into thin batons 100g Daikon, peeled and cut into thin batons 30ml Mirin (rice vinegar) 20g Coriander leaves, picked Salt, to taste Pinch of Sugar Mix all together and season to taste.

Where to Set Up Camp…

The Qatari desert is full of wonderful places to head out and explore, and the options available might be a bit overwhelming when deciding on where to go and what to see.

You can either go for the beaches on the north or western coasts, or dodge that busy area for a bit of peace and quiet and head out to the gravel plains which are home to some of the most beautiful flowers in the country.

Located north of Dukhan, the Ras Abrouq peninsula is a favourite spot for weekend campers who come to enjoy the golden sands and pretty limestone backgrounds. The place is full of wildlife with plenty of animal sightings including hedgehogs, kangaroo mice, and the sand gazelle.

Qatar Inbound Tours Overnight Desert Safari Package – After being picked up by a 4x4 wheel drive, this tour will take you for an hour of dune driving followed by a drive down to the sea where the camp will be set up. After swimming, there will be other activities like camel riding and sunset photography to enjoy before the night falls and then it’s all about a barbeque under the stars in Bedouin style tents GO: For more information visit www. inboundtoursqatar.com

An hour’s drive from Mesaieed is Inland Sea (Khor al Adaid) Qatar’s most famous and popular camping destination.

The country’s southernmost point, the area is only reachable by 4 wheel drive vehicles.

The scenery there is breathtaking with towering sand dunes soaring from the water’s edge.

At the opposite side of Qatar is Umm Tais National Park which has some of the most beautiful sandy beaches, and is where Doha’s kite surfers can be found on the weekend. Offshore, a few small islands

The Big Tour

Qatar Ventures Dune Bashing Package– Hold your hats and enjoy the crazy adrenaline filled ride as you drive over the golden sand dunes. A 4x4 wheel drive vehicle will take you to where the dune meets the ocean where you can get out of the car and go for a quick swim before heading back to the city.

GO: For more information call 4016 4750 or visit www.qatar-ventures.com

surrounded by mudflats can be reached by vehicle when the tide is low, where you can find nesting turtles and stunning mangroves. While you’re in Umm Tais don’t forget to check out the pearling city of Al Zubara, which is only a few kilometers away.

Arabian Adventures Qatar Full Day Desert Safari Package– Get ready for seven hours of incredible sights and thrill rides. Your adventure starts with a 75km drive to the south of Doha passing by all the major sights of the city. Then after a brief stop at Sealine Beach Resort in Meisaeed you’ll head to the stunning Khor al-Udaid with its white sandy beaches and clear water near the Qatar-Saudi Arabian border.

GO: For more info call 4436 1461 or visit www.arabianadventuresqatar.com

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The seven golden rules to camping

The Site

•Always pitch your camp in an empty open space far from jutting rocks or steep sandy inclines.

• Pick a spot clear of plants to avoid any hazardous fire outbreaks.

• Do not camp in places that are prohibited, the warning signs are there for a reason!

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The Food

The Car

• Before you hit the road make sure you check up on your car for any mechanical problems; tyres, headlights, and battery are the most important.

• Always travel in a convoy incase of a breakdown.

• If you’re heading out to the desert a 4x4 is a must!

•Never pass a petrol station without filling up, you never know when the next one will be.

• Don’t go over board with the menu, just take options that are easy and simple to make.

Sausages and smores are always a great idea!

• Canned food is always an easy meal and won’t take up too much space in the car.

• If you bring fruits or vegetables with pick, something that won’t go bad very fast; you don’t want to get stuck with spoilt produce.

Etiquette

Must-Haves

The Water

• Water is essential for anyone hitting the desert so make sure to stock up on H20 but don’t foolishly waste it; water will be your best friend out there.

• Remember you’ll need to bring water for both drinking and washing up.

• GPS systems have become a camper’s essential tool but it’s always a safe bet to take a map along just in case the navigation system stops working.

• A compass, shovel, torch, rope, air pump, and Swissknife are fundamental to any camping trip.

• When pitching your tent make sure to clear the ground from any unwanted objects.

• Before leaving and heading back home clean your camping site and put out your fire.

First Aid

• A first aid kit should be prepared in advance with all the basic necessities like band-aids, burn cream, painkillers, and medicines just in case someone gets hurt or sick.

• If you bring along antibiotics with make sure to store them somewhere cool.

