Qatar Happening - June 2014 by Qatar Happening

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Table of Contents

pg 46 Ramadan Ready: Welcoming The Holy Month

OUT CHECK pening.com

JUNE

atarhap ion! www.q test informat la for the

MENT ENTERTAIN

EVERY ISSUE 7 Editor-In-Chief's Letter

QH's Editor-in-Chief tells you what's happening this month

QH Speaks

The best of our monthly social media

Top Picks

Rockin' Ever After With Disney On Ice

Culture Through The Lens

Party Like It's Hot

A Life In Focus

Events Calendar

Pullout calendar with the city’s do-not-miss monthly events

118

It Happened

124

QH’s photo gallery of the latest happening events in Doha

Phone Directory

Need-to-know phone numbers

TURE ARTS & CUL

The Magic Kingdom crew are back with a whole new show this fall!

Global DJs close out the summer season with three final do-not-miss shows

Be A Part Of The Action

Party Hoppin’ Happenings

Catch the 2014 FIFA World Cup live on the big screen with our viewing round-up

Jazz Up in the Mövenpick Hotel Doha still knows how to put on a show

Entertainment Listings

Qatar meets Brazil in a new photographic exhibit at Katara

Photographer Juliette Sawyer has been documenting life in the Middle East for the past three years

In A Galaxy Far, Far Away

Qatar-based author Caroline Hough is bringing girl-power to the sci-fi genre

Arts & Culture Listings

Find out everything that’s going on this month

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Table of Contents COMMUNITY 45

Top Picks

Ramadan Ready

We usher in the Holy Month with our do's-and-don'ts guide for expats

Keen To Be Green

Community Listings

Analyzing Qatar's environmental footprint

Find out everything that’s going on this month

KIDS CLUB 59

Top Picks

Tackling Food Allergies Head-On

What foods to eat and which ones to avoid

Kids Club Listings

pg 88 QH Welcomes The 2014 FIFA World Cup

Fun ideas to do with the kids

ING FOOD & DIN

IONS QH SENSAT

SPORTS

Top Picks

QH Recommends

A Taste For Tapas

100

Facial Attraction

Tutto Bene

QH Welcomes The World Cup

105

Reasons To Fly

Blue Restaurant in The Grand Heritage offers up a taste of Spain La Spiga at The W Doha has the Friday 'broonch' to beat!

Word Of Mouth

Our contest winner tastes the new Thai Chatuchak brunch at Isaan in The Grand Hyatt

Food & Dining Listings

Find out everything that’s going on this month

Your complete insider's guide to the matches, the teams, their star players, our predictions f or 2014 and more!

Training The Core

Call Details: Inquiries: Marketing:

Email: editor@qatarhappening.com

Fax:

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We get glowing at Remède Spa in The St. Regis Doha Our pick of top destinations

Oslo: A Northern Exposure 110

We explore the woodsy heart of the Norwegian capital

Sports Listings

112

Virgin Recommends

114

Spotlight On Movies

Find out everything that’s going on this month

Feedback and comments are always welcom Please forward letters to the editor:

info@qatarhappening.com jorge@qatarhappening.com

Our favourite monthly must-haves

The pros at Absolute Fitness show us why core strength means more than just having a six-pack

Have Your Say: e.

The best monthly entertainment picks from the Megastore Our top five must-see films of the month

116 The Dish On Qatar +974 4427 8416 +974 5584 4905 +974 4427 8415

We show you how to reduce your environmental impact starting at home

Postal Address: P.O. Box 7848 , Doha, Qatar

5/26/14 11:29 AM

From The Desk Of The Editor-In-Chief

On the Cover?

Dear friends, I would like to take this opportunity to extend to you an early Ramadan Kareem as we welcome the start of the Holy Month during the last few days of June. It’s hard to believe that another 12 months have gone by and this special time is here again. To guide you through the weeks ahead we have an informative feature in our Community pages on how to prepare for Ramadan and what changes will take over the city during this auspicious time. Then, to keep the celebration going into the summer, next month our Ramadan issue will be dedicated fully to the Holy Month and Eid, and we look forward to being your guide to the most important 30 days in the Muslim calendar. Book-ending the month of June is World Environment Day on the 5th. As countries on all four continents observe this day, we turn the lens inward to see how Qatar is doing its part to reduce its carbon footprint and build a sustainable ‘green’ future for generations to come. In our Community section we expose you to some national initiatives and local efforts that bode well for the future of Qatar’s resources and precious environmental preservation. Then in our Sensations segment, this month’s Dish On Qatar column explores ways that you can make a difference at home with eco-friendly tips, tricks and services that are gentle on the environment. So we hope that the next time you go shopping, leave the lights on or run that extra load of laundry, you’ll take into consideration the broader impact these seemingly small actions have on our planet. Lastly and with much excitement we turn our eyes to Brazil this month as the 2014 FIFA World Cup starts on June 12. For football fans, this marks the most joyous and/or agonizing time in the world of sports – depending on which team you root for – and for us as a nation it marks a step closer towards Qatar’s own looming legacy for 2022. We are proud to devote nearly our entire Sports section this month to the World Cup frenzy, with a five-page insider’s guide to all things FIFA – the teams, the stadiums, the matches, the contenders and the underdogs. If there’s something you need to know about the World Cup – you’ll find it here! Then in our Entertainment section we’ve rounded up the top spots around Doha for viewing the World Cup matches in a lively atmosphere. Top on the radar is The Crowne Plaza Doha – The Business Park which has an insert of the full match schedule in our pages – plus numerous other hotels and outlets will also be getting into the spirit of the game with their own screenings and Brazilian-themed celebrations. As we gear up for Ramadan and wind down for the summer June is proving to be one of the most jam-packed months to date and we hope you stick with us and enjoy the ride. Thank you for making us a part of your lives,

cal Belle and the Beast come to musi After! life in Disney On Ice: Rockin' Ever Photo Credit: Disney On Ice

About Us QH is your voice and your guide for all things fun, funky and happening in Qatar! Send us your feedback to editor@qatarhappening.com. Publisher: The Art of Business Chairman: Ahmed Hassan Bilal Editor-in-Chief: Nasser Ahmed Hassan Bilal Executive Editorial Director: Moona Masri-Whitice Editor: Ashlee Starratt Finalizer / Production Manager: Srimani Welagedara Lead Designer / Brand Manager: Zahi Srour Photographer: Jessie Palanca Listings Coordinator: Marlynne Mallari-Dela Pena Web Coordinator: Imran Khan Sales and Marketing Manager: Deliah Furcoi Sales and Communications Manager: Jorge Granda Marketing Coordinator: Chet Tibayan Distribution & Accounts: Lanie Fillo-Pana Contributors: Abdulla Al Tamimi, Amy Bassett, Diana Farid,

Jessica Furseth, John Hunt, Aref Hussain, Dave Keegan, Aisha Moktadier, Jonny Parr, Charlie Sands, Juliette Sawyer, Gerald Tan, Ujwala Thirumurthy, Leonardo Wen

QATAR HAPPENING (QH) is published 11 times a year by The Art of Business, Doha, Qatar, an associate of Ahmed Hassan Bilal Group. The information contained in QATAR HAPPENING (QH) is correct at the time of printing. Details may change at any time without liability on the part of The Art of Business. Readers are advised to confirm details with the event organizers. All rights reserved 2011, The Art of Business. Reproduction in part or in full is strictly prohibited. QATAR HAPPENING (QH) assumes no responsibility for content of advertisements.

Nasser Ahmed Hassan Bilal

QATAR HAPPENING (QH) retails for QR 8. Bulk subscriptions are available for QR 5 each, for orders over 50. 2014

QH Speaks

Tweets Of The Month @ckf71

Super dinner at The Grill at Grand Hyatt Doha. Best steak tartare! #GrandHyattDoha

@SalMuhanadi

Where can I find feathers, lots of feathers? #doha #qatar

@SallieBruce

Oil slick in the water along The Corniche. Anyone know anything bout why?? #doha xx

@Danrawly

best of the best We ask, you answer. Here’s the this month, plus from our social media top picks you’re saying! our Editor’s Corner. Here’s what

Editor’s Corner To kick off this issue, we’re going green as QH celebrates World Environment Day on June 5. Never has the issue of environmental sustainability been more critical for Qatar than it is now – with rampant development gearing up towards the 2022 World Cup and more vehicles on the roads than we know what’s good for, Doha’s carbon footprint is glaring. Qatar is rich in resources, but the one thing it needs more of is an abundance of green space. As trees and vegetation replenish the air with oxygen and reduce the quantity of CO2 in the ozone, it’s up to us to step in and do our part in their absence. In our Community section we get up-close-and-personal with the state of the environment in Qatar, exploring new, national initiatives that promote an eco-friendly awareness and approach to all aspects of development. Then, over in Sensations our Dish On Qatar column this month highlights how environmental change starts at home, providing you with energy-saving tips for the consumption-conscious and introduces you to some community groups and local businesses striving to make a difference. We’ve also gone a bit football-crazy (or ‘soccer’ as us North Americans call it) as the 2014 FIFA World Cup takes over the globe starting on June 12. We’ve devoted nearly our entire Sports section this month to anything and everything World Cup – and let me tell you it’s going to be an amazing four weeks of soccer! Okay, okay……FOOTBALL! Sorry! Place your bets on your favourite 2014 hopefuls and explore our full match schedule on the back of our tear-out calendar, plan your viewing party in our Entertainment section and much, much more. We also say goodbye to the beach party season for the summer as we head into Ramadan the end of this month, but don’t worry – there’s still a handful of stellar events that are not to be missed before the summer lull. Let’s make every moment a celebration of things that make us happy this June – we’re pretty sure this issue will leave you with a smile. See you next month,

Ashlee Starratt Editor

@spikesmag How good does the Doha @ Diamond_League 400m start-list look? Wow.

@Doha_15

Learn to live your life with what you have. Each breath you take, another person takes their last. Stop complaining and start living…

In Your Face Day coming up With World Environment ebook followers Fac our ed ask on June 5, we live as to t par r how you’re doing you ably as possible. tain sus and y ndl -frie eco ressed! We gotta say – we’re imp

Roanna Elizabeth Lee

“I’ve switched from buying bottles of 1-litre water to buying those big gallon bottled water dispensers, and I use glass bottles that can be easily re-used and sterilized instead of buying little bottles of water to carry around when I’m out and about.”

Ayesha Jawad

“I compost, plus re-use water bottles, recycle the containers, re-use the rinse water from fruits and vegetables for plants…and many other small things.”

Tracy Marriott

“I buy what I need and I recycle as much as I can, (yes it’s possible in Qatar, just takes more effort!)”

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/qatarhappening

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Entertainment

s k c i P p o T â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s This Month

Radisson Blu

Sharq Village & Spa

The Laughter Factory

Salsa & Candela June 6: The Cigar Lounge. Bring your dancing shoes and dance the night away at this popular event for lovers of Latin music. Admission is QR 85 including one welcome drink. From 9:00 p.m. till midnight. For more information call 4425-6666.

The St. Regis Doha After-Brunch Happy Hour Fridays: Vintage Lounge. Not ready to go home after brunch? Relax and enjoy happy hour at Vintage Lounge with live music by Rumba Latina, plus 50% off on selected beverages. From 4:00 p.m. till 6:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0000.

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atarh tion! www.qthe latest informa for

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Renaissance Doha City Center World Cup Creations Daily: Glo Bar. Feel the World Cup spirit and indulge in mixologist Pedroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cocktail creations covering beverage delights from all over the world. From 5:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. Ends at the beginning of Ramadan. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.westenddoha.com.

June 9 & 10: Shehrazad. Three of the best comics present over two hours of club standup, direct from The Comedy Store in London. Both evenings are non-smoking events! Doors open from 5: 00 p.m., show starts at 8:00 p.m. Admission is QR 140 including one sponsored beverage. For more information call 4428-1555.

InterContinental Doha Old School Disco June 20: Paloma. The weekend is party time with the funky old school disco. Just come down with your friends and enjoy great cocktails and funky surroundings with the DJs. QR 50 entrance fee for gents and free drinks for ladies. Doors open from 10:00 p.m. till late. For more information call 4484-4919 or 4484-4444.

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Entertainment

Rockin’ Ever

After With

Disney!

QH: What can audiences look forward to in Rockin’ Ever After? JF: The great thing about our new Disney On Ice show is that we’re bringing classic stories like Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid together with some of the new favourites like Tangled and the newest Disney•Pixar movie Brave. We came up with the idea of incorporating today’s culture and all of the talent television shows that are so popular and decided to present these Disney stories through the concept of a talent showcase. QH: This production sounds like new territory for you guys! JF: Our new Disney On Ice show has a whole new concept, where we have Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy leading the audience through the greatest talent showcase of all time with favourite Disney characters. From there, we launch into our favourite stories. This year, working with The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, we really tried to look for new musical arrangements for some of the key moments and also create special surprises for the audience like a spectacular number above the ice with Ariel. QH: What makes these Disney stories so well-suited for the ice? JF: All of these stories are so wonderful to bring to the ice, because we have great music and incorporate elegant and athletic skating that will really bring the audience to their feet and get them engaged in the show. What’s great about Disney On Ice is that we bring stories to life that both parents and children love, and they’re able to experience and enjoy the show together. QH: In your eyes, what’s the most exciting aspect of the show? FJ: To me, the most exciting aspect of the show is when we get the audience involved. My favourite part is seeing the audience’s reaction and watching the kids cheering for their favourite characters and singing along to the songs.

As told to Jorge Granda Images courtesy of Disney On Ice

With the overwhelming success of last year’s performance of Disney On Ice, the magical traveling troupe is back with their new show Rockin’ Ever After. The icy spectacle will land in Doha at the Qatar National Convention Centre this September but QH has the exclusive first glimpse. Producer Juliette Feld tells us about the new adventures of the Magic Kingdom crew.

QH: Can adults and kids alike connect with the performance? FJ: This Disney On Ice show has stories that parents are very familiar with, like Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid, but it also has the newest Disney princesses, Merida and Rapunzel. The talent showcase will appeal to all members of the family. We have a lot of comedy and awesome characters like Maximus the horse, Gaston, and the triplets from Brave. Boys and girls alike will love it.

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The cast from Beauty and the Beast want you and your family to be their guest this fall at QNCC!

Princess Merida makes her on-ice début with the rest of the characters from Brave

JF: At Disney On Ice, we love when we get to bring new properties to the ice, and this year, for the first time ever, we’re presenting Brave. We started working on this show well before the movie released in theaters, so we met with John Lasseter and the team at Pixar to work on translating this film to the ice. It’s such a fun, spirited part of the show. QH: Tell us about the special scene from Beauty and the Beast. JF: Everyone’s favourite song from Beauty and the Beast is ‘Be Our Guest.’ This year, we’ve really gone and outdone ourselves. We have the entire cast on the ice, dressed as knives, forks and napkins along with our castle characters. Everyone in the audience is going to be singing and dancing along, especially when we get to the kick-line! QH: Tangled also has a pretty cool segment – what do you like best about it?

Tangled will be one of the new acts featured in Disney On Ice: Rockin' Ever After

QH: Can you give us a sneak-peek of any stand-out moments? JF: One of the most exciting moments is when Ariel emerges from Ursula’s cauldron with her new legs and does an exquisite and elegant routine above the ice, 35-feet in the air. This routine is called the ‘Spanish web’ and is an element you may have seen in circuses, but we’ve never done this before with The Little Mermaid. We had some of our skaters work for several weeks with a special coach before rehearsals to learn the aerial routine. Another exciting element in the show is Merida. She’s athletic, active, headstrong, youthful, and we also have a great moment with all of the clans fighting and carousing.

Your host and ringmaster, Mickey Mouse! In Circle: Producer Juliette Feld

QH: Okay – let’s go behind the scenes. Tell us one interesting detail about bringing this show to life that the audience would never know or think about. JF: One of the most challenging parts of creating this new Disney On Ice show was figuring out how to bring the fun, spirited triplets from the movie Brave, to the ice. We actually met with John Lasseter and the team at Pixar to work on how to bring the triplets to life. When you see it you’re going to be amazed by how fun it is. QH: This is Princess Merida’s début in the rink. Has it been especially fun bringing her to life for the show and introducing her to audiences?

JF: What’s so wonderful about Tangled is the intimate moments between Rapunzel and Flynn. We have an incredible pair team; they do some really daring skating tricks and I really think the audience will get into the emotion between those two characters as seen on the ice. QH: What’s your hope for families when they see the show? JF: I hope that when families come to Disney On Ice they are truly transported into the world of Disney and get immersed in our show, enjoy the magic and leave with wonderful memories. n Ticket prices, information and show-times will be coming soon so stay tuned to QH throughout the summer! Tickets will be available at Virgin Megastores and online at tickets.virginmegastore.me. There will also be an early-bird ticket special announced soon!

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Entertainment

Party Like Its Hot!

Space cadets DJs From Mars will rock the decks one last time before the summer at Club Seven

By Jorge Granda Selected images courtesy of Dave Keegan Photography

The Fab Four come to life this month in Doha with the Get Back tribute show. Photo Credit: Dave Keegan Photography

Global DJs is saying goodbye to the summer party season with three exhilarating events all taking place in June. QH checks out what theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got in store for die-hard party-goers.

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Photo Credit Here & Below: Dave Keegan Photography

Showtek Live The hottest act in Electronic Dance Music (EDM) lands in Doha on Thursday, June 5 to rock the decks at Club Seven in La Cigale. The two-man show by Dutch brothers Wouter and Sjoerd Janssen has produced a steady stream of forward-thinking music with sold-out shows in all four corners of the globe. In only a few years Showtek has built a career that most musicians can only dream of – they’ve been named the #17 musical export of their home country and are leading the Dutch movement that’s dominating airwaves around the world. Showtek’s sound is crafted to break down boundaries and unify people through dancing and music. Their 2007 début album Today Is Tomorrow ‘wowed’ fans and marked the start of a whole new era of EDM. Their award-winning second title, Analogue Players In A Digital World was released in 2009 with an unveiling at the Amsterdam Dance Event, garnering universal acclaim. After gathering an international following, Showtek started to work with megastars such as Tiesto, together producing the smash hit ‘Hell Yeah!’ Their next step was obvious, forming a production company,Crazy Collabs, that saw hits like ‘How We Do’ with Hardwell shoot up the charts to number one in the span of a week, and ‘Hey!’ with young upstarts Bassjackers which went straight to the top of the world’s soundtrack for 2013. Having worked with musicians Chris Brown, Carly Rae Jepsen, Medina, and Jason Derulo, Showtek’s list of accomplishments has spread at wildfire speed, adding their page to the history books of pop and R&B music. Date: Thursday, June 5 Where: Club Seven, La Cigale Timings: Doors open at 9:00 p.m., show starts at 10:00 pm. Ticket Info: Tickets are available at the La Cigale concierge, Crepaway and Virgin Megastore online for QR 200. Club Seven membership required. Global DJs and Club Seven management reserve the right to refuse entry. Contact: For more information call 4428-8665 or 5518-8008.

DJs From Mars Summer Closing Party Hot ticket sound-masters DJs from Mars will take to the decks on Thursday, June 19 at Club Seven alongside DJs Jared McCulloch, Xwoolf, Jade Rox and Steve Kz in a final goodbye bash for the summer party season. Headliners DJs From Mars will bring their mashup attitude to club-goers at La Cigale, remixing big pop hits and setting the dance-floor to full volume. They currently stand out as the most recognized performers on the mash-up scene with their signature videos on YouTube getting millions of clicks each month. Putting their incredible talents to use they’ve caught the eye of industry megastars, working with the likes of Bimbo Jones, Sean Paul, Pitbull, Yves La Rock, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Fragma, Ciara, Cascada, Coolio, Ennio Morricone, and more. They’ve also collaborated with American megaproducer Jason Nevins in the US, who’s brought them a number of hot tracks by some major acts to be remixed. Their mash-ups are play-listed on all top radio stations worldwide and supported by top DJs like David Guetta, Carl Cox and Bob Sinclar.

Get Back: The Story Of The Beatles There’s no band in the world that probably hasn’t, in some way, been inspired by the music of Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr – the so-called ‘Fab Four.’ The Beatles defined a generation and quickly became the most popular band in the history of modern music as 74 million viewers watched the band perform on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, a record that’s never been broken in television history. Their sound, look and lifestyle became a symbol of empowerment and millions around the globe followed in their footsteps. Today their music is as important and relevant as ever and the world is still very much in love with the Liverpool quartet – the songs that we’ve grown up with have become classic music anthems. On Thursday, June 12 Beatles’ lovers will have the unique opportunity to re-live the songs that defined a generation as The Get Back Show comes to The InterContinental Doha The City. Charting the most important musical moments in The Beatles’ career, decade by decade, this tribute group will be perform all the hits and only the hits! Also DJ Kinky D will be spinning the chart-toppers of the 60’s, 70’s and 90’s on her one-of-a-kind sound-system. n Date: Thursday, June 12

Date: Thursday, June 19

Where: InterContinental Doha The City

Where: Club Seven, La Cigale

Time: From 8:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m.

Ticket Info: QR 100 for ladies, QR 150 for gents. Ticket sale locations still to be announced.

Ticket Info: QR 190, ticket sale locations still to be announced. Valid passport or Qatar ID required for entry.

Contact: For more information look for the Twitter hash-tag #GlobalDJs or join their page on Facebook.

Contact: For more information look for the Twitter and Facebook hash-tag #ICONICQTR or visit www.getbackshow.com.

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Entertainment

Be Part Of The

Action! Doha’s got World Cup fever and QH has the cure. We’ve roundedup front row seats across the city where you can watch every match and follow the score as your favourite teams battle it out in Brazil. There’s also some pretty cool promotions for football fans – so don’t miss out on a single game!

e know there isn’t a screen big enough that could match the thrill and excitement of being live at the FIFA pitch in Brazil – but these venues come pretty close! Here’s the full list of contenders for World Cup parties, brunches, matchscreenings and more.

CROWNE PLAZA DOHA − THE BUSINESS PARK Welcoming The World Cup

June 12: Misturado. Is there any better place to experience the true 2014 FIFA World Cup than in an authentic Brazilian Lounge? Well, The Crowne Plaza is hosting a second World Cup kick-off party at Misturado! If you visit the lounge on June 12 you’ll be able to party like you’re in Rio while comfortably watching the inaugural game of the World Cup. There are lots of giveaways waiting for you, and resident DJ KayJay will spice up the night with his tunes. Happy Hour runs from 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m., and the party starts at 8:00 p.m. For more information call 4408-7777.

Get Your Football Fix

From June 12: Misturado. Watch the 2014 FIFA World Cup at Misturado Brazilian Lounge. There will be plenty to keep you entertained (if the World Cup isn’t enough), and there are loads of drinks, promotions, noise-boxes and some great prize giveaways. Happy Hour runs from 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m., and the party starts at 8:00 p.m. Lounge opens at 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4408-7777.

THE FOUR SEASONS World Cup Tent Let the cheering begin! The Four Seasons has a new venue tailored for you to watch your favourite football games in the most luxurious and comfortable surroundings. The hotel’s tent on the Garden Terrace will be open every day featuring big screens, delicious snacks, beverages and shisha to meet all expectations. Price: QR 165 minimum charge per person. Available from June 12-28. Time: From 6:00 p.m. till 3:00 a.m. Contact: For more information call 4494-8888.

Get up close for every match at the Crowne Plaza's party-central venue

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA Live On The Big Screen The InterContinental Doha will go all-out with the celebration of the World Cup. Most outlets at the hotel will be screening all matches. For more information call 4484-4919 or 4484-4444.

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Champions Sports Bar & Restaurant will have all the action for this World Cup

Jesús Navas, mid-fielder for the Spanish national team

KEMPINSKI RESIDENCES & SUITES Stadium In The Sky June 12-July 13: Sky Villa. Overlooking the city lights from the 61st floor, the Sky Villa turns into a stadium for this year’s World Cup! Step onto their ingenious ‘grass’ ground and watch your favourite teams on a gigantic screen while sipping and munching on some muchloved beverages and snacks. The Sky Villa will open on World Cup match dates from 7:00 p.m. till late. Due to limited space, please reserve your seats in advance to avoid disappointment. Entrance is QR 50 from June 12-28 or book a package of 10 entries for QR 300. Complimentary entrance during Ramadan. For more information and reservations call 4405-3325 or email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com.

RENAISSANCE DOHA CITY CENTER Kick-Off Beach Party Kick off the 2014 FIFA World Cup with a beach party as Copacabana comes to Champions with Brazilian-inspired mixes, a beach party set-up, foot-tapping beats by DJ May Tox and 40 screens to launch the football fiesta. Come as you are – whether in flip-flops and shorts –and have your face painted to support your team with friends. Timings: 5: 00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. Date: June 12 Price: QR 60 entry fee with one house beverage included. Contact: For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.westenddoha.com.

THE ST. REGIS DOHA Football Frenzy The St. Regis has fun news for football fans. They’ve decided they can’t miss the fun and will be screening the 2014 FIFA World Cup as Jazz At Lincoln Center transforms into the coolest sports bar in town. Don’t miss any of the action with a giant screen and surround sound, while a great range of bar snacks will be on offer and wide selection of international hops for World Cup fans. Bookings recommended. Dress Code: Show your team spirit or keep it casual Opening hours: 9:00 p.m. till late. Dates: From June 12 till July 13 Price: Group tables available with a minimum spend Contact: For more information call 4440-0000. Must be 21 years of age and over, with valid ID required for entry.

Neymar, forward for Brazil, jumps high after a goal

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Entertainment

Gonzalo Higuaín and Lionel Messi celebrate a goal for Argentina

THE GRAND HYATT The World Cup Football Club Don’t miss Rocca’s World Cup calendar at the newly-opened terrace. You can cheer on your favourite team and get two-for-one drinks for an hour before each game – just don’t forget to bring drums, whistles, positive energy and enjoy the five-star service, special beverages and finger-food. For more information call 7021-8096.

W DOHA Seleção Brunch

June 27: Market by Jean-Georges. The W Doha is throwing the house out the window with a World Cup inspired Market Brunch! Kick-off with Brazilian flavours, loads of caipirinhas and Samba music by Doha Jazz. From 12:00 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4453-5135 or email bnfreservations.wdoha@whotels.com.

RADISSON BLU World Cup Mania Shehrazad. Come to Shehrazad and stay abreast on all the latest action from the 2014 FIFA World Cup while sipping great drink offers and taking advantage of their special football promotions. From 5:00 p.m. For more information call 4428-1555.

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA THE CITY Live At Hive Come to Hive for the World Cup and enjoy several promotions such as ‘They Score, You Score’ – guess the right score and get the chance to win a 50% discount off your bill. Or, go for the ‘Bucket Deal’ with six brews and 12 pieces of chicken drumsticks for QR 225. Soft drinks only will be served during Ramadan. In case of multiple winners, a draw will be done to select one final winner. For more information call 4015-8888 or email doharestaurants@ihg.com.

JALC Doha in The St. Regis will host all the action on the big screen

NANDO’S Espetada Carnival Nando’s is celebrating the 2014 FIFA World Cup with an extravagant new meal that will make you feel like you’re eating inside one of the stadiums in Brazil. The Espetada Carnival is a flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken stuffed with garlic, parsley and feta, skewered with mixed peppers and served with a side of butternut squash, grilled corn, PERichips and a spicy mango sangria. A meal full of unique and exotic flavours, the name itself gives diners an idea of what it’s all about – jam-packed with that Carnival taste and energy. Available at all outlets. For more information call 4436-0606.

ORYX ROTANA World Cup In Al Nafourah Chill out and cheer on your favourite football team with family and friends during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in a relaxing atmosphere with delightful food, refreshing beverages and a wide variety of shishas. For more information call 4402-3333.

Please note that alcohol will not be served at World Cup screenings across Doha once the Holy Month of Ramadan starts.

Let our friends at Sony Music Middle East get you in the festive mood with One Love, One Rhythm: The Official 2014 FIFA World Cup Album. Featuring the official song of the World Cup ‘We Are One: Ole Ola’ by Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez and Brazilian singer Claudia Liette, the album is filled with a host of tracks by top artists that will get you pumping, including Santana, Ricky Martin, Shakira, Wyclef Jean and Avicii. Pick up your copy at Virgin Megastores now!

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Entertainment

By Jorge Granda

Got Messo?

There’s a new social media platform in Qatar that’s steering the way we communicate back to its original roots – voice-to-voice. QH finds out more about Messo, an app that promises to revolutionize the way we interact online.

e spend so much time buried on social networks and on our mobiles that the way we connect with others on a daily basis has changed drastically. We communicate in a very different way than we did two decades ago, as our relationships with our bosses, colleagues and even family members is now pretty much subject to texting. Our lives are so increasingly hectic with work, kids and other responsibilities that it’s become easier to express our feelings through texts rather than talking. Messo is trying to change that. A new app in the market, Messo is a social media platform that can best be described as a blend between Instagram and your standard dial-and-call phone. In short, it’s a photo-sharing app that only allows audio communication. Messo was recently launched in Qatar last May by businesswoman and entrepreneur Cécile Correa. Cécile explains the basic reasons behind the creation of Messo. “Firstly, writing text or comments on social media platforms doesn’t allow feelings to be

transferred effectively,” she says. “Basically, to express your feelings while writing, you duplicate exclamation marks to [display] the degree of your [emotions].” With Messo you can literally ‘tell’ your news as audio comments and audio replies are attached to the images that you send. So there’s no need to type three or four exclamation marks to demonstrate your feelings – you can literally ‘express yourself’. As people have become accustomed to using text instead of voice, it can sometimes lead to misinterpretations of what we’re really trying to express. The person at the other end can mix-up the message we’re trying to convey – which makes Messo a practical tool to avoid these common confusions. “When writing comments – mostly on social media, you sometimes erase, then re-write, then re-erase and re-write for fear of being misunderstood,” she explains. “This fear of misunderstanding is due to the fact that while communicating, you’re missing one important

Stay connected, voiceto-voice, with Messo

element. Messo has based the creation of its app on this one missing element – the reinstatement of voice. With oral communication, your tone of voice will transfer your feelings.” Cecile currently lives in Qatar, but she’s launching Messo worldwide. Right now the app is only available for iPhones, but will soon become available for all Android devices as well. Messo is currently offered in Arabic, French, Spanish, Portuguese and English, with more languages coming soon. n ABOUT MESSO The app is free to download from the Apple Store. Steps to getting started: • Take a picture. • Record up to 10 seconds of audio, then send the file either privately (ex: WhatsApp) or publicly (ex: Twitter). • When it’s finished sending, it's automatically saved against your profile. • When you receive a reply it displays the profile photos of the people that have commented, and you just need to click their profile photo to hear the comment.

