Inspiring Penthouses Nestled serenely on the 19th and 20th floors, overlooking the azure sea and surrounding landscape, these magnificent penthouses provide their residents with a true haven. Each one is a tranquil, elegant setting for living and relaxing, ideal for romantic evenings and business entertaining alike. Here you will feel connected with the environment around you. The Penthouses at Bilal Pearl Suites are available in two exclusive options: Duplex Penthouse (4 bedrooms) Penthouse (2 bedrooms)
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Table of Contents
pg 24 Three Cheers For Oktoberfest!
OUT CHECK pening.com
atarhap ormation! q . w w w nf latest i e h t r fo
SEPTEMBER MENT ENTERTAIN
EVERY ISSUE 9 Editor-in-Chief’s Letter
QH’s Editor-in-Chief tells you what’s happening this month
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QH Speaks
11
116
The best of our monthly social media Pullout calendar with the city’s do-not-miss monthly events
It Happened
QH’s photo gallery of the latest happening events in Doha
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17
Top Picks
41
18
Tom Jones Live In Doha
42
20
A Ball Of A Good Time
Events Calendar
Phone Directory Need-to-know phone numbers
TURE ARTS & CUL
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The Welsh music legend hits the stage at the InterContinental
We catch up with British Broadway star Michael Ball
Reggae Nights Are Back!
Get your island groove on at the St. Regis with Buggy Nhakente and the Fully Loaded band
Three Cheers For Oktoberfest!
24
35
Top Picks
Qatar/UK Fall Line-Up
Mega-artist Damien Hirst makes his Qatar debut at ALRIWAQ and much more
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A New Perspective
Behind the lense with Qatari photographer Ahmed Ali
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Music Of The Soul
Go full-moon drumming in the desert with Arabian Adventures
Arts & Culture Listings
50
Find out everything that’s going on this month
Our favourite Bavarian celebration is back at the InterContinental
Entertainment Listings
Find out everything that’s going on this month
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LIKE US ON FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/qatarhappening
For customer service and subscription questions, such as renewals, billing and account status, email info@qatarhappening.com 7
Table of Contents
pg 70
COMMUNITY 51
Top Picks
52
A Balancing Act
54
Making Tracks What a new commuter rail system could mean for Qatar
56
Community Listings
Grill Masters: Burgerry’s Got The Patties To Beat
We turn the pages of the QNL’s Heritage Collection
Find out everything that’s going on this month
KIDS CLUB 57
Top Picks
58
Balancing Books And Babies
More new mothers are choosing to go back to school. Find out how they do it
66
Kids Club Listings
Fun ideas to do with the kids
ING FOOD & DIN 68
Top Picks
89
Top Picks
70
Grill Masters
90
Beating The Bulge
72
IONS QH SENSAT
SPORTS
Burgerry flips some mean patties at Aspire Park
An Exotic Appetite
92
Get rid of summer sluggishness with Complete Fitness
Back To Nature
99
QH Recommends
100
Get Pampered
Our fave little luxuries of the month Spoil yourself at The Diplomatic Club’s Beauty Center
Nusantao’s new lunch menu takes diners around the world and back
Enjoy the great wide open with the Qatar Camping Exhibition
107
Reasons To Fly
74
Word Of Mouth
94
Ships Ahoy!
108
Discover Europe
110
Virgin Recommends
Our Facebook contest winner reviews the dinner service at the InterContinental Doha The City’s The Square restaurant
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97
The Qatar International Boat Show drops anchor
Sports Listings
Find out everything that’s going on this month
Food & Dining Listings
112
Our pick of top destinations Blending history and modernity in London and Munich The best monthly entertainment picks from the Megastore
Spotlight On Movies
Our top five must-see films of the month
114 The Dish On Qatar
Have Your Say: e. Feedback and comments are always welcom Please forward letters to the editor:
Call Details: Inquiries: Marketing:
Email: editor@qatarhappening.com
Fax:
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Find out everything that’s going on this month
info@qatarhappening.com jorge@qatarhappening.com
+974 4427 8416 +974 5584 4905 +974 4427 8415
Postal Address: P.O. Box 7848 , Doha, Qatar
College essentials: tips on surviving freshman year
From The Desk Of The Editor-In-Chief
On the Cover?
Dear friends, As we move into September I hope all of you can look back on this summer Ramadan season with fond memories, enjoying the company of family and friends and embracing the spirit of the Holy Month. Now, as the fall approaches, things are beginning to stir again and Doha springs to life this month with a host of entertaining events to choose from. This is also our back-to-school issue as students head off to the hallowed halls of learning for another year of knowledge-hunting, and as you’ll see we have a few features that will show you how to make the most of it. This is also our music issue and our Entertainment section is chock-full with concert events, celebrity interviews and more. We have two exclusive one-onones with music icon Tom Jones, who will heat up the stage this month at the InterContinental, and the other with British Broadway and musical theatre legend Michael Ball, whose performance at this year’s Summerfest in Abu Dhabi had audiences on their feet. There’s also Oktoberfest celebrations and Cirque du Soleil’s Dralion to look forward to and we bring you all the details on both. Our Arts & Culture section is also thriving this month with fantastic features on the upcoming Qatar UK 2013 Year of Culture festivities happening in Doha and London – don’t miss worldrenowned artist Damien Hirst’s upcoming exhibit at ALRIWAQ, plus a profile on a Qatari photographer making waves and a full-moon drumming group that’s tapping into nature with Arabian Adventures. In our Community section we also have some important pieces that are a must-read. First up is a profile on the Qatar National Library’s priceless Heritage Collection where ancient manuscripts documenting Arab culture and history are preserved for the public to see. Following that is an opinion piece that casts an objective eye on Qatar’s upcoming rail system and metro project, examining how the need for effective public transport could revolutionize our already ever-growing city. We are also pleased to announce a new development on the Food and Dining front as, upon the request of our valued patrons, the Sizzling Hot Pot outlet in the Holiday Villa Hotel compound converts into a popular new Chowking franchise in the coming month. Chowking is a subsidiary of the AHB Group and our team is proud to be a part of this latest endeavour. With its expansive space and room for up to 150 guests its the perfect location to host a party or banquet with your friends and family at this popular dining destination.