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Nissan Tiida 2013 “The 2013 Tiida is Nissans’ latest C-segment offering, ready to do battle with the Ford Focus and the VW Golf”

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CAPITAL RIDES

Nissan has produced some utterly bewildering cars; in recent years, they gained a lot of credibility thanks to cars like the Skyline range and more recently of course, the GT-R. That car continues to be the thorn in many a supercar manufacturer’s side. Therefore you would assume that any company who produces such performance-focused cars may not acknowledge that there are other corners of the market when it comes to making its more everyday cars.

This is not the case with Nissan.

Whilst they can produce cars that adorn the bedroom walls of young boys, they also

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The interior is actually one of the highlights of the car; the packaging is excellent.

know their way around the more sensible corners of the car market.

The Tiida is perhaps Nissans’ most important car of the moment. It’s an extremely popular car in the Gulf and with good reason. It’s affordable, comfortable, spacious and a pleasant car to drive. The controls are light and very user friendly which makes for hassle-free motoring.

It is a relatively understated car, but the designers have taken the best features from the previous model and spruced a few things up. The shape remains very similar to the previous generation car, however the smaller details such as lights, grilles and certain parts of the interior have been brought up to date.

The interior is actually one of the highlights of the car; the packaging is excellent. I couldn’t work out how they had created so much space in the cabin from something that looks so compact from the exterior. Inside the Tiida you get a start/stop button in lieu of a traditional ignition, the radio/CD player and the A/C controls and nothing more. The digital age has brought about a tendency from manufacturers to overload us with various buttons and switches.

All too often I test a car and find that in the real world you only need around half of what is on offer in the car. The Nissan however, has everything you need and nothing you don’t.

As an everyday motoring proposition, the Tiida is an excellent overall package. It does have some strong competition in this segment, but as a budget family car, it ticks all the right boxes.

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p2/2:

The Industry Revolution

The watch world has gone industrial and the SEVENFRIDAY P2/2 is leading the way.

PRICE: QR4500 BUY: Qatar@sevenfriday.com

When it comes to watches, they’re no longer just used for telling the time; they’re a statement, they’re a piece of engineering, and they’re an art form within themselves, so, it’s needless to say that investing in the perfect watch is a decision that can’t be made swiftly.

When we heard about SEVENFRIDAY’s new model P2/2, we were intrigued. It looks incredible, blending raw technological-style design with the practicality of time telling. And from what we can see, it’s built to perfection too with multiple dials and cogs – rather like the old tower clocks – making it unlike many watches you’ll see on the high street today.

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The reason for this engineered look is due to this watch being inspired by the industrial revolution. The stainless steel animation ring harks back to the heavy machinery of that time and combined with the mechanical looking watch face, it’s easy to see that the P2/2 is well executed.

The delicate features, something that you wouldn’t normally term with such a strong, solid design, are what make this wrist-piece stand out; it brings a modern touch combined with a traditional design concept and influence.

When it comes to how this creation works, it’s got some pretty complicated and intricate mechanisms going on under the hood. Aside from the hands and dials, there are discs thrown into the mix too.

The dial alone comprises of five different

PROS: A tech-savvy fashion lover’s dream watch CONS: Little too busy for just telling the time

pieces with 11 applications – impressive stuff for a wrist-watch!

We’ll be honest, if you like your watches to be simple, and easy to grab the time from a quick glance, then this isn’t the watch for you – it can feel like it’s trying to be too much all at once.

But, if you like your watch to be an accessory, to push the boundaries of design, and to be the talk of the party, then you’re in for a treat.

The P2/2 aspires to be elegant yet powerful, and sophisticated yet cool. This is something we’re confident it has achieved, in its own individual way.

PLUGGED-IN

App-licious Today’s tech-savvy generation of smartphones and tablets means the world is at your fingertips, literally! FACT has three great apps to download for your device, keeping you plugged-in to all the best techie help for every area of life...

Travel SeatGuru by TripAdvisor

A super-cool and clever app that is the ultimate source of information on aeroplane seating, in-flight amenities and airline recommendations. You can now pick your ideal seat on a plane through colour-coded seat maps - green = fight for this seat, it’s amazing; yellow = good but choose with caution; and red = avoid at all costs. As a bonus, it gives real time flight alerts too!

Game Subway Surfers

Dash, dodge and collect coins on this daring chase, surfing through the coolest train-line set-up in HD graphics. This is a ‘catch me if you can’ game escaping a grumpy inspector and his dog while doing cool hoverboard jumps, tricks and flips. There’s special bonuses and powers to pick up on the way, another reason why we just can’t get enough of this lightening-fast game!