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Entertainment By Amy Bassett

We can’t all go to Glastonbury – frowny face! But there’s plenty more on offer…. This month we check out The Others!

et us begin this month with a respectful tip of the cap to the big daddy: Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts – the fiveday music fest held in Somerset, England. With a crowd of 175,000 and a heritage reaching back to 1970, it has and always will be, THE KINGPIN. So here's to you, Glasto! Being the boss however, means that Glastonbury tickets have long sold out and there’s no point moaning over treats we can’t have now, is there dear reader? Let’s peep a couple of festivals that are in the area, available, (no, this is not a Tinder reference) and cover off two very different ends of the musical spectrum.

Rock Werchter If you prefer a good mosh-pit to a dance-floor, or a well-worn metal tee to a bikini, perhaps you should head northwest to Werchter, Belgium instead. Rock Werchter is a rock extravaganza that has taken out the ‘Best Festival in the World’ title at the International Live Music Conference (ILMC) five times over the last ten years. Those are some seriously good numbers!

Festival Fun Guide

The magic plays out over four days at a local park and the contingent of attendees is seriously local-heavy – a majority of your fellow 140,000 rock-fans will be Belgian, giving the festival its own individual feel. Fear not Metallica-lovers! This does not leave Rock Werchter in the dust when it comes to artists…the three performance stages - Main Stage, Club C and The Barn - host some of the biggest names in mainstream music! Arctic Monkeys, White Lies, Pearl Jam, Kings of Leon, The Black Keys, Damon Albarn, Chase and Status, Ellie Goulding, Major Lazer, Franz Ferdinand, Interpol, Imagine Dragons, Foals, Biffy Clyro, Haim, Trentemøller, Foster the People, Crystal Fighters, SBTRKT, London Grammar. Sound familiar? These guys make up a bill of 80 power-packing acts that are heavy on the band-feel and light on electronica.

Thousands of metal-heads congregate at Europe's largest and loudest festival of rock

ROCK WERCHTER Where: Festival Park, Werchter, Belgium When: July 3-6 Tickets: QR, 1,000 Accommodation: Camp on site at The Hive campground Flights: QR 3,700 (www.expedia.com) Don’t Forget: Your Flemish language handbook (or Belgian friend) Official Website: www.rockwerchter.be/en

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Hideout Festival It’s a shorter plane ride than the UK and it has a bucket of extra credits in the scenery stakes: I’m talking about Hideout Festival in Croatia. It’s a bit of a cheat as far as festivals go – it’s held in three beachfront nightclubs over four nights, and there’s little aside from a ripping bill of electronic artists. This is no WOMAD or Burning Man, with a superfluous schedule of showcases or artist seminars. You come to the venues to party by night and soak up the gorgeous surroundings of Zrce Beach on Pag Island by day. The only extracurricular activities on offer are a series of pool and boat parties each afternoon, which act as a nice warm-up for the long evening ahead. I can hear you thinking, ‘pool and boat parties are as common as a camel sighting here in Qatar during the good weather’, but remember where you will be, reader. Croatia’s Adriatic is infamous as being one of the most stunning in the world with over a thousand islands to set sail around. You can be assured that the scenery will astound if nothing else does.

You're on a boat! And there's music! What more could you want at Croatia's Hideout Festival?

And the music? As a relative newcomer to the festival scene at four years-old, Hideout is managing to secure some pretty solid line-ups. This year’s bill clocks in with over 100 artists confirmed and more to be announced, so you’ll be sure to find something to satisfy your shimmy! Mentionables: Disclosure (DJ set), Rudimental (DJ set), Jamie Jones, Loco Dice, Solomun, Maceo Plex, Sasha, Bondax, Redlight, Soul Clap, Wolf & Lamb, Gorgon City. n HIDEOUT FESTIVAL Where: Zrce Beach, Pag Island, Croatia When: June 29-July 3 Tickets: QR 790 for a standard ticket, QR 1,100 for big cheese VIP Flights: QR 3,800 (www.expedia.com) Accommodation: Camp or hire an apartment in any of the surrounding towns Don’t Forget: Your bikini! Why Hideout?: Rave, sunbathe, rave, sunbathe, rave, sunbathe on the Adriatic. WHY NOT? Official Website: www.hideoutfestival.com

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Entertainment By Jorge Granda Photography by Jessie Palanca

Jazz Up is the kind of place you keep coming back for the relaxed vibe, good music and big-screen sports

Jazz Up opened a little over two years ago in the Mövenpick Hotel Doha and at the time it was a refreshing addition to Doha’s nightlife, especially for those of us that enjoy a little live jazz music. I re-visited the busy venue to see if this lively working-man’s lounge has stayed true to its roots.

n a music scene saturated with DJs on the decks, for those wanting a change of pace, there are currently only three outlets in the city offering live jazz performances to nightlife-goers. One of them is Jazz Up in the Mövenpick Hotel Doha on the Corniche; it’s smaller and less lavish than its competitors at the Oryx Rotana and The St. Regis, but none-the-less there’s a charming quality about the place. Its intimate atmosphere, contemporary design, creative beverages, extensive snacks menu and regular jazz sessions makes it a warm and welcoming spot. With a capacity for 70 people, Jazz Up features a comfortable bar, cozy seating areas, dimmed lighting and good service. It becomes obvious when you walk in the room the attention to detail that’s put into each element inside the bar. Everything falls into place, creating an atmosphere that allows you to have a relaxed night out with friends in an elegant, yet unpretentious environment. I visited Jazz Up on a Friday night to catch the live jazz ensemble that performs every week. Their music is top-notch and with a vast repertoire of soft and catchy tunes, the songs are amazingly-delivered. The voice of the lead singer is nothing short of powerful – strong and clear, her refrains make us want to get up and dance. The band interacts with the audience in such a way that you feel like you’re part of the show. Their bar menu includes BBQ chicken wings, chicken quesadillas, beef fillet skewers, tempura shrimp burger sliders, chicken nachos, deep friend halloumi and spring rolls, and we chowed down on them all. Standard pub fare, you’re sure to find something to hit the spot – and their menus are another cool touch, printed on authentic vinyl records. Overall Jazz Up is a place where you can unwind, sip some quality drinks and indulge in good food to a backdrop of toe-tapping jazz melodies – what better way to kick off the weekend? n

Party Hoppin’

Happenings

Catch their live band onstage every Friday night

JAZZ UP Location: Mövenpick Hotel Doha

Enjoy classic pub fare like these juicy beef and chicken sliders

Timings: Fri-Tues, 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Wed & Thurs: 5:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Dress Code: Casual Licensed: Yes Smoking: Yes Reservations: Call 4429-1111 or visit www.moevenpickhotels.com/doha

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Entertainment Listings

CMY

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Entertainment Listings RECOMMENDS

zed are categori All listings ed it lim is n io us per hotel. Incl h it w e, y of spac to availabilit s. er is rt ve ad n to priority give

RENAISSANCE DOHA CITY CENTER Let’s Get Quizzical June 9: Champions. Join Champions for the best quiz night in Doha with a maximum of six per team to win the 1st prize of QR 3,000. From 7:30 p.m. till 9:30 p.m., entrance is free. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.westenddoha.com.

THE ST. REGIS DOHA Wednesday Night Jam

Wednesdays: JALC Doha. The jazz club gathers an eclectic group of local, regional and international musicians for an exciting and impromptu jam session. Lead by JALC Global Ambassador, Dominick Farinaccci, musicians and vocalists of all styles are brought together in dynamic performances. Complimentary entry, bookings recommended. From 9:00 p.m. till late. For more information call 4446-0000.

RENAISSANCE DOHA CITY CENTER

DJ Beats

Thurs-Sat: Glo Bar. Glo’s very own resident DJ May Tox spins the finest beats on the dance-floor! Entry is free. From 8:00 p.m. till 1:00 a.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.westenddoha.com.

Welcome to our new listings format! Making it easier to navigate at your fingertips, we’re now categorizing all our listings per outlet – brunches, business lunches and weekly/daily promotions!

SPECIAL PROMOTIONS DOHA MARRIOTT Mind The View

Daily: The newest addition to Doha’s social scene, The View is a brand-new food and beverage outlet that’s joined the Doha Marriott family. A beautifully-designed terrace-style space located directly on the pool deck, The View menu provides a wide selection of fare for all palates, from the famous Marriott burger to a fresh and delicious tomato and mozzarella salad. Stop by with a friend and join in for a daily Happy Hour from 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. Regular hours are from 11:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4429-8499.

KEMPINSKI RESIDENCES & SUITES Slow Motion Vogue Wednesdays: The Lounge. Longplayer joins the team at The Lounge and funks up one of the most booming nights out in Doha. Dance with her sophisticated Latin-funk, disco-boogie and re-edited sounds, while socializing with the trendiest crowd in the city. From 8:00 p.m. till 1:00 a.m. For more information call 4405-3325, email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.

ORYX ROTANA Diva Night

Tuesdays: Jazz Club. Ladies get three complimentary drinks from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and after that a 50% discount on selected cocktails. Enjoy the night with resident DJ Betty as she plays the best of funk, soul, groove and lounge music from 8:00 p.m. till 1:00 a.m. For more information call 4402-3333.

RADISSON BLU Pub Quiz

June 30: Shehrazad. Let Geordie Andrew take you through his Pub Quiz challenge. Bring along your team of six players and test your knowledge against the best of Doha. Fantastic prizes for winners! Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the quiz starts at 8:00 p.m. Entrance is free. For more information call 4428-1555.

Reggae Nights On The Beach

Thurs & Fri: Get into the rhythm of the Caribbean. Kick off your shoes, chill out on the beach and enjoy live reggae music by Buggy Nakhente and the Fully Loaded band with singer Rhesa Garnes. Complimentary entry, but tables with bottle service have a QR 200 minimum spend. Non-bottle service tables also available, bookings recommended. ID scanning required and guests must be over 21 years of age. From 8:30 p.m. till 12:00 midnight. For more information call 4446-0000.

W DOHA French Star DJ EMIR

June 6: Crystal. Welcoming DJ Emir to the decks! Spinning all the best tunes of R&B and hip-hop he’ll be performing live for one night only. Opening set with Crystal resident DJ Waylon Pereira. Starts at 10:00 p.m., strictly reservation and guest-list only. For more information call 4453-3135 or BBM: 2ADD2715.

Urban Night

June 10: Crystal. DJ Chef Codes brings the house down at Crystal. Codes will be gracing the deck and mixing the best in R&B, hip-hop and old skool. For more information call 4453-3135 or BBM: 2ADD2715.

DJ Adrian Callier

June 11: Wahm. All the way from Zuma Dubai, DJ Adrian Callier will hit the decks to electrify audiences in Doha. DJ Bruno starts off the night with the opening set. For more information call 4453-5323.

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Entertainment Listings Carnival Night

June 20: Crystal proudly presents, from the hottest parties in Miami, Florida, the number one saxophonist MATT performing live in Doha. From 10:00 p.m. till late, strictly reservation and guest list only. For more information call 4453-3135 or BBM: 2ADD2715.

REGULAR PROMOTIONS CROWNE PLAZA DOHA – THE BUSINESS PARK Liquidity Nights

Thurs, Fri & Sat: Liquidity Lounge. Enjoy free selected cocktails from 8:00 p.m. till 12:00 midnight for all ladies and live entertainment by DJ KAYJAY. Free entrance for ladies and QR 100 for gents including one house beverage and a Liquidity snack. For more information call 4408-7777.

Don’t Be Late

Daily: Misturado Lounge. Don’t miss out on this very special happy hour two-for-one promotion on all house beverages. They dare you to go somewhere else! From 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. For more information call 4408-7777.

DOHA MARRIOTT Pearl Lounge Theme Nights

Mondays: Ladies Just Wanna Have Fun. Gents QR 100, ladies get three free drinks between 9:00 p.m. and 12 midnight. Tuesdays: R&B and Funky House. Ladies get one free drink between 9:00 p.m. and 12 midnight. Wednesdays: Arabic Night. Ladies get one free drink between 9:00 p.m. and 12 midnight. Thursdays: Diva’s Night Out. Gents QR 75, ladies get three free drinks between 9:00 p.m. and12 midnight. Fridays: Chillax Saturdays: Bollywood Meets Hollywood. Ladies get one free drink between 9:00 p.m. and 12 midnight. Sundays: Reggae ‘n Old School. For more information call 4429-8444.

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA Big Night Out

Wednesdays: Paloma and Lava. It’s Doha’s biggest ladies night with unlimited complimentary selected drinks for ladies. Dance to the tunes of Paloma’s new resident Sizzle band followed by two dance-floors with resident DJs, from 10:00 p.m. till late. For more information call 4484-4444.

Lava Theme Nights

Sundays: Hospitality Night. Enjoy a 50% discount on food and beverages for hotel staff and cabin crew with DJ Hossein. Mondays: Urban Diva Night with DJ Shadi. Enjoy two free drinks for ladies and no entrance fee from 10:00 p.m. till late. Tuesdays: Re-load Night with Resident DJs! Enjoy 50% off on food and beverages for teachers and free drinks for female cabin crew all night. Thurs & Fri: Arabic Night. Enjoy live entertainment with Arabic famous singers and residents DJs. Entrance is QR 100. Saturdays: Karaoke Night. Sing, drink and enjoy live entertainment with mix-performance DJs. Entrance is QR 50. Doors open from 10:00 p.m. till late.

Happy Hour

Daily: Lava. Get a 50% discount on food and selected beverages every night from 8:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. (Except Thursday & Friday.) Lava opens daily from 8:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. Membership is required and can be issued at the door with a valid Qatari ID or original passport. Must be 21 years of age or older. For more information call 4484-4919 or 4484-4444.

KEMPINSKI RESIDENCES & SUITES Soulful Sundays Sundays: The Lounge. Let the grand voice of Kéyali Mayaga relax and chill you out. Revel in blues and soul sounds, sip your favourite cocktail and sample fine, savoury bites to start the new week in style. From 9:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4405-3325, email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.

Thursdays 9 to 1

Thursdays: The Lounge. Listen to the finest grooves and the slickest of soul, funk, jazz, afro and soulful house music. Cocktails of the future, love, fun and class are the ingredients of the most chic Thursdays nights in Doha. From 9:00 p.m. till 1:00 a.m. For more information call 4405-3325, email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.

Sparkling Fridays

Fridays: The Lounge. Fridays at The Lounge are bright and sparkling! They welcome all ladies with two complimentary glasses of bubbly. From 8:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4405-3325, email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.

LA CIGALE Ladies Night With DJ Roger Choueiry

Sundays: Madison Piano Bar. Save your Sundays for the vibrant Ladies Night and dedicate your favourite songs to your special one. Ladies joining in will enjoy one welcome drink on the house. From 6:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. Membership required. For more information call 4428-8665 or 5518-8008.

Friday Night Fever

Fridays: Club 7. Every Friday party the night away in an exceptional atmosphere with hot tunes from renowned DJ Roger Choueiry. Ladies joining in will enjoy one welcome drink on the house. From 6:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. Membership required. For more information call 4428-8665 or 5518-8008.

ORYX ROTANA DJ Betty

Sun-Thurs: The Jazz Club. What better way to spend your night than enjoying great food, beverages and live music with new resident DJ Betty. It’s the perfect ambiance to spice up any night of the week at The Jazz Club. For more information call 4402-3333.

Social Network Night

Wednesdays: Jazz Club. Leave your business card and get a free drink when you join the Jazz Club Whats App group. They’ll share updates, promotions and other specials at the touch of a button. For more information call 4402-3333.

RENAISSANCE DOHA CITY CENTER Ladies Night!

Saturdays: Glo Bar. Ladies indulge at Glo with a selection of house beverages and a special concoction every month. For ladies only, enjoy a two-for-one Happy Hour from 8:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. There’s also a special drinks menu starting at QR 25 for ladies and some surprise treats on your way out. Open from 5:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.westenddoha.com.

Music Fridays!

Fridays: Champions. The sports bar presents evenings of international music and pizzazz with all your favourite songs played by a live band. Entry fee is QR 60 inclusive of one house beverage. From 8:00 p.m. onwards. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.westenddoha.com.

! See us online om www.qatarhappening.c

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The Giraffe! A Towering Experience

Daily: Champions. Champions is bringing the Giraffe to Doha! Multiple-litre Giraffes of brews will be available to share for QR 230– it’s just another way to celebrate the big games in style with friends! From 5:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.westenddoha.com.

SHARQ VILLAGE & SPA Extended Happy Hour

Daily: The Cigar Lounge. You can save 50% on your favourite brands and house beverages every day at Doha’s most popular meeting place, The Cigar Lounge. From 5:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. For more information call 4425-6666.

THE GRAND HYATT Avis & Anita Rock Dunes

Tues-Sat: Dunes. Guests are invited to celebrate the comeback of Dunes’ number one diva, Avis Ellis, performing Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from 8:00 p.m. till 12:00 midnight, then on Thursday and Friday from 9:00 p.m. till 1:00 a.m. with the tunes of Portuguese pianist, Juan Pestana. For more information call 7021-8094.

Happy Hour

Sat-Thurs: Dunes. Leave work worries behind and switch off at Dunes. In June they’re extending their Happy Hour from 5:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. – one more hour – so you can enjoy two-for-one on all drinks. For more information call 7021-8094.

THE ST. REGIS DOHA Ella Fitzgerald Night

Wednesdays: JALC Doha. Calling all ladies! Start your Wednesday night at Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha and enjoy buy-one-get-one-free on bubbles and other selected beverages. From 7:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0000.

High Heels Night

Wednesdays: Vintage Lounge. Step into the glamourous and elegant Vintage Lounge for a great night out. Ladies enjoy 50% off on selected beverages between 6:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. For more information call 4446-0000.

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ret Directory en ltu nm Cu ter&tai Ents Ar

Nightclubs, Bars & Lounges Admiral’s Club The Ritz-Carlton

4448-4800

Jazz At Lincoln Center Doha The St. Regis Doha

Pearl Lounge Doha Marriott

Bar Rancho’s Grand Regal Hotel

4425-6666

The Jazz Club Oryx Rotana 4402-3333

Belgian Café InterContinental Doha

4484-4444

Krossroads Horizon Manor Hotel

Bubbles on Two Radisson Blu 4428-1428 Champions West End Renaissance Doha Cigar Lounge Sharq Village & Spa

4419-6100

4425-6666

Club 7 La Cigale

4428-8888

Crystal Lounge W Doha

4453-5135

D’Illusion Gokulam Park Dunes The Grand Hyatt

Lava Lounge InterContinental Doha Le Club Mercure Grand Hotel Level 23 The Ritz-Carlton

Qube Radisson Blu 4428-1428 Rocca The Grand Hyatt

4448-1234

4445-5444 Shehrazad Radisson Blu 4428-1428 4484-4444 Sky View La Cigale

4428-8888

4446-2222 Spike’s Lounge Doha Golf Club

4429-8888

4446-0000

4496-0777

4448-4800 Splash Oryx Rotana 4402-3333

Liquidity Crowne Plaza Doha The Business Park

4408-7777

Strata Lounge InterContinental Doha The City 4015-8888

Madison Piano Bar La Cigale

4428-8888

The Irish Harp Sheraton Doha

4485-4444

The Library Radisson Blu

4428-1428

4470-8888 Manhattan Radisson Blu 4428-1428 4448-1234

Fahrenheit Horizon Manor Hotel

4445-5444

Misturado Crowne Plaza Doha The Business Park

Glo Cocktail Bar West End Renaissance Doha

4419-6100

Orion Radisson Blu

4428-1428

The Lounge Kempinski Residences & Suites 4405-3325

Habanos Ritz-Carlton Doha

4484-8000

Oyster Bay & Bar The St. Regis Doha

4446-0105

Vintage Lounge The St. Regis Doha

4446-0105

Paloma InterContinental Doha

4484-4444

Wahm W Doha

4453-5353

Hive InterContinental Doha The City

4408-7777

The Library Bar & Cigar Lounge Four Seasons 4494-8888

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Arts & Culture

s k c i P p o T ’s This Month

Museum Of Islamic Art Kings and Pawns June 1-21: Chess, backgammon and other board games are a vibrant part of everyday culture in the Gulf region, the Middle East, and the wider world. Their roots however, are much deeper than many realize. This exhibition uncovers the history of board games in the Islamic world, from India to Spain, between the 7th and 20th century. The exhibition focuses heavily on chess, from its origins in India to its adoption by the Persian elite and its subsequent spread across the Middle East, North Africa and Europe following the rise of Islam. However, a significant part of Kings and Pawns will also examine other board games with Indian and Islamic connections such as ‘pachisi’ (ludo), and ‘gyanchaupar’ (snakes and ladders), bringing to life the spread of ideas and shared culture over the centuries. Kings and Pawns features game boards, game pieces, Persian and Arabic chess manuals, paintings and illustrated manuscripts. For more information call 4422-4444.

Museum Of Islamic Ar t Ceramics Of Al-Andalus June 1-Aug 30: Focusing on rare and beautiful ceramics from Spain, the objects on display exemplify the blending of Muslim and Christian artistic motifs. Through the display of Andalusi ceramics, the exhibit highlights our philosophy of collecting and conserving key objects in the history of Islamic art to show why and how a museum collection is developed. For more information call 4422-4444.

OUT om K C E H .c C ppening

atarha tion! www.qthe latest informa for

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Katara Al Gannas Association Ongoing: Building 33, Katara Cultural Village. Open from 7:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. A cultural association for hunters, Al Gannas was founded in 2008. Dedicated to promoting traditional Arabic hunting, Al Gannas represents Arab hunters in international and regional contests, organizing events and providing support. The association includes the best facilities and equipment required for hunting and encourages research and studies in the field. For more information on becoming a member call 4408-1490.

The Awakenings Ensemble Live In Concert June 2: JALC Doha, The St. Regis Doha. The Awakenings Ensemble presents its unique brand of jazz and Arabesque-infused world music with special guest musicians Dominick Farinacci, Takeshi Ohbayashi and Mat Rybicki from the US. This will be the group’s last show in Doha before the summer, so don’t miss out! Performers include Mike Pignéguy, drumset/ leader; Dominick Farinacci, trumpet; Mat Rybicki, acoustic bass; Richard Johnson, piano; George Oro, percussion, and Yassine Ayari, ney flutes. Entry is free, but reservations are recommended. For more information call 4446-0105 or email diningreservations@stregis.com.

Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra

Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony

June 7: Building 16, Katara Opera House. Performance starts at 7:30 p.m. Music Director, Han-Na Chang; Benjamin Schmid, violin. Featuring compositions by Behzad Ranjbaran’s The Sunrise From Seemorgh (part of the Persian trilogy), Erich Korngold’s Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35, and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E Flat Major, Op. 55 Eroica. Tickets are QR 75-QR 200, available at Virgin Megastores and online, or from the box office at the Katara Opera House. For more information visit www.qatarphilharmonicorchestra.org.

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Arts & Culture Photo Credit: Aref Hussain

Photo Credit: Abdulla Al Tamimi

Culture Through The Lens By Ashlee Starratt Photography by Abdulla Al Tamimi, Aref Hussain & Leonardo Wen

How do we view culture? Journeying across the continents, it’s a question that four talented photographers set out to discover in a photography exchange in partnership with Qatar Museums and the Qatar Brazil 2014 Year of Culture. On display at the Qatar Photographic Society in Katara, we explore the experiences of Brazilian photographers André Joaquim and Leonardo Wen.

ow we perceive others in relation to ourselves has as much to do with our own cultural upbringing as it does a selfimposed willingness to open our minds to the new and the unfamiliar. Though worlds apart, Qatar and Brazil are rich repositories of history and culture, where ancient civilizations meet modern metropolises. To uncover the similarities between the two nations and their people, Qatari photographers Aref Hussain and Abdulla Al Tamimi trekked through the Amazonian wilds and concrete jungles of Brazil with their cameras in hand, while Brazilian photographers André Joaquim and Leonardo Wen embarked on a similar mission during a recent trip to Qatar. The result is the engrossing exhibition Qatar-Brazil: A Journey From The Amazon To The Desert. “When you have two countries as culturally and ethnically diverse as Qatar and Brazil how do you highlight the links that bind us all together

as human beings?”asks Joaquim. “I think we both have this curiosity about each culture because they are so different “It’s amazing. There are from another. talented and lovely people Photo Credit: Leonardo Wen [I’ve] never been [to working hard on this project, so Qatar] before. Qatar is a it’s a huge responsibility to be part of small country, but with a huge this team. The staff from QM and the other heart – people are always kind and receptive.” photographers [Al Tamimi and Hussain] are all involved in an atmosphere of friendship to make Capturing the every-day faces and routines this project happen.” of daily life in Doha allowed photographer Leonardo Wen to use his lens as a tool for crossWhat feelings do they hope their images cultural exchange. “Photography works as a will elicit from the public? For Wen, it’s passport that gives one access to places, people simple: “I think everyone tries to understand and situations that you wouldn’t experience for the world and especially themselves [by] other reasons,” he explains. “For me, being a looking at the way others live. Photography Brazilian photographer in Qatar means exactly is a way to do this. For the photographer, it’s this – to experience a specific reality through my a manner to experience other realities. For personal perspective.” the public who see the images, it is a window to other worlds.”n Joaquim and Wen’s experience of coming to a completely new country and peeling QATAR-BRAZIL: A JOURNEY FROM THE back its layers wasn’t without its unique set AMAZON TO THE DESERT of obstacles however. “The biggest challenge was to try to photograph a foreign country with fresh eyes, while being aware of clichés,” says Wen. “It’s easy to make stereotypical pictures if you don’t know a specific reality very well. And for me the mission of every photographer is to create and communicate a unique point of view.” When asked about the experience of being part of a Qatar Brazil 2014 event Joaquim beams:

Location: Qatar Photographic Society, Bldg 18, Katara Dates: June 6 till July 1, 2014 Contact Info: For more information visit www.qatarbrazil2014.com, www.andrejoaquim@prosite.com, www.leonardowen.com, www.instagram.com/aref_gh, or www.instagram.com/abn_altamimi.

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Arts & Culture

A Life In Focus By Diana Farid Images courtesy of Juliette Sawyer

QH gets close-up with Doha-based photographer Juliette Sawyer. With her lens keenly focused on the Middle East, her images show us a deeper glimpse into the culture that surrounds us.

t some point in our lives we all come across a photo that makes us stop in our tracks. Since the advent of digital cameras and smart-phones it’s become more accessible and affordable for the masses to pursue photography either as a hobby or as a career. Which is why, when faced with a global wave of shutterbugs, it takes great talent for a photographer to rise above and break through the clutter. One such artist is Juliette Sawyer, an international professional photographer with New Zealand and British roots who has been based in Doha for the last three years. Her passion for capturing moments in time through her lens came early on in life when she was just 15 years-old. “I had an opportunity arranged

by my school to visit my local newspaper for a three-day assignment with the photography team,” she tells us. “I loved it so much and the chief photographer said I showed promise and invited me to work on a part-time basis every second weekend. He taught me the basis of photojournalism and shooting and processing black-and-white film.” Despite having travelled to over 30 countries on photography assignments for various media outlets and corporate clients, it’s always been Sawyer’s dream to live in an exotic region – and the Middle East was an alluring destination. “I wished to live surrounded by mystical tales of ancient kingdoms and great civilizations – hence the Middle East was an obvious choice for me,”

Photographer Juliette Sawyer has been chronicling life in the Middle East through her lens for the last several years

she fondly explains. “Qatar is one of the safest places in the region, if not the world, and it’s currently undertaking a very exciting phase of growth and transition so that was a very appealing factor for me both on a personal and professional level.” A selection of Sawyer’s visually-moving images were exhibited as part of Hajj: The Journey Through Art organized by the Museum of Islamic Art, a comprehensive exhibition that opened just before Ramadan last year. Taking visitors on a journey exploring and illuminating the Muslim pilgrimage of Hajj, the exhibit included

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five international photographers from Britain, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Qatar and New Zealand. With no prior knowledge about the exhibition, Sawyer had already decided to travel to Mecca capturing deeply personal snapshots of the holy trek. As she describes it: “I wanted to document, in my own way, what is believed to be the most important journey that a person of Muslim faith has to undertake during their lifetime. Leaving behind them all the heavy luggage of the worldly worries and going on a spiritual quest to discover oneself, purify their thoughts and intentions, meet millions of other Muslims of different colours, races, cultures and social status and learn from them to come back a transformed and better person.”

Depicting aspects of the pilgrimage, the photos on this page are from Sawyer's collection displayed at last year's Hajj: The Journey Through Art exhibit at the Museum of Islamic Art.

What motivates Sawyer’s work is a belief that even though this generation has the luxury of being connected to the entire world and knowing what happens everywhere, the truth is social media can never convey the emotion that comes with face-to-face interaction. “We can be completely disconnected from the real issues that affect certain events and have a distorted understanding and vision of the big picture,” she says. “That’s why nothing compares to the experience of travel where you can be face-toface with real people and real stories and reach an understanding that human beings are all the same deep inside. We all have the same fears and hopes, we all share the same dreams.” Living in Doha for three years has played a pivotal role in nourishing Sawyer’s talent. “Doha is a perfect cohesion of East and West cultures, where both tradition and modernity fuse together,” she explains. “The abundance of nationalities and communities living and working here, all bringing with them bits and pieces of their respective cultures and traditions creates a rich, interesting community fabric.” According to her, any artist can prosper under those conditions. Her experience in the GCC has also taught her how to navigate with a heightened sensitivity to the local culture, as photography can sometimes be seen as intrusive in the Arab world. Overcoming this challenge, Sawyer strives to educate the people she wishes to photograph about why she wants to capture these moments of their lives. “It’s fascinating how the human nature can appear very hostile when faced with something new or a sudden change,” she tells us. “But then how adaptable it can become when we use the right tools of respect, humility and empathy.” Through her lens Sawyer will continue to chronicle and preserve the every-day faces and lives of the people who make up the mosaic of Qatar. To learn more about her work visit www.juliettesawyer.com. n

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Arts & Culture Qatar-based author Caroline Hough

In A GAlAxy FAr, FAr AwAy... By Ujwala Thirumurthy Photography by Jessie Palanca

Who doesn’t love a good page-turner? But what makes us pick up one book and not another from the shelf? For Qatar-based author Caroline Hough, crafting and publishing her first science-fiction novel Solicia was all about exploring the unknown and bringing a new world to life.

tar Wars and Star Trek – two of the most-loved film and TV series of all time were cult phenomena for decades. They appealed even to the non-sci-fi enthusiast, owing to their galactic mix of mystery, technology and battleships in space. It was undoubtedly an indispensable part of our childhood. It also gave aspiring writers more food for thought and took them into a whole new world of possibilities, quite literally. Bringing back those good old days of sciencefiction is the new space opera Solicia by author Caroline Hough.