Will we see you in the front row for Sir Tom Jones? Photo Credit: The Tom Jones Press and Media Centre
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 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: Mai Akkad, Ahmed Ali, Tasbih Amin,
Amy Bassett, Jacqueline Bodnar, Bruce Browne, John Hunt, Rabi’ah M., Sanjaya Munindradasa, Christina Paschyn, Charlie Sands, Gerald Tan
We hope you enjoy all there is to explore in our pages this month. It’s been a great summer break, but we’re glad to be back and hope you are too. Thank you for making us a part of your lives.
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.
Nasser Ahmed Hassan Bilal Editor-in-Chief
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. QATAR HAPPENING (QH) retails for QR 8. Bulk subscriptions are available for QR 5 each, for orders over 50. 2013
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QH Speaks
Tweets Of The Month @QueenSara33 A smart man knows how to listen to a woman even when she’s not speaking.
@DOHA_insight # Qatar Dreamliner returns to service after hiatus.
@faizz Watching my iPhone battery power go down like sand in an hourglass.
@ukinqatar Pleased to announce that our new Ambassador, Mr. Nicholas Hopton arrived to #Qatar yesterday evening. You can follow him (@NicholasHopton).
@wdoha Good morning beautiful #Doha! If you had three wishes right now, what would they be?
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 For me September is about new beginnings. Another Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr have come and gone, things are re-opening and the city is blooming back to life. I had the chance to go back home for holidays for the first time in the year and a half since I’ve been over here, and there’s one thing that I miss unequivocally about Canada – the four seasons. September in Nova Scotia is still sunny and warm, but there’s also something brisk about it. A change becomes palpable in the air and you know that the cold bite of fall is right around the corner. Carried on the air is also a sense of possibility, of something new, and it’s a feeling that I’ve come to permanently associate with the month of September. Here in Qatar it’s a bit different, but there’s still that sense of ‘waking up’; you can feel it all over the country and one of its driving forces is that for many young people, September means back to school. Be sure to check out in this month’s issue our stories on balancing books and babies for new Moms who are wanting to head back to the classroom, an insightful feature on the Qatar National Library’s Heritage Collection, plus a guide on student life at Education City that will come in handy for every new college hopeful in Doha. September is also a month of music, concerts and beach parties and people are getting ready to let loose. Flip through our Entertainment section for the latest hot happenings from Pacha Ibiza, Global DJs and Oktoberfest, which is only a few weeks away! We hope that you get out there and experience something new and fun this month, whether it’s front-row at the concert stage or in the classroom. You know QH will be there. See you next month,
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @qatarhappening
In Your Face
asked our It’s that time of year again! We ’re looking forward they t wha s wer follo book Face Here’s what’s got to in the back-to-school season. s: book you ready to hit the
Noor Ahmed “I am looking forward to making the most of the opportunities at school this year and not repeating the same mistakes as last year. It’s a fresh start!”
Dounya Darani “I love the routine of being back at school. Please get some information for us on after-school activities for kids of all ages!”
Misty Rollins McCord “Activities for stay-at-home Mommies to do after dropping kids off at school (besides shop).”
Sarra Hamid “I’m looking forward to planning the senior prank with my friends, cause since this is gonna be our last year, we might as well make it memorable!”
Alia Hijaab “I am looking forward to having an awesome time with my friends before I graduate”
Ashlee Starratt Editor
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LIKE US ON FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/qatarhappening
Entertainment
s k c i P p o T ’s h t This Mon
La Cigale Hotel The Place To Be
Radisson Blu The Celtic Tenors Sept 26: Giwana Ballroom. Come and enjoy the voices of Matthew Gilsenan, James Nelson and Daryl Simpson as they whisk you through a musical cocktail of classical, folk, Irish and pop genres. Their unique voices, characters and wit provide a show over-flowing with vitality and variety. The Celtic Tenors continue to “re-invent the whole tenor idiom” by pioneering a new style of cool never before seen on the classical stage and breaking the traditional stuffy tenor mould. QR 370 per person including three-course dinner and drinks package. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Dinner and show starts at 8:00 p.m. For more information call 4428-1555.
Daily: Madison Piano Bar. Experience a new blast of eclectic chic and elegance. Live Arabic music every night with the talented resident one-man show, excluding Sundays where Ladies Night takes place with DJ Roger Choueiry. From 6:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m., live entertainment doesn’t start before 10:00 p.m. No entrance fee and no minimum charges applicable seven days a week! Membership required. For more information call 4428-8665 or 5518-8008.
Grand Regal Hotel Ladies Night Wed & Thurs: Bar Rancho’s. Enjoyable ladies night out with live entertainment. Ladies get free entry, free membership and one free beverage. Gents pay entrance fee of QR 50 and get one free beverage. From 8:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4409-4600/4409-4444 or email sales@grandregal.com.
OUT om K C E H .c C ppening
atarha tion! www.qthe latest informa for
Kempinski Residences & Suites
Gokulam Park Doha
Airline Flight Crew Happy Hours
Deep Nights
Sat - Fri: The Lounge. All airline flight crew can enjoy a complimentary 20% discount on the final bill of their dinner or drinks in The Lounge when presenting their company I.D. card. From 7:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4405-3325 or email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.
Mondays: D’Illusion. A trendy lounge bar with hip aesthetics and chilled-out rhythms. This hangout will have you unwinding in style with slinky cocktails and delightful snacks. At D’Illusion socializing will never go out of style. From 6:30 p.m. till 2:30 a.m. Membership QR 30, valid for three months. For more information call 4470-8888.
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Entertainment
Tom Jones
Live In Doha By Jorge Granda Images courtesy of the Tom Jones Press and Media Centre
QH sat down with the legendary Sir Tom Jones for an exclusive interview with music’s most dapper gentleman as he gets ready to get the crowds pumping at the InterContinental Doha on September 17
H
e was friends with Elvis Presley and dominated the world’s stages at the height of the 1960s and 70s with hits like ‘It’s Not Unusual’, ‘What’s New Pussycat’ and ‘She’s A Lady’. Now at the feisty age of 73, he’s making his Doha début with a stopover on his world-wide Greatest Hits tour. Expect to hear new hits and Tom Jones classics as the crooner continues to prove he’s a master of reinvention.