Social Flipboard

Are you constantly on social networking, blogs and news websites? This might just be the answer to your entertainment trawling! Flipboard will integrate your favourite blogs, news sites and social networks into a beautiful magazine layout - you can then curate everything you like into a neat experience by saving the stories, photos and videos that caught your attention - an entertainment winner!

Download our app!

Stay connected and get FACT magazine on your phone or tablet. Get the latest issue at your fingertips, and enter the world of FACT whenever and wherever you are!

Step 1 Download FACT to your device and flick through at leisure.

Step 2 Want to share what you like? Click the scissors in the top right corner.

Step 3 A number of social networks will drop down. Choose yours and hit post!

Please note: the fact app is available for IPHONE, iPad and ANDROID. It will soon be available on other platforms too.

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Check us out online?

Take to the web to get your fix of up-to-date news, events and culture from FACT.

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FASHION

QELA

A Qatari Brand in the Making

Unbeknownst to the world, which views Qatar as only a Gulf country rich in oil and gas, is a fashion storm that’s been brewing in the kitchen for the past three years; enter QELA, a home-grown Qatari luxury brand that’s set to give the western fashion world a run for its money.

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FASHION

GO: Check out the new QELA Boutique at The Pearl, which is a mirror of the brand’s Arabian touches.

B

ringing some competition to the doorsteps of the elite fashion houses of Paris, Milan, New York and London, is Qatar.

Yes the rich Gulf country has forgone its name synonymous only with oil and gone for the big F that is fashion.

With its flagship boutique opening last month at The Pearl, this big step marks the beginning of an exciting journey for local designers and fashion fans.

The first home grown brand to come out of Qatar, QELA is all about craftsmanship; it’s a brand that you’ll be shopping for timeless investment pieces instead of at-the-moment trends.

The concept is all about made to order, where in-house models show off the latest collections, and customers sit back, relax and take in the show. Right after, orders are placed with selected colours as well as fabrics, and personal fittings take place to make sure that that couture piece picked is tailor-made.

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“QELA’s refined collection is designed by globally renowned craftsmen based here in Qatar. In time, locally based aspiring fashion designers will have the opportunity to develop their talents in the company of world-leading practitioners in the art of clothes design. This ambition is integral to the ethos of Qatar Luxury Group.”

QLG Board Director Sheikh Ahmed bin Khalid

“This season the inaugural QELA couture collection is one of sophistication and simple lines inspired primarily by the muted tones of the desert.”

The brand’s name is derived from “Kahilah”, a name given in this part of the world to a breed of Arabic horses whose eyes look like they’ve been lined with dark Kohl. Complimenting that, QELA has kept a strong Middle Eastern influence throughout its design yet is surprisingly contemporary and modern, keeping in times with the international fashion scene. They have brought down the best from Paris to put together the collection, and have trained talented designers from the region; all in all the QELA design team is a mix of the best the east and west have to offer.

The Pearl’s boutique perfectly exemplifies that philosophy; the Mashrabiya windows are the epitome of traditional Arabian architecture symbolic of the refined modesty of the understated Arabian woman. While the sleek modern floors and clean cut interiors mirror the elegance and

subtlety of the modern western woman.

A perfectly constructed fashion plan, making the best of both worlds mesh together nicely in designer harmony.

This season the inaugural QELA couture collection is one of sophistication and simple lines inspired primarily by the muted tones of the desert. The superior craftsmanship of the leather goods line and unique designs promise to propel QELA to global heights. With the next boutique due to open in Paris, the ‘Made in Qatar’ stamp will soon be carried worldwide.

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The cult of isabel marant Once fashion’s best kept secret, Marant’s effortlessly chic style has changed the way women dress; that’s why the French fashion designer’s eponymous label is the hottest thing in fashion today. This November she’s taking her vision to the masses in a collaboration with H&M, that’s bound to change the highstreet…

I

n the past decade Isabel Marant has gone from cult Parisian designer to international fashion big hitter. Walk down the streets of any fashion capital of the world and you’re bound to see her signature aesthetic walking along beside you; her trademark boho rock-chick look is instantly recognizablecasual yet distinctively feminine, and effortless with a dash of boyfriend rock ’n‘ roll.