“Having grown up watching the Star Trek and Stargate series, my obvious inclination was to write science-fiction,” says Hough matter-of-factly. Currently a teacher by profession, Hough always had that itch to put pen to paper. “I enjoyed creative writing classes in school and would often daydream about what I wanted to write,” she remembers. “One day, I thought ‘I’ll give it a go’ and just carried on! Sometimes I’d write for a few weeks and not go back to it for months.” It’s true what they say – you write your first draft with your heart and you re-write with your head.

The first key to writing is to write, not to think. With fiction writing – and sci-fi in particular, creativity is key. It means seeing something that doesn’t exist already; it means finding out how you can bring it into being. The greatest challenge is that it must make sense when you put it on paper. In Solicia, the characters, the ways in which they are linked, and the incidents that build up the mystery right up to the end, are testament to the uninhibited imagination that flows through the book effortlessly.

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“Don’t force ideas. Only write when you have the inspiration so your ideas will flow easily and you’ll have a strong story-line,” is Hough’s advice to young, aspiring writers. “The characters are mainly influenced by the two epic TV series, but I have also drawn on the personalities of friends around me in creating the emotional side to the characters,” she divulges. “I didn’t tell anybody about it until I was confident that the book was ready to be seen.” After three years of research, historical study, writing and revising, Solicia was recommended for publication. “Up until then I thought writing was hard, but I realized getting a book published was much harder, and publicizing it the hardest of all,” she says. Hough is now looking forward to the book’s release in Qatar in the coming months. The only deterrent however, she points out, is the dearth of bookstores in the city and the fact that there are very few publishing houses. The challenge by far, was to get the book to be appreciated by one and all. “It’s an easy read for all age groups. The story is simple and engaging even for someone who has never read sci-fi before,” she ascertains. Since its first publication in London in November 2013, Solicia has received rave reviews and is touted as a “book you don’t want to put down.” At 30 years of age, that’s a laudable achievement for Hough in a genre that has its own fan-base. Alfons Vinent, Hough’s fiancé and one of the five people to whom the book is dedicated says, “At first, I had to re-read the initial chapters to familiarize myself with the numerous characters. From then on, it was an indulging read. Despite science-fiction not being my favourite genre, I couldn’t put the book down.” Upon reading Solicia, you realize that life in the cosmos was much older than anybody had ever believed. For five million years, the galaxy has hidden a great secret – the clue to which are the monuments carrying mysterious messages. But little do the seekers know that this quest for answers will only lead to more intriguing questions. “It’s like a treasure hunt where one clue leads to another and the mystery deepens,” teases Hough, summarizing the story. And the good news is the sequel is already on its way. The mystery of the unknown is certainly the greatest mystery of all, and that’s why we’ll always love sci-fi! Solicia is available for purchase on www.amazon.com and also as an e-book for the tech-savvy. But keep an eye out for copies on shelves in Doha soon! n

At just 30-years-old Caroline adds her name to the growing list of female sci-fi authors

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Arts & Culture Listings RECOMMENDS

Museum Guide

For a complete list of timings visit www.qma.org.qa/en/exhibitions

Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art Education City 4402-8855 mathaf_info@qma.org.qa www.mathaf.org.qa Open: Tuesday to Sunday Closed: Mondays

Museum of Islamic Art & Park Qatar Museums Authority Richard Serra

May 1-July 6: Al Riwaq Doha. Richard Serra brings together sculptures and drawings from different periods of Serra’s fifty-year career, including works from the seminal One Ton Prop (House of Cards) of 1969, on rare loan from the Museum of Modern Art in New York, to a new sculpture created for this exhibition. Al Riwaq will house Serra’s new work, Passage of Time, which has been made especially for the space that spans a total area of 5,000 square-metres. The sculpture is made up of two 66.5-metre-long and 11.5-metre deep steel curves that snake diagonally through the site, and was fabricated in Germany at one of the very few steel mills that can take on such monumental steel works. For more information visit www.richardserraqatar.qa.

ONE OF A KIND QATAR PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Chamber Music At MIA: Schubert’s Octet

Etel Adnan in All Her Dimensions

EVERY WEEK

Ongoing: Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art presents an exhibition of the work of LebaneseAmerican visual artist, poet, playwright and essayist Etel Adnan in All Her Dimensions, curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist. Similar to nature consisting of many dimensions, the artistic and literary oeuvre of Etel Adnan contains many different aspects. Through the exploration of this artist’s multidimensionality, the exhibition will highlight the diversity in her work. Providing an extensive overview, the display at Mathaf will include Adnan’s paintings, drawings, leporellos, tapestries, writings and films from the 1960s onwards. For more information visit www.mathaf.org.

MATHAF Shuttle Service

IAID Music Courses

June 5: Music of Islamic Art Atrium. Performance starts at 6:00 p.m. Featuring Eugen Bold, violin;Taehyun Kim, violin; Merve Kenet-Bulun, viola; Hassan Moataz El Molla, cello; Radu Mihaescu, double bass; Rony Moser, clarinet; Yoshiko Koyama, bassoon, and Attila Szücs, horn. Performing Franz Schubert’s Octet in F Major, D. 803. Entry is free. For more information visit www.qatarphilharmonicorchestra.org.

Ongoing: Have you hopped on the Mathaf Bus yet? Sponsored by Occidental Petroleum of Qatar (Oxy Qatar), the Mathaf bus connects cultures on the hour and operates between the Museum of Islamic Art and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art. The free shuttle service operates from Wednesday to Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. It takes about 25 to 35 minutes to reach either museum. For more information visit www.mathaf.org.

Sat-Thurs: Hilal St., Al-Tadamon Signal, D-Ring Road. Offers classes in Classical/ Modern Piano, Classical/Acoustic Guitar, Electronic Keyboard and Western Vocals. All music courses incorporate western notations and follow the London College of Music (LCM), University of West London UK syllabus. Examinations are held every six months at IAID by LCM examiners. Non-IAID students are welcome. Call 4432-0974/4441-1234 or visit www.iaidonline.org.

The Corniche 4422-4444 infomia@qma.org.qa www.mia.org.qa Open: Wednesday to Monday Closed: Tuesdays

ALRIWAQ DOHA

Museum of Islamic Art Park 4452-5555 Open: Same days as Museum of Islamic Art

QMA Gallery

Building 10, Katara, Cultural VIllage 4408-1255 qmagallery@qma.org.qa Open: Monday--Saturday & Sunday Closed: Fridays

QF Radio 93.7FM Bolded programs in English Bright Morning: 7:00 a.m. International News: 9:30 a.m. Innovations: 10:00 a.m. The Movie Guide: 12:00 p.m. English News: 1:00 p.m. Market Economics: 3:00 p.m. Stars of Science: 3:00 p.m. Green Tea: 4:00 p.m. Therapeutic Fatwas: 4:00 p.m. Voice of the Youth: 5:00 p.m. Raising a Child: 5:00 p.m. Corners: 6:00 p.m. Fashion: 6:00 p.m. Straight Up: 7:00 p.m. Twitter: 7:00 p.m. Legendary Artists: 8:00 p.m. Sport Global: 9:00 p.m.

Sun-Thurs Daily Monday Thursday Daily Tuesday Wed Saturday Friday Thursday Monday Sun--Thurs Saturday Sunday Tuesday Daily Daily

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Community

s k c i P p o T ’s This Month

VCUQatar Found-Object Lamp-Making

Sharq Village & Spa Poses For Paws June 14: Six Senses Spa. Wag your tail in downward-facing dog at this special charity event in conjunction with ‘and stretch yoga’ and 2nd Chance Rescue. Sponsored by famous yogi Kathryn Budig’s charity, Poses For Paws was created as a way to repay the love that animals bring into our lives. Their mission is to raise money through yoga to donate to shelters and organizations that thrive to provide a loving life to those less fortunate. Enjoy an awesome morning of yoga at this event with your class fee donated entirely to charity. There will also be a selection of vendors selling doggy treats and goodies with proceeds going towards 2nd Chance Rescue and Dogs In Doha. QR 50 per person, per class, from 10:00 a.m till 12 noon and 1:00 p.m. till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4425-6999 or visit www.andstretchyoga.com.

Katara Doha Toastmasters Club The Art Of Public-Speaking Saturdays: Overcome your fear of speaking in front of a group and learn how to command the room with the Doha Toastmasters. The group meets every first and third Saturday of the month from 7:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. at the Holiday Villa Hotel. For more information on how to join call Subair Pandavath at 5597-4462.

OUT om .c CHECaK ppening

atarh tion! www.qthe latest informa for

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Until June 27: Room 254/162, VCUQatar. Light and its uses and qualities can be considered an artistic medium in itself. In this course, instructor Clinton Alexander will focus on the making of hand-made lamps from found objects. Whether it be a table-top lamp, a corner standing-lamp, or a lighted fixture that can be hung from the ceiling, a hand-crafted light source is a popular topic of conversation in any environment. They’ll use found materials such as wire, rope, wood, paper, or just about any material you can imagine, and combine it with a corded lightsocket to create an interesting and unique light source. Held on Fridays from 4:15 p.m. till 6:15 p.m., class fees are QR 850 for a session of eight classes. For more information visit www.qatar.vcu.edu.

Boot-Camp Qatar

Bedaya Center

Exercise Classes

Sun-Thurs: Building 30, Katara. Open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Bedaya Center is a lively, enjoyable place to be, where you can network, get good career advice, learn new ideas, find out how to start or expand a business, get information when needed and share ideas with other young people in Qatar. The center provides access to range of youth services, training programs and activities each month. During the day, in the evenings and on weekends, they’ll help you achieve your career goals, develop your skills and accelerate your entrepreneurial spirit. For more information call 4454-8158.

Sun, Tues & Thurs: Classes run from 6:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m., with participants meeting at the Museum of Islamic Art car park. Featuring intense cardio and calisthenic routines, burn fat and build endurance through this high-intensity program. Participants must arrive five minutes earlier to avoid missing the group as they go to the hills on the opposite side of the park to begin the workout. On Tuesdays the park is closed but they have permission to be inside, when at the entrance gate mention ‘Boot-Camp’ and security will let you in. For more information email Info@bootcampqatar.com.

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Community

Ramadan Ready By Ashlee Starratt

We’re getting set to welcome the Holy Month of Ramadan at the end of June, but for new expats experiencing it for the first time there are a few things you should keep in mind. Just follow our essential ‘do’s and don’ts’ guide and you’ll be all set to embrace one of the most beautiful celebrations in the Muslim faith.

Dates are a traditional staple of which to break one's fast at iftar during the Holy Month of Ramadan

• Cover Up Ramadan is an especially important time to dress modestly when out in public. Though covering shoulders and legs is a standard practice of cultural respect for all expats in Qatar, during the Holy Month it becomes imperative. Those who don’t comply can face refusal of entry into malls, grocery stores, restaurants, theatres and other public spaces and even incur hefty fines. For new expats this takes some awareness at first and can be a downright challenge during the hot summer months. So ladies break out those gauzy summer scarves and rock those leggings, and guys lose the board shorts and invest in a multi-tasking pair of light trousers.

• Host an iftar or sohour The nightly breaking of the fast is a time for family and friends from all walks of life to gather in celebration. You don’t have to be a practicing Muslim to accept an invitation for iftar (fast-breaking) or sohour (pre-dawn meal) and it can be an act of good faith and kinship to host one in your own home for your Muslim and non-Muslim friends. Iftar is traditionally broken with dates and shorba (soup) and laban (a salty yogurt-based drink), but it’s also a great opportunity to have a potluck dinner or try your hand at making some traditional Middle Eastern dishes.

• Good Unto Others Ramadan is a time of generosity and supplication to Allah and it’s expected of practicing Muslims to devote time to acts of charity for those less fortunate in the community. The practice of slaughtering a goat or lamb to feed the poor is a tradition that’s carried on for generations, but the world is made up of small acts of kindness and there are many ways to lend a helping hand. Preparing extra food for iftar and sharing it with the security or maintenance staff in your building, or making a take-away box to be given to a cabbie the next time you take a Karwa is a gesture that can go a long way.

• Brush Up On Your Arabic It’s common to extend the appropriate greetings to Muslim friends and colleagues during the Holy Month so here are a few common phrases you should know. ‘Ramadan Kareem’ is a standard blessing which translates to ‘generous Ramadan’ and ‘Eid Mubarak’, or ‘blessed Eid’, is often used to acknowledge Eid A-Fitr ‘The Feast of Breaking the Fast’ that marks the end of Ramadan. Other blessings are ‘Siam Maqbool’, which roughly translates to ‘fast well’, and ‘Kul 'am Wa Enta Bi-Khair’ which means ‘may every year find you in good health.’

• Embrace A Child-Like Spirit During Ramadan this is definitely easy to do if you happen to have young children! Introducing them to Garangao is one of the joys that Muslim families look forward to each year, and places like Katara host events that are open to everyone. On the 14th day of Ramadan, marking its half-way point, children gather going doorto-door in their neighbourhood dressed in their finest clothes, knocking on doors, singing songs and receiving candy. It’s one of the highlights of the Holy Month and something that every child should experience at least once!

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Throughout the Holy Month more calls to prayer will ring out from Qatar's National Grand Mosque and all others across Doha

DON'T • Eat Or Drink In Public During The Day This is the cardinal rule of Ramadan in the GCC and it’s one that Qatar stringently enforces. You may think this goes without saying, but if you’re experiencing your first Ramadan in a Muslim country it can take some effort to make sure you don’t slip up. It’s a rule that applies to non-Muslims as well out of respect for the Holy Month – even chewing gum and smoking in public are prohibited. However, most workplaces will offer a sequestered space for non-fasting employees to discreetly eat their lunches away from fasting colleagues. But most restaurants won’t serve food until iftar at sundown (usually 5:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m.), but grocery stores are still open throughout the day to pick up supplies for iftar or sohour feasts and, of course, home consumption for non-Muslims. Not all Muslims are required to fast during the Holy Month – young children, pregnant women, people with diabetes or other health conditions and the very elderly can be exempted from the practice.

• Be Afraid To Ask Questions t’s understandable to be curious about the new culture and way of life you’ve found yourself immersed in, and most people are happy to answer questions that are posed in a respectful, sensitive manner. So strike up a conversation with a Qatari colleague – nine times out of ten they’ll be happy you’re showing an interest in learning more about their culture and their faith…especially during the Holy Month. Besides, you may just make a new friend! • Be Surprised To Hear More Calls To Prayer Normally the Muslim calls to prayer ring out five times a day, but during Ramadan the minarets are much more active – especially at night. There are two additional calls to prayer that are repeated throughout the month and must be performed in congregation as a way of celebrating the community spirit of togetherness during Ramadan. The taraweeh is one of them and is called out after isha’a, the last of the five prayers of the day, while the other, tahajod, is called out at midnight during the last ten days of Ramadan.

• Forget Your Manners Ramadan is a month of austerity, introspection and faith, and as a result, things like partying, loud music and boisterous behaviour are forbidden. All nightclubs, bars and live-music venues shut down for the entirety of the Holy Month and while non-Muslim expats do entertain in the home during this time with pool parties or barbecues – they must be respectful of their Muslim neighbours who are observing Ramadan. This means no loud music, no raised voices or raucous behaviour, no swearing in public and no public displays of affection. n

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Community The departure terminal's grand promenade

Runway To The World By Ashlee Starratt Images courtesy of The NDIA Project

With its grand opening last month, the long-awaited Hamad International Airport aims to put Qatar in the spotlight with one of the GCC’s most state-of-the-art aviation hubs. QH checks in to bring you the story.

eading east on the stretch of four-lane highway from Ras Abu Aboud, past the Sharq Village & Spa and the Doha Marriott hotels and straight on towards Al Wakrah, is where you’ll find the exit for the new Hamad International Airport (HIA). Just ten minutes on the open road from Doha’s Corniche area, the sprawling HIA complex unfolds itself along a reclaimed swath of land that encompasses a palm-lined expressway, a lagoon water feature, and the avant-garde architecture of the sequestered Emiri terminal. Since ground broke on construction back in 2004, the HIA –part of the larger Doha International Airport Project (NDIA) which will include the yet-to-be-built Airport City hub – is one of Qatar’s most ambitious development forays to date. Having experienced delays in its scheduled opening – once on December 12, 2012 and again on April 1, 2013 – the $15 billion facility opened

with a soft launch on April 30, 2014 with ten lowcost carriers approved for departures. As of May 27 last month, a full handover was made with all airlines now operating out of HIA and the old Doha International Airport now reserved as an adjunct facility for the Civil Aviation Authority. “The new Passenger Terminal Complex spans over more than 600,000 square metres and offers a seamless experience from check-in to transfers and boarding,” explains Abdulaziz Al-Mass, Senior Manager, Public Relations and Communications, DIA/HIA. “The concourses are comfortable, attractive and modern, exhibiting works of art commissioned by some of the most famous local and international names.” Passengers exiting the immigration/passport control area and heading towards the retail hub and concourses will see the most striking of these art installations at the bottom of the

The geometric design of HIA's public mosque

escalators. Dominating the central space is artist Urs Fischer’s monolithic Lamp Bear, representing the innocence and light of childhood. Also on display are oryx sculptures from Dutch artist Tom Claassen and large-scale murals by Qatari artist Faraj Duham. QH attended the soft launch opening on April 30, 2014 and noted that only one Qatar DutyFree store and one coffee shop was open in concourse we were in, while one small coffee shop stood sentinel in the departures area. When asked if HIA would be able to meet the full-handover deadline of May 27 late last month, with all retail and food and beverage outlets open, Al-Mass stated the following: “As the airport opens in phases, so will the offerings available for passengers to enjoy. At full opening

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The state-of-the-art HIA is Qatar's gateway to the world

there will be a range of retail and F&B available including a combination of QDF-owned branded concepts, joint ventures and concession-based outlets that offer quality and choice to suit every pocket and palate.” It’s not a stretch to say that the new HIA is very much a self-contained ‘city’ in its own right, with a spectrum of luxury services that, for the most part, might seem foreign in the average airport. “HIA will offer a wellness facility with swimming pool, gym and two squash courts, as well as other recreational facilities as the airport continues to complete further [developments],” says Al-Mass. “This includes the hotel with 100 rooms in the South node and an additional 100 rooms in the North node, upon completion, for the full disposal of our passengers. A glassstructured public mosque based in front of the airport will [also] serve Muslim passengers spiritual needs.” The sheer size of the airport poses the question as to how HIA plans to swiftly and seamlessly move the more than 30 million passengers it expects will pass through its terminals in the first year. “An Automated People Mover on the second floor will help passengers travel from one end of the concourse C to the other, facilitating the 30-minute connection time HIA is designed to offer,” notes Al-Mass. “HIA will almost double its capacity from 30 million to 50 million annually with the addition of two further concourses – D and E. HIA is efficiently-designed with direct access between boarding gates and aircraft, with 41 contact gates upon opening and 65 in total upon final completion.” No expense was spared in terms of architectural design and construction either – the Emiri terminal is a case in point. “Architecturally reminiscent of dhow sails, the Emiri Terminal is the jewel of the Hamad International Airport,” states Al-Mass. “With no perpendicular surfaces, the construction process was demanding, needing over 40 million man-hours to commission and complete this unique building. Facilities inside this terminal are for the use of the Emir, the Royal family and their guests.”

Artist Urs Fischer's Lamp Bear dominates the concourse hub

Spacious and light, the interior of the Emiri terminal is one of the world's most luxurious VIP spots

All airline carriers are now currently operating out of HIA and construction on the new Airport City – situated on 100 hectares of land near the airport will be “rolled out in various phases” according to Al-Mass. A centre for commercial development, it will contain a free trade zone, offices and business parks, hotels and a retail mall – assisting in the continued growth of Qatar’s economy and job market for expats and locals. n For more information on the new Hamad International Airport and its facilities and services visit www.ndiaproject.com.

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Community As Doha continues to grow the preservation of its green spaces becomes paramount

Keen To Be Green By John Hunt

It’s our job to build the kind of sustainable city we want to live in – for ourselves and future generations. In celebration of World Environment Day on June 5 we take an in-depth look at how our growing nation is going green.

atar has consolidated its position as the richest country in the world on a per capita basis and is undergoing massive development on a number of levels. With the economy booming and a ‘new Qatar’ emerging from the ground-up, the country’s stock has risen hugely. This has led to a little hubris on Qatar’s part – and there’s nothing wrong with that – but the country also tops another table: Qatar, by some distance, has the largest ‘carbon footprint’ per capita in the world.

According to carbon offset organisation COTAP – and as cited by The New York Times – over 40 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) is released into the atmosphere here every year. CO2, aka ‘greenhouse gas’, is believed by many to be responsible for climate change.

Proponents of CO2-driven climate change believe that the ‘science is settled’ but this is not strictly the case. Qatar can be allowed some mitigation for the size of its CO2 output in that it requires huge amounts of energy to air-condition virtually every building in the country for nine months of the year, and that all of its drinking water has to go through the energy-heavy desalination process. The same is true, however, for many other countries in the Gulf with a heavy ‘carbon footprint’: UAE – 22 tonnes/per year; Oman – 20 tonnes; Bahrain – 19 tonnes, and KSA – 17 tonnes. There are three reasons for the above discrepancies in numbers between Qatar and its GCC neighbours and it’s ironic that one of them is the vast amounts of energy being expended in the countless construction and transport infrastructure projects that are reshaping the country. The other two are an approach to

recycling in Qatar that’s still in its infancy, and the last is the country’s 100% reliance on CO2-producing fossil fuels. The good news is that all three of these factors can be addressed. Firstly, it follows that the more Qatar is developed towards the Qatar National Vision 2030 – hopefully using emerging technologies and greener building standards along the way – the less there will remain to be done and that which has been developed will be greener and more ‘future proof’. Secondly, there exists on a national level a willingness to research renewable energy

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Solar panels offer a renewable energy source that Qatar will never fall short on – sunlight!

sources and greener construction methods. A good recent example of the latter is the joint project between the Qatar Green Building Council and the German Solar-Institut Jülich to work together on a ground-breaking environmentally-sustainable housing project. Said project promises to deliver an ultra-low operational energy regime for domestic developments, using super-insulation and airtight premises. This reduces the need for space cooling, reduces energy consumption and subsequent CO2 emissions. If these principles are applied extensively to new and existing building stock, then Qatar’s carbon footprint can be significantly reduced. Added to this are the numerous research projects taking place in Qatar and worldwide which seek to exploit solar power as an energy source. Qatar has not only the will, but the financial means to harness solar power – not to mention as much sunshine as you could ever need!

The city's burgeoning recycling program is gaining a foothold among an eco-conscious public

The final piece of the puzzle – and by far the most cost-efficient – is to change attitudes towards waste and recycling among the population. From the classroom to the boardroom there’s a deeper, growing awareness of green issues in general – recycling cans, bottles, packaging, even turning off the lights/ AC when you leave a room, car-sharing and so on. Mighty oaks from little acorns grow…

cans. While this is admirable, it’s astonishing that there’s so much rubbish to be found on the streets. A growing sub-category of refuse is ‘e-waste’ – referring to electronic devices such as laptops, cellphones, digital cameras and, most ubiquitously, batteries. According to Dr Saif Al-Hajari, Founder and Chairman of the Friends of the Environment Center, ‘e-waste’ contains numerous substances that are harmful to the environment, including lead, mercury, arsenic, chromium and beryllium – all of which can leach into soil and ground-water.

I recently read of a student competition to collect cans and bottles over three months. The winning student collected nearly 11,500 bottles and

“Our consumptive culture has led to the replacement of electronic devices before the end of their lifespan,” said Dr Al-Hajari.

“Consequently, ‘e-waste’ grows larger in quantity and variety. Unless we address this problem, it will continue to proliferate." When the world arrives for Qatar 2022, wouldn’t it be inspirational to be met by a country whose people are already making extensive use of a state-of-the-art public transport system (yes, you’re going to have to start leaving the car at home), where recycling is the norm, and where renewable energy has moved out of the laboratory and into a fully-fledged industry? That’s the good news. The best news? It’s all achievable. n

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Community

Creative Carpentry By Diana Farid Images courtesy of CREUQatar

We can all do our part to reduce, reuse and recycle, but how many of us go so far as to decorate our homes and businesses with sustainable creations? Let us introduce you to Habib Alfar, a forward-thinking craftsman, whose locally-produced brand CREUQatar makes industrial-chic furniture from reclaimed wood.

t’s challenging to find a product that sparks beauty, can be considered art, and yet serves a functional purpose at the same time. CREUQatar does all three. Welsh for ‘create’, CREU is a Qatar-based handmade furniture brand whose founder, British-craftsman Habib Alfar, built his business from humble roots, carving artisanal pieces from recycled materials. What started out as a hobby for Alfar turned into a passion, and then a thriving business. “I began the hobby of furniture-making early last year,” he tells us. “I’ve always enjoyed building, fixing and designing things, so when I had some free time on my hands I began to play around with scrap-wood I had found on the side of the road. I turned the scrap wood into a number of different furniture pieces and began to sell

them. The pieces were very popular and would sell very quickly. Soon after, I began receiving requests for different designs, [and] CREUQatar was born.” At first it was an uphill battle as Alfar struggled to get his business off the ground, encountering high rental costs for commercial properties, coupled with a lack of materials. Yet the more he achieved, the more he became empowered to do better and bypass the obstacles in his way. “All the pieces are starting to fit together and the challenges are getting easier to overcome” he says. At CREUQatar you could find a cozy coffee table, an elegant candle-holder, a stylish bookcase, a funky hanger, a super-cute desk, and endless

Recycled and rustic, each design is bespoke concept

other original works. Alfar meticulously crafts and builds each piece of wood into items that can come in handy for everyday life. The level of detail and craftsmanship in his pieces makes it hard to believe that the brand is still carving its way in the business world – no pun intended. As Alfar describes, “The pieces are custom-made to suit the customer’s needs. I would love to describe my personal designs as rustic and industrial-looking, so we can say [they’re] industrial-chic custom-made pieces.”

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CREUQatar's pieces are unique, eco-friendly additions to the décor of any home

He uses various types of wood – much of which is reclaimed, believing in re-cycling, re-using, re-styling and re-modeling, to turn what was once abandoned into stylish, usable furniture. “It gives the pieces we produce more character while being good for the environment,” he says. “We live in a throw-away society which easily replaces anything that goes out of fashion. As people say ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’." Yet he also uses new wood where necessary, as the recycled material takes more time and preparation to craft into usable, safe pieces. As his team of apprentices grows, Alfar is already looking ahead to the future and planning to increase the quantity of recycled wood in his designs. “For the recycled wood used in CREUQatar designs I tend to visit friends at their workshops and search through old pallets until pieces in good condition are found,” he explains. “Some of the materials I use are found in the desert or on the beach [and] I quite often stumble across usable, discarded wood on the side of the road.” Alfar makes use of everything around him when designing a new piece and his inspiration comes from many elements. He checks Pinterest, observes set designs on TV shows, loves chef

Jamie Oliver's funky, rustic kitchen, keeps up with the latest in industrial architecture and anything that can spark new ideas and distinctive philosophies. “I’m also inspired by my family and motivated to enrich our home atmosphere by designing and making statement pieces from natural materials to create a cozy yet functional living space” he adds. Out of his passion for and support of the handmade community, Alfar also set up the ‘Handmade Qatar’ Facebook page, providing an opportunity for local artisans from various countries who have settled in Qatar to share and sell their handmade products. As passionate as Alfar is, he has a lot of plans for CREUQatar – currently he’s working on a new outlet store in Al Khor and hopes to host a factory shop on the same grounds where people can visit. “[I] plan to increase the team size, set up an outlet in Doha and possibly a few other cities in the GCC,” he concludes. “We’ll also be adding a few more sections to the company such as interior design, exhibition stand design and delivery, [and] shop fit-outs.” So the next time you drive past a discarded piece of lumber, slow down…it may just be this man’s treasure. n

Habib Alfar cuts salvaged wood at his home workshop

Want a unique recycled furniture piece of your own, or interested in seeing more of Habib Alfar’s work? Visit www.creuqatar.com or join the ‘Handmade Qatar’ Facebook page.

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Community

By The Numbers

It’s fast approaching the halfway point of 2014. If you’re suddenly feeling a slight wave of panic (probably because you haven’t stuck to any of your financial New Years’ resolutions), then you should read on and start now. We let the pros at AES International show you the five financial tasks you must complete this year.

his time of year can present a valuable opportunity to take a break and reflect. A popular holiday time, many expats will be feeling relaxed after returning home to visit family or taking time off work during the imminent school holidays. Before returning back to the hustle and bustle, take some time to re-assess and re-structure but – rather than spring cleaning your house – you should featherdust your finances. So stop procrastinating, roll up your sleeves and spend just 24 hours following the list below. It will be worth it.

for you. You may also want to discuss the recent changes to the investment and pension industry.

Wipe away your debt Welcome to Financial Planning 101; if you have any high-interest debts, it goes without saying that you should seek to clear these as soon as possible. Clearing these will put you in a stronger position to tackle all of the below.

If you want to be super organized, you should consider moving your investments and banking needs onto one platform and, as an expat, this should be offshore. We have a Private Banking Team that can help you with this. Just get in touch.

Feng Shui your investments How long has it been since you reviewed your investment portfolio? If the answer is six months or more, you owe it to yourself to do this with a trusted advisor to see if it still makes sense

De-clutter your accounts and shop around Being financially complacent can be costly and many providers may rely on you being so. Shopping around is a worthwhile exercise to

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Community

Taking steps towards erasing your debt and building the financial future you dream of takes commitment -but it's not impossible

ensure you’re getting the best deals on the market – and the internet has made this seemingly laborious task easier than it has been before. While doing this, you should take some time to consolidate accounts and shred old documents if you no longer need them (so you can actually de-clutter your office at the same time!)

Spruce up your savings If you failed at your January resolution to ‘save more’ (or more likely – ‘anything at all’), now is the time to find your motivation and stick to it. The best and easiest way to ensure you don’t fall off the wagon is to automate your contributions. It’s as obvious as that – and you will naturally adjust to operating without this amount each month. If you’re on the ball and have this in place already, consider increasing your monthly amount.