TJ: I hope as always that everyone has a great time.
TJ: I wouldn’t say I’m more comfortable with one style over another, but I connect a lot with blues, soul and gospel, as they are my musical roots.
QH: Tell us about your show.
QH: You’ve sold over 100 million records and are considered one of the most popular vocalists in the world. How does it feel to have achieved so much?
TJ: It’s a mix of old hits and new material from my last two albums. There’s something for everyone!
TJ: It feels great! But it’s also humbling knowing that what I do can actually affect someone in how they feel.
QH: When did you realize being a singer was your only path in life?
QH: You first performed in Vegas in the late 1960’s and did regularly until a couple of years ago. What was so appealing about performing there?
QH: How did Qatar end up on your tour list? TJ: I’m doing a few dates in the Middle East and Doha is a great city that I’d love to visit.
TJ: When I discovered my voice, which was at a very early age – it’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do.
QH: What type of reaction are you expecting from the local public in Qatar?
QH: Your repertoire has spanned nearly every form of popular music – pop, rock,
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R&B, show-tunes, country, dance, soul and gospel. Which genre do you feel most comfortable and connected with?
TJ: In the early years, Vegas was quite the place to be. But then again, I never treated the show or audiences differently there than I did another other city or venue – it was just like any other
Have you picked up Tom Jones new album yet? If not, what are you waiting for?
gig – maybe a bit more glamourous, but also hard work as the schedule was quite punishing on the voice. QH: You have done many duets throughout your career, could you name two or three that you enjoyed the most or that had a profound impact in your career? TJ: I’m lucky to have performed with so many great artists and heroes of mine, too many to mention. And they’re all quite different from one another, so there’s really no way to play favourites. QH: You’ve been singing in the spotlight for decades. Any particular decade or year that you felt was the most fulfilling for you professionally? TJ: The 60’s and 70’s were great because that was the start of my career and very exciting
times. But to still be here, performing in 2013 is both an honour and an achievement. QH: Which is your favourite singer of all times? TJ: Jerry Lee Lewis. When I first heard him sing I thought “Wow!” QH: Which singer of the new generation do you think could achieve a similar longevity in the industry as you’ve enjoyed? TJ: I think Adele will be around for a long time. She is a great singer/songwriter and seems to get it right each time. QH: Any advice to the newcomers? TJ: Work hard and enjoy yourself, it should never feel like a chore if you’re doing what you love.
A music legend for the ages, Sir Tom Jones is an on-stage dynamo
QH: You ‘re still very much relevant in the music industry, but are you afraid time may be slipping away? TJ: Do you know something I don’t?! I take each day as it comes and enjoy every moment I have. QH: Can someone like Tom Jones ever be starstruck himself? TJ: Meeting the Queen was a little intimidating! n Tom Jones In Concert Event: Greatest Hits Tour When: Tuesday, September 17 Where: InterContinental Doha Timings: Doors open at 7:00 p.m., show starts at 9:00 p.m.
ENTER AND WIN!
Ticket price: QR 250,regular ticket QR 250 QR 500, fan pit/VIP tickets
We’re giving away two tickets to see Tom Jones live in Doha! For more information visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/QatarHappening.
Tickets on sale at Virgin Megastores, Virgin online, the InterContinental Doha and Crepaway
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Entertainment
A Ball Of A Good Time By Christina Maria Paschyn Images courtesy of Live Nation UK & Katrina Quirolgico
QH sat down for an exclusive interview with British Broadway legend Michael Ball, who performed recently at Abu Dhabi’s SummerFest. We find out what keeps his love for musical theatre alive and kicking.
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t’s a hard knock life for musical theatre geeks in the Gulf. Forgive the terrible reference, but expats know it’s true. Good Western musical theatre is hard to come by in the region. Sure, travel shows may claim Qatar and the U.A.E. are the new cultural hubs of the Middle East, if not the world. To an extent they’re right. Both are home to impressive orchestras, art museums and even opera houses. But when was the last time a professional production of Les Miserables passed through our cosmopolitan oasis? How about The Phantom of the Opera or 42nd Street? If you think our neighbours in the U.A.E. fare better, they don’t. I was only able to find one relevant article on Google about a community production of Cats. Sadly, it’s clear the Gulf is not a musical paradise. Well, at least it wasn’t until last month when something wonderful happened. Something so unexpected, fantastic and miraculous musical aficionados throughout the Peninsula undoubtedly fainted at the news: Michael Ball performed in Abu Dhabi. Yes, you read that right. Michael Ball. The United Kingdom’s West End Adonis performed a two-night musical extravaganza at the du Forum in Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island on August 16 and 17.
Theatre legend Michael Ball is all smiles in the studio
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If you don’t know who Michael Ball is then a.) you must not be British, which is no excuse because I’m American and I still know who Michael Ball is. Or b.) you must not like musicals, which means you have no taste. Either way, go smack yourself in the face because Michael Ball has a voice like velvet butter and you are seriously missing out.