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Worn by key influencers, she is a fashion editor’s favourite, but there are many non-famous regular women who Marant’s clothes have become a staple in their wardrobes. In short, her clothes emulate how women want to dress now and, as a result, her designs have been copied time after time by other labels. Taking notice, as well as action, high street favourite H&M has gotten the Parisian designer to star as a guest designer for the Swedish brand, where she’ll create a wardrobe of must-have pieces inspired by her signature style as well as her first ever men’s collection, all available in 250 stores worldwide and online. The Isabel Marant for H&M collection will feature an eclectic mix of boho elegance and rock ‘n’ roll cheekiness. Mirroring Marant’s quintessential style, her design essence is expressed in coats and jackets with strong

STYLE PROFILE

shoulders, together with sweatshirts, skinny pants, loose blouses, airy dresses and oversized textured knits. Her designs are given flare with cool embellishments, tie-dye prints, and Western-style piping on lean pants. And for the first time ever, Marant has specially created a small menswear wardrobe with the same multi-culti careless vibe of the womenswear; tailored outerwear and chunky knits; leather pants paired with tie-dye T-shirts; and Western-style jeans and shirts matched with the iconic hooded sweatshirt.

With H&M price’s and Marant’s cult style, we know this is going to get ugly- so mark your calendars for November 14 this is going to be one crazy fashion frenzy!

“I aim at creating something real, that women want to wear in their everyday lives, with a certain carelessness, which I think is very Parisian.” fact magazine .77

STYLE

Rosey Outlook

PINKO QR3,099 Big bucket bags bring together practicality and style. You can carry around all your makeup and gadgets, and look great too!

bershka bQR59

Giving new meaning to womanly allure, dusky hues of pink and deep bright fuchsia are super feminine and the most flattering colour palette of the season.

Kit out your mobile phone with these cute covers that double as mirrors - win!

Stradivarius QR125 We love having comfy days and slipping into stylish flats. Who needs heels when you can look good and be comfy at the same time?

jason wu @ THEoutnet.com QR1060 Standout in the crowd with a pop of pink - this top is great with skinnies!

PEPE JEANS POR Keep snug and look cute with this wonderfully woolly light pink hat.

tod’s POR The perfect arm candy that’s great for both a casual and formal look.

jonathan saunders @ debenhams QR945 H&M. QR25 Gold glam has been prominent on the catwalk this season and we love nothing more than some sparkly accessories.

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Over-sized coats are in this season, lifting any outfit, and as they say, the bigger the better!

Winter Warmers

MASSIMO DUTTI QR250 Scarves are the new ‘it’ accessory, and we just love the print on this one!

PULL & BEAR POR Wrap up warm in this fluffy, oversized coat.

The colour and style is great too!

PULL & BEAR QR179 Earthy-coloured jeans are uber stylish for the Autumn season, and really comfy too!

HACKETT QR4,140 Tartan bags are a must-have this season. Travel in style with this classic look.

LACOSTE POR Ditch everyday work loafers for cool sneakers of the moment. Put your best foot forward in these casual shoes!

Forget about old grandpa sweaters, this season’s must-haves are super simple and oh so stylish. Wrap up with the cosiest look for fall.

BERSHKA QR590 Take shade in a cool cap and step up your casual daily look!

MASSIMO DUTTI QR450 You can’t go wrong with a knitted jumper - there’s detail, style and it’ll keep you sheltered from the winter weather.

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food

Dining en plein air is one of the hallmarks of the end of summer, a special time when one can take advantage of the cooler weather and enjoy a meal in the nice cool breeze. Here are our top eight places to get out and stay out this October…

Admiral’s

With an outdoor deck that screams beachside house, we love the Ritz Carlton’s nautical themed Admiral’s; it’s laidback, unpretentious, and oh-so-chilled. Boat lovers love to come here and watch the big white boats docked in the marina. It really is the perfect sun-kissed outdoor eating and drinking spot in the city.

BEST FOR: Boat watching and views of the cute little marina.

GO: For more information & reservations call 4484 8663

Sky View Bar

The Great Outdoors

It’s time to get ready for al fresco season with our picks for the best patios, rooftops and outdoor restaurants in town.

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If breathtaking panoramic views are high on your wish list, you can’t go wrong with the La Cigale hotspot. Cool music and an even cooler crowd is part of the ambience over here, where the glamorous mingle, nibble on sushi, and drink brightly coloured cocktails.

BEST FOR: We think the name says it all: beautiful rooftop views at Doha’s hottest party spot.