Iron out your tax status As an expat, it can be confusing knowing what your tax status is. Do you know the difference between your domicile and your residence? Do you understand the taxable ties you have with your country of origin? This can be a real grey area for expats and can be particularly significant if you own investment property abroad (even if you’re not looking to sell it just yet). n AES is committed to leading the financial services industry of the past into the profession of the future, and place clients at the heart of everything we do. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions, comments or suggestions. For more information contact Chris Hall at 7065-8638, email advice@aesinternational.com or visit www.financial-advice.qa.

ENTER AND WIN! Every month AES International will be running a competition as a bit of fun. This month the prize is brunch for four people at Market by Jean-Georges in The W Doha. This month’s question is what was the result in the final of the UEFA Champions League between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid? Please send your answers to advice@aesinternational.com and they’ll select and post the winners on their Facebook page at AES QATAR, and Tweet the result @AESQatar, so give them a follow.

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Community Listings RECOMMENDS

Community Guide Australian and New Zealand Business in Qatar Group 6651-1892 www.anzbiq.org

American Women’s Association 5511-8085 www.awaqatar.com

Doha Players LADIES OF HARLEY

4447-4911 Search ‘Doha Players Lovers’ Group on Facebook

June 7: Harley-Davidson Shop. The Ladies of Harley meet the first Saturday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the dealership on Salwa Road. Any female Harley-Davidson enthusiast, either rider or passenger, who enjoys socializing and becoming involved with like-minded women can become a member. For more information visit the Ladies Of Harley Facebook page.

Egyptian Women’s Association

Saturday Ride

ONE OF A KIND VCUQATAR Silk-Painting

Until June 13: Room 254, VCUQatar. Participants in this community class will learn basic and more advanced silk-painting techniques from accomplished instructor Rashmi Agarwal. Methods include the stop-flow ‘Serti’ technique using water-based resists and ‘gutta’, wax effect, free -flow techniques and embellishing works with salt crystals. Classes are held every Friday from 2:00 p.m. till 4:00 p.m. and the fee is QR 850 for a session of eight classes. For more information visit www.qatar.vcu.edu.

EVERY WEEK FANAR CULTURAL CENTER Spoken Arabic Lessons

Sun & Tues: The spoken course is a personalized to the level of each student and will focus on communicative functions required in the day-to-day language. These include greetings and getting to know people, asking and answering essential questions, numbers and other topics that help for a better understanding of the society. In this course all the abovementioned conversational topics are written by transliteration – Arabic words written in English letters. For more information call 4250-1732.

e! s onlig.cnom See urha ppenin www.qata

DOHA GARDEN CLUB The Green Box

Ongoing: Gardening gurus and green-thumbs rejoice! The Doha Garden Club is now offering members a 10% discount on Green Box home deliveries valid until September 30, 2014. Filled with locally-sourced fruits, vegetables and poultry, the Green Box comes to your home twice a week so that you and your family can enjoy the health benefits of fresh produce. The Garden Club is also planning their next field trip for members on April 20. For more information visit www.dohagardenclub.com to become a member or visit www.thegreenbox.me.

QATAR ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY Become A Volunteer

Ongoing: Whether you’re a pet-owner or simply a lover of animals – especially those in need, the Qatar Animal Welfare Society (QAWS) is always looking for volunteers to help out. With up to 100 animals in their care, every hour of donated volunteer time counts. Whether it’s dogwalking, animal socialization, kennel cleaning or administrative work, QAWS could use the extra hand. For more information on becoming a volunteer call 5539-6074 or visit www.qaws.org.

THE RAW HEALTH COACH Raw Start Classes

Ongoing: An introductory course that’s perfect for those who are new to the idea of raw food ‘un-cooking’, or are ready for a refreshing new approach to how raw food can transform their health, energy and weight. Try raw food samples and learn the basics in this delicious, informative and inspirational class. Individual and group classes available, each session is an hour and a half and can accommodate up to six people. For more information visit www.therawhealthcoach.com.

5572-4171

French-Speaking Ladies Group 5559-7467

Indian Women’s Association 4442-4052

Qatar National Cancer Society 4447-8128 www.qncs.org

Red Dotters Qatar

5520-9294 Follow @RedDottersQatar on Twitter

Silver Dhow Association 4435-2598

Turkish Women’s Association www.twaq.org

Tuesday Ladies Group Email: tlgindoha@gmail.com

SASCOM: South Africans In Qatar

www.southafricansinqatar.netfirms.com

Canadians In Qatar

Search ‘Canadians In Qatar’ Group on Facebook to join the community

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Kids Club

s k c i P p o T ’s This Month

Hamilton Aquatics

Aqua Park Qatar

Swimming For Kids

New Summer Fun Packages Ongoing: Families can beat the heat this summer with four new packages from Aqua Park Qatar, ranging in price from QR 65-QR 130 per person. Each unique package offers park entry and an array of options for food and access to Aqua Park’s unique collection of rides and attractions. Choose from the ‘Fun In The Sun’, the ‘Easy Aqua’, ‘Aqua Kids School’ and ‘Birthday’ packages which offer discounts for premium rides, meal vouchers and more. Minimum group numbers required for selected options. For more information on full package details call 4490-5872/73/78 or email sales@aquaparkqatar.com.

Ongoing: With over 24 full-time staff members, 23 sites, over 400 swimmers in squads and over 2,500 children in lessons, Hamilton Aquatics teaches beginners (ages three and up), all the way up to competitive swimmers, using their structured awards scheme. Hamilton Aquatics now has over 15 medalists at different home national championships with one swimmer finishing sixth at the Olympics, representing Serbia in the 200-metre butterfly. For more information email doha@hamiltonaquatics.ae.

The Music House Music For Kids Sat-Thurs: Al Hilal St. near Standard Chartered Bank. Unleash your child’s inner talent and knowledge for music. The Music House conducts one-on-one lessons for guitar (electric, acoustic, bass), keyboards, piano, voice, drums (electronic and acoustic), and violin. For more information call 4455-0203.

OUT om .c CHECaK ppening

atarh tion! www.qthe latest informa

Doha Mums Little Academy Nursery Soft Playgroup Saturdays: Mamoura Branch. Come along to Little Academy Nursery’s playgroup for a fun morning with the little ones. Dads are welcome too! The nursery opens its doors from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. every Saturday. This playgroup is suitable for children up to the age of five. For more information and to RSVP email littleacademymaamoura@dohamums.com.

IAID Modern Jazz For Kids Sat, Sun, Mon & Wed: IAID, Hilal St., Al-Tadamon Signal, D-Ring Road. This course covers the basic step vocabulary and variations of dances commonly used in the musical theatre and commercial entertainment industries. Designed to train students to professional-level standards with technical exercises and exciting routines. For more information call 4432-0974, 44411234, or email enquire@iaidonline.org.

for

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Kids Club

Tackling Food Allergies Head-On

By Charlie Sands Photography by Jessie Palanca

Any parent will tell you how hard it is to encourage your child to eat well, but what if the foods you think are healthy are actually making them ill, and how on earth do you know which ones they are? We catch up with nutritionist and personal trainer Cody Tilahun who gives QH readers a no-nonsense approach to dealing with food allergies in children. 60 QH June 2014- FINAL.indd 60

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Nutritionist Cody Tilahun (left) lays the cupboards bare to explain how food allergies are triggered In Circle: Author Charlie Sands strives to follow a diet that will eliminate her son's allergies

What are food allergies and what causes them? Cody's explanation is as follows: a food allergy occurs when the body reacts as though that particular food product is harmful. As a result, the body's immune system (which fights infection and disease) creates antibodies to fight the food allergen – the substance in the food that triggers the allergy. The immune system, which is the body’s surface defense system, has the ability to produce ‘markers’ for substances it doesn’t like, an example is the antibody called IgE (immunoglobulin type E). When the food meets the marker, it triggers the release of chemicals. These include histamines, which cause the symptoms of allergy – skin rashes, hay fever, rhinitis, sinusitis, asthma, eczema and anaphylaxis (a reaction where the throat swells up). A child could be allergic to any food, but these eight common allergens (allergy-causing foods) account for 90 per cent of all reactions in kids: milk, eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat, tree nuts (such as walnuts and cashews), fish and shellfish.

I think my child has a food allergy, what should I do? Cody advises that the first thing to do is go to your local doctor, and discuss your child's symptoms because it could be related to something more serious. “If your doctor suspects your child has a food allergy they will probably suggest that you try removing certain common allergens (milk, wheat, soy etc.) from your child's diet, then reintroducing them one by one to see which foods are causing the allergic reaction,” she says. Cody adds that an alternative, quicker and easier method is to get your child tested. An example of this would be the IgG ELISA test which uses a finger-prick blood sample and a home test.

How do I manage my child's allergies? “It is not always easy,” says Cody. “It's about

changing your habits, choosing to stock your cupboards with options your child can eat, and making sure you have plenty of ‘safe food’ options available for snacks. It also gets easier the older your child gets as they will understand that eating certain foods can make them ill or uncomfortable at best.” “Dining out can be an issue if you or your kids have allergies,” says Cody. “Kids parties are also a challenge, especially when it's someone else's party.” Fortunately Cody has several suggestions at hand. The first is to stick to an ‘allergy-free/ safe food’ diet at home, and make exceptions for things like special occasions and parties. The second is to ask the host to provide some food that doesn't contain the allergens. And the third is to take your own supply of ‘safe’ food for your child.

“It's about changing your habits, choosing to stock your cupboards with options your child can eat, and making sure you have plenty of ‘safe food’ options available for snacks.” Cody adds: “What you do depends on the severity of the allergy, as some kids have zero-tolerance for certain foods while others may be able to cope with these foods in smaller quantities.”

But if I take all of these things out of the cupboards, what will be left for us to eat? With any change in lifestyle, it's all about changing your habits and getting into a new routine. “At first it can be difficult, but after a few days or weeks it does become easier,” says Cody. “You may even find that the whole family

can benefit from omitting certain foods, even if they don't have any known allergies.” “Start by looking for alternatives to the foods your child regularly eats,” she says. Alternatives include things like wheat-free pasta or bread (made from rice or corn flour), lactose-free milk and milk products (made from almond, rice or oat milk). Cody adds that soy products are an option, although soy can also be a cause of allergic reactions, so if you’re not sure which allergies your child has, it’s best to avoid soy altogether. Another important piece of advice Cody shares is to read the labels when you go shopping to avoid buying allergy-causing foods and drinks. “Many people don't realize that milk powder, lactose, nuts and wheat are contained in many common processed and packaged products that they buy,” she explains. “The most important advice is not to worry,” she concludes, “as 80% children grow out of milk, wheat, soy or egg allergies by the time they’re five years-old. And if you’re in doubt, seek the advice of a professional. n ABOUT CODY TILAHUN Cody is from Melbourne, Australia, and has lived in the Middle East for six years between Doha and Bahrain. She is a certified female personal trainer and nutritionist, and has been running her own fitness consulting business for four years. You can contact her at cody@fittfixx.com.

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Kids Club

Kitchen

Creations Images courtesy of The St. Regis Doha

Harvested from the crocus flower, saffron is one of nature’s most precious spices – but that doesn’t mean little chefs can’t have some fun with it! Join in as JeemTV’s celebrity Chef Elias Gemayal from Opal by Gordon Ramsay in The St. Regis Doha shows us how a little pinch of saffron can go a long way with seafood! Saffron Risotto with Jumbo Shrimps and Coriander Ingredients: • ½ cup risotto rice • Pinch of saffron • 2 Tbsp butter • 2 Tbsp olive oil • Fresh coriander to taste • 1 tsp fennel seeds • 5 pieces jumbo shrimps • 5 pieces black raisins – roughly chopped • 3 Tbsp Parmesan cheese – finely grated • 2 cups chicken stock • ½ tsp salt • ¼ tsp black pepper • 4 Tbsp fresh or frozen green peas • Half a bulb of fresh fennel – finely sliced • 2 Tbsp white onion – chopped and diced • Half a red capsicum – chopped Instructions: • The first step is to wash the vegetable, then cut the capsicum and black raisins into bitesize pieces and put into a small bowl. • Slice onions finely, dice and put in a small bowl. • Finely-slice the fresh fennel and put into iced water to make it go curly – you’ll use this at the end. • Next you need to prepare the jumbo shrimps by cleaning them first. To clean them you need to take them out of the shell and remove the black string on the back of the shrimps by using small knife.

• Now cook the jumbo shrimps by heating a small frying pan and adding the olive oil and a teaspoon of butter. When it’s hot, add the cleaned jumbo shrimps and turn them frequently until fully cooked. Put in a bowl and set aside for later. • Warm the chicken stock in a small saucepan adding a small pinch of saffron for flavour and beautiful colour. • In a medium pot add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and heat on medium, adding the chopped white onion and a pinch of salt. Stir for 2 minutes, the salt helps the onions from burning and turning brown. Add the risotto rice and mix together until all the grains are coated in the oil and keep stirring. • You’ll start to hear the sound of the hot rice cooking (rice should be hot before adding the stock). Keep stirring and sauté until the rice becomes translucent, but doesn’t stick to the pan – this will take 1 to 7 minutes.

This savoury seafood dish is fun kitchen project for older children

• Add one cup of the chicken stock that you’ve previously warmed. • Once the stock has evaporated completely, add another cup and stir until the liquid is absorbed. Keep doing this until you’ve used all the stock. • Continue cooking, stirring and adding broth until the rice barely reaches the al dente, or fully cooked stage. Then add the butter, chopped coriander stems, fennel seeds, chopped black raisins, grated Parmesan, green peas and capsicum. • Let the risotto sit covered for two to three minutes, then add the cooked jumbo shrimps and shaved fennel. Plate up and enjoy! n

ENTER AND WIN! Starting June 1, head over to the Qatar Happening Facebook page and enter our Kitchen Creations contest to win a private pizza-making class for up to 6 people in Opal by Gordon Ramsay at The St. Regis Doha with Chef Elias Gemayal!

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Kids Club Play in the sand or make a splash – the InterContinental Doha is a perfect fit for families

s y a D n u F y l i m a F Words and selected images by Charlie Sands Additional images courtesy of The InterContinental Doha

After a dozen people recommended The InterContinental Doha’s beachside for a day out, we decided to take the plunge and enjoy a day of pure indulgence ‘InterContinental-Style’ for us and the kids!

nown as one of the best beach and pool locations in Doha for residents, Bay Club members and pay-by-the-day guests, the InterContinental Doha has got a lot to live up to. And with only two ways to spend a day outside at this time of year – in the pool or in the sea, it seemed that the time was right to see what all the fuss was about and treat ourselves after a hard week. Arriving at the Bay Club on the Lower Ground Level and grabbing the last three sun loungers we could find, we then headed back indoors to the changing rooms to get ourselves ready; never a small task with two small kids! Incidentally, for those who do get some ‘quiet time’ during your day out, then both male and female changing rooms also have a steam-room, sauna, and plunge pool as well as treatment rooms.

With a range of pool areas, kids will be able to have space all to themselves

With pool kit on and smeared head-to-toe in SPF factor 50, we practically ran outside (for this read: parent was dragged by small children in the direction of the pool), dropped off our things and got straight into the water. Aaaahhhhh, nice! Once in the water we discovered the pool was split into different areas with deeper and shallower parts, as well as an in-the-pool bar to cater to your every need. It's pretty kid-friendly although for some reason the sides of the pool are very high in places so you won't be able to climb out unless you head to the steps or move to the shallow end. There's also a 50cm-deep large, circular, and most importantly, shaded toddler pool with bathroom facilities and a diaper/nappy changing station alongside.

Next to that there's a playground good for the two-to-five age range – which suited ours perfectly until it got simply too hot for outdoor play. The beach is lovely, with loads of loungers under the shade, a beach volleyball area, a beach football area, kayaks for hire, and even a sailing club called the Regatta Sailing Academy located at one end of the beach, though it’s run separately from the hotel itself. For lunch, and weather permitting, it's easy enough to eat al fresco at the Pool Terrace where you can get sandwiches, fish and chips

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and the like for between QR 50 and QR 80. However, fancying a bit of air-con, we headed indoors to the Coral all-day dining restaurant on the same level, enjoying an international brunch with the usual excellent service that’s standard at five-star hotels. The Saturday brunch also includes some kid-friendly activities, such as pizza-making and sandwich-making with some of the professional chefs at the restaurant. There's a small kids area too if yours need to escape from the confines of the table for a bit. With bellies full of rich and delicious food we could easily have gone home and fallen asleep at this point. But, being me, I wanted to squeeze every

Little ones put their kitchen skills to the test at a pizza-making class in Coral Restaurant

9 out of 10, which ranks among our mostenjoyed days out in Doha!

The Bay Club – pool and beach facility • Entrance to The Bay Club varies according to the day of your visit. Saturdays are QR 300/ QR 150 for adults and children respectively. On Fridays its members-only day and prices are also reduced on weekdays and ladies days. For more information about the facilities and weekday prices call 4484-4852. • Kayaks are available for hire at QR 20 for 30-minutes, or QR 40 for a double kayak for 30-minutes. • The Bay Club also offers swimming lessons, martial arts lessons for kids and provides volleyball, football equipment and the space should guests want to play. n

last bit of fun out of our visit, so we (husband and wife) spent the rest of the afternoon taking turns looking after the kids in the water and enjoying a steam and cold plunge and a coffee in peace!

The Score Is Out Saturdays at the InterContinental Doha, non-residents and non-members pay QR 300 (adults) and QR 150 (kids) for access to the pool facilities. Then it’s QR 200 (adults) and QR 120 (children aged five to 12) for the Saturday brunch with soft drinks only – so it's not a cheap way to spend the day, but rather it's a nice way to treat the family and spend the weekend. And if you do spend the cash, you won't be disappointed. So for its family-friendliness, its service, its extensive and well laid-out facilities and the food, I have to give the InterContinental Doha

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Kids Club Listings RECOMMENDS

ELITE TENNIS ACADEMY Mini -Tennis Lessons

Ongoing: Mini-tennis is the best way for children to learn the sport. Research shows it’s essential for children up to the age of 10 to learn the physical skills of running, jumping, balance, co-ordination, throwing and catching, as well as basic tennis skills if they are to reach their full sporting potential. Expect to see lots of these activities in mini-tennis lessons. Allow your children to play in the mini-tennis colour stage that is appropriate to them, this will ensure they enjoy playing the game and gain confidence. For more information visit www.elite-tennisacademy.com.

ANIMA GALLERY Portrait Art Classes

Entalek

Eco-Adventure Trips

Ongoing: Enjoy kayaking trips to the Al Thakira mangrove forest, stand-up paddle boarding lessons, coral reef snorkeling trips, overnight camping kayak expeditions and full-moon drumming. Perfect for older children and teens, Entalek offers school outdoor education packages and is one of the top-rated Doha-based eco-adventure companies in Qatar. For more information call Steve at 3023-3207 or email entalek.org@gmail.com.

ONE OF A KIND The Pearl-Qatar Kids Playroom

Ongoing: The Kids Playroom at Sabban Towers (Towers 8, 9, 10) is now open on the The Pearl-Qatar. The playroom is a space where parents and kids alike can come to mix and mingle in a colourful environment packed with toys and activities. Gifted by Sabban Property Investments, the Kids Playroom is an attractive, family-friendly amenity for families living in Sabban Towers or looking to relocate to the property. For more information call www.sabbantowers.com.

EVERY WEEK GYMNASTICS ACADEMY DOHA Classes For Children

Ongoing: The academy caters toyoung gymnasts of different abilities, over the age of four. It follows the British Gymnastics floor and vault syllabus but also trains on bars, beam and trampolines. They have excellent equipment including air tracks, landing inflatables, two trampolines, beams, junior bars, tumble tracks, vault and a full floor. For more information on gym locations, schedules and fees visit www.gymacademydoha.com.

IAID ‘I-Sing’ For Kids

Saturdays: IAID, Hilal St., Al-Tadamon Signal, D-Ring Road. ‘I-Sing’ is an introductory course to IAID’s Western Vocals Program . The course is designed for kids aged five to seven and focuses on pop singing. Students will learn basic music theory, breathing techniques, fun vocalization, singing with vowels and consonants, and group exercises that will develop their musicality, confidence and style. For more information call 4432-0974, 4441-1234 or email enquire@iaidonline.org.

Hip-Hop Classes

Tues & Thurs: IAID, Hilal St., Al-Tadamon Signal, D-Ring Road. This is a popular highenergy urban class that uses the latest music combined with movement and choreography inspired by today's hottest hip-hop tunes. For more information call 4432-0974, 4441-1234 or email enquire@iaidonline.org.

Doha Mums Coffee Mornings

Tuesdays: Dar Al Salam Mall. Meet at Starbucks, make new friends, chit-chat and laugh. RSVP yourself and your child's names (if coming). They meet every other Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. For more information and to RSVP email asma@dohamums.com.

Saturdays: Parcel 17-30, La Croisette, The Pearl-Qatar. This is an artistic class all about making portraits using mixed media for students ages 3 to 5 years-old. Classes start at 3:00 p.m., and students will explore what portraits are and why we make them. They’ll create portraits using paints, oil pastels, and chalk. The course also features specialized classes such as fairy-tale royals’ portraits, expressive portraits featuring artist Fred Babb and mixed media portraits. For more information call 4002-7437 or visit www.animagallerylounge.com.

MUSIC & MORE QATAR Music Classes For Youth

Ongoing: Offering classes in harmony, melody choral, concerto, sonata styles, Music & More uses music as a tool for children to explore their creative abilities, extend their cognitive and social competence, as well as to develop their language and physical proficiency in a relaxed and enjoyable environment. For more information on class timings and how to sign up visit www.musicandmoreqatar.com.

AL SAMARIYAH EQUESTRIAN CENTRE Horse Riding

Mon-Sun: Opens from 6:30 a.m. till 7:00 p.m. Kids, adults, beginners or advanced, everyone is welcome at ASEC. The riding school is located next to the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al-Thani Museum on the Dukhan Road in Al Shahaniyah. At ASEC it’s possible to join both group or private lessons. They organize promenades in the forest, competitions, clinics, pony days/ camps and lessons as an after-school activity. It’s also possible to celebrate your birthday at ASEC or to have a team-building day with us. For more information call 5525-7203 or email meg_jos@hotmail.com.

online! See us ppe ning.com www.qatarha

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Food & Dining

s k c i P p o T ’s This Month

The Torch Doha

Mövenpick Hotel Doha Family Brunch Fridays: Seasons. Indulge in an elegant, yet casual experience with free-flowing bubbly and enchanting music to complement the tasty buffet. Culinary delights include fresh seafood, live cooking stations and sushi – not to forget the endless assortment of appetizers and desserts. Every Friday features an entirely new theme to amuse the little ones, from sly pirates and playful jungle monkeys, to some very angry birds and the best of Disney’s classics. QR 215 per person with kids under twelve dining free and kids’ ages twelve to sixteen receiving a 50% discount. For more information call 4429-1111.

Skyline Dinner Daily: Dine on the 20th floor with pool-view, or at the solarium on the 30th floor overlooking Aspire Park. Celebrate anniversaries, birthdays or just a private exclusive romantic dinner on high. Indulge with a five-course set menu, personal butler, special cake and table arrangement for QR 1,900 per couple. Available for married couples only with 24-hour advance reservation required. Limited seats available. From 8:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-5600.

Doha Marriott Camel Meat Promotion Saturdays: The Gallery. Experience the true flavours of the Middle East at the Saturday Brunch with the Arabic-inspired menu including camel burgers and kebabs. From 12:00 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4429-8466.

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Sharq Village & Spa

The Grand Hyatt

Persian Family Specials

The Horror Brunch

June 27-July 27: Parisa. Chef Moghadam Najjari delights diners with regional specialties and classic dishes showcasing the very best of Persian cooking. Starts at QR 215, from 6:30 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. For more information call 442-6666 or email rc.dohsq.reservations@ritzcarlton.com.

June 13: The Grill. It is Friday 13th and you know what the urban legend says! So put on your spookiest outfits and come and enjoy a one-of-a-kind brunch experience. QR 295 for regular brunch and QR 420 for a special beverage brunch. For more information call 7798-2400.

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Food & Dining

A Taste For Tapas

By Ashlee Starratt Photography by Jessie Palanca

Standing sentinel on the edge of Aspire Zone, The Grand Heritage Hotel & Spa is a traditional landmark whose restaurants are anything but. We recently tried their new Contemporary Fusion Tapas menu on a sunny lunch-hour break at Blue Restaurant for a taste of Spain that lingers on the taste-buds.

rom its gabled roof-top, stately manicured grounds and ornate grand lobby, first impressions of The Grand Heritage run along the lines of grandeur. But nestled away on the second floor of the hotel is Blue Restaurant, a small, airy eatery whose menu isn’t afraid to shy away from the tried-and-true traditional to explore the world on a plate.

It’s lunch-time on a weekday as we arrive and the restaurant is bright with midday rays shining through the French doors that open onto the outdoor patio seating area. Opting for A/C on this scorcher of a day, we’re seated inside near the window; the table setting is contemporary with fresh linens and signature namesake blue water goblets. Our server Kirk is quick to bring us the menus – Blue is one of the few dining outlets in Doha to opt for environmentallyfriendly iPad menus. With vibrant images, easy drop-down menu options and info boxes at the tap of a finger, we scroll through, eating with our eyes before ordering a selection of small dishes from their new Contemporary Tapas Fusion menu. As Kirk takes our order, I make note of the extensive range of items that Blue offers diners. Known for its signature sushi we also go for the Chef’s special and poached lobster maki rolls, but they also have a range of main courses from pasta to signature Waygu and USA Prime steaks, to Indian butter chicken – which my dining companion orders. It’s not easy for a restaurant to maintain a high level of consistency in quality

Crackling roasted duck breast

across a large number of ethnic cuisines but somehow, to Blue’s credit, they pull it off. As our first round of tapas arrives, Kirk tells us that tonight is their Tuesday Seafood Extravaganza starting from 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. with platters of deep-blue delicacies on special. Looking at what he’s set before us on the table, we think we already have our hands full – all seafood aside! We start with succulent, breaded soft-shell crab flash-fried with miso mayo, a roasted duck breast with sweet onion marmalade and piping-hot homemade potato gnocchi in an aromatic, herbed tomato sauce. Though the small sharing portions are in true tapas-style, the fusion concept is evident in the Asian-inspired ingredients of the first two dishes. All are delicious, but the gnocchi and the crab are the clear stand-outs – rich, indulgent and comforting.

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Blue's fragrant and flavourful Tandoori butter chicken

Succulent jumbo mussels with salsa verde

Beef bacon-wrapped white asparagus with a blue-cheese sauce

Sweet and plump spicy tomato shrimp

The next round includes baked asparagus wrapped in beef-bacon with a blue-cheese cream sauce, a platter of spicy tomato shrimp in rosemary oil with a chili, tomato and herb sauce, and a pot of jumbo mussels on a bed of salsa verde. The shrimps are large – more like jumbo prawns – with their succulent, sweet meat balanced by a fiery, acidic kick from the tomato reduction. The wrapped asparagus is also flavoursome though the cream sauce is a tad heavy, but complements the beef-bacon nicely. The mussels are large and plump and the salsa verde piquant. Before our mains arrive we finish up with a plate of marinated scallops with asparagus and capsicum purée, a tortilla spanola – a kind of Spanish potato omelette with Sofrito pepper sauce, and a trio of mini stuffed capsicums – all of which are lush.

companion also enjoys his Chef’s creation maki roll; having no specific name it’s a blend of delectable crabmeat salad on top with more tender morsels inside, next to a wedge of buttery avocado.

The highlight of the meal is undoubtedly the sushi. My poached lobster roll is stuffed with tempura shrimp, asparagus and avocado, and topped with delicate slices of sweet lobster meat with a Japanese mayo and balsamic drizzle. Six pieces don’t last long on the slab – this roll is too good to miss. My dining

If you’ve yet to venture over to The Grand Heritage, Blue is a good introduction. We were impressed with the quality and global arange of its menu, its bright ambiance and level of customer service. To coin a new meaning as to whether or not we’re feeling Blue? The answer is simple – yes, yes we are. n

My other colleague is hunched in silence over his butter chicken, enjoying each bite of fragrant biryani rice, earthy Tandoori baked chicken and crunchy papadam. We finish this exercise in indulgence with a round of desserts that we barely have room for. Blue’s chocolate fondant cake is sinfully good – a perfect balance of crunchy, sweet cake with a molten chocolate middle and a side of vanilla ice cream, while their crème brûlée also takes home a gold start – velvety and custardy it hits the spot.