Michael Ball originated the role of Marius in Les Miserables. He also originated the role of Alex in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love. It was in that musical that he first sang a little ditty called ‘Love Changes Everything.’ That legendary song may have propelled Michael to international stardom, but he also proved his singing and acting chops starring as Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera, Giorgio in Stephen Sondheim’s Passion, Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Edna Turnblad in Hairspray and, most recently in 2012, the eponymous anti-hero of Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. By the way, those last two roles both earned him Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Actor in a Musical. So when I heard he was coming to Abu Dhabi, I did what any sane person would do. I woke up at 4:00 a.m. to purchase tickets online and shelled out $430 for a roundtrip flight. (FYI, Qatar Airways: no 50-minute flight from Doha should cost that much.) It was worth it. He dazzled us with his renditions of show tunes from nearly every production imaginable. And I can confirm Michael is as humble, gracious and good-natured as his many fans say he is because that is exactly what he was like in our phone interview a few days before the concert. I now present to you the greatest celebrity interview I have ever had the pleasure of conducting: QH: Hi Michael! In my opinion, you’re pretty much the biggest musical star in the UK. And I’d like to know, what’s been your favourite role thus far? MB: Oh gosh, there’s something to be said for all of them. And you know, bearing in mind when I first started playing Marius that was an amazing role to create. It’s always exciting when you create something. But I have to say Sweeney Todd and Edna in Hairspray have to be two of the best roles for men that were ever written, even though Edna is a woman. The most challenging has to be Sweeney Todd. That is musically and psychologically the most difficult role – I think probably it’s kind of like the King Lear of musical theatre - and I just loved playing it. It was hard - it was a big challenge. But it’s like anything - if you overcome those challenges and actually do something that you can feel proud of then those are the best parts. QH: The TV show Glee is huge now in the US and the UK. What do you think of it? And do you identify with any of the characters? MB: I love Glee - it’s such a sad thing that’s happened to Cory Monteith, it really is someone taken so young. What I love about
Performing at SummerFest in Abu Dhab i. Photo Credit: Katrina Quirolgico
it and what it’s done is it’s another way for the younger generation to understand about musicals and about the power of musicals in telling stories, and the fact that they can take songs from other genres and kind of turn them into musical theatre songs. I think it’s really exciting. As to whom I identify with, it will probably be Matthew Morrison’s character, the teacher. And he’s such a nice guy! I’ve known him for a while and he’s as talented as you would imagine. QH: Do you do any sort of teaching with children in musical theatre?
Under the spotlights, Ball gets ready to hit the stage
MB: Yes, I have done. I’ve done master classes and I try to do that - not as much time as I would like. But I believe being a leading man in a theatre role, part of your job is to pass on to the next generation the disciplines and the ethics of what we do in this business. It’s a hard business. It’s not just about having the talent. It’s having the discipline. You have to understand how to behave in rehearsals, the etiquette of being in a theatre. I think that’s equally important to pass those lessons on, exactly what I was taught.
accept it and treat it as a bit of fun that it is, and set ourselves realistic goals of waiting to come in the voting.
QH: Going on to a different aspect of your career, you very nearly won Eurovision back in ’92 with the song, ‘One Step Out of Time’. A poll just came out that shows a lot of Brits think the competition has become way too political and countries only vote for their neighbours. What do you think?
QH: What do you hope to do with your career moving forward?
MB: Of course they do! Of course it’s political! [Chuckles] But it’s still good fun. I do think people take it way too seriously and it’s a wonderful night of entertainment. It’s a wonderful night for us all to be horribly xenophobic about other countries and enjoy ourselves. I think we love moaning about it! It’s part of the joy and there’s nothing that will ever be done to get away from people voting for their neighbours. That’s always what’s going to happen. I think we just have to
QH: It’s too bad you didn’t win (Michael came in second place}, but have you thought about trying to do it again? MB: [With emphasis] I’d rather stick needles in my eyes! [Laughs heartily] That would be ‘no.’ That ship has sailed!
MB: I love the challenge of doing something different. I think the next thing I would like to do is some straight acting on television. I will always continue doing my records and my concerts and the radio and TV hosting that I do – I love doing all that. And I will go back into the theatre to do musicals. But the one something that I haven’t really tried to do is straight acting on TV and on film. So I might try looking into that and seeing if anyone will give me a job. n Buy Michael Ball’s latest album, Both Sides Now, at his website: http://www.michaelball.co.uk/.
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Entertainment
Buggy Nhakente shares the stages with songstress Rhesa Garnes
Reggae Nights Are Back! The beach at The St. Regis Doha will once again be ringing with the mellow sounds of Buggy Nhakente and his Fully Loaded band as reggae nights gear up to make a comeback.
T
connect with people from all walks of life. Buggy Nhakente and the Fully Loaded band are following their dream of entertaining and spreading love to the world through music.
Having toured Canada, the UK and the US, and been awarded Reggae Artist of the Year, Nhakente is a three-time winner of the Best Reggae Single and Best Video, and has shared the stage with megastars like Ja Rule, Ashanti, Sean Paul, Shaggy, Queen Ifrica, Anthony Band and many more. This humble and talented singer/songwriter has partnered with a group of top-notch musicians to create a blend of Caribbean music with universal lyrics that
Guests can chill out with their rich sound on the private beach at The St. Regis every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 p.m. till midnight. A BBQ menu is also available with a wide selection of delicious Jamaican-style food. Entry is free, so kick off your shoes, sink your toes into the soft white sand and chill-out island-style. On Wednesday nights, ladies receive a complimentary second drink. For reservations call 4446-0105. n
he award -winning Buggy Nhakente and the Fully Loaded Band are returning to Qatar as the resident reggae ensemble at The St. Regis and this time they’re bringing Jamaican songbird Rhesa Garnes with them.
The Fully Loaded bad are ready to enter tain you!
ENTER AND
WIN!
Each week QH, in cooperation with The St. Regis Doha are giving away two VIP reserved seating areas for eight people, plus welcome beverages. Two lucky winners will be selected each week. To enter to win you simply need to visit www.facebook.com/QatarHappening.
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Week 1 Wed, Sep 4 & Fri, Sep 6 Week 2 Wed, Sep 11 & Fri, Sep 13 Week 3 Wed, Sep 18 & Fri, Sep 20 Week 4 Wed, Sep 25 & Fri, Sep 27
Entertainment
Three Cheers For
Oktoberfest!
By Jorge Granda Images courtesy of Guat Drauf
In a few short weeks the InterContinental Doha will be gearing up for their much-anticipated Oktoberfest celebrations – one of the largest in the country. The QH team are already ironing our lederhosen as we chat with this year’s musical performers, Austrian troupe Guat Drauf.