GO: For more information & reservations call 4428 8888

Al Mourjan

Just a stone’s throw away from Doha’s business hub West Bay, the Lebanese hotspot has hit gold with its prime location on the Corniche. Being the sole eatery on the wide strand that runs along the turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf, Al Mourjan has become a much-visited spot for both locals and out-of-towners who want to get a good meal and take in some wonderful views.

BEST FOR: It’s your only restaurant option on the Corniche- plain and simple.

GO: For more information & reservations call 4483 4423

La Dolce Vita

Right opposite the famous Italian La Dolce Vita restaurant lays a quaint ice cream parlour belonging to the same owners. This Souq Waqif treasure is hidden behind Caffe Tasse and has the best Italian ice cream you’ll ever eat in Doha. And with a small seating area outside the charming gelato parlour, you won’t want to leave!

BEST FOR: A real taste of Italy; you won’t find gelato like this anywhere in Doha!

GO: For more information call 44367991

Al Matbakh

Situated in the charming Arumaila Boutique Hotel’s rooftop, this outdoor grill serves the best Wagyu beef, tender New Zealand lamb and the freshest seafood from the Gulf waters. With its open kitchen, lively music and spectacular views this place is definitely worth a stop when in Souq Waqif.

BEST FOR: Escaping the hustle and bustle of the busy souq and taking in the wonderful views from a rooftop vantage point.

GO: For more information call 4433 6777

Beach Bar & Lounge

Finally after a summer hiatus, the Four Seasons Doha favourite is back every Thursday now that the weather has cooled off. A chilled ambience with cool relaxing lounge music is what’s on offer here, as is a very colourful beverages menu that’ll have you sampling cocktail after cocktail. Yum! BEST FOR: Those looking for a chilled start to their weekends.

GO: For more information call 4494 8888

Mykonos

Greek-Mediterranean at its best! Located by the pool of the InterContinental Doha, the restaurant’s outside terrace is the place to go to enjoy authentic Greek food and one of the best views in the city.

BEST FOR: A taste of the famous island where all the place is missing is some plate smashing!

GO: For more information call 4484 4919

La Spiga

Experience La Dolce Vita with Milan’s famous family run Italian restaurant at La Spiga by PaperMoon. We love the restaurant’s cool interiors with its disco ball inspired pizza oven, but their outdoor terrace has us hooked and with killer views of Westbay we don’t want to be anywhere else.

BEST FOR: Simple Italian food prepared with passion.

GO: For more information & reservations call 4453 5135

HOT OUTDOOR DEALS Al Seef The heat is off and the coals are sizzling poolside at the Sharq Village and Spa every Thursday and Friday from 6:30pm to 11 pm, Barbeque for QR215.

GO: For more information & reservations call 4425 6666

Isaan The Thai hotspot is taking it to the beach with Loi Krathong, the Thai festival of light. On November 17 enjoy a delicious dinner buffet, Thai performance, and lantern lighting all for QR280 / QAR395.

GO: For more information & reservations call 7021 8097

Doha Marriott Adding a fresh new twist to the brunch scene, the hotel is making it big with their “Late Brunch”, where guests have the opportunity to chill out on the beachside tables and watch the sunset, while enjoying a killer barbeque for QR380.

GO: For more information & reservations call 4429 8888

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CHEF’S TABLE

CHEF Erick Garcia

City views and culinary delights are just a few of the things Strata, the InterContinental Doha the City restaurant, has to offer. The real treat though lies back in the kitchen, where all the magic takes place under the watchful eyes of their awesome Chef.

FACT f inds out more…

Located on Levels 55 and 56, Strata is the highest restaurant and lounge in Doha. The views over West Bay are absolutely stunning, yet not for the faint hearted- an Acrophobic’s worst nightmare! But for those who don’t have a fear of heights Strata comes as the recommended spot for dinner with a view; if you’re looking for a spectatcular skyline this is definitely the place to see it from. The cuisine here is a fusion of Mediterranean and Japanese pleasing for just about any palette, and run by the Gutamalen Chef Erick Garcia we think we know why it’s that good. Although he’s only been here for the past eight months, Chef Garcia has already left his mark on the kitchen. His training at the Cordon Bleu culinary school in Mexico has prepared him 82. fact magazine

AGE LIMIT...

Did you know that the InterContinental Doha the City’s Strata does not allow guests under the age of 16 in the restaurant. Definitely a place to go to enjoy a bit of adult company!

for the different palettes in Doha he must please. “Our diners come from completely different cultures, making it essential for us to satisfy everyone without subjecting Strata’s signature style.”