The herbed potato gnocchi is deep-dish comfort

BLUE RESTAURANT Location: 2nd floor, The Grand Heritage Hotel & Spa Timings: 12:30 noon till 12 midnight, daily Average Meal Price: • QR 40-QR 80 per dish, Contemporary Fusion Tapas • QR 92, 6pc Poached Lobster Maki Roll • QR 98, Butter Chicken Main Course • QR 35-QR 45, Desserts Smoking: On outdoor terrace only Licensed: No Contact: For more information call 4445-5555 or visit www.grandheritagedoha.com

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Food & Dining

Tutto Bene! By Jorge Granda Photography by Jessie Palanca

La Spiga by Paper Moon made its début on Doha’s dining scene not so long ago. Located in The W Doha, since then the restaurant has become a true tribute to Italian food. QH re-visits the upscale eatery to try their recently-launched Friday ‘broonch’.

a Spiga by Paper Moon is one of my favourite restaurants. I’m always quite taken by its food and also by the sophisticated ambiance and trendy crowd. When I heard they’re now open for brunch (or ‘broonch’ as they call it) on Fridays, I couldn’t help but pick up the phone and make a reservation. For those of you who haven’t visited La Spiga, the restaurant is attractive and modern. Even though the food is authentic Italian cuisine, La Spiga doesn’t resemble the kind of typical Italian eatery you might have in mind. It’s chic and sleek with an up-scale look and feel. Blinds made from dark wood and Perspex panels installed along one side of the room cast a mellow ambiance for an afternoon brunch, with natural light from the outside penetrating through the space. Their Friday ‘broonch’ isn’t your regular buffetstyle – instead it’s a la carte. The maître d’ tells us that there's a small anti-pasti buffet to nibble on located near the bar area. Passing out menus to myself and my dining companions, he explains that all appetizers will be served at the table and that we can choose from the selection of main courses and desserts off the menu to finish our meal. The first appetizer that arrives is a fantastic vegetable and Parmesan soup; it’s

basic but lovely and fully-flavoured with a silky richness and comforting texture. We’re then served a buffalo mozzarella and fennel seed gremolata, and grapes stuffed with honey. The cheese is simply spectacular – soft and moist as fresh mozzarella should be. There’s an ingredient inside the cheese that I can’t quite put my finger on – a certain sweetness – it’s not bad and doesn’t destroy the nice taste of the cheese, but still, I could do without it. I prefer my mozzarella with simple olive oil, balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper. We also have a soft baby spinach omelette with sun-dried tomatoes and button mushrooms. It’s delicious and well-cooked – at some point it must have been baked in the oven as it comes presented in a small heat-resistant tray. Next up, the mashed potato bowl with spicy tomato sauce is the star of the appetizers. Mashed potatoes are delicious on their own, but are labour-intensive and not everyone can cook them properly – even though they look deceptively simple to prepare. With this mash, the texture is perfect and no chunks of potato can be spotted. It comes presented as a crusted ball in the middle of a plate with sauce around it. The mash is so soft, but so perfectly cooked that it becomes irresistible to the palate, and if you add the amazing tomato sauce to the equation you have the perfect bite. Moving on to the main courses we select the risotto with shrimp and artichoke, and the olive-crusted hammour with spicy tomato coulis and Fava bean purée. It’s a challenge to crack the secret to making the perfect risotto, but

Above: Olive-crusted hammour with spicy tomato coulis In Circle: La Spiga's heavenly version of chocolate fondant cake

Chef Monica has nailed it here. Risotto is one of those dishes that should be quick, simple and delightful, but it’s actually very easy to get wrong. My risotto is glossy and unctuous, cooked to perfection. The hammour however, is my favourite main – it has a delicate crust, but is still moist inside and beautifully cooked. For dessert I try my favourite La Spiga indulgence, the panna cotta al caramello. For me it’s the perfect dessert with a light and luscious texture, yet so flavourful. I finish off with a tortino al cioccolate co gelato al coco. When I slide my fork through this decadent chocolate fondant cake, delicious creamy fudge pours out of it like an explosion of chocolate lava. La Spiga doesn’t disappoint, and we leave the Friday ‘broonch’ satisfied customers. n LA SPIGA BY PAPER MOON FRIDAY ‘BROONCH’ Location: Ground Floor, The W Doha Timings: Every Friday, 12 noon till 4:00 p.m. Price: • QR 220 per person inclusive of selected soft drinks and a 25% discount on house beverages • QR 380 per person including full house beverage package Smoking: At the bar area or upon request at the table. Licensed: Yes Contact: Call 4453-5135 or visit www.laspigadoha.com

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Food & Dining

Tracie Douglas-Niebrecht and her husband pose with Isaan's Chef de Cuisine Wachira C.

Word of Mouth Photography by Jessie Palanca

This column is part of a monthly contest where we send one of our readers to experience a meal at a restaurant. It’s our way of giving the community a voice in our pages. This month Tracie Douglas-Niebrecht goes station-to-station at the new Chatuchak Weekend Market Brunch at Isaan Thai restaurant in The Grand Hyatt. Here is her review. QH: What did you order? TDN: We had the Friday Brunch. [Curry stations, satay stations, salad bar with papaya salad, pomelo salad etc., wok stations with pad Thai, beef with oyster sauce, chicken with cashew nuts and dessert station with mango sticky rice, fresh Thai fruit, banana pancakes, and fresh coconut and red bean ice cream]. QH: Were the prices reasonable? TDN: The price was average I think for a brunch. We had the brunch with [house beverages] (not bubbly) and it was QR 380. QH: Describe the ambiance. TDN: The ambiance was fun and festive. The new theme at Isaan is a Thai street market. [The] food was being cooked at different stations where you could select your food and then watch it as it was prepared.

QH: Describe the quality of the food. TDN: The food was amazing. Many different flavours, herbs, meats, curries, salads and desserts. I didn’t try anything that I didn’t like. There was a lot of seafood, which I love! My husband is allergic to shellfish but he found lots that he could eat as well and the chef personally helped him navigate the many dishes telling him what he could and couldn’t eat. It was a really nice personal touch. QH: Describe the quality of the service.

Above: A spicy mixed seafood salad packs the heat In Circle: Deep-fried chicken balls are served with shredded coconut and wrapped in banana leaves

QH: Least favourite thing about the restaurant? [Editor’s Note: Tracie left this one unanswered so we can only assume there were no complaints!]

TDN: Everyone was friendly and quick to help or serve what you needed. The chefs answered questions about the food and the servers were always close by with a big smile if you needed anything. There was a very entertaining presentation/preparation of a cocktail at our table, we saw card tricks being performed for children and our table was visited a couple of times by the restaurant manager to explain the market concept to us or just to see if everything was going well at our table. I think the service was top-notch.

QH: Was there a special touch or flair to the experience?

QH: Would you go back? Why/why not?

TDN: It was really everything we expected and more. So no, I can’t really think of anything. Thanks again for the opportunity to try out Isaan. n

TDN: Yes I would definitely go back. The food was excellent, the service great, the room is beautiful with its big, bright windows and it was good value for the money. QH: Favourite thing about the restaurant? TDN: Of course our favourite thing was the food – expertly-prepared, delicious and varied.

TDN: I enjoyed the friendly servers who explained some of the unfamiliar dishes to us and who told us about Thailand and what you would find at a real Thai market. The drink being prepared at our table was very entertaining as well –that was flair! QH: Could the overall experience be improved? If so, how?

EDITOR’S NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in our reader reviews do not reflect in any way those of Qatar Happening Magazine’s staff, directors, management or Editor-in-Chief. All hotel PR food and beverage departments are aware of the content and receive a copy.

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Food & Dining

Find these tasty Brazilian morsels at Ipanema in the Renaissance Doha City Center

One Sweet World:

Brigadeiro

Words and images by Gerald Tan

With all eyes of the world on Brazil this month for the start of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, we thought we’d honour the Amazonian nation with a tribute to one of its most treasured and tempting desserts. Let us introduce you to the melt-in-your-mouth marvel that is Brigadeiro.

As the story goes, his overzealous admirers campaigned for him by organizing parties and selling a particular chocolate candy. Made in his honour, it was simply called the Brigadeiro’s sweet… and eventually shorthanded to the Brigadeiro. The confection was made of just three ingredients: condensed milk, cocoa and butter.

This was mostly a function of necessity. Because imports were difficult during the war, the traditional snacks of fruits and nuts were scarce. Enter food titan Nestlé, which introduced condensed milk and a cocoa powder called Nescau. People very quickly found out that boiling down condensed milk turns it into a malleable consistency not unlike candy. Add flavouring, and you had a winner. It was easy to make, highly accessible and, above all, totally delectable.

What I do wonder is whether Eduardo Gomes had any say in the Brazilian obsession that would form part of his legacy. The late politician was an Air Force Brigadier General who made two failed presidential bids after World War II. He was a dashing man in uniform and apparently popular with the ladies. So popular that it sparked the election slogan ‘Vote for the Brigadeiro – he’s handsome and single.’

Fast forward 70 years and the Brigadeiro is a tight weave in Brazil’s culinary fabric. No kid’s birthday party is complete without these soft, truffle-like treats. And as their popularity has grown, so have the options. Entire shops in Brazil are dedicated to this delicacy. High-end chocolatiers offer those made from gourmet, organic cocoa. Others entice with the addition of nuts or exotic fruit. And there are the adult varieties too, laced with port vino, spirits and the sugarcane concoction, cachaça.

would love for nothing more than to one day have a dessert named after me. I envisage the ‘Geraldo’ to be slightly rotund (much like its namesake) and chock full of all that is good in this life: butter, sugar, and cream. My dessert – my prerogative.

If by now you’re motivated to try your hand at a Brigadeiro, the recipe couldn’t be more straightforward. You heat a can of condensed milk with a few tablespoons of cocoa and a pad of butter for around 20 minutes. (Tip: stirring cocoa into this thick solution can be meddlesome, so dissolve it in some water first.) Chill this in the refrigerator until cool enough to handle. Then coat your hands with butter to create a non-stick surface and shape the Brigadeiro into balls. Finally, roll them in chocolate sprinkles. Cocoa powder is fine, too. The resulting dark, luscious orbs help to explain why they’re called negrinho in the south. Another popular version is to coat them in coconut, turning them into beijinho... romantically translated into ‘a little kiss’. Make no mistake, there are myriad ways to enjoy the Brigadeiro—born in an age of austerity, inspired by a hero, and loved by a nation. n TRY BRIGADEIRO HERE: Ipanema Renaissance Doha City Center Hotel 4419-6100 Dinner: Daily from 6:30 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. Friday Brunch: 12:30 p.m. till 3:00 p.m. Rodizio – during special occasions Crowne Plaza Doha – The Business Park 4408-7657 Dinner: Sun-Fri, 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. Friday Brunch: 12:30 p.m. till 4:00 p.m. (Closed Saturday)

Each month, food journalist Gerald Tan features the desserts of different cuisines and where they can be found in Qatar. Visit his website www.boulangerry.com for recipes and culinary chronicles from his travels or Tweet him @geraldotan.

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Food & Dining Listings RECOMMENDS

zed are categori All listings ed it lim is n io us per hotel. Incl h it w e, y of spac to availabilit s. er is rt ve ad n to priority give

LA CIGALE

Thurs & Fri: Shisha Garden. Now Shisha Garden is open every Thursday and Friday till the early morning to serve you an assortment of saj, cold and hot beverages, along with a variety of shisha. From 12:00 midnight till early morning. The restaurant also opens daily from 12:00 p.m. till 12:00 midnight. For more information call 4428–8702.

ORYX ROTANA Teacher’s Day

THE ST. REGIS DOHA Pizza Cooking Class

Tuesdays: Opal by Gordon Ramsay. Learn how to cook the best pizza and flat-bread in a fun cooking class for adults. Learn the secrets of gourmet tomato sauce and clever combining of the trendiest pizza toppings. Glass of bubbles and lunch included for QR 150. From 11:00 a.m. till 1:00 p.m. Places limited, bookings recommended. For more information call 4446-0000.

Welcome to our new listings format! Making it easier to navigate at your fingertips, we’re now categorizing all our listings per outlet – brunches, business lunches and weekly/daily promotions!

SPECIAL PROMOTIONS CROWNE PLAZA DOHA – THE BUSINESS PARK It’s Payback Time

June 1-Sept 30: This summer the hotel is giving you one more reason to visit their property. Get your QR 20 payback voucher for every QR 100 spent at any of the restaurants and lounges. Payback vouchers are valid on your next visit until September 30, 2014. For more information call 4408-7777.

Quesadillas At Night

Sun & Mon: Liquidity Lounge. Take a brief break from the hotel’s regular dinner menu and try some exotic quesadillas from the live cooking theatre. From 5:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4408-7777.

DOHA MARRIOTT Social Sushi

Daily: Asia Live! Choose between California Maki, Prawn Tempura Maki, Spicy Tuna Roll or Dynamite Roll for your perfect combination of sushi and bubbly! Four pieces of sushi including one drink for only QR 50. From 5:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. For more information call 4429-8499.

GRAND HERITAGE DOHA Sushi & Steak

Saturdays: Blue. Enjoy a sharing sushi platter along with your choice of US tenderloin steak for QR 225. An option of Wagyu beef is available for an additional of QR 50. From 12:30 noon till 12:30 midnight. For more information call 4445-5555.

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA Seafood Brunch

Fridays: Fish Market. Indulge in a luxurious buffet and market display featuring lobsters, oysters and tiger prawns. Choose from a wide range of beverage options to complement your meal. QR 350 including unlimited house beverages. From 12:30 noon till 3:30 p.m. For more information call 4484-4919 or 4484-4444.

KEMPINSKI RESIDENCES & SUITES Strawberry Month

Daily: Gourmet House, The Lounge and Aroma. The culinary team has created a selection of fine savoury and sweet surprises in the menus of Gourmet House, The Lounge and Aroma. The in-house mixologists of The Lounge have modified three classic cocktails and mocktails to match the strawberry theme of the month. For more information call 4405-3325, email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.

Fridays: The Cellar. Work in the education sector? Then enjoy their latest great offer with a 20% discount. Teacher’s ID will be required and this is not valid with any promotion or additional discount. For more information call 4402-3333.

Latin Night

Sundays: Choices. Enjoy a unique concept and indulge in a Latin American buffet. QR 210 per person with food only or QR 300 including unlimited selected house beverages, or try their premium package for QR 345 including unlimited sparkling vino, house spirits, selected digestives and aperitifs. From 7:00 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4402-3333.

Healthy Buffet

Weekends: Choices. Enjoy a unique ROOTS salad bar counter where you can create your own salad, along with their best selection of sushi, bread and international cheeses. QR 80 per person. From 12:00 noon till 3:30 p.m. For more information call 4402-3333.

RADISSON BLU Paella Night

Mondays: Picasso’s. Visit the restaurant and enjoy the most delicious paella in town. Dishes priced between QR 55 to QR 100. From 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4428-1555.

RENAISSANCE DOHA CITY CENTER Brazilian World Cup Warm-Up

June 1-12: Ipanema. Dine at Ipanema and get complimentary access to Champions World Cup Beach Party on June 12. Prices start from QR 290. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.westenddoha.com.

Sicily: God’s Kitchen

June 14-27: New York Steakhouse. Taste the savoury dishes as we travel through the region of Sicily, exploring its history for producing a variety of noted cuisines and vino. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.westenddoha.com.

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New Lunch Menu & Meat Market

Daily: New York Steakhouse. Experience a one-of-a-kind ‘meat market’ – the Butchery Counter at New York Steakhouse. Steak fans will now be able to customize their steak cuts and desired weight. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.westenddoha.com.

THE DIPLOMATIC CLUB Ladies Night

Tuesdays: Le Grill Restaurant. Enjoy a very special ladies night where all ladies can have any meal for half the price, excluding beverages. From 7:00 p.m. till 12:00 midnight. For more information call 4484-7412 or email f&b@dclub.com.qa.

THE FOUR SEASONS Cheesecake Season

Daily: Seasons Tea Lounge. The best time is always dessert time. Treat yourself with a sweet selection of cheesecakes for QR 50. Mango, strawberry, classical New York or toffee – so what’s your flavour? From 10:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4494–8144.

THE GRAND HYATT Diva Brunch

June 6: The Grill. Celebrate some of the music industry’s biggest voices featuring classic tracks made famous by Dame Shirley Bassey, Tina Turner, Amy Winehouse, Adele, Beyoncé and Barbra Streisand performed live by The Grand Hyatt Doha’s first lady of song, Ms. Avis Ellis. QR 295 with soft beverages or QR 420 for a special beverage brunch. For more information call 7798-2400.

Season Finale Brunch

June 27: The Grill. Visit the restaurant for one last brunch before they close for the Holy Month of Ramadan. QR 295 for the regular brunch and QR 420 for a special beverage brunch. For more information call 7798-2400.

THE ST. REGIS DOHA Gourmet Chili-Dog Night

Tuesdays: Opal by Gordon Ramsay. Enjoy the tastiest chili-dogs in town served with bubbles or brews and includes ice-cream for dessert – all for QR 100. From 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0000.

Paired Tasting Menu

June 10: Gordon Ramsay Doha. Michelin-starred Chef Gilles Bosquet has designed an exclusive tasting menu paired with an exclusive selection of labels selected by the Head Sommelier. QR 390 per person. From 6:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0000 or email gordonramsay.doha@stregis.com.

See us online! om www.qatarhappening.c

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Food & Dining Listings THE TORCH DOHA Torch Wellness Initiative

Daily: All outlets. Come celebrate the launch of their new healthy concept empowered by the Aspire nutrition team. A la carte specialties including healthy options are available in all restaurants, lounges and in-room dining. For more information call 4446-5600 or email restaurant.reservations@thetorchdoha.com.

Summer Promo

Daily: Flying Carpet. Reserve a table for four people or more for dinner and enjoy a special discount of 20% on your total bill. For more information call 4446-5600 or email restaurant.reservations@thetorchdoha.com.

Refreshing Fruit-Infused Water

Daily: Torch Tea Garden. There’s nothing like a fresh glass of lemongrass and pineapple water, basil and lime, or strawberry and orange to cool off in the summer heat. Freshly-made by the expert mixologists. For more information call 4446-5600 or email restaurant.reservations@thetorchdoha.com.

W DOHA Tasting Menu

Sat-Thurs: Spice Market. Designed to help you understand what’s behind the Southeast Asia cuisine experience. In five courses you’ll discover ten beautiful flavours for QR 250 for a minimum of two people and a maximum of eight. From 6:00 p.m. till 10:30 p.m. Offer includes a bottle of vino per pair. For more information call 4453-5135 or email bnfreservations.wdoha@whotels.com.

Friday Broonch

La Spiga. Amplify your flavours with a chic Italian a la carte brunch. QR 220 per person with selected soft drinks, QR 220 per person with a 25% discount on house beverages, or QR 380 per person with selected house beverages. From 12:00 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4453-5135 or email bnfreservations.wdoha@whotels.com.

Father’s Day

June 15: La Spiga. Enjoy a three-course, sharing-style set menu with customized cake from 12:00 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4453-5135 or email bnfreservations.wdoha@whotels.com.

REGULAR PROMOTIONS CHOWKING New Indo-Chinese Menu & Value Meals

Daily: Tuck in to the new flavours at Chowking with the launch of their Indo-Chinese menu now being served at the Holiday Villa Hotel and Dar Al Salam Mall locations. Also, enjoy dinner for 2 for QR 70-80 including soft drinks. Available at all restaurant locations, serving the best taste at the best price. For more information call Delivery Hotline: 4431-1212, Mamoura: 4486-6077, Al Khor: 4411-8816/17, Salwa Road: 4437-1212, Al Sadd St.: 4431-4411, Holiday Villa Hotel: 4411-5225/335.

CROWNE PLAZA DOHA – THE BUSINESS PARK By The Sea

Wednesdays: Aramede. Come and enjoy seafood night at their all-day dining restaurant Aramede. QR 250 per adult and QR 125 per child ages 6-12 years, starting from 6:00 p.m. For more information call 4408-7777.

La Dolce Vita

Thursdays: Aramede. The restaurant brings the streets of Italy to Aramede. Live chefs preparing your pizzas and pastas await you for a lavishing Italian night buffet. QR 150 per adult, QR 75 per child ages 6-12 years and QR 299 per adult including house beverages, starting from 6:00 p.m. For more information call 4408-7777.

Carnival Brunch

Fridays: Rodizio. Enjoy the unique Brazilian atmosphere and meet up at Rodizio to experience the taste of carnival in Rio. QR 205 including soft drinks and mineral water and QR 333 including selected house beverages. From 12:30 p.m. till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4408-7777.

It’s Family Time

Fridays: Aramede. Enjoy family moments at this very special Friday Brunch which includes a selection of live cooking areas, live entertainment and a kids’ playground. QR 205 including soft drinks and mineral water and QR 305 including selected house beverages. From 12:30 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4408-7777.

DOHA MARRIOTT Best Steaks In Town

See us online! om www.qatarhappening.c

Daily: JW’s Steakhouse. JW’s main courses feature only the finest cuts of US-Certified Prime Angus beef complemented by exquisite spices and sauces. Seafood and salad lovers will not be disappointed by the delicate selection on the menu, paired with impeccable service and mouth-watering flavours promising an unforgettable evening. For more information call 4429-8499.

Weekend Brunch

Fri & Sat: Restaurant Gallery. Discover an array of live stations and specialties featuring favourite dishes from around the globe. Highlights from the weekend brunch include a wide selection of fresh sushi, Peking duck, fajitas, Oriental grills, pizza, curries, biryanis, fresh seafood, ice cream and more. Now offering a kids’ club zone with a special kids’ buffet and activities. QR 245 for regular brunch and QR 350 for bubbly brunch. From 12:30 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4429-8499.

The Late Brunch

Friday: Marriott Open-Air Dining. Shaking up the Doha Brunch scene, join in for Doha’s first and only Late Brunch! Chill out and watch the sunset from your outdoor table with spectacular views across the city and the famous backdrop of the Doha skyline. Enjoy a full grill, buffet and seafood selection and dance the night away under the stars, all for QR 380. From 6:00 p.m. till 10:30 p.m. For more information call 4429-8499.

GRAND HERITAGE DOHA Modern Turkish Cuisine

Mon-Sat: Agora. Offering modern Turkish and Ottoman dishes inspired by the Black Sea and the Balkan regions with Mediterranean touches. From 1:00 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4445-5555.

Spanish Tapas

Daily: Blue. Channel the vivacious spirit of Spain through a delicious contemporary Spanish tapas lunchtime menu. From 12:30 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4445-5555.

Seafood Extravaganza

Sun & Tues: Blue. Delight your palate with an unlimited selection of the wildest and widest variety of seafood. From 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4445-5555.

Family Brunch

Fridays: Flavours. Enjoy a sophisticated brunch with special kids’ activities in the exclusivelydesigned area adjacent to the restaurant. QR 220 including one round of soft drinks. From 12:30 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4445-5555.

HOLIDAY VILLA HOTEL Dim Sum Brunch

Friday: D’Chopstix.Enjoy a delicious dim sum brunch with family and friends along with free-flowing Chinese tea for QR 138 and QR 68 for children between the ages of four to 12-years-old. From 12:00 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information please call 4408-4230. Malaysian Hi-Tea Saturdays: Lagenda. Enjoy delicious Asian cuisine and free-flowing Tarik Tea for QR 110 and QR 55 for children between the ages of four to 12-years-old. From 12:00 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information please call 4408-4220.

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INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA Mezze Day

Sun, Tues & Wed: Mykonos. Enjoy a sharing platter of Greek mezze accompanied by a glass of house beverage. All day long for QR 145 per person. For more information call 4484-4919 or 4484-4444.

Theme Nights At Coral Restaurant Sundays: Turf Night dinner buffet. QR 250 including a glass of house beverage. Mondays: Sushi Boutique dinner buffet. QR 225 including a glass of house beverage. Tuesdays: Asian Night dinner buffet. QR 225 including a glass of house beverage Wednesday: Italian Night dinner buffet. QR 225 including a glass of house beverage. Thursdays: Phoenician Night dinner. QR 235 including a glass of house beverage. Fridays: Coral Goes BBQ dinner. QR 225 including a glass of house beverage. Saturdays: Surf Night seafood dinner buffet. QR 260 including a glass of house beverage. Saturday Kids and Family Brunch from 12:30 noon till 4:00 p.m. QR 250 per person including bubbly and QR 225 with soft drinks. For more information call 4484-4919 or 4484-4444.

Grand Mussel Brunch

Fridays: Belgian Café. Indulge in a truly Belgian experience and have unlimited mussels and Belgian house beverages alongside Belgian salads and dessert buffet for only QR 275. From 12:30 noon till 3:30 p.m. For more information call 4484-4919 or 4484-4444.

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA THE CITY Cooking Classes Sundays: Prime Steakhouse. Let Chef Valentin take you on a journey through classic French recipes as you learn how to prepare some of the most-loved dishes in French cuisine. He’ll share his secrets and ensure you’re whipping up a gastronomic storm in no time! QR 250 per person, including lunch (the dishes prepared). From 11:30 a.m. till 12:30 noon. For more information call 4015-8888 or email doharestaurants@ihg.com.

Theme Nights

Daily: The Square. Feast on an exciting array of international dishes every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening. Mondays offer the best of the Mediterranean and include authentic Italian, Spanish, Lebanese, Moroccan, French and Greek delicacies. Then, take a trip to Asia every Tuesday where Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Indian favourites take centre-stage. QR 180 excluding beverages or QR 250 including unlimited house beverages. From 6:00 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4015-8888 or email doharestaurants@ihg.com.

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Food & Dining Listings JUST BURGER Now Open!

Daily: Parcel 11, La Croisette 18-20, The Pearl-Qatar. Just Burger is a home-grown concept in the category of casual-dining. The restaurant serves burgers, American-style food, steak and many more. Open from 11:00 a.m. till 12:00 midnight. For more information call 4015-0180 or 4437-2679, or email info@justburgerme.com.

KEMPINSKI RESIDENCES & SUITES Signature Camel Burger Daily: Aroma, The Lounge and Gourmet House. The talk-of-the-town signature camel burger is one of Kempinski’s best-selling food items – known for its rich and distinctive combination of tastes that sets it apart from other burgers. For more information call 4405-3325, email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.

Bakery Happy Hour

Daily: Gourmet House. Well known for its products, Gourmet House gives you the chance to purchase them at half-price. From 7:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. For more information call 4405-3325, email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.

Business Lunch

Sat-Thurs: Aroma. Carefully-sourced produce, talented preparation and cozy, delicious flavours are the ingredients of the finest business lunch in Doha. QR 90 per person, from 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4405-3325, email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.

Steak & Vino Menu

Daily: Aroma. Enjoy the most succulent and tender steaks, perfectly combined with superb grilling, tasty accompaniments and a flawlessly matched glass of vino. From 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4405-3325, email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.

LA CIGALE International Cuisine

Daily: La Cigalon. Indulge in an extravagant buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner with a la carte option available. Buffet breakfast is QR 130 and buffet lunch or dinner with livecooking stations is QR 220 inclusive of American coffee or tea. From 6:30 a.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4428-8698.

Sushi Mania

Daily: Yen Sushi Bar. Partake in the best sushi and sashimi served on a special rotating belt and colour-coded, plated formula along with an a la carte menu option as well. From 11:30 a.m. till 12:00 midnight. For more information call 4428-8698.

The Mediterranean Way

Ladies Morning

Business Lunch Formula

Travel The World On A Plate

Daily: Le Central. Mediterranean specialties including a seafood market and antipasti station complemented by the extended beverage selection. From 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4428-8698.

Daily: Le Central. Le Central welcomes you and your corporate associates for a closed business deal with its specialty Business Set Menu – A three-course set menu at QR 150. From 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4428-8698.

LA VARENNE French Country Brunch

Fridays: Indulge in La Varenne’s interpretation of a table-top brunch. Enjoy a full-course, all-you-care-to-eat menu with sharing-style dishes showcasing an array of the best La Varenne classics, along with their hors d'oeuvres and dessert trolleys. QR 179 regular brunch and QR 379 per person with selected drinks. From 12:00 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4499-0680 or email reservations@lavarenne.qa.

Rotisserie Night

Saturdays: Delight your taste-buds with an unlimited offering of rotisserie chicken, meat and fish with a selection of side orders for QR 179 per person. From 7:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. For more information call 4499-0680 or email reservations@lavarenne.qa.

Business Lunch

Sat-Thurs: Enjoy the most exquisite French business lunch in Doha with two courses for QR 85 and three courses for QR 95. For more information call 4499 0680 or email reservations@lavarenne.qa.

Daily: Seasons Restaurant. Girls night out is never complete without a luxurious breakfast to recap the night’s events. Dine in style with your ladies and pay only QR 55 for a delicious breakfast buffet, from 6:30 a.m. till 10:30 a.m. For more information call 4429-1111.

Monday: Matador Night. Savour enticing Spanish delights with tapas, paella, live cooking and much more for QR 160 per person. Tuesday: Les Alpes. Enjoy the combination of the finest delicacies of France, Italy and Switzerland for an exclusive gourmet event for QR 160 per person. Wednesday: TemptAsian. Be tempted by authentic ingredients and aromas. Gather around the teppanyaki table, taste the creativity of the Japanese sushi or the tang of the Thai curry for QR 160 per person. Thursday: Deep Blue. A simply spectacular buffet of rich, fresh and succulent seafood and fish for QR 180 per person. Friday: Curry, Kare, Kari. Get ‘curried’ away from Southeast Asia to the north of India for QR 160 per person. Saturday & Sunday: International. Indulge in a colourful collection of international creations for QR 140 per person. For more information call 4429-1111.

ORYX ROTANA Asian Night

Mondays: Choices. Every Monday take a culinary journey around Asia as Choices Restaurant features their Asian Night. QR 200 per person for food only, QR 290 including unlimited selected house beverages or try the premium package for QR 335 including unlimited sparkling vino, house spirits, selected digestives and aperitifs. For more information call 4402-3333.

Oriental Seafood Night

Daily: Seasons Restaurant. Treat yourself to the rich flavour of the finest beef in the world cooked to your liking and served on a hot plate with a wide selection of sauces, all for QR 195. For more information call 4429-1111.

Wednesdays: Choices. Indulge in traditional Middle Eastern-style seafood in a perfect family ambience. QR 220 per person for food only, QR 310 including unlimited selected house beverages or try the premium package for QR 355 including unlimited sparkling vino, house spirits, selected digestives and aperitifs. For more information call 4402-3333.

Mövenpick Ice-Dreams

X'Press Lunch & Dinner

MÖVENPICK HOTEL DOHA Sizzling, Saucy Wagyu

Daily: L’Espresso Lobby Lounge. Summer is here, so cool off with one of the timeless creations of legendary Mövenpick ice cream. Each taste is a masterpiece of culinary inspiration, a work of true gastronomic art. Fashioned with Swiss perfection, all the flavours, textures, and colours are owed exclusively to natural ingredients. From 8:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4429-1111.

Daily: Enjoy the Cellar’s three-course set menu including a large variety of starters, main dishes and desserts for only QR 89 per person for lunch and QR 145 per person for dinner guaranteed to be served in 60 minutes. For more information call 4402-3333.

See us online! www.qatarhappening.com

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Jazzy Brunch

Fridays: Choices. No one does it better! Enjoy a wide variety of food and beverages with live jazz music. From 12:30 noon till 4:00 p.m. (Last order for beverages is at 3:15 p.m.) QR 260 including unlimited juices and soft drinks or QR 335 including unlimited selected house beverages. For more information call 4402-3333.

PRINCE OF PERSIA Now Open!

Daily: Parcel 5, Unit 135 and 7 La Croisette, The Pearl-Qatar. Prince of Persia is a finedining, authentic Iranian cuisine restaurant that represents a mix of home-style, fresh and delicious Persian dishes focusing on a variety of stews and grills. Open from 12:00 noon till 12:00 midnight. For more information call 4015-0190 or email princeofpersia@nas-food.com.

QUISINE BY GUY SAVOY ‘Introduction To Gastronomy’ Menu Mon-Sat: Quisine by Guy Savoy and Al Safwa Farm have partnered up to give you the best of Qatari agriculture. All the vegetables in this menu are organic and grown in Qatar. Three-course menu for QR 380. For more information call 4002-7245 or email reservations@guysavoy.qa

RADISSON BLU Seafood Sunday

Sundays: Pier 12. A buffet with a twist! Choose as many items of fresh starters, mains and desserts from the chef’s trolley and they will cook them exactly to your liking! QR 280 inclusive of selected house beverages and QR 220 inclusive of soft drinks. From 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4428-1555.

Sushi Time

Sundays: Sakura. Indulge to your heart’s content with a selection of sushi, tempura and delicious meats and fish cooked in front of you. QR 230 for food only or QR 290 inclusive of house beverages. From 6:00 p.m. From 6:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. For more information call 4428-1555.