O
ktoberfest is an annual event held in Munich, the heart of Germany’s Bavarian region. Running for 16 days from late September to the first week of October, it’s the world’s largest fair, with more than six million people attending every year. This year and for the 10th year in a row InterContinental Doha is bringing the popular festival back to Qatar with a brand new band to boot and we were lucky to have guitarist, vocalist and band leader Stefan Schiemer answer a few burning questions: QH: Tell us how Guat Drauf started and how long you’ve been together? SS: [We] started as a five-man music project in 1998 playing folklore hits from the ‘Grazer Spatzen’, ‘Schürzenjäger’ and ‘Oberkrainer’ [traditions]. Some years later [we] decided to
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expand to a seven-man live, power band, like we perform now. QH: What’s the edge that sets you apart from any other Austrian or German folkloric band? SS: [We’re] a very multi-talented cover band. Our repertoire reaches from folkloric music with traditional instruments like akkordeon and clarinet, to oldies, rock classics and actual international hits like ‘Gangnam Style’. QH: This is your first time performing in Qatar. What are your expectations? SS: Some of our band members joined last year’s band Voiga Xelchten, so [we] know [about] Oktoberfest in Qatar. For this reason we’re
looking forward to having a great time together with all the party people in the tent. And we know the Oktoberfest visitors are really hungry for a party and are a great audience. QH: What can folks expect from your show at Oktoberfest 2013? SS: [We’re] bringing a funny and entertaining show from Austria to Doha. We’re called Guat Drauf, which could be translated as ‘in a happy mood’. We have fun on the stage and we hope that the audience is seeing that and feeling the same way. They can expect some solo songs for akkordeon and clarinet, [but] some of our show elements should be a surprise. Hannes, our ‘Master of Zeremony’ will play some funny games with the [crowd] during our breaks, [while] we’ll give a powerful performance on-
The Austrian Gaut Drauf band kicks up an Oktoberfest storm on-stage
stage with lots of animation that will definitely heat up the tent. QH: How many countries have you performed in?
No Oktoberfest party would be complete without the sound of an accordian
SS: During the year we perform mainly in Austria and Germany. Last year we had a oneweek stay at the Oktoberfest in Pennsylvania [in the U.S]. We also performed [at] various festivals in Switzerland and Italy.
QH: What is the meaning of Oktoberfest for you guys?
QH: What has been your best experience playing abroad?
QH: For those of you who were here for the festivities last year, what did you think of the set-up at the InterCon?
SS: At the Oktoberfest in Pennsylvania they had a Wiener dog race. They asked us in front of the whole audience how many Wiener dog races we’ve been [to], because they ought to be quite famous in Austria. We answered that this is our first one, because there are no Wiener dog races in Austria. The crowd laughed out loud as they realized that this race is no Austrian tradition. But it was great fun!
SS: This is our most stressful time of year. [Laughing]
QH: Any messages for this year’s Oktoberfest revelers? SS: We’re looking forward to welcoming you at Oktoberfest 2013. Let’s get the party started! Or as we say in our language, ‘Prost’ and ‘ZickeZackeZickeZacke n Oktoberfest 2013 Where: InterContinental Doha, Oktoberfest tent at the Fish Market beachfront When: October 2-5
SS: The experience from the last year’s [event] was that Oktoberfest visitors are such affectionate and happy people. The mood during the performances was filled with positive emotions and a party [vibe]. Besides this, the [staff] of the Intercontinental Hotel were very professional and very friendly – a great big ‘thank you’ to the F&B Management.
Tickets: Wed, Thurs & Fri, QR 235 Saturday, QR 175 Includes German buffet, Doors open at 8:00 p.m. Must be 21 years old with original passport or Qatari I.D. Contact: For more info call 4484-4919
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Entertainment
Lounging Around By Jorge Granda Photography by Jessie Palanca
If you fancy a cozy spot to unwind or get ready for a big night out, QH tells you where to find two of the most chic, cosmopolitan lounges. Look no further than the Radisson Blu! The Library Bar Nestled in the Radisson Blu, it’s one of the oldest bars in town. When I first arrived in Doha a decade ago I was introduced to this cozy lounge but have to admit I haven’t been back to The Library in a couple of years. When I heard it’s recently been fully refurbished and revamped I wanted to check it out and reminisce about simpler times. Ten years ago The Library was a small, old-fashioned little lounge packed to the rafters with books. It was a bit somber and dull, but there was still something charming about the place that kept me coming back.
Manhattan
So, it’s with high expectations that I visit the renovated Library on a quiet Friday night. When I walk into the lounge I can’t believe it’s the same place – it’s completely different. The space is bigger – at least so it seems – the furniture is new, made out of black leather, the view is amazing, and the lighting isn’t as dim as it used to be. The new Library is a more contemporary and luxurious hangout. The concept is still the same: it’s a bar where you can enjoy a drink while reading a book. But now the books are nicely placed in an elegant bookshelf. It still maintains that coziness that makes The Library so distinctive from other lounges in the city. Another big difference is that it’s become the first non-smoking bar in Doha. The music is relaxing and soothing and it’s the perfect place to stop by for a drink after work or to start a great night out.
Since I am already at the Radisson Blu I decide to also pop into Manhattan as I’ve heard good feedback about it. It’s perhaps the smallest bar in the country, but it’s a great place nonetheless. Manhattan is intimate, super-chic, and has that New York loft-inspired feel. I’m told that it’s also affectionately known as ‘Jimmy’s Bar’ named after the ever-smiling bartender. From the moment I walk in Jimmy is already grinning and offering me a Manhattan, of course. The atmosphere is laid-back and I enjoy my time there. Even though it’s super-small it oozes elegance and old-world glamour and is a nice place to chill out. I’m also told that Jimmy remembers everyone who sets foot into Manhattan, even if you’ve only been there once; when you come back he remembers you and most importantly, what you like to drink. I definitely have to come back and put that theory to the test. n
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Relax in comfort at The Library
Big Apple luxury at Manhattan
The Library Location: Radisson Blu Doha (11th Floor, West Wing) Timings: Open daily from 6:00 p.m. Contact Info: Call 4428-1555 Manhattan Location: Radisson Blu Doha (Ground Floor, East Wing) Timings: Daily from 6:00 p.m. Contact Info: Call 4428-1555
Entertainment
Hyatt Happenings Images courtesy of The Grand Hyatt Doha
m new workout stantly re-inventing itself – fro con is att Hy d an Gr e Th ot, ptember! A regular Doha hotsp hlights to look out for this Se hig the of e som are re he p, spaces, to a nightlife revam LoveLight At Dunes Hailing from the land down under, LoveLight brings an exciting blend of soul, pop and modern jazz to Dunes in an exclusive new set at the Grand Hyatt. Combining some of Australia’s best musicians, LoveLight have been performing at the world’s leading venues across Asia, the Middle East and Europe. The band is led by gorgeous vocalist Natalie Silbert, a prominent figure on the Australian music scene and a unique recording artist in her own right. With musical director Chass Guthrie on keyboards the duo will guide you through a collection of cool classics and current pop hits. “We are so excited to be in such a new, upcoming city and are looking forward to making a difference in the local music scene here,” says Guthrie. “Playing in such an intimate venue like Dunes allows us to build a relationship with all our guests which only enhances the musical experience.” LoveLight shines onstage every evening except for Sunday and Monday.