The Chef, who learnt to cook from watching his mother as a young boy, thanks his latino roots for giving him his passion about food; he prides himself on perfecting the Latin

“Our diners come from completely different cultures, making it essential for us to satisfy everyone without subjecting Strata’s signature style.”

American cuisine and says that he makes one mean ceviche- his specialty.

He credits his times spent between Mexico and Guatemala to his diverse and colourful cooking techniques, “I learnt a lot from the two countries and honestly think they have both changed the way I cook.”

Zooming in and out of the kitchen, he preps us some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes: spiced roasted tomato soup; foie gras terrine with diced caramelized pineapple and tarragon; goat cheese filled ravioli on top of a pepperoncino espuma; butter poached salmon and crispy saffron rice; and chocolate layered cake with vanilla ice cream. It is evident in the flavours as well as the way he presents his food that his love for cooking goes above and beyond. The dishes are rich and fragrant, and melt away with every bite.

While the presentation is beautifully simple and modern, giving the food itself a contemporary twist with how it’s plated.

It seems that Chef Garcia is definitely a perfectionist when it comes to cooking and we wouldn’t want it any other way after seeing just a few of the things he’s got up that chef ’s uniform!

GO: Strata is open every evening from 6pm to 2am. Call 4429 8464 for more information and reservations

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on the menu

GO: For more information and reservations call 4016 6000

La dolCe vita The lure Italian cuisine has on the world is definitely one that is unmistakable and that, over the years, has cemented itself as the big mama of old world cooking. So when a new Italian eatery opens shop in the capital heads turn to see what’s so impressive about the new place.

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Already famous in Milan, where almost everyone has eaten there, Paper Moon has made quite the name for itself since its creation back in 1977. This month marked its long journey from Italy’s fashion capital to the bustling city of Doha, where it opened up its third branch worldwide in the iconic new Jaidah Square Building on Al Matar Street. Conveniently located to the main banking district and only a short taxi ride away from the airport, the restaurant marks itself as an upbeat hunt for businessmen and the work savy alike; an environment where work is left at the door and the plan is to escape. Smooth interiors and a warm neutral colour palette give the chic eatery a causal laid-back vibe, where

“A must-try though and the pride of the place is their pizza, which steals the spotlight” a bustling staff of friendly faces bounces around the place adding a warm welcome with light chitchatting and laughs. If you find the design super impressive wait until you see the menu, which is a gastronomic journey of traditional Italian favourites and mouth-watering dishes. From a creamy Vitello Tonnato, crisp Panzanella, and heart-warming Minestrone Primevara to a

rich Risotto Porcini and the all time Italian favourite Ossobucco, it doesn’t get any better than this. A must-try though and the pride of the place is their pizza, which steals the spotlight alongside the massive pizza oven that is hard not to miss as you walk in.

So does the place live up to its name? You’ll have to stop by and try it, but until then we’ll let you in on a little secret: we think it does…shhh!

(The Bill) Mozzarella di Bufala

QR 65

Tortino di Melanzane alla Parmigiana

QR 50

Pizza Porcini e Tartufo

QR 85

Pappardelle Paper Moon

QR 60

TOTAL:

QR 260

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Tony Hedges Boxing Trainer at the InterContinental Doha The City

Doha insider

What are the things you love about the Qatari capital?

Describe your ideal day off here…

I find that the people here, expats and locals alike, are super friendly. Unlike Dubai, they haven’t really been affected by the reality of it all. Let’s hope it remains the same, and that it doesn’t get superficial.

Something that I hate about Doha is the limited places where one can actually walk.

Katara though is feeding that need, and until I get bored of going all the time I think I’m satisfied with the cultural village for now.

A typical day off for me always starts off with the gym; I love that I can go and workout alone without having to train anyone. I usually then go out to grab a bite, and have just recently discovered Jazz at Lincoln Center. When I’m there I feel like I could be anywhere; I escape the daily grind of the capital and somehow feel transported to somewhere cool like Vegas. The music, the performers, the atmosphere- it’s all top class!

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What’s your secret spot in Doha?

This might sound funny but my hidden pleasure spot is Vapiano. Over the past few months I’ve become a bit of a regular, ok a full fledged regular if I’m to be honest, people there know my name and order! I go there to unwind, sit on my iPad and do my own thing, all while enjoying some homemade pasta. So I guess now you know where to find me when I want to escape!

UCL Qatar

EDUCATING A NEW GENERATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE PROFESSIONALS UCL is London’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

UCLQatar

UCL_Qatar

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