After Work Tapas

Daily: Picasso’s. The restaurant introduces a regular tapas night, so sit back and relax with a glass of vino and enjoy the chilled-out music beats. QR 160 inclusive of tapas and three glasses of vino. From 6:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. For more information call 4428-1555.

Weekend Brunch

Fridays: Hyde Park Coffee Shop. Let the team of chefs tempt you with fresh seafood, sushi, Chinese, Indian and European specialties. QR 180 per person or QR 210 per person including a little sparkle! From 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4428-1555.

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Food & Dining Listings RENAISSANCE DOHA CITY CENTER Tomahawk – Can You Handle It? Daily: New York Steakhouse. Can you handle the largest steak in the city? This is definitely the talk of the town with 800 grams of flavourful Tomahawk Wagyu rib-eye – only at New York Steakhouse. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.westenddoha.com.

Business Express Lunch

Sun-Thurs: Cucina. Choose from three entrees, three mains and three desserts made from the freshest Italian ingredients and served in 45 minutes or it’s on them – all for QR 85. From 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.westenddoha.com.

Early Riser Breakfast!

Fri & Sat: Quick Bites. Quick Bites is calling all you early risers for a breakfast spread with not only the traditional eggs, bacon, tomato and hash brown, but a selection of freshly-baked bread, cheese and cold-cuts too. All this is topped off with a cup of coffee or tea! Starting at QR 40, from 8:00 a.m. till 11:00 a.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.westenddoha.com.

Brazilian Brunch

Fridays: Ipanema. Take a trip to Rio de Janeiro with a feast of Brazilian meats and the only authentic Brazilian band in Doha. Ipanema is the place to come for a super brunch, flambé desserts and live entertainment. QR 250 includes soft beverages and QR 320 includes selected beverages. From 12:30 noon till 3:30 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.westenddoha.com.

SHARQ VILLAGE & SPA Sushi Mania

Mon & Wed: Al Dana. Choose your favouritse from their freshly-prepared sushi, maki and sashimi twice a week. QR 185 per person with a 50% savings for children ages 6 to 12. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4425-6666.

Chocolate Fondue & Fruits

Daily: Al Jalsa. This Swiss tradition has become a universal favourite. Enjoy the sweet treat of chocolate fondue with fresh-cut fruits for QR 95 per person. From 2:00 p.m. till 5:00 p.m. For more information call 4425-6666.

THE ANVIL ROOMS Lunch Special

Daily: Choose a succulent and tender signature steak, a side dish, a sauce and a soft drink for QR 149. From 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4499-0685 or email reservations@theanvilrooms.qa.

The Blacksmith’s Supper

Charcoal Grill Night

THE DIPLOMATIC CLUB Lobster The Way You Like It

Brunch

BBQ Donut

THE GRAND HYATT The Energy Lunch

Sun-Thurs: Choose a signature steak, a side, a sauce and a signature drink for QR 149. From 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. For more information call 4499-0685 or email reservations@theanvilrooms.qa.

Daily: Al Sayyad Restaurant. Pick up your lobster from the tank and have it prepared in your desired way – poached, grilled, thermidor, or served over a simple salad. QR 220 per meal. Kids’ activities every Friday include a bouncing castle and face-painting. Starting first Friday of October onwards from 12:00 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4484-7412 or email f&b@dclub.com.qa

Daily: With room for eight people, the BBQ Donut will take you along the West Bay shores to enjoy unparalleled views of the city while savouring an exquisite dining experience. QR 180 per person including chilled juices, mineral water and soft drinks. Rental fees are QR 450 for one hour, and QR 800 for two hours with an additional 30 minutes for QR 200. For bookings call 4484-7450 or email spa.recreation@dclub.com.qa.

Spanish Brunch

Fridays: Le Grill. Enjoy a rich Spanish buffet including tapas, paella and many other traditional Spanish dishes. QR 160 including water and excluding any other beverages. From 12:00 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4484-7412 or email f&b@dclub.com.qa.

Pure Opulence

Daily: Le Grill. This elegant and comfortable restaurant serves the best prime steaks and grilled seafood in town. You can see the chefs prepare your food in the open kitchen on the live cooking station. Le Grill is featuring a Qanun player in the evenings except for Sundays. From 12:00 noon till 12:00 midnight. For more information call 4484-7412 or email f&b@dclub.com.qa.

THE FOUR SEASONS Piatto Unico

Sun-Thurs: Il Teatro. Chef Aldo is delighted to share this unique Italian lunch on a weekly changing basis to suit all tastes. It’s also perfect for those that don’t have much time for lunch. Prices is QR 88 from 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4494-8631.

The Perfect Lunch

Sat-Thurs: Nusantao Restaurant. Personally design your perfect lunch to suit your taste and schedule by choosing from an extensive selection of dishes. From a one-course to a six-course lunch, Chef Kato’s exclusive Bento Box will delight the palate. Price starts from QR 55, from 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4494-8601.

Thursdays: Pool Grill. Give in to this irresistible meat and seafood feast, grilled to perfection to satisfy your cravings. Starts from QR 280 and varies depending on the portion size. From 7:00 p.m. till 10:30 p.m. For more information call 4494-8741.

Fridays: Nusantao Restaurant. Start the weekend on a leisurely note and enjoy an array of delicious dining choices. The main buffet is a showcase of live Asian cooking stations, as well as hot and cold appetizers and a traditional carvery. Regular brunch is QR 330 and sparkling brunch is QR 415. From 12:00 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4494-8601.

Sun-Thurs: Rocca. You can choose your favourite appetizer and choice of pizza or pasta from Rocca’s delicious Italian menu, plus coffee and water. From 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. for QR 75. For more information call 7021-8096.

Curry Nights

Mondays: Isaan. The Thai restaurant offers a concept of all-you-can-eat curry. Guests can order a variety of unlimited curry to share, with their choice of fish, beef, chicken, mussels or vegetables. QR 75 per person from 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 7021-8096.

Chatuchak Weekend Market Brunch

Fridays: Isaan. Walk around and explore the colourful array of live cooking stations and market-like stalls with a range of delectable options available. QR 280 for regular brunch, or enjoy the special beverage package for QR 395, or the Moët brunch at QR 680. From 12:30 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 7021-8096.

THE ST. REGIS DOHA The Rolls Royce Dinner

Mon-Sat: Gordon Ramsay Fine Dining. An evening of indulgence starts with a Rolls Royce pick-up and entrance through the private lift directly into Gordon Ramsay Fine Dining restaurant, where you’ll be spoiled with an evening of epicurean delights paired with sommelier’s selection. QR 1,290 per person for a minimum of two people. From 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0000.

What’s Your Beef

Sun-Fri: Astor Grill. Meat lovers will be delighted with a three-course tasting menu featuring the finest cuts of meat prepared using various cooking techniques and matched with the sommelier’s selection. QR 280 for three courses or QR 380 for three courses with sommelier’s selection. From 7:00 p.m. till 12 midnight. For more information call 4446-0000.

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Express Buffet Lunch

Sat-Thurs: Vine Restaurant. Indulge in an extensive selection of international cuisine on a beautiful scenic terrace, making this the perfect lunchtime getaway for QR 150. From 12:30 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0105 or email diningreservations@stregis.com.

Brunch

Fri & Sat: Opal by Gordon Ramsay. Experience the true British brunch experience with an all-you-can-eat selection of Gordon Ramsay signature brunch items. QR 250 inclusive of soft beverages and QR 375 inclusive of grape, grain and sparkling beverages. From 12:00 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0000.

THE TORCH DOHA Corporate Lunch At Heights

Daily: Three Sixty. Planning for a business lunch or corporate gathering? Book your event at the only revolving restaurant in Doha. Groups of six and above get a three-course set menu including selected beverages starting from QR 190. For more information call 4446-5600 or email restaurant.reservations@thetorchdoha.com.

Barbecue Bazaar Brunch

Fridays: Flying Carpet. Choose from a wide selection of steaks, Oriental BBQ, fish, burgers and hot dogs for only QR 199 per person with welcome drink, still water, selected soft drinks and chilled juices included in the price. From 12:00 noon till 3:30 p.m. For more information call 4446-5600 or email restaurant.reservations@thetorchdoha.com.

Tex- Mex Night

Wednesdays: Flying Carpet. Try Latino specialties with a wide selection of steaks, burgers, hot dogs for QR 190 per person including welcome drink, selected soft drinks and chilled juices. From 7:00 p.m. till 10:30 p.m. For more information call 4446-5600 or email restaurant.reservations@thetorchdoha.com.

Seafood Extravaganza

Thursdays: Flying Carpet. Savour a selection of seafood for grilling, frying, wok-cooking and many more, for QR 250 per person including welcome drink, selected soft drinks and chilled juices. From 7:00 p.m. till 10:30 p.m. For more information call 4446-5600 or email restaurant.reservations@thetorchdoha.com.

W DOHA Burger Night

Sundays: Market by Jean-Georges. Start your week with your favorite burger, side dish and one amazing sundae from the selection, all for QR 110 per person. From 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4453-5135 or email bnfreservations.wdoha@whotels.com.

Sip & Savour

Sat-Thurs: Spice Market. Try Spice Market’s signature cocktails and drinks alongside a combination of mouth-watering snacks with a 50% discount on selected beverages. For more information call 4453-5135 or email bnfreservations.wdoha@whotels.com.

Business Lunch

Sat-Thurs: Market by Jean-Georges. Choose your favourite starter, main course and dessert in just half an hour at QR 95 for a three-course meal. From 12:00 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4453-5135 or email bnfreservations.wdoha@whotels.com

Jazz Brunch

Chac’late

June: Katara Cultural Village. Enjoy their signature Parisian or Chac’late breakfast. Prices start from QR 30, available from 8:00 a.m. till 11:00 a.m. For more information call 4408-0733. June: Introducing their new Chac’Late cheese platter. Served with varieties of high-grade cheeses, homemade toast, marmalade and fresh grapes for QR 45, available daily. For more information call 4408-0733.

Shawarma Albisana

June: Katara Cultural Village. Enjoy your favourite chicken or beef shawarma with a cold soft drink for only QR 15. For more information call 4408-1400.

Fridays: Market by Jean-Georges. Enjoy a delicious brunch with live entertainment by Doha Jazz. QR 380 per person including house beverages, or QR 290 including soft drinks. For more information call 4453-5135 or email bnfreservations.wdoha@whotels.com.

Kunafa Albisana

SPECIAL LISTINGS

leVesuvio

ASPIRE KATARA HOSPITALITY Sukar Pasha Ottoman Lounge

June: Katara Cultural Village. Succulent spit-roasted whole lamb, well-marinated, seasoned to perfection and served with aromatic traditional Turkish rice for QR 99 per serving starting at7:00 p.m. For more information call 4408-2000.

Red Velvet Cupcakery

June: Katara Cultural Village. Celebrate your children’s birthday party at QR 60 per child with a birthday party package. Advance reservation is required. For more information call 4408-0700. June: Enjoy a mouth-watering ice cream sandwich and get a free small bottle of regular water daily with every purchase. For more information call 4408-0700.

El Cigar Lounge

June: Katara Cultural Village. Experience the vintage club car ride in full comfort and convenience to and from the Katara parking lot. It’s free, daily. For pick-up call 4408-0750 as soon as you arrive. June: High-tea at El Cigar Lounge. Come and experience an assortment of exquisite delights, elegantly served in style. From 3:00 p.m. till 12:00 midnight. For more information call 4408-0750.

L’wzaar Seafood Market

June: Katara Cultural Village. Experience the very special Tandoori grill and Thai curry cooking styles for your fresh seafood. Other cooking styles are also available. For more information call 4408-0710. June: Discover L’wzaar’s wide selection of refreshing mocktails, available during lunch and dinner daily. For more information call 4408-0710.

June: Katara Cultural Village. Offering the best traditional kunafa with Nabulsi cheese imported from Jordan for dine-in and take-away at Kunafa Albisana in Katara. For more information call 4408-1200.

June: Katara Cultural Village. Special pizza home delivery. The restaurant delivers for a minimum order of 20 pizzas. Advance reservation is highly required. For more information call 4408-1500. June: Enjoy delicious, homemade ravioli pasta stuffed with fresh ricotta cheese and fresh herbs in a tomato sauce with basil and olive oil. For more information call 4408-1500.

Aspire Grand Café

June: Aspire Park. Offers more than coffee and sandwiches – choose from fresh sushi, soups and a wide selection of hot and cold beverages for dine-in and take-away. For more information call 4408-1996. June: Enjoy healthy choices for breakfast while visiting the park. Fresh croissants, sunny-side up or omelette egg dishes and crêpes are available. For more information call 4408-1996.

Burgerry

June: Aspire Park. Summertime is here! Come visit Burgerry and refresh yourself with one of their delicious new lime-aide and mojito drinks. Open weekdays from 11:00 a.m. till 12:00 midnight, and weekends from 11:00 a.m. till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4449-3958. June: Junior’s New Yorker cheesecakes. Burgerry is serving three flavours of imported cheesecakes from New York – the original, raspberry and chocolate. For more information call 4449-3958.

See us online! www.qatarhappening.com

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ctory rery cto ngreDi t Di anni urDi sta& Reod Fo American & Tex-Mex American Grill

International

Chinese

4411-0188

Chopsticks 4434-3333

Al Hubara

4485-4444

Chili’s 4466-0663

D’Chopstix 4408-4888

Al Liwan Restaurant

4424-2888

Ipanema 4419-6100

Royal Bafilyon

4411-4458

Al Matbakh Rooftop Grill

4433-6777

Johnny Rockets

4455-2792

Ruby Wu’s

4428-1428

Al Shaheen Restaurant

4485-4444

Just Burger 4015-0180 4437-2679

Wok of Fame

4413-4772

Animato 4496-6600

Latino 4485-4444 Oyster Bay

Contemporary European

4446-0105

Paloma 4484-4444 Pampano 4495-3876 Ric’s Kountry Kitchen

4443-7846

Rodizio Brazilian Churrascaria

4408-7777

Salsa 4429-8888 TGI Friday’s

4488-7008

Aroma 4405-3325 Astor Grill Belgian Café

4484-4444

Gordon Ramsay

4446-0105

La Mer

4484-8000

Market by Jean-Georges

4453-5135

Nando’s

Delivery Hotline 4436-0606

Opal by Gordon Ramsay

Arabic & Lebanese Agora 4445-5555

4446-0105

French

Al Balad

4491-8692

La Sahtaine

4423-3333

Al Bandar

4431-1818

La Varenne

4499-0680

Al Batross

4432-8888

Al Canteen

4433-6666

Le Relais de L’Entrecote 4495-3876 ext. 1411

Al Mourjan

4483-4423

Al Sayyad

4484-7420

Al Sultan Brahim

4446-0105

Al Tawash

4498-2002

Argan 4433-6666 Burj Al Hamam

4495-3876

Istanbul Sultan Dining Restaurant 4468-5089 Khan Rafouk Tarab Café

4408-0840

Layali 4431-0005 Lebanese Shawarma

4466-2616

Liza 4495-3876 Majlis 4448-1234 Marmara Istanbul

4436-2947

Tajine 4435-5554 Tangia 4434-3333 The Tent Turkey Central

4432-8888

Maxim 4428-1428 Quisine by Guy Savoy

Sormani 4495-3876 Ext. 3222

Indian

4472-2666

Choices 4402-3333 Corniche 4429-8888 Cosmo Restaurant

4424-7777

Crossroads Kitchen

4419-6100

De Dine Zone Restaurant

4470-8822

East 4433-6666 Flying Carpet

4446-5600

Grand Gourmet

4434-3333

La Brasserie

4446-2222

La Cigalon Restaurant

4428-8888

Lifestyle Restaurant

4463-2154

Mawasem 4423-3333 Mehfil Restaurant Nando’s

4409-4444

Delivery Hotline 4436-0606

The Dining Room (Al Najada Boutique Hotel)

4433-6666

The Dining Room (Fraser Suites Hotel)

4424-3444

The Grill

4448-1234

The Lagoon

4484-8000

Three Sixty 4446-5600

Biryani Hut

4464-1401

Bombay Baiti

4428-1428

Chingari 4428-1428 Idyl Factory

6674-1143

Royal Indian

4466-6876

Torch Tea Garden

4446-5600

Vine 4446-0105

Italian Bice Ristorante

4495-3876

Carluccio’s 4495-3876

Royal Tandoor Al Souq St., Jasra 4444-6151 Souq Waqif 4432-3244

Cucina 4419-6100 Di Capri

4428-8698

Saffron Lounge

3325-8919

Fabio’s Pizza

4416-5641

Sukh Sagar

4431-9172

II Teatro

4494-8888

Taj Rasoi

4429-8888

La Dolce Vita Italian Restaurant

4436-7991

La Veranda

4485-4444

4443-2927

linoem! s opn See au ing.c tarhap en www.q

4002-7245

Blue Brasserie Restaurant

Picasso’s 4428-1428 Porcini 4484-8000 Rocca 4448-1270 Romano’s Macaroni Grill

4451-7585

The Italian Job

4428-1428

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Japanese

Bar Food

Cafés

Neo 4432-2508

Belgian Café

4484-4444

Oishi Sushi

4442-8989

De Ozone

4470-8822

Alison Nelson’s Chocolate Bar

4495-3878 Ext. 1311

Sakura 4428-1428

Madison Piano Bar

4428-8888

Al Jalsa

4425-6666

Strata Restaurant & Lounge

4015-8888

Pool Bar

4484-4444

Al Kut Lounge

4434-3203

Sushi Minto

4467-5577

Shehrazad 4428-1428

Al Mandarine

4463-3748

Yen Sushi Bar

4428-8888

The Irish Harp

4485-4444

Atrium Lounge

4485-4444

The Lounge

4405-3325

Bab Al Baher

4423-3333

Mediterranean

Wahm 4453-5353

Aramede 4408-7777

Burgers

Bert’s Café 4495-3876 Ext 1381 Biscotti 4448-1282

Bistro Bistro

4428-1428

La Villa

4446-2222

American Grill

Le Central Restaurant

4428-8888

Chili’s 4466-0663

Medi @ The Village

4444-4700

Fuddruckers

4411-0188 4483-3983

Café De Biznez

4470-8822

Café Tasse

4444-7017

Café Vergnano 4495-3876 Ext. 2611

Mykonos 4484-4444

Hardee’s 4467-8750

Coffee Time

4466-7551

The Cellar

Johnny Rockets

4455-2792

Colombiano

4434-2753

4488-7008

Dean and Deluca

4451-9780

Dell @ The Village

4444-4700

Gourmet House

4405-3333

Jones the Grocer

4407-7175

La Margarita

4409-4444

Le Gourmet

4436-1789

Lime Café

4496-6600

Maya La Chocolatiere Landmark Mall Villaggio Mall MBCo (The Gate Mall) Al Emaadi Financial Square

4486-2264 4417-8132 4407-7130 4411-7224

Moka and Co

4458-3232

Orangery Café Troittor

4428-8888

Quick Bites

4419-6134

4428-1428

Sarab Lounge

4446-0105

4402-3333

TGI Friday’s

Seafood

Persian

Al Dana

4425-6666

Parisa 4425-6666

Al Dente Seafood Restaurant

4472-2666

Prince Of Persia

Al Sayyad

4484-7420

Al Sultan Brahim

4446-0105

Fish Market

4484-4444

Grill @ The Village

4444-4700 4015-0190.

Southeast Asian

L’wzaar 4408-0710 Asia Live!

4429-8888

Chowking Delivery Hotline 4431-1212 Mamoura 4486-6077 Al Khor 4411-8816/17 Salwa Road 4437-1212 Al Sadd St. 4431-4411 Holiday Villa 4411-5225/335

Pampano 4495-3876 Pier 12

4428-1428

Steakhouses

Isaan 4448-1250

Bentley’s Grill

Mango Tree

4495-3876

JW’s Steakhouse

4429-8888

Savor 4408-7777

Nusantao: Sea Kitchens

4494-8888

Le Grill

4484-7412

Shisha Garden

4428-8888

Spice Market

4453-5353

New York Steakhouse

4419-6100

Sky Lounge

4402-3333

Sri Kebaya

4434-0838

Prime 4015-8888

Sugar and Spice

4411-4456

The Noodle House City Center Mall

4411-5063

The Anvil Rooms

4499-0685

The Courtyard

4433-6444

The Butcher Shop and Grill

4413-5508

The Drawing Room

4433-6666

4446-2222

The Lobby Lounge

4484-8000

The Terrace Lounge

4433-6555

Torch Café

4446-5600

W Café

4453-5353

Ya Hala

4423-3333

The Pearl Wok Mee Noodle House

4495-3876 4496-6600

The Old Manor Steakhouse

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Sports

s k c i P p o T ’s This Month

The St. Regis Doha PowerBoards

Qatar Football Association Arab Youth U20 Football Cup June 1-13: Various stadiums across Doha. The 2014 Arab U-20 Championship will be the third edition of this football tournament between youth under 20 across the Arab nations – and this year Qatar plays host. The current tournament title-holders are Tunisia who won previously in at the last competition in 2012. For more information visit www.qfa.com.qa.

New for June: If you’re living and working in Qatar and are involved in paddle-boarding, either for pleasure or for work, you’re invited to experience the amazing new PowerBoard SUPs at The St. Regis Doha. Like an ‘e-bike’, PowerBoards are designed to combine all the benefits of stand-up paddling with the back-up of an electric propulsion system to give you that extra power-assist when you want it. For more information email david@ongarglobal.com.

Qatar Handball Federation H.H. Emir Handball Cup Final June 26: Al Gharafa Indoor Hall. The best local teams in the sport will battle it out this June for the coveted trophy. For more information visit www.olympic.qa.

OUT om .c CHECaK ppening

atarh tion! www.qthe latest informa for

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Qatar Swimming Federation

Qatar Handball Federation

6th Qatar Int’l Swimming Championships

3rd Qatar Int’l Handball Tournament

June 5-7: Hamad Aquatic Center. The best swimmers in the country will be participating for a sixth consecutive year in this premiere aquatic event. For more information visit www.qatarswimming.com.

June 10-14: Al Gharafa Sports Club. Qatar will be hosting another edition of the popular handball tournament featuring competitors from across the GCC. For more information visit www.qatarsports.co.

87 5/26/14 10:42 AM

Sports

QH Welcomes

The World Cup!

The Spanish national team celebrates their win with FIFA President Sepp Blatter at the 2010 South African tournament

Compiled by Jorge Granda and Zahi Srour

The biggest sporting event of the year will be held in Brazil as the 2014 FIFA World Cup kicks off this month from June 12 till July 13. QH brings you our all-access analysis of the football tournament of giants – the teams, the qualifiers, the champions and the dark horses – making sure you don’t miss a single goal!

he 2014 FIFA World Cup will take over Brazil – and the world – from June 12 till July 13, marking the second time the tournament is hosted by the South American nation since 1950. Unchallenged, Brazil was elected as host nation in 2007 after the international football federation, FIFA, stated that would be staged on the continent for the first time since 1978 when Argentina held the honour

Along with the host country Brazil, all worldchampion teams since the first World Cup in 1930 (Uruguay, Italy, Germany, England, Argentina, France and Spain), have qualified for this year’s competition. Spain is the defending champion, having defeated the Netherlands 1–0 in the 2010 World Cup final to win its first world title. The previous four World Cups held in South America were all won by South American teams.

The national football teams of 31 countries advanced through a series of gruelling qualification rounds beginning in June 2011 to join the host nation of Brazil in the final tournament. A total of 64 matches will be played in twelve cities across Brazil for this year’s 2014 FIFA World Cup. The games will be held in both new and re-developed stadiums and for the first time will use goal-line technology on the field.

So, Who Picks The Host? Well, we can tell you it’s planned nearly a decade in advance! FIFA had a policy of rotating the right to host the World Cup between different confederations and on March 7, 2003, it announced that the 2014 tournament would be held in South America. That decision meant that it would be the first time in the history of the competition that two consecutive World Cups would be staged outside Europe.

Once FIFA decides upon a host continent it’s then up to the presiding football federation from that region to bid for each respective country. So the next move came from the South American Football Federation (CONMEBOL) which announced on June 3, 2003, that Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia wanted to host the finals, but by March 2004 the CONMEBOL association had unanimously voted to adopt Brazil as their sole candidate. But in an unexpected move, Colombia decided that it would enter its own bid and formally declared its candidacy in December 2006, but then withdrew in April 2007, leaving Brazil as the only host candidate. On October 30, 2007 FIFA officially confirmed that Brazil would host the 2014 World Cup.

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Rio's Estadio do Maracana will hold one of the largest capacities of spectators for the 2014 World Cup

How Does A Team Qualify? You may be surprised at just how long the process takes! The allocation and distribution of the 31 places for the final qualifying round tournament was decided on March 3, 2011, and the qualification draw for the 2014 World Cup was held at the Marina da Glória in Rio de Janeiro on July 30, 2011. As the host nation, Brazil automatically qualified for the tournament, but at the time 203 of the 208 FIFA national teams actually participated in the qualification stages which began on June 15, 2011 and ran up until November 20, 2013. Twenty-four of the 32 eventual qualifiers were returning teams who had played in the 2010 World Cup at the previous tournament, with the new addition of Bosnia-Herzegovina, who qualified for the first time as an independent nation. The highestranked absentee according to FIFA World Rankings will be Ukraine, while the OFC region will have no representation at the World Cup finals for the first time since 2002 after Australia joined the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

The Price Tag Each participating team will receive at least $8 million USD. The world champions will receive $35 million USD, and the runners-up will receive $25 million USD. Teams that lose in the round of 16 will receive $9 million, and the quarter-finalists receive $14 million. Already, that’s a lot of dough – but it doesn’t end there! The home clubs of each player will receive a whopping $70 million USD as compensation for insurance costs and expenses when a player leaves to play for the national team for the World Cup. These funds are then distributed through their national associations. Overall, FIFA will allocate $576 million for this year’s tournament, a new record for the governing body, and an increase from the $420 million allotted for the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

Final Draw To determine the order of play, the 32 participating teams are split into the eight groups

by draw for the group stage. In preparation for this, teams are organized into four pots with the seven highest-ranked teams joining host nation Brazil in the seeded pot. FIFA’s goal is to create groups which maximize geographic separation, so all un-seeded teams are arranged into pots based on geographic considerations. Group A: Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon Group B: Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia Group C: Colombia, Greece, Côte d'Ivoire, Japan Group D: Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy Group E: Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras Group F: Argentina, Bosnia & Herz., Iran, Nigeria Group G: Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA Group H: Belgium, Algeria, Russia, Korea Republic

The Mascot Chosen from more than 47 designs created by six Brazilian agencies, the tatu-bola is an armadillo that defends itself from predators by rolling up into a ball. It was selected as the official 2014 World Cup mascot by FIFA back in 2012. His name is Fuleco – a hybrid of the words ‘futebol’ and ‘ecologia’. More than 1.7 million people voted to name him in an online campaign that ended in November 2012. The runners-up were Zuzeco (31%) and Amijubi (21%), with Fuleco getting 48% of the votes. Nicknames ending with ‘eco’ are popular in Brazil and we’re sure that there will be a lot of merchandise sold with this friendly little guy on the front.

Official Match Ball Design The official ball of the 2014 FIFA World Cup is the Adidas Brazuca. Again, the naming came down to a public vote with more than a million participating Brazilian football fans. ‘Brazuca’ got a whopping 70% of the vote and Adidas, the official FIFA World Cup match ball supplier, got its inspiration from elements of Brazilian culture to create a shortlist of possible product names. The other two options were Bossa Nova and Carnavalesca.

Brazilian football legend Bebeto poses with the 2014 FIFA mascot Fuleco

The Stadiums • Estadio do Maracana Rio de Janeiro, Capacity: 76,930 • Estadio Mineirao Minas Gerais, Capacity: 75,783 • Estadio Mane Garrincha Brasilia, Capacity: 72,888 • Arena Corinthians São Paulo, Capacity: 68,000 • Castelao Fortaleza, Capacity: 60,326 • Estadio Fonte Nova Salvador, Capacity: 60,000 • Estadio Beira Rio Porto Alegre, Capacity: 50,000 • Verdao Cuiaba, Capacity: 47,000 • Arena Cidade da Copa Recife, Capacity: 46,160 • Arena da Amazania Manaus, Capacity: 46,000 • Arena das Dunas Natal, Capacity: 45,000 • Arena da Baixada Curitiba, Capacity: 43,981

For more information on the 2014 FIFA World Cup visit www.fifa.com/worldcup. Also flip to our Entertainment section on page 18 and find out where to catch all the action right here in Doha.

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Sports

ITALY

BRAZIL A Seleção Route To The Finals: Automatic as hosts. Tournament Best: Winners 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002 Head Coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari  Captain: Thiago Silva Key Player: Neymar They may be the World Cup host and favourites, but Brazil is under enormous pressure. So demanding are the Brazilian fans that even a Seleção squad that finishes runners-up at a FIFA World Cup finals can’t be sure what kind of a reception they’ll get on their return home. The only nation to have taken part in every single edition of the World Cup, Brazil has lifted the trophy on a record five occasions. The Brazilian team is physically strong, fast, talented and capable of scoring at any second. But we always have the feeling that Brazil is unable to recover fast form, sometimes conceding a goal in a big, decisive game – even an equalizer; as in the last two editions of the World Cup. Although they’ve suffered over the past few years, their success at the Confederations Cup last summer has brought new hope for the home team. On home turf, with a crowd eager to see their heroes in action, and a wealth of stars like Neymar, Hulk, Oscar, Thiago Silva and many more at Scolari’s disposal, it will take a massive effort to prevent the Pentacampeões (five-time champions) from securing a historic sixth World Cup triumph.

SPAIN La Roja Route To The Finals: Unbeaten, they topped the European qualifying Group I with 20 points. Tournament Best: 2010 FIFA World Cup winners Head Coach: Vicente del Bosque  Captain: Iker Casillas Key Player: Andres Iniesta If the Spaniards lift the trophy in 2014, the world champions in South Africa and two-time defending European title-holders will become the first team in history to win four major championships in a row. The Spanish team would also become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to defend the world title. They have all the necessary skills, the superstar players and master coach Vicente del Bosque to repeat the feat. Though there’s no doubt that Spain’s mid-field stars Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Xabi Alonso, have been integral to their major trophy triumphs, and La Selección are solid across all positions. In the 2013 Confederations Cup, both Brazil and Italy exposed weaknesses in the Spanish side, emphasizing the difficulty of the task facing them and leaving many doubting whether they can maintain their perfect form in Brazil this summer.