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After-work evenings at Dunes just got better with
LoveLight
Rocca’s Getting Bigger – Literally! Rocca, The Grand Hyatt’s popular poolside venue is expanding. Known for its nightspot reputation with themed monthly parties and great music, we’ve just caught wind that they’re now opening up the outlet to increase the outdoor space and create a lounge area. The new addition will have glass walls, so guests can enjoy the view and an open ceiling to bask in the outdoors during the evenings. It will also be servicing the same great food, plus will now offer shisha. The über-modern space will see another new concept take hold as “a sort of sports bar”. Puneet Baijal, Food and Beverage Director at the hotel, explains that the new idea is to have a social meeting place to watch all the best sports entertainment screened in the new section. This facelift will also introduce a re-vamped menu. “We don’t want to reveal too much right now, but you’ll be seeing a great change in Rocca in the upcoming months,” explains Baijal, “The cuisine will be shifting from Mediterranean to a focus on Italian food.”
A New Face Behind The Counter Also in Dunes, a new mixologist has hit the scene adding an extra kick spunk to your experience. Ladies and gentlemen please welcome the newest addition to the Hyatt’s nightlife, Miss Anita Strother - celebrity bartender from Australia. With experience in some of the top outlets across her home continent, Anita brings her expertise to Doha and is planning to shake things up! She’s taken part in many competitions including the prestigious Mixing Star and scored the highest in Australia in the G’Vine connoisseur exam. “I’m very interested in molecular mixology and using the freshest seasonally available ingredients, so I hope to be bringing some of that to the Grand Hyatt in the near future,” she says. Anita is excited about moving to Doha and tells QH why she loves her job. “The best part of my job is that every day is different and you never know what to expect. One day you may be rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s best at an industry event and then the next day you’re making somebody’s day by fixing them the perfect cocktail.” Her motto in life is a quote by Buddha stating, “Do not dwell on the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
The Beach The Grand Hyatt has always had one of the largest beaches in Doha. With its sandy 400-metre stretch and three swimming pools, it’s without doubt a prime spot in the city to enjoy your weekends. This September, the recreation
New Dunes bartender Anita Strother
playground just got better. A new, chic beach bar surrounded by palm trees can now be spotted serving beverages and beach snacks. Now you can spend all day soaking up the rays without leaving your sun lounger.
Get In The Zone Jaula Spa & Club are launching a new dynamic to their facilities under the name, The Zone. This is a new indoor and outdoor workout studio offering all kinds of classes including dance, Tai-Bow, yoga, spinning, Cross-Fit, abs and stretching and more. The best bit about The Zone is you don’t have to be a member of the gym; you can just book for single walk-ins at affordable prices. Also worth checking out is their specialty Aquagym class. For QR 50, join Anamaria, Elena and Yarzar as they host an innovative program that will have you losing all those calories you packed on over the summer holidays. Spaces are limited so make sure to book in advance. The Club by Jaula Spa & Club also offers a fullyequipped gymnasium with state-of-the-art cardio
and strength equipment, as well as a femaleonly aerobics studio. Plus, guests can enjoy the steam room, sauna, whirlpool and inhalation rooms and their 25-metre indoor pool. n For more information visit www.doha.grand.hyatt.com or call their main line at 4448-1234.
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Entertainment
Festival Fun Guide
The Mahala Rai Banda is a burst of on-stage musical energy at the Monterey Jazz Festival
By Amy Bassett
rockin’ music nds of people are enjoying a usa tho , rld wo the in re he ew plan our Just think. Every weekend, som gluttony of the musical feast occasionally, and some of us the September! festival. Some of us indulge in what’s on the musical radar for re’s He m. the entire lives around
T
here are so many great festivals out there it’s hard to keep up! So, this little monthly feature is written especially for you, my concert-going friend. We here at QH want to find you the ‘good oil’ of festivals, the cream of the crop, so that you know where to head on your next great escape. Interested? Read on...
Rock Across The Pond In our quest to find the best September festival, the first choice is easy: Bestival! Voted ‘Best Medium Sized Festival’ (2006) and ‘Best Major Festival’ (2010/2012) by the U.K. Festival Awards, Bestival is curated by U.K. DJ Rob Da Bank and his wife, Josie. From a humble crowd of 10,000 in 2004 to over 55,000 last year, the
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event has managed to maintain a boutique feel. As a self-confessed festival geek, I will agree with the accolades heaped on Bestival - this is festival indulgence at its finest. Why? There are too many stages to count, but it’s so well laid out, you’ll still make it around them all. Lashings of undiscovered acts are counter-balanced with a healthy helping of legendary stalwarts. You’ll find enchanted forests, installation and performance art and comedy shows. Tens of thousands dress up for the costume-themed Saturday night. The program features a line-up to melt your brain into goody-gum-drop ice cream - Bestival really, truly has it all.
Nestled in the natural landscape of the Isle of Wight, this festival also invites you to visit a place you may otherwise never see. Camp, glamp, or round up some friends and rent a ‘bach’, just don’t miss it!
Party In The U.S.A. You’d prefer to head Stateside, you say? Well, if you’re in California then you’re right on the doorstep of one of the most historically important and longest-running music festivals in the world. Big talk, yes, and it is all 100% deserved. The Monterey Jazz Festival has been held year upon year at the Monterey County Fairgrounds
Jazz musician Gregory Porter is an act you don ’t
want to miss at Monte rey
ert grounds y at the UK’s Bestival conc The crowds gather to part
in Northern California since 1958. Over its’ long history, the stage has seen an incredible line-up of many of music’s most influential players. Legend has it that when famed radio broadcaster, Jimmy Lyons of San Francisco, pitched his festival idea to the Monterey City Council, he hit a brick wall…until he recruited Dave Brubeck for a private council chamber performance. Needless to say, Brubeck, who is included in that hallowed circle of ‘jazz greats’ and is most well-known for his sweet ditty Take That, won over the council and the festival began its long haul that very year. Brubeck opened the floodgates to almost every jazz musician worth their boots. Dizzy Gilliespie, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Count Basie, Sarah Vaughn, Roberta Flack, The Staple Singers, Lou Rawls and Quincy Jones have all graced the MJF stages - the list goes on and on. Even if you haven’t heard their names, you’ve almost certainly heard their music. With over 500 musicians in 50+ performances on eight stages, MJF has something for everyone. Over the years, the musical scope has broadened to include blues, rock, soul and R&B. There are artist workshops, panel discussions and seminars for the proper music geek, alongside food alleys and film showings to round out the weekend.
BESTIVAL When: September 5-8 Where: Robin Hill Country Park, Isle of Wight Must-see acts: Elton John, Wu Tang Clan, Chic, The Flaming Lips, M.I.A., The Roots, Disclosure Adult Tickets: 190-316 GBP (QR 1,000-1,700) Ticket only Flights: QR 4,240 return to London Heathrow (Qatar Airways economy) Camping/ferry/bus/train options to and from London available on their website Website: www.bestival.net Perhaps one of the most impressive things about the organization running MJF is its commitment to developing musicians. All festival proceeds go to the Next Generation Scholarship Program, which last year gave over $600,000 USD in funds to furthering musical education in jazz. This means you, dear punter, get an extra warm fuzzy feeling when laying down those hard-earned scallops for your ticket. So, who to look out for at MJF 2013? One young artist from Los Angeles, Mr. Gregory Porter, has been making tidal waves across the music scene
MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL When: September 20-22 Where: Monterey County Fairgrounds, Monterey, California (100 miles from San Fran) Must-see acts: Gregory Porter, Herbie Hancock, George Benson Tickets: $50 USD – 1-day pass. $580 USD - Premier 3-day pass. (QR 180-2,000) Flights: QR 7,130 return to San Francisco airport (Qatar Airways economy) Website: www.montereyjazzfestival.org in the past two years. His debut album, Water (2010), earned him a Grammy nomination and this is reflected in the program – he plays three sets over the weekend. He’s on the bill with super heavyweights Herbie Hancock, George Benson, the Buena Vista Social Club and scores more. It is indeed a much more chilled out affair than say, Glastonbury, but that’s a good thing, right? n
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Entertainment
Dralion In Doha As told to Jorge Granda Photography by Daniel Desmarais courtesy of Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil stages some of the greatest performances and acrobatic spectacles in the world. This September the company will dazzle Qatar with its Dralion stage-show.
C
irque du Soleil’s Dralion will land in Doha at Aspire Dome from September 19-21. The extravagant production premiered in 1999 in Montreal, Canada and has been watched by more than seven million people around the globe. Now it’s Doha’s time to witness the power of Dralion. The show draws its inspiration from Eastern philosophy and its never-ending quest for harmony between humans and nature. Its name is derived from its two emblematic creatures: the dragon, symbolizing the East, and the lion, symbolizing the West.
Cirque du Soleil At A Glance From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Québec-based organization providing highquality artistic entertainment. The company has 5,000 employees, including more than 1,300 artists from close to 50 different countries. Their performances aim to invoke the imagination, provoke the senses and evoke the emotions of people around the world. The creation of Cirque du Soleil started in BaieSaint-Paul, a small town near Québec City in
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Canada. There, in the early eighties, a band of colourful characters roamed the streets, striding on stilts, juggling, dancing, breathing fire and playing music. They were Les Échassiers de Baie-Saint-Paul (The Baie-Saint-Paul StiltWalkers), a street theatre group founded by Gilles Ste-Croix. In 1984, Québec City was celebrating the 450th anniversary of Canada’s discovery by Jacques Cartier, and they needed a show that would carry the festivities out across the province. Guy Laliberté presented a proposal for a show called Cirque du Soleil (Circus of the Sun), and succeeded in convincing the organizers – and Cirque du Soleil hasn’t stopped since!
Ticketing Exclusive ticket offers for Dralion are available now online to Cirque Club members. Cirque Club membership is free and benefits include access to advance tickets, special offers and exclusive behind-the-scenes information. To join visit www.cirqueclub.com.
Ticket Price Tickets range from QR 250 to QR 2,000 and there are two show-times per day, 6:00 p.m. and
Cirque du Soleil is bac k in
Qatar at its very best!
9:30 p.m. A limited number of premium and front-row tickets are also available for all performances.Tickets are available at www.cirquedusoleil.qa.
Cirque Stats • In 1984, 73 people worked for Cirque du Soleil. Today the business has 5,000 employees worldwide, including more than 1,300 artists. • More than 100 types of occupations can be found at Cirque. • The company’s employees and artists represent close to 50 nationalities and speak 25 different languages. • More than 100 million spectators have seen a Cirque du Soleil show since 1984. • Close to 15 million people will see a Cirque du Soleil show in 2013. n Win Two Tickets For Dralion Log onto www.facebook.com/QatarHappening or www.qatarhappening.com from Thursday, September 5 till Monday, September 9 and enter to win!
Entertainment Listings RECOMMENDS
gorized are cate is limited s g in t s All li el. Inclusion e, with per hot ability of spac rtisers. to avail given to adve priority
THE RITZ-CARLTON Art of Cocktail Class
Fri 13: Habanos. Meet the Habanos team for an immersion in the art of creating exciting drinks for QR 225. From 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. For reservations call 4484-8504 or email rc.dohrz.leads@ritzcarlton.com or levy.ramirez@ritzcarlton.com.
W DOHA BoddhiSatva RADISSON BLU
Special Guest DJ Charlotte Devaney
Fri 6: Qube. Straight from London, Qube presents the UK’s hottest DJ’s playing a mix of hip-hop, R&B, funky commercial house and electro with an urban twist. QR 100 entrance fee. Ladies enter for free before 10:00 p.m. Membership required (QR 25). For more information call 4428-1428.