La Squadra Azzurra Route To the Finals: Unbeaten, topped the European qualifying Group B with 22 points. Tournament Best: Winners 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006 Head Coach: Cesare Prandelli  Captain: Gianluigi Buffon Key Player: Andrea Pirlo Italy lie second only after Brazil on the all-time FIFA World Cup honours board and are the most successful European World Cup-winning team with four titles and two runner-up nods. They performed well in reaching the Euro 2012 final and are vying to match Brazil's record of five World Cup successes on Brazilian grounds. Under coach Cesare Prandelli they press high and try to dominate possession of the ball. Plus, they have a wealth of experience on their side, with the likes of Gigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Daniele De Rossi and ‘l’architetto’ Andrea Pirlo, along with up-and-coming young talents like ‘Super Mario’ Balotelli, Marco Verrati and Stephan El Shaarawy. It's almost impossible to out-think the Azzurri from a tactical standpoint, and few—if any— can play defense with such effectiveness. But for some reason, recently, it seems a bit easier to score against Italy than it used to be. Despite the small set-back that Italian football suffered during the past few years, Italy will always be hard to defeat and will remain as one of the strongest top World Cup teams.

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GERMANY Die Mannschaft Route To the Finals: Unbeaten, they topped the European qualifying Group C with 28 points. Tournament Best: Winners 1954, 1974, 1990 Head Coach: Joachim Loew  Captain: Philipp Lahm Key Player: Thomas Muller Germany lies third in the all-time world football ranking with three FIFA World Cup triumphs and are looking exceptionally strong. With this level of quality in their ranks, anything less than the title would be considered a letdown this summer. The squad is absolutely stacked with A-class players – head coach Loew can choose from a combination of experienced winners and some of the world’s top young talents. The outcome is a team that’s developed a fearsome reputation and a rightful tag as one of the favourites to win a fourth World Cup. This may be the time for Mesut Özil, Thomas Muller and Schweinsteiger to go all the way at the international level – Germany presses the ball exceptionally well and play a high-octane, vibrant, attacking style of football. Germany's defense is its biggest weakness and Loew's ingrained strategy is to score more than concede, but wasting a 4-0 lead against Sweden for a 4-4 draw in World Cup qualifiers highlighted Germany's lack of a world-class defender, with the exception of Philipp Lahm.

FRANCE ARGENTINA La Albiceleste Route To The Finals: First in South American qualifying with 32 points. Tournament Best: Winners 1978, 1986 Head Coach: Alejandro Sabella  Captain: Lionel Messi Key Player: Lionel Messi Argentina have challenged four FIFA World Cup finals in all – the first of them in the very first tournament in Uruguay in 1930. Titleworthy performances by Mario Kempes and Diego Maradona led them to the biggest prize in football on home soil in 1978 and again in Mexico in 1986. Argentina’s selection is overloaded with worldclass superstars, to the point that Carlos Tevez might not be in Brazil this summer, but this has always been the case for Argentina. However, a lack of stability kept them from going all the way until, under head coach Sabella, they became more organized and more pragmatic, allowing Messi to flourish. It remains to be seen if this added stability is what the team needs to win their first World Cup in 28 years. Lionel Messi will be keen to fire his team into the knock-out phase and beyond, especially after he failed to net a goal at the 2010 World Cup. But in Brazil, with a supporting cast of Sergio Aguero, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Gonzalo Higuain, Sabella’s team will not be short on ammunition if Messi was to flounder again.

Les Bleus Route To The Finals: Second in European qualifying Group I with 17 points. Beat Ukraine 3-2 on aggregate in a play-off. Became the first European side to overcome a 2-0 play-off, first-leg deficit. Tournament Best: Winners 1998 Head Coach: Didier Deschamps  Captain: Hugo Lloris Key Player: Franck Ribery France has always demanded respect on the field thanks to various legendary players. But they made the leap to the ranks of champions in 1998 earning the trophy on their home pitch. They nearly added a second star to their shirts in 2006, only to strike out on penalties to Italy in the final match. France’s vast resources of talent is to be envied by the majority of the nations going head-tohead in Brazil. They have exceptional coverage in every position, with each player active in the major leagues of Europe. In Ribery, they possess a world-class wide-man while the likes of Hugo Lloris, Yohan Cabaye, Paul Pogba, Mathieu Valbuena, Karim Benzema and Samir Nasri offer additional quality to ‘Les Tricolores’. Typically listed among the favourites ahead of any major tournament, Les Bleus failed to win a single game at either UEFA EURO 2008 or the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and took a strenuous route through to the quarter-finals at EURO 2012. For them to succeed, they’ll need to improve their constant lapses in concentration, which have cost them big games and maintain a strong team spirit.

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Sports

PORTUGAL Os Navegadores

ENGLAND The Three Lions Route To The Finals: Unbeaten, they were first in European qualifying Group H with 22 points. Tournament Best: Winners 1966 Head Coach: Roy Hodgson Captain: Steven Gerrard Key Player: Wayne Rooney The Three Lions have won the FIFA World Cup just a single time when they hosted in 1966, but have since suffered a series of early knock-outs. In 1990 team coach Sir Bobby Robson nearly matched the efforts of his own former coach Sir Alf Ramsey, guiding England to the semi-finals in Italy only to be knocked out on penalties by the Germans. Today, current coach Roy Hodgson's English team are looking for the magic formula which will get them past the quarter-final hurdle for only the second time since they lifted the trophy at home. Despite a number of off-field distractions and difficulty with hounding media attention throwing them off-course at major tournaments, for the first time in World Cup history England isn’t seen as a real threat to the title. But players like the more mature and talented Wayne Rooney, veterans Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard and young talents Jack Wilshere, Ross Barkley and Andros Townsend can make all the difference, bringing home an unexpected and long-awaited glory.

NETHERLANDS Oranje Route To The Finals: Unbeaten, they topped the European qualifying Group D with 28 points. Tournament Best: Runners-up 1974, 1978, 2010 Head Coach: Louis Van Gaal Captain: Robin Van Persie Key Player: Arjen Robben The Oranje are the only team to experience heartbreak in the finals in three World Cup editions without ever winning the title. Twice they lost out against the host nations in 1974 and 1978, and in Johannesburg 2010, came within a hairs-length of taking Spain to penalties four minutes before the whistle blew when Andres Iniesta crushed their dreams. Louis Van Gaal is relying on a contingent of the 2010 players and has also recruited a forceful blend of established squad members and eager youngsters. It means that world-class players like Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben still remain key figures, but will be supported by lesser-known new talents like Kevin Strootman, Bruno Martins-Indi and Jordy Clasie. The Dutch are seeking redemption after a shocking ouster at the Euro 2012 when they lost all three games and a thuggish performance in the 2010 final game.

Route To The Finals: Second in European qualifying Group F with 21 points. Beat Sweden 4-2 on aggregate in a play-off. Tournament Best: 3rd place in 1966 Head Coach: Paulo Bento Captain: Cristiano Ronaldo Key Player: Cristiano Ronaldo It wasn’t until England 1966 that the Portuguese made their world finals début. Led by the legendary Eusebio, Portugal knocked out Brazil en route to the semi-finals where they fell short against the host nation. They then went on to reclaim their bronze medal against the Soviet Union in the match for third place. In Germany 2006, Portugal made it all the way to the last four before being knocked out by Zidane's penalty. This team is a master of the counter-attack, sitting in their own half and allowing their opponents to come onto them before springing from deep positions and exploiting the space in behind – and with the powerhouse of Ronaldo in their back pocket the ‘Brazilians of Europe’ can go all the way The central defensive pairings of Pepe and Bruno Alves, Fabio Coentrao, Joao Moutinho and of course, Nani, could also shine next to Ronaldo. Though they look great on paper, there are still chronic problems plaguing the Portuguese team. Their back four are solid, but they’ve struggled to find a balance in the middle of the pitch. Portugal will be a real contender at this World Cup and it may be time for them to live up to the expectations these talented players have threatened us with for so long. n

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Sports Back extensions also help to strengthen your spine and improve mobility

e r o C e h T g n i n i a Tr By Jonny Parr

With summer upon us, so is the inevitable rush to get beach-body ready. Whether you’re a gym-junkie or have treadmill-phobia, the desire to trim down and tone up wins out and pushes us to the limits. This month the pros at Absolute Fitness explore the best approach to core training.

hen it comes to the fitness industry, everybody is obsessed with core or abdominal training! Why is this the case? The most popular reason is due to the pressures of society, and in particular celebrity culture. They would have us believe we should all have or at least seek to have ‘iron board’ abs or a carefully crafted six-pack. Now, while aesthetics are important, the core has far more important functions that often go

unnoticed or unaccounted for. Its primary role is to stabilize and protect your spine. It also performs actions such as flexion, lateral flexion, rotation and extension. A strong, powerful core is also vital given any fitness-related goal. Whether you’re in the gym, playing a sport, or carrying shopping bags, they all involve a degree of activation from your core. Therefore, the core is the foundation of everything! Anything else you do is known as ‘external loading’ which, put simply, cannot be improved if your core is in need of strengthening. With the importance of a strong core being clear from a performance and aesthetic perspective, how should we train the area itself? 1. Lower Body Fat No amount of core or ab-specific training will lower body fat in the abdomen region (spot reduction). It will simply contribute to overall energy expenditure. From a training point of view, you’ll need to engage in activities that significantly elevate metabolism such as fullbody strength training and intense conditioning.

What’s more and most importantly, no amount of exercise can out-train a poor diet. If you want to see your ‘abs’, you will have to eat clean! 2. Stabilization & Anti-Extension Exercises At Absolute Fitness (AF) we favour core exercises like wheel roll-outs, TRX jack-knifes or basic planks ahead of flexion exercises such as sit-ups or crunches – both of which involve flexion at the spine. Why? Anti-extension exercises put less stress on the back and help develop a rock-solid mid-section making you far stronger and safer doing any physical task. At AF we don’t disregard flexion exercises altogether, but find anti-extension/stabilization methods far more productive. 3. Bracing & Breathing You will need to learn to breathe and brace your core correctly to reap the benefits of core training. Doing so will lead to you creating abdominal pressure which will help protect your spine, improve your posture and again, make all physical tasks easier.

Putting It All Together! While the above may seem complicated it

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Wheel roll-outs combine balance with intense abdominal contractions

Use a portable TRX harness to practice jack-knife crunches

really isn’t! A good fitness program will ideally include compound movements such as squats and dead-lifts which require and develop a good level of core strength. However it’s also important to instill core-specific movements into your program. Here’s a routine to get you started. A1: Wheel Roll-Outs (intermediate/advanced) or Walkouts (beginner) A2: Back Extensions A3: Side Plank (30-60 seconds per side) Simply perform each exercise in order for 10 repetitions, resting approximately 30 seconds between each exercise. That’s one set. After this, rest for approximately 60 seconds before repeating the routine for a total of three to four sets. Remember, the purpose of the routine is to get your core stronger and not significantly raise your heart rate. Therefore rest periods may be longer than what you’re used to but these serve a purpose of adequate recovery. Give the routine a go, get your core strong, be consistent, eat clean and that impressive six pack may be on the horizon! n Jonny Parr is founder and CEO of Absolute Fitness. For more information visit www.absolutefitness.me.

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Sports Listings RECOMMENDS

ed are categoriz All listings ited lim is n io us cl per hotel. In ith y of space, w to availabilit vertisers. ad to n ve gi priority

Ashtanga Yoga

Mon, Wed & Sat: The Bay Club. This intense form of yoga involves standing and seated poses, back bends and inversions. This vigorous, athletic style of practice appeals to those who like a sense of order and who like to do things independently. This class is 75-minutes long, Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. till 9:45 a.m., and Saturdays 3:30 p.m. till 4:45 p.m. Members pay QR 45 / non-members QR 65. For more information call 4484-4852.

LA CIGALE Ozone Gym & Spa

CROWNE PLAZA DOHA – THE BUSINESS PARK Personal Trainer

Upon request. The hotel’s fitness instructors are fully-qualified to provide expert guidance and motivation for your workout and to ensure the correct technique to help you get the best results. One session is QR 150, and ten sessions are QR 1,350. From: 8:00 a.m. till 9:00 p.m. For more information call 4408-7621 or email recreation.cpdoha@ihg.com.

ONE OF A KIND SHARQ VILLAGE & SPA Outdoor Full Moon Yoga

June 10: Al Dana Island. Practice yoga outdoors in the beautiful surroundings of Al Dana Island. Spa members pay QR 30 and non-spa members QR 60. Starts at 7:00 p.m. For more information call 4425-6999.

EVERY WEEK DOHA MARRIOTT Boxing

Daily: Join boxing classes and enjoy learning the art of self-defence in a safe, fun environment. This course is great for bodyconditioning and weight-loss, core strengthening and toning. Improve your stamina, strength and agility, plus discover balance and enhanced hand-eye coordination.De-stress and build selfconfidence! Members pay QR 35/non-members QR 45. For more information call 4429-8520.

GOKULAM PARK DOHA Sports & Fitness

Daily: Health Club. Burn off your calories at their state-of-the-art health club with the latest equipment overlooking the city. Or, draw out toxins while soothing weary and aching muscles and joints in the 12th floor sauna and steamroom. Opening hours are Sunday to Thursday from 6:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. till 8:00 p.m. For more information call 4470-8822/33/55, or visit www.gokulamdoha.com.

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA Wing Chun

Mon &Fri: The Bay Club. Wing Chun is widely-accepted as the most effective martial art and taught to special forces and military personnel across the world. The most famous figure of Wing Chun is Bruce Lee. Techniques learned will give you practical skills on how to protect yourself through self-defence disciplines and is suitable for all ages. Parents and children can enjoy this program and its benefits together. Mondays from 8:00 p.m. till 9:30 p.m., Fridays (kids and adults class) from 1:00 p.m. till 2:30 p.m. For more information call 4484-4852.

Pilates Sculpt

Daily: Be part of Ozone Gym and Spa’s newlylaunched fitness classes (Power Toning, Ultimate Core, Explosive Cardio and soon, Spinning). Fee per class: QR 60 per person. Reservations are required for some classes. For more information call 4428-8101.

RENAISSANCE DOHA CITY CENTER Yoga Classes Daily (upon request): Balance your mind and body at your choice of time and day. QR 65 for a 60-minute session, available seven days a week. For more information call 4419-6090 or visit www.westenddoha.com.

THE DIPLOMATIC CLUB Pilates

Sun & Wed: Pilates is the system of strengthening and stretching exercises designed to develop the body’s core, mobilize the spine and build flexibility. It teaches you how to train your mind and build symmetry and coordination in the body. From 5:00 p.m. till 5:45 p.m. For more information call 4484-7450, or email spa.recreation@dclub.com.qa.

Zumba

Sun &Tues: The Bay Club. This special class focuses on a series of non-impact exercises designed to develop abdominal strength, flexibility, balance and improved postural alignment. Slow and controlled movements strengthen and lengthen muscles to help re-balance the body. Sundays from 9:30 a.m. till 10:30 a.m., Tuesdays from 9:15 a.m. till 10:15 a.m. Members pay QR 30 / non-members QR 50. For more information call 4484-4852.

Sun, Mon, & Thurs: A global lifestyle brand that fuses fitness, entertainment and culture into an exhilarating dance-party workout! It’s a combination of different types of dance styles from hip-hop and Latin to house and even contemporary! This 50-minute cardio workout will have something for everybody! Sundays from 11:00 a.m. till 11:45 a.m., Mondays from 5:05 p.m. till 5:45 p.m., and Thursdays from 11:00 p.m. till 11:45 p.m. For more information call 4484-7450, or email spa.recreation@dclub.com.qa.

Boxing Fitness

Aqua Dance Fitness

Fridays: The Bay Club. This class combines the principles of boxing such as basic punching, defending and foot-work, with cardio exercises specific for boxing training. Participants will develop coordination, balance and control. From 4:00 p.m. till 5:00 p.m. Members pay QR 30 / non-members QR 50. For more information call 4484-4852.

Sat & Tues: Captivates the joy of movement and the expression of life through integrating world rhythms and music. The fusion of aquatic fitness with dance-based choreography will give you a movement base free from boundaries. Saturdays and Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. till 10:45 a.m.For more information call 4484-7450, or email spa.recreation@dclub.com.qa.

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Activities & Clubs

Bike Riding The Corniche Aspire Park

Bowling

The Qatar Bowling Center 4432-9178 or www.qatarbowlingcenter.net Gondolania Bowling Center (Villaggio) 4403-9807 or www.gondolania.com Strike Bowling Alley (City Center) 4483-9162

Golf

The Doha Golf Club 4496-0777 or www.dohagolfclub.com

Horse Riding

Al Khor Riding Center 4421-8857

Al Samariya Stables 5525-7203 or qatarracing@gmail.com Al Shaqab Riding Academy 4454-6236 or www.alshaqab.com

Ice-Skating

Winter Wonderland (City Center) 4483-9162 Gondolania Ice Arena (Villaggio) 4403-9807 or www.gondolania.com

Sailing

Doha Sailing Club 4443-9840 or www.qmsf.com Regatta Sailing Academy 4442-4577 or www.regattasailingacademy.com

Swimming

Aspire Academy for Sporting Excellence 4413-6219 or www.aspire.qa Aqua Park 4490-5872 or aquaparkqa@gmail.com

Tennis & Squash

Khalifa Tennis & Squash Complex 4440-9666

Walking

Park at Museum of Islamic Art The Corniche The Pearl-Qatar (2.5 km) Aspire Park

Royal Yachting Association Courses www.ryacourses-qatar.com

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QH Sensations

RECOMMENDS

your Tell us what you think! Send ing.com reviews to info@qatarhappen

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Ashlee

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Core Yoga I recently did what I thought was the impossible (for me at least!) and tried out the Core Yoga class at The Ritz-Carlton’s Fitness Center. As a complete yoga newbie I hadn’t a clue what I was in for, even though my partner-in-crime assured me it was an ‘introductory-level’ class. Vibrant instructor Yolanda put us through our paces rigourously, yet with exact precision and pin-point concentration on the breathing techniques that are the heart and soul of yoga. I bent, twisted and contorted my unwilling girth into pretzel-shapes I never knew possible, and though it was one of the most difficult things I’ve done (says the couch potato!), it was also one of the most exhilarating. Though my aching muscles throbbed for days afterwards, I felt invigorated nonetheless and am still working up the stamina to go back for another 75-minute session. The Ritz has a variety of yoga offerings throughout the week, but Core Yoga is held on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. and focuses on developing abdominal strength. Each class is QR 50 for non-members. For more information call 4484-8000 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/doha.

NatureBissé Cream I recently got lucky and won a tube of NatureBissé’s Diamond White Brilliant Cream. This luxurious brand has so many positive reviews for its products and it didn’t take me long to see why. Now that I’m using it I can say that the brand isn’t just hype – its price-tag is expensive because it really works. The moisturizing whitening cream noticeably lightens my dark spots and blemish marks leaving my face looking fresh and glowing. The Diamond White Brilliant Cream is available at 4U stores in Royal Plaza and City Center malls for QR 850.

Jorge 12 Years A Slave

Srimani Ozone Gym & Spa When my family and I need a fun weekend break, we like to head over to La Cigale Hotel to use their pool and gym facilities. For my two small girls it’s important to find activities that they can both enjoy, and splashing around in Ozone’s 20-metre indoor swimming pool is top on the list – you can’t beat the view of the city skyline either! The facility also has a state-of-the-art gymnasium, fitness and training classes and a gorgeous spa. Give them a call at 4428-8888 or visit www.lacigalehotel.com.

Lanie Art Stick by Bobbi Brown For women who love to use lipstick and lip liner, this is the ultimate solution. The Art Stick is a chunky two-in-one colour in an on-the-go pencil and it’s a must for me now. The perfect blend of emollients and shea butter creates a rich, creamy texture that allows for smooth and effortless application, while the matte finish punches up any look. I love this multi-tasking tool! Available at 4U stores in Royal Plaza and City Center malls for QR 129.

Unless you live under a rock you’ve probably heard about a movie called 12 Years A Slave. Released last year, this Academy Award-winning film has received well-deserved acclaim by audiences and critics alike. Even though the movie is hard to watch it is, in my opinion, essential cinema as it gives a brutal but realistic look at American slavery in the 1800s. I was stunned by the performances of Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender and newcomer Lupita Nyong’o. Fassbender in particular delivers an extraordinary performance as the plantation owner that terrorizes his subjects. It’s not the type of movie you’d want to watch a second time as it’s quite harsh, but it’s worth seeing at least once.

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QH Sensations

l Faccita ion Attra

By Ashlee Starratt and Jorge Granda Photography by Jessie Palanca

With the looming heat of summer doing a number on our skin we turned to the experts at Remède Spa in The St. Regis Doha. With their new line of Rodial and Refinery products, we test drive two transformative facial treatments for men and women that go the extra mile. Rodial Ageless Radiance Facial I hate summer – full stop. The stickiness, the sweat, the oppressive heat, the muggy air…it’s a struggle just to leave the frigid splendour of my air-conditioned house each morning. My skin in particular struggles from May to September in this climate. I suffer from a combination of oily patches coupled with dry patches which equal non-stop breakouts with every summer sweat. Needing a boost I headed over to Remède Spa at The St. Regis to try their Rodial Ageless Radiance Facial. A UK-based brand, Rodial is the latest must-have line in Hollywood – Angelina Jolie swears by their products, crediting them for her enhanced complexion. So it’s with high expectations that I go to try them out for myself. My therapist Ninsiima, who hails from Uganda, is a font of knowledge, explaining each product she’ll use step-by-step and assuring me of the difference I’ll notice in my skin tone afterwards.

Remède's Jacuzzi and steam-room is a mermaid's den of lush mosaic tile

After a brief consultation we head to the treatment room; if you haven’t been to Remède Spa before it’s a sleek space, with cool calming tones of white, modern décor and a Jacuzzi and steam-room decked floor to ceiling in the most brilliant shade of blue mosaic tile. As Ninsiima gets me settled, she first cleanses my face with Rodial’s Acids X-Treme Pore Shrink Cleansing Pads to remove my makeup and open my pores; this is followed by an application of their Bee Venom Super Serum to plump my skin and smooth fine lines. As the serum soaks in she gives me a relaxing arm, hand and shoulder massage using their Stem-Cell Super-Food Hand Cream. With shea butter and grape oil it smells delicate and delicious, leaving the dry areas on my elbows and knuckles soft and lubricated for hours afterwards. She follows

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Luxuriate post-treatment in their airy and tranquil relaxation room

Refinery Essential Facial this up with a plumping facial massage with upwardsweeping movements that get the circulation flowing. After removing the serum from my face, Ninsiima gently exfoliates my skin with Rodial’s Five Minute Facial Scrub. Rich with pomegranate, pineapple and grapefruit enzymes, it’s got a luscious scent and tingles as it penetrates the deeper layers of my skin. I have slight redness afterwards which fades after an hour or so, leaving a renewed glow behind. After washing away the scrub Ninsiima spritzes my face with Dragon’s Blood Hyaluronic Tonic (gotta love these names!), a gentle toner with natural extracts of dragon-fruit. Normally, this is the part of the process where she would do extraction of my blackheads and blemishes, but because I’m one of those naughty people who try to pinch their pimples before they’re ready, some of the spots on my face are inflamed and aggravated so she skips this step so as not to further irritate my skin. Moving on, she applies Rodial’s Glamoxy Snake Mask – a black peel-off mask with a fast-acting ‘freezing’ peptide inspired by temple viper venom that helps stall fine lines and wrinkles in their tracks. While the mask sets I feel that slight burning, tingling sensation as it works its way into my pores – it’s only uncomfortable for a moment though and quickly forgotten once Ninsiima starts in with a sleep-inducing five-minute scalp massage. After removing the mask she finishes with a swipe of Dragon’s Blood Hyaluronic SPF 15 Moisturizer across my face for long-lasting protection. Aside from the redness I experienced afterwards from the enzyme-rich serum and scrub, the following day my skin retained a dewy, glowing complexion and I looked and felt invigorated. Ladies, I think we’ve found a way to keep this summer heat skin syndrome beat!

Much to my dislike Qatar’s hot summer has arrived. My priority at the moment is to take care of my skin – especially my face, which is in constant contact with the sun each day. For me, it’s not a matter of giving my skin a more youthful and radiant appearance, but it’s also a matter of health. Skin-related diseases are very much real and in countries such as Qatar where the weather is harsh, humid and dry, skincare becomes more of a necessity rather than a vanity. Sun is one of the main causes of skin abnormalities, or even worse, skin cancer. So, like last month, I’m again trying a facial and I believe it’s what I will do throughout the summer because I can’t stress enough how important it is to hydrate your skin every time you get a chance in this climate. Today I’m testing the Refinery Essential Facial at Remède Spa at the luxurious St. Regis Doha. I’m particularly excited and curious about this specific treatment after hearing from the hotel’s management that Remède is the first spa in Qatar to launch the Refinery Collection – London’s leading men’s salon by Aromatherapy Associates. I’m also told that many male celebrities who hit up London try the Refinery facials and massages. Don’t quote me on this one, but I’m sure I even heard the name ‘Brad Pitt’ thrown around as a loyal customer. Refinery’s products include nine targeted formulations blended with the latest cuttingedge ingredients and naturally-active essential oils such as balloon flower, along with enzymes bisabolol, creatine and sodium hyaluronate to care for your skin after you shave and to improve and maintain its health and vitality. The Refinery Essential Facial lasts for about 60 minutes and focuses on deep cleansing and

Indulge yourself with the spa's new line of Rodial and Refinery (in circle) products

brightening your skin. The deep cleansing is visibly refreshing and leaves my skin shining and glowing. The experience of the therapist plays a big part in the effectiveness of the treatment, and as expected in a property such as The St. Regis, my aesthetician is as professional and attentive as they come. The therapy room is impeccable and, like the hotel, the ambiance in the spa breathes luxury and absolute comfort. The overall experience at Remède Spa is fantastic; I know that I’ve enjoyed my time in any spa when the masseur has to tell me it’s over and to wake up – it’s that relaxing. I should highlight that this treatment is specificallydesigned for men only, which is a new trend in the business – which I applaud. It’s about time the industry starts recognizing that men also like to look and feel good. n REMÈDE SPA Location: Mezzanine Level, The St. Regis Doha Timings: Daily, 10:00 a.m. till 10:00 p.m. Price: • QR 600, 60-min Rodial Ageless Radiance Facial • QR 600, 60-min Refinery Essential Facial Contact Info: 4446-0300, www.dohalifestyleandspa.com or remedespa.doha@stregis.com

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QH Sensations Listings RECOMMENDS

SHARQ VILLAGE & SPA Hammam Ritual

Daily: Six Senses Spa. A combination of two favourites, you’ll feel rejuvenated, fresh and silky-smooth with this package. The hammam ritual allows you to experience the Moroccan hammam which consists of a 10-minute relaxation in the steam-room and a ritual cleanse of the whole body with Moroccan black soap and loofah, followed by full-body, medium pressure, oil-based massage that releases your stress and tension. Enjoy a refreshing glass of mint juice to complete your journey. This 100-minute treatment is QR 1,100. For more information call 4425-6999.

DOHA MARRIOTT Fantasy Tan Spray

Daily: The Spa. Fantasy Tan is a fake-tan application using a spraying technique for a fast and effective application of colour. It gives a striking appearance of a golden, natural and even-looking tan without the damaging effects of the sun. The desired results are seen within eight hours and the tan lasts for approximately 5-7 days. Full-body, 45-minute spray tan application is QR 280. For more information call 4429-8520.

Pevonia Facial & Massage

Daily: The Spa.Formulated to deliver accelerated visible results, the Pevonia Essential Treatment Facial keeps skin looking porcelain smooth and youthfully radiant. Enjoy a special offer of a 20% discount when combining a highperformance Pevonia facial with any full-body massage. For more information call 4429-8520.

ORYX ROTANA

During June: Bodyline Spa. Enjoy a 20% discount on all massage treatments from June 5-7 and June 19-21. For more information call 4402-3333.

THE DIPLOMATIC CLUB Reflexology Treatment

Daily: Rebalance harmony in your body by cleaning congested reflexes and help boost the immune system. The practice of reflexology can assist with recovery from illness, boost circulation, increase energy levels and improve mental and emotional processes. It’s very relaxing and creates a feeling of well-being. For more information call 4484-7450.

Hot Stone Treatment

Daily: Heated black stones are used to massage the whole body, releasing deep-seated tension, working to relieve stress at the deepest level, and balance the body’s energy channels. This is a holistic and energizing therapy for body, mind and spirit. For more information call 4484-7450.

Swedish Treatment

Daily: Effective in ensuring a fast recovery from muscular strain, this massage increases circulation, stimulates skin and soothes the nerves and is an excellent treatment for both mental and physical stress. For more information call 4484-7450.

THE FOUR SEASONS Summer Strawberry Blast

Daily: Relieve your skin with a sun-soothing wrap and hydrate your face with an antioxidant strawberry facial. A refreshing treat will be waiting for you after your treatment. This two-hour treatment is QR 1,100 per person. For more information call 4494-8802.

Happy Father’s Day

Daily: Pamper your father with a Sport Massage to release stress, restore energy and improve vitality. An application of a heat cream will be included to help relieve muscle tension, and an additional gift will be waiting for him at the end of the treatment. This 90-minute treatment is QR 880 per person. For more information on all treatments call 4494-8802.

Sun Recovery Kit

Daily: Enjoy a 20% discount on three sun-recovery products – one Soleil Organique product, one Pevonia Ligne Soleil product, and one Sodashi After-Sun Recovery product. For more information call 4494-8802.

THE GRAND HYATT Mini-Treats

Daily: Jaula Spa. Get pampered this month with Jaula’s mini-treats and experience the real journey to happiness through these small delights. The offer includes a 30-minute body scrub, 30-minute back and neck massage, and a 30-minute mini-facial. For more information call 4448-1056.

THE ST. REGIS DOHA The Refinery Treatments For Men

Daily: Remède Spa. Introducing The Refinery treatments, products made by men, for men. Try a cutting-edge treatment for body, face and back, from 10:00 a.m. till 10:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0300 or e-mail remedespa.doha@stregis.com.

W DOHA Bliss Spa Special Offers

Daily: Indulge with 20% off on Hydra-facials plus a complimentary Hot Cream Manicure at 60-minutes for QR 2,000. Or, book the Fabulous Foot Patrol and receive the Callus Conqueror add-on on for a 75-minute total treatment for QR 330. Last but not least, pamper yourself by booking a course of five FatGirlSlim treatments, perfect for body-toning, and receive the sixth treatment complimentary. Each 75-minute FatGirlSlim treatment is QR 600 per session. For more information call 4453-5555.

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Bilal Pearl Suites The Pearl Qatar

Real Estate Ahmed Hassan Bilal Trading & Contracting Co. W.L.L. Bilal Tower, Al Ashmeck Area, 10th Floor. Tel.4442 8877

Interior Design Forum Design, Bilal Tower, Al Asmakh Area, 11th Floor. Tel.4456 8716 (An Associate of Ahmed Hassan Bilal Group)

Restaurant Chowking (An Associate of Ahmed Hassan Bilal Group) Road 4437 1212 hAl Khor 4411 8816 / 4411 8817 hAl Saad St. 4431 4411 hMamoura 4486 6077 hHoliday Villa 4411 5225 / 4411 5335 hSalwa

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QH Sensations Experience tions ening destina some p p a h c ti s ta n re Escaping to fa rld does wonders. Here a around the wo

Glastonbury Festival June 25-29: UK

If mud, music and mayhem are your scene, slap on your Wellies, grab your tent and make the trek to Glastonbury. This festival of Muse performs the contemporary performing to a packed arts is one of the UK’s most crowd at coveted musical institutions. Glastonbury Notorious for its muddy, rambling fields, and four eye-popping stage areas, this year’s line-up includes Led Zeppelin front-man Robert Plant, Arcade Fire, Skrillex, MGMT, Jack White, Dolly Parton and The Pixies, among dozens more. Pack your poncho and book your tix early at www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk.

June 14-15: France

American Black Film Festival

The world’s oldest endurance sports car race, this annual event held in the French city of Le Mans, isn’t your average need-for-speed rally. Firing on all cylinders, some of motor-sport’s most renowned drivers push a roster of high-performance prototype and Grand Touring cars to the limits over a distance that’s 18 times longer than the Formula 1 Grand Prix and six times longer than the Indianapolis 500. Gear-heads can cozy up to the sidelines and go to www.24h-lemans.com.

June 19-22: USA

The African-American story is a powerful one and its storytellers have caught the eye of audiences with a spate of recent award-winning films, such as The Butler and 12 Years A Slave. This month the accolades continue in New York, as the Big Apple celebrates the American Black Film Festival with a host of star-studded movies, master classes, celebrity conversations and a sidesplitting stand-up comedy competition. Plan your pick of the best at www.abff.com.

24 Heures du Mans

Midnight Sun Run Iconic American director Spike Lee

Holland Festival

June 1-29: The Netherlands This Dutch festival of the performing arts has something for everyone right smack dab in the middle of Amsterdam – one of Europe’s most prolific art hubs. Whether it’s avantgarde film you crave, live stage productions, industry workshops and seminars, or a good old-fashioned stroll through a gallery, join your fellow art-lovers as Holland comes to life. Plan your cultural walking tour and get the full program guide at www.hollandfestival.nl.

June 23: Iceland

Fancy a marathon at the top of the world? (Well…almost at the top!) If so, then jump a plane to Reykjavík for the Midnight Sun Run. Now in its 22nd year, the race covers three distances of 5kms, 10kms and a half-marathon, with cardio-junkies pushing themselves to the limit against the backdrop of Iceland’s glimmering natural beauty. To register as a participant visit www.marathon.is.

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Bienvenido A

Miami! By Aisha Moktadier

We cruise the fairest city in the Sunshine State, from South Beach to Little Havana in celebration of Qatar Airways’ new weekly service to Miami, Florida.

rimming with Latin flair and rich with lavish hotels and restaurants, Miami is South Florida's hot-spot for culture and nightlife. As one of the United States’ most populous cities, no trip to Miami would be complete without a taste of the city's Hispanic culture and luxe lifestyle. But first− you need to know where to go and where to stay. Miami Beach hotels offer rooms in a range of prices, starting from about $200 USD (QR 700), to as high as $1,000 USD (QR 3,500) for a suite. Indulge in the opulence of three of Miami Beach’s best hotels which include the Savoy Hotel, the Delano, and the Fontainebleau, all of which offer oceanfront rooms for you to enjoy an astonishing view of the Atlantic. The Savoy Hotel offers its guests rooms that start at about $200 USD (QR 700), which includes access to a private beachfront courtyard with a pool and sundeck as well as access to chairs and cabanas. Rooms at the Delano start at about $500 USD (QR 1,750) and offer guests access to bungalows, their astonishing pool and relaxation area, and direct access to the beach. Lastly, the Fontainebleau, one of Miami’s most expensive hotels, offers its guests private cabanas, a beautiful outdoor area with several pools, bars and restaurants, and is home to one of Miami’s most glamourous nightclubs, LIV.

With such a mix of cultures, the city also has several options for dining that range from sleek sushi bars to grand steakhouses. Two of the best restaurants in Miami include Azul and Perricone’s. Located in the Mandarin Oriental hotel on Biscayne Bay, Azul fuses together a traditional Mediterranean palate with Asian-inspired flavours, offering its guests dishes such as tuna poké made with ‘fire-water’, white soy, scallions, and macadamia nuts, plus a pan-roasted chicken breast dish made with ‘Lamb Chopper’ polenta, oregano, wilted arugula, and tomato. Perricone’s is an exquisite Italian restaurant adorned with fairy lights and smooth jazz, located in the heart of Brickell. The menu offers pasta dishes such as fettuccine with sliced filet mignon and seafood linguine The Floridian tourist destination also marks the latest US route for Qatar Airways since the aviation giant joined the oneworld Alliance, launching four weekly flights to the state starting

Miami's iconic hotel Fontainebleau

Explore the restaurants and bodegas of Little Havana

June 10. With nearly 40 million passengers a year coming through Miami International Airport, the city is a prime link for people traveling to the Middle East and Asia, and is the airline’s only service to the south-eastern United States. “Miami will be our sixth US gateway,” says a Qatar Airways representative. “Renowned for its wealth of tourism, business and cultural attractions, we’re confident that it will prove to be a very popular destination.” Though Miami is highly-regarded for its nightclubs, the city also offers other, more familyfriendly venues to visit, such as the new Perez Art

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Museum Miami (PAMM) in the city’s downtown core which exhibits work by contemporary artists, and The Shops of Bal Harbour in North Miami Beach – a mall that’s dedicated to everything luxury and filled with stores such as Prada, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Jimmy Choo. Miami also serves as the gateway to other destinations around Florida, including Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld. Tickets for these theme parks range in price, from roughly $70 USD-$100 USD (QR 245-QR 350) for a single day-pass, depending on which attraction you see. Disney has recently opened their newest addition to Magic Kingdom called Fantasyland, where families can dine at Beast’s castle from Beauty and the Beast, and splash around at Casey Jr.’s Splash 'N' Soak Station, a refreshing open play area for children. hospitality on board. So whether it’s a vacation in search of relaxation and shopping, or a holiday for the whole family to spend together at Disney in Orlando, Miami will serve as a wonderful addition to the carrier’s global routes. n

Soak up the sun and do a little star-spotting at the Hotel Delano

For more information on tourist destinations in Miami go to www.visitflorida.com. For details on ticket prices and Qatar Airways’ weekly flight schedule to Miami visit www.qatarairways.com.

Another unique part of Miami is its spirit of Latin culture that permeates the city, and is most prominent in the Little Havana district, with its predominantly Cuban population. This is one of the stops on Miami’s Big Bus tour, which takes you to the district’s Maximo Gomez Park, where across the street you and your family can indulge in some homemade ice cream with Cubaninspired flavors such as abuela Maria, mamey, and café con leche from the ice cream shop named Azucar. Little Havana is known for its art galleries and restaurants, and holds a cultural festival on the last Friday of every month called Viernes Culturales. Aside from the wide variety of attractions and vibrant cultural activities that Miami and Florida has to offer, Qatar Airways is looking forward to serving the Miami area and showcasing its

Feed your culture cravings at the Perez Art Museum Miami

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om Pr ialns s ion onot Sp ati QHecSe

Luxury In

The Sky Images courtesy of Qatar Airways

With an ever-expanding fleet and new routes to Miami and Philadelphia, USA and Larnaca, Cyprus announced this spring, Qatar Airways continues its unprecedented growth with an unveiling of the first and business class lounge and bathroom interiors on its new Airbus A380-800 aircraft.

Spacious and refined, the new Airbus A380-800's on-board lounge is the epitome of first-class flying

The aircraft's new executive bathrooms

irline enthusiasts got a first glimpse of the First Class cabin seats aboard Qatar Airways’ brand-new Airbus A380-800 luxury airliner at the recent ITB Berlin conference, and now the award-winning five-star airline is offering up a sneak peek of its customized A380-800 First and Business Class lounge and bathroom interiors. The onboard lounge of Qatar Airways’ A380 has been designed with passengers in mind, ensuring that every feature is the finest and most comfortable in the sky. The lounge offers travelers an ideal place to engage with a friend, sit and relax, or just move around the cabin, and is an escape from the typical airplane environment. Instead, it’s been developed to make passengers feel like they’re in their own executive club, with a spacious interior, and an advanced mood lighting system to help guests feel refreshed when they return to their cabin for rest or work.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, H.E. Mr. Akbar Al Baker says that the airline’s A380 will create new benchmarks for in-flight experience. “Unrivalled onboard passenger comfort is an increasingly important differentiator and is becoming a fundamental deciding factor driving passenger choice,” he explains. “And Qatar Airways has designed its A380 with this firmly in mind.”

The First Class bathrooms have also been customized to create a spa-like warmth, with contemporary clean lines and a finish that comes with the most luxurious amenities. The lavatories include features such as modern taps which are sensor-operated and large, square modern sinks which help to maximize space.

With 13 of the aircraft on order, the airline is due to receive its first A380 very soon on June 17, to be deployed on one of its busiest routes – Doha to London Heathrow. Qatar Airways is celebrating a year of exceptional fleet growth, and will also welcome 80 Airbus A350s on order later this year, being the global launch customer

of the world’s newest aircraft. Meanwhile it’s also currently making enhancements to its select A320 and A330 fleet by upgrading its Business Class seating so that they recline into 180-degree fully lie-flat beds. Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth over its 17 years of operations, currently flying a modern fleet of 134 aircraft to 138 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and the Americas. Over the next few months the network will grow further with new routes launched to Miami, USA (June 10), Haneda, Japan (June 18), Dallas/ Fort Worth, USA (July 1) and Djibouti (July 27). To find out more about the latest news on the Airbus A380-800 visit www.qatarairways.com. n

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QH Sensations

Oslo:

A Northern Exposure

By Jessica Furseth Images courtesy of Grand Hotel Oslo and VisitOSLO

If it’s a break from the summer heat you crave, the alpine beauty and cooler climes of Norway draws thousands of tourists every year. We explore the Norwegian capital of Oslo, where a back-to-nature approach to city living beckons.

he capital of Norway is a breath of fresh air. Walk down Karl Johan Street and you’ll find yourself surrounded by trees and open spaces, even though you’re in the heart of a country’s capital. The Royal Palace sits at the end of Karl Johan, a modest home for a king by most standards, yet one of the grandest things you’ll see on a visit to Oslo. Like the Norwegians themselves, the capital has a practical spirit, focusing on function instead of luxury, on nature instead of skyscrapers. While cool in temperature, Norwegian summers make up for what winters lack in daylight by delivering what seems like never-ending sunshine in the evenings. And how many capitals can lay claim to having a forest within city limits? The Oslo Forest is great for crosscountry skiing in winter, while the summers deliver ample opportunities for hiking or cycling along the marked trails, as well as canoeing or

swimming in natural lakes. Largely uncultivated, the Oslo Forest will have you feeling like you’re deep in the woods, although with plenty of lodges dotted around to provide food and rest. Norway’s most majestic fjords are located on the west coast, but visitors to the capital will find plenty of attractions also along the Oslo Fjord. Day cruises from the capital depart from Oslo Harbour (two-hour trips from QR 200). The ships pass through narrow sounds, opening up to charming bays and tiny islands, dotted with the small wooden buildings where locals make summer homes. While Norway can be an expensive place to eat, drink and travel, the focus on nature as the star attraction means it’s possible to experience a lot on a budget. The city centre is walk-able, with plenty of opportunity to relax in a park, or on a bench or café looking out at the Oslo Fjord.

Make sure to sample a few local dishes, such as elk and other wild game. Red currants make a refreshing snack, with cloudberries being more difficult to find but definitely worth a taste if you do. With a long coastline, fish is in ample supply in Norway, and you may even be able to find more exotic sea creatures, even whale, on the menu. Although the best treat to buy and take home is the brown cheese, Brunost. Try it on bread at breakfast, and marvel at how something can taste so much like cheese and caramel at the same time. Art lovers will find plenty to like about Oslo. The National Gallery (adults QR 30/children free; free for all on Sundays) displays iconic paintings from Norway’s national-romantic period. The famous ‘The Scream’ is the pride and joy of the Munch

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Viewed from the harbour-front Oslo has a quaint charm that sets it apart from your average steel-and-skyscraper city

Museum (adults QR 58/ children free), dedicated solely to the life and works of Norwegian painter Edvard Munch. Following on from the naturalist tradition, Munch broke the mould when he developed his emotional painting style, seeking to express “the most subtle visions of the soul”. Children visiting Oslo – and adults too, will be impressed by the massive Viking ships at the Viking Ship House (adults QR 37/children QR 18). Having been buried in the ground around the year 800 AD, these ships now stand as proud examples of the heyday of the Scandinavian Vikings. Another impressive sight, and a favourite among locals, is the Vigeland Sculpture Park (free), where Gustav Vigeland created 212 larger-than-life sculptures in granite and bronze. The central figure is the Monolith, a 14-metre-tall column carved out of a single stone, but the best fun is probably running around taking photos with the sculptures in the park. Frogner Park (free) provides a great spot

The Grand Hotel sits at the prime location of Oslo's historic downtown district

Above: Winter in the Oslo Forest Right Circle: The Vigeland Sculpture Park Left Circle: The Royal Palace Ornate tradition meets modern luxury in a suite at The Grand Hotel

for strolling in the summer, with 14,000 roses scattered around amongst the trees, some of which are up to 250 years old. The heated pools and waterslides at the Frogner Baths (QR 250 per family) are a popular spot on hot summer days.

Fly/Sleep Qatar Airways flies directly to Oslo once daily, for approximately QR 3,570 return. Choose the Grand Hotel for the experience of a Nobel Prizewinner, as this classic hotel from 1874 is host to the Nobel Prize ceremony every December. A standard double room costs approximately QR 1,230 per night. A more budget-friendly option is the Park Inn by Radisson, close to the Royal Palace at QR 780 per night. n For more information on planning your getaway go to www.visitoslo.com or www.grand.no.

On the banks of the river sits the Oslo Opera House

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Virgin Recommends U QH BRINGS YO F PICKS F A T S P O T E H T STORE A G E M E H T M FRO

NAME: DANI HAMZA STORE SECTION: MULTIMEDIA

TIME AT VIRGIN: ONE YEAR

Best Part of My Job:“The multimedia section is the best section here at Virgin. You need to know everything about games, consoles, iPads, accessories – everything! You need to have good knowledge about electronics and we enjoy playing games and trying the new releases.” FIFA 2014 PS4, XBOX ONE

GRAN TURISMO 6 PS3

Football is popular here in the Middle East and this is the game to beat. Equipped for two to four players, you can play online and take advantage of the game’s new features such as the Pure Shot, the new Teamwork Intelligence model and a whole new ball physics system. Retail price: QR 299.

The track is your life here. It’s best in two-player mode so you have someone to target and crash into. You can also play online too for extra competition. Right now it’s only available on the PS3 – but the newest PS4 console has also released Need For Speed Rivals. Retail price: QR 269.

ZUMBA FITNESS: WORLD PARTY WII U & XBOX ONE

ASSASSIN’S CREED IV: BLACK FLAG XBOX ONE

People here love zumba because it’s a fun-filled way to workout. Learn different dance styles from Latin and hip-hop, to salsa and Reggaeton, while setting your own personal fitness goals. The game can also be set up so two to four people can play together, making it a great way to bond with friends and bust a move. Retail price: QR 279.

This is one of the newest releases for the Xbox One. The latest console has a new processor and updated graphics system and a completely new design. Continuing with the Assassin’s Creed franchise’s complex storyline, gamers can immerse themselves in extensive, open-world game-play, puzzling side-quests and intense naval combat. Retail price: QR 299.

CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS PS3, PS4, XBOX 360 & WII U Another classic first-person shooter, this is the latest installment in the popular series. Full of new technical aspects including a multi-player mode and a new Extinction game mode, it’s sold over 19 million copies worldwide, making it the second-best-selling game of 2013 after Grand Theft Auto V. Retail price: QR 279

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Spotlight On Movies

Hit up a double-feature with these top five new summer sizzlers

TOP

Think Like A Man Too

Edge Of Tomorrow

Comedy All the couples are back for a wedding in Las Vegas, but plans for a romantic weekend go awry when their various misadventures get them into some compromising situations that threaten to derail the big event.

Action | Sci-Fi A soldier fighting in a war with aliens finds himself caught in a time loop of his last day in the battle, becoming a better, more skilled warrior along the way. Think Groundhog Day with lots of explosions! Stars: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton QH Fun Fact: Leading man Tom Cruise spent over $100,000 USD on an off-the-charts wrap party for the cast and crew – but he didn’t even show up! Why? He was still filming his final scenes. Bummer!

22 Jump Street Action | Comedy | Crime After making their way through high school (twice!), big changes are in store for officers Schmidt and Jenko when they go deep undercover at a local college. Stars: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube QH Fun Fact: Directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller were so busy wrapping up The Lego Movie that they didn’t have time to do any revisions to the 22 Jump Street script before shooting began. So what you see is what you get!

How To Train Your Dragon Animation | Action | Adventure It's been five years since Hiccup and Toothless successfully united dragons and Vikings on the island of Berk. When one of their adventures leads to the discovery of a secret ice cave that’s home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the centre of a battle to protect the peace. Stars: Kit Harington, Gerard Butler, Kristen Wiig QH Fun Fact: The movie’s theme song ‘Beyond The Clouds’ was composed by conducted by the new Audiomachine program. The robots are winning….and we’re not sure how we feel about that!

Stars: Kevin Hart, Gabrielle Union, Adam Brody QH Fun Fact: American Idol 10 finalist Peter Frank stood is as Kevin Hart’s handdouble in the movie’s casino scenes. We guess he must have had some handsome hands to hold that deck of cards!

Transformers: Age Of Extinction Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi An automobile mechanic and his daughter make a discovery that brings down the Autobots and Decepticons – and a paranoid government official, on them. Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz, Stanley Tucci QH Fun Fact: Star Mark Wahlberg asked director Michael Bay to give his four children roles in the film as they’re huge Transformers fans. Talk about pulling some strings – thanks Dad!

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QH Sensations

The Dish On Qatar

By Ashlee Starratt

This month we mean green in honour of World Environment Day on June 5. As Qatar moves towards a more eco-friendly future we look at how we can all do our part as a community, one household at a time.

Qatar's green spaces must be preserved for future generations

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ot on the heels of the 2013 CoP18 UN Climate Change Conference and the 2012 World Climate Conference held in Doha, it seems that the next big trend to wash over our tiny Gulf state is green-building. From five-star hotels collaborating with the Qatar Green Building Council on everything from eco-friendly, sustainable re-vamps, to the country’s pilot recycling program taking its first baby-steps, environmental consciousness became key. But where’s the trickle-down effect? Though change must be supported at the top, it must also be implemented from the bottom up in order to have a lasting impact. For many Doha residents that can mean simple ways to outfit our homes and modify our lifestyles to lessen the mark we leave on the environment. Here are a few tips and resources that can get you started on the right track.

The Doha Garden Club Learn the skills and develop the necessary tools to cultivate your own backyard or window-box garden. Hardy produce such as tomatoes, cucumbers and melons all grow well in Qatar’s arid climate and the Garden Club can give you the boost you need. If you’re no green thumb, you can also order boxes of local produce, fresh for home delivery from www.the-box.me. For more information visit www.dohagardenclub.com.

Recycle & Compost Though still in its infancy, Qatar’s recycling program is getting off the ground with divided waste bins located throughout Education City, Katara and Alrmailah Family Park along the Corniche. The movement still needs to make the shift fully into the city’s malls, but there’s an Aversa reverse-vending machine for empty plastic bottles and cans near Spinney’s on The Pearl which is a step in the right direction. Also Ooredoo and Vodafone have recycling depots for old or damaged mobile phones at most of their outlets. Recycling and composting at home can be as easy as creating your own outdoor plastic or wooden crate for organic materials (fruit and vegetable cores and peelings, coffee grounds, meat scraps etc.), and then using the resulting nitrogen-rich soil as fertilizer for that home garden we mentioned above. Also, when ordering take-away, try to ask for less packaging containers to reduce the amount of plastic waste – or re-wash and re-use the ones you

have instead of throwing them away. Nando’s is really good for serving all brown-paper or cardboard biodegradable containers with their to-go orders. The Al Suwaidi Paper Factory can also make arrangements for regular recycling pick-ups for paper products from residential compounds. It might be worth looking into and bringing to the attention of the management – especially if you live in a large compound. They can be reached at 4460-4571 or at alsuwaidipaperfactory@gmail.com.

Waste Not, Want Not To state the obvious, we live in a desert folks – resources are finite and the population keeps booming. Trying to lessen our consumption on a daily basis can be fairly simple if we’re conscious of the need to do it. During the hot summer months, idling our cars while we run into the store seems a necessity. But it’s a practice that’s slowly killing our environment and air quality. If we could even cut back on this habit by a small fraction it would make a big difference in the levels of carbon emissions in the air.

The same with how much water we consume at home. Do we really need to take a 10-minute shower? Or run that extra load of laundry? Water is Qatar’s most precious resource and we shouldn’t waste a drop. Also, why take home more plastic bags than we have too – they’ll just end up in a landfill in the desert. An eco-friendly way to do your market shopping is to invest in a set of re-usable canvas bags that are sturdy and can go the extra mile, while saving the planet to boot! It takes a community to build a culture of conservation and together we can make it happen. To learn more about sustainable living in Qatar visit www.sustainableqatar.com, or www.qatarvironment.org -- an investigative and educational website from the students at Northwestern University-Qatar’s Medill School of Journalism. To learn more about how to find environmentally-friendly waste-management products for your office or workplace check out www.alhayaqatar.com. To discover new sustainability initiatives in your community and how to get involved, head to www.fec.qa and find out what the Friends Of The Environment Center is doing to preserve our natural resources. n

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It Happened

H.H. The Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (centre) observes the final match between Al Sadd and Al Sailiya

The 2014 winners Al Sadd, hoist the trophy at the end of the match. Star player RaĂşl Gonzalez (centre) led the goals for his team

THE H.H. EMIR'S CUP FINAL Khalifa Stadium May 17, 2014

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Triple-jump world champion and Qatari star athlete Mutaz Barshim

DIAMOND LEAGUE 2014 Qatar Sports Club May 9, 2014

Olympic track & field star Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

Clearing the hurdles during the men's steeplechase

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It Happened

The first Qatar Airways flight makes its inaugural landing

HAMAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GRAND OPENING April 30, 2014

Centre: Mr. Abdul Aziz Mohammad Al-Noaimi, Chairman of the HIA Steering Committee

Centre: Mr. Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways

Members of the QH and Art of Business team receive recognition awards from the British Council for their partnership on the recent British Festival

APPRECIATION AWARDS The British Council May 15, 2014

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L-R: Mr. Hussain Alfardan, Prof. Wolf Dieter Heiss and Mr. Ahmed Hassan Bilal, Chairman of AHB Group

AHB PENTHOUSE PARTY The Pearl-Qatar April 28, 2014

L-R: Mr. Ahmed Hassan Bilal, Mrs. Jing Van Opstal and Mr. Thomas Van Opstal, GM of the Sheraton Doha

L-R: Mrs. Suprowicz, wife of Polish Ambassador, Mr. Ahmed Hassan Bilal, H.E. Mr. Krzysztof Suprowicz, Polish Ambassador and German Ambassador H.E. Mrs. Angelika Storz-Chakarji

L-R: Mr. Ahmed Hassan Bilal, Mr. Badr Al Meer, CEO of UDC, Mr. Michael Hersout and Ms. Polie Campiteli from Debaj

SWISS WEEK GRAND OPENING The Grand Hyatt May 7, 2014

Mr. Christoph Franzen, GM of The Grand Hyatt and his two children who performed a traditional Swiss dance during the festivities

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It Happened Sponsored by Dhoom Events, the Bollywood party saw some of the best Indian DJs on the decks

BOLLYWOOD PARTY The Doha Marriott May 8, 2014

CHATUCHAK BRUNCH The Grand Hyatt May 9, 2014

L-R: The Grand Hyatt's Farah Elalfy and General Maneger Christoph Franzen enjoy the Thai market brunch at Isaan restaurant

A magician breaks out some card tricks to entertain brunch-goers

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SASOL PRESENTS THE LOST TREASURE QNCC April 23-26, 2014

A troupe of well-known Arab actors brings the message of environmental sustainability to children in the audience

WEEK WITHOUT WALLS Gulf English School May 4-8, 2014

Children from the Gulf English School spent a week outside exploring Qatar. Here they help with a beach clean-up at Samaisma Beach

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Phone Directory Al Gassar Resort 4424-4881 Al Mourjan Restaurants 4483-4423 Bert’s Cafe` 4495-3876 Biella 4467-7731 Crowne Plaza The Business Park 4408-7582 Doha Marriott Hotel 4429-8888 Four Seasons 4494-8888 Grand Heritage Doha Hotel 4445 5555 and Spa Grand Hyatt 4448-1234 Holiday Villa 4408-4220 Hilton Doha 4423-3333 InterContinental 4484-4444 InterContinental Doha The City 4015-8888 Johnny Rockets Al Emadi Complex 4455 2792 Hyatt Plaza 4460 4210 Kempinski Residences & Suites 4405-3333 La Cigale 4428 8888 Mövenpick Hotel 4429-1111 Mövenpick Tower & Suites 4496-6115 Nando’s Delivery Hotline 4436-0606 Oryx Rotana 4402-3333 Radisson Blu 4428-1555 Red Velvet 4408 0700 Renaissance Doha City Center 4419-5000 Sharq Village & Spa 4425-6666 Sealine Beach Resort 4476-5299 Sheraton Doha 4485-4444 St. Regis Doha 4446-0000 The Diplomatic Club 4484-7444 The Ritz-Carlton 4484-8000 The Torch Doha 4446-5600 W Doha Hotel & Residences 4453-5021 Wyndham Grand Regency 4434-3333

Airlines Air Arabia Air India Egypt Air Emirates Etihad Airways Gulf Air Qatar Airways

Ahmed Hassan Bilal Group

Health / Beauty

Hotels / Restaurants

4432-2111 4441-8423 4435-2901 4438-4477 4436-6657 4499-8000 4449-6666

Hospitals/Emergency

Amaoras RelaxationSpa Angsana Spa Bader Chemist Bay View 26, Wellness Centre Bio-Bil Health, Beauty & Spa Ladies Men’s

4493-4433 4483-0989

Bliss 4453-5555 Bottega Verde 4483-4535 Dados Beauty Salon 4498-0033 Diva Lounge 4431-8488 Diplomatic Spa 4484-7412 Doha Dental 4431-7766 Doha Marriott Spa 4429-8520 Ebn Sina Medical 800-2288 Foot Care Centre Lulu Gharafa 4478-0510 The Center 4436-6275 City Center 4493-0394 Four Seasons Spa 4494-8801 Frank Provost 4494-8844 Glow American Salon, Salwa Rd. 4468-9945 West Bay 4411-7652 GoodLife Chemist City Center 4483-9100 The Pearl 4495-3876 Guerlain Alfardan Spa 4420-8660 Habibs Hair and Beauty Salon 4413-0672 La Cigale - Ozone Spa 4428-8888 Medical Spa Villaggio 4451-7590 Patrice Salon 4485-4012 Ritz-Carlton Spa 4484-8173 Saray Spa 4419-5517 Six Senses Spa 4425-6999 Snips Salonon 4408-4083

Tourism / Travel Alpha Tours Arabian Adventures World Wide Destination Fox Transport Gulf Adventures Qatar Airways Holidays Qatar International Adventures Qatar International Tours Qatar Tourism & Exhibitions Authority Regency Travel & Tour Victoria Car Rental Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex

AMBULANCE, POLICE & FIRE DEPARTMENT DOHA CLINIC HOSPITAL

4408-4085 4434-3152 4441-1888 4496-6410

4434-4496 4436-1461 4467-1200 4462-2777 4422-1888 4449-6969 4455-3954 4455-1141 4499-7499 4434-4444 4466-6635 4440 9666 999

4438-4333

EMERGENCY HOTLINE 4435-5999

PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY

4439-2948

AL AHLI HOSPITAL

4489-8000

QATAR FOUNDATION FOR CHILD &

HAMAD GENERAL HOSPITAL

4439-2222

WOMAN PROTECTION HOTLINE 4466-6671 / 72

RUMAILAH HOSPITAL

4439-3333

REAL ESTATE Ahmed Hassan Bilal 4442-8877 Trad. & Cont. Co. www.ahbqatar.com INTERIOR Forum Design 4456-8716 RESTAURANTS Chowking Salwa Road 4437-1212 4431-4411 Chowking Al Saad St. Chowking Al Khor 4411-8816/ 4411-8817 Chowking Mamoura 4486-6077 Chowking Holiday Villa 4411-5225/335 PUBLICATIONS ABODE/QH Magazines

4427-8416

Shopping Alfardan Jewellery 4440-8408 City Center Doha 4483-0582 Hyatt Plaza 4469-4848 Landmark Mall 4487-5222 Lagoona Mall 4433-5555 Maya Paris 4495-3876 4495-3207 Salam 4448-5555 Villaggio 4413-5222 Virgin Megastore Villaggio 4413-5823 Landmark 4418-2245

Clubs Bridge Club Doha Garden Club Dana Club Doha Golf Club Doha Sailing Club

5554-0873 5523-1650 4496-0600 4496-0777 4443-9840

Embassies American Embassy Brazilian Embassy British Embassy Chinese Embassy French Embassy German Embassy Japanese Embassy Nepalese Embassy Philippine Embassy South African Embassy U.A.E. Embassy

4496-6000 4483-8812 4496-2000 4493-4205 4402-1702 4408-2334 4484-0888 4467-5681 4483-1585 6622-1552 4483-8880

Websites www.qatarhappening.com www.iloveqatar.net www.justlanded.com/english/Qatar www.qatarliving.com www.qatartourism.gov.qa

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