PROMOTIONS DOHA MARRIOTT Pearl Party
Thurs 19: Pear Lounge. It’s party time! Get down and funky to the tunes of the international DJ live at one of Doha’s hottest nightspots! From 9:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4429-8888.
GRAND REGAL HOTEL African Night with DJ MONEY
Fri 6: Bar Rancho’s. Enjoy an African-themed night out with the finest and most talented mixmasters. QR 100 for men and QR 80 for women. Free membership for ladies. From 8:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4409-4600 or 4409-4444 or email sales@grandregal.com.
HILTON DOHA Stand Up Comedy
Tues 17: Join in for a night of laughter in collaboration with the Punchline Comedy Club. Tickets for dinner and the show are QR 300 including a welcome drink. Starts at 7:00 p.m. For reservations call 4423-3333.
The Laughter Factory
Mon 16 & Tue 17: Shehrazad. The Laughter Factory returns after the summer break! Three of the best comics present over two hours of standup, direct from The Comedy Store in London. Both evenings are non-smoking events. QR 140 includes one sponsored beverage. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Show starts at 8:00 p.m. For tickets call 4428-1555.
The Clash 2013
Fri 27: Qube. Come and watch the most talented local bands battle it out onstage to win the title of ‘Best Band in Doha’ for QR 80. From 7:00 p.m. Membership required (QR 25). For more information call 4428-1428.
Pub Quiz
Mon 30: Shehrazad. Let Geordie Andrew take you through his Pub Quiz challenge. Bring along your team of six players to test your knowledge against the best of Doha. Fantastic prizes for winners! Free entrance. Doors open at 5.00 p.m., quiz starts at 8.00 p.m. For more information call 4428-1428.
RENAISSANCE DOHA CITY CENTER Champions Now In HD Sat 7 & 14: Champions Sport Bar. Enjoy The Rugby Championship 2013 at Champions. Each Saturday for QR 100 receive three free drinks plus a half-time snack. Must be member of the Champions Supporters Club (free card). For more information call 4419-6100.
Quiz Night
Mon 9: Champions Sport Bar. Win QR 5,000 cash. Take five friends with good trivia knowledge to battle it out in six rounds of questions including sports, music and general knowledge. Happy Times from 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m., arrive early to register as the quiz commences at 7.30 p.m. Free entry. For more information call 4419-6100.
Fri: 6: Wahm. Enjoy a night of ancestral soul with a blend of deep house and modern Congolese rumba, West African voices, urban R&B and Afro-Cuban rhythms by BoddhiSatva. From 10:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4453-5353.
DJ YASS
Fri 13: Wahm. DJ and producer, Parisian re-mixer and the ex-resident DJ at the Queen Club, DJ Yass plays a club-style “pumping, soulful house sound”. From 10:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4453-5353.
Afrobeats
Fri 20: Wahm. Rise of the Afrobeats hits the
Wahm scene with the new sound of the London underground with their resident DJ’s - Bruno Rochart and Steve Paris. From 10:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4453-5353.
Buddha Bar Night
Fri 27: Wahm. Enjoy the beats of DJ Ravin from Buddha Bar Paris. Opening act Bruno Rochart from 7:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. DJ Ravin on the decks from 10:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4453-5353.
EVERY WEEK CROWNE PLAZA DOHATHE BUSINESS PARK Happy Hours
Sat-Fri: Misturado. Enjoy a happy hour Brazilian-style from 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. For more information call 4408-7777.
DOHA MARRIOTT Happy Hour
Sat- Fri: Pearl Lounge. Unwind in chic and elegant surroundings and enjoy a daily happy hour with two-for-one on selected drinks from 5:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. For more information call 4429-8888.
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Entertainment Listings THE FOUR SEASONS Flavours of the Caribbean
Sat-Fri: Library & Cigar Lounge. Savour different exquisite dishes and beverages that the Caribbean is famous for. It’s for a short period only so seize this opportunity for QR 40. From 5:00 p.m. till 12:00 midnight. For more information call 4494-8888.
GRAND REGAL HOTEL Happy Hour
Sat-Fri: Bar Rancho’s. Buy one get one free. Bar Rancho’s offers its guests a relaxing way to end the day or to begin an enjoyable Doha night. From 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. For more information call 4409-4600 or 4409-4444 or email sales@grandregal.com.
GOKULAM PARK DOHA Happy Hour
Mon-Sat: D’Illlusion. A trendy lounge bar with hip aesthetics and chilled-out rhythms. This hangout will have you rockin’ with its slinky cocktails and delightful snacks. At D’Illusion, socializing will never go out of style. QR 30 for three months membership. From 6:30 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. For more information call 4470-8888.
Fresh, Fly & Funky
Wednesdays: D’Illusion. Enjoy funky music at this trendy bar with DJ’s Legacy and JoseyKray from 6:30 p.m. till 2:30 a.m. For more information call 4470-8888.
THE GRAND HYATT ChassGutherie & Natalie Silbert’s Duet
Tues -Sat: Dunes Lounge. The lounge is introducing a new Australian band, LoveLight, an exciting blend of soul, pop and modern jazz. The band will be performing every night except for Sunday and Monday at Dunes. With Chass Guthrie on the piano and the angelic voice of Natalie Silbert, LoveLight will certainly entertain you. Get ready for the amazing fusion of Michael Bublé’s music and the one and only Sinatra. For more information call 4448-1280.
HILTON DOHA Happy Hour at Zawaya
Sat- Fri: Join Zawaya Lounge for the happy hour with the best view in Doha. Offering you special prices on selected beverages along with delicious bites and marvellous viewsof the Arabian Gulf from 5:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. For more information call 4423-3333.
Evenings at Trader Vic’s
Sat-Fri: This September set out on a SouthPacific culinary experience by the beach while moving to the beats of the live Cuban band at Trader Vic’s Hilton Doha. Choose from delectable Asian-Polynesian cuisine dishes and signature drinks served in this island haven. For more information call 4423-3118.
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INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA Hoteliers Night
Sundays: Lava. Rock out to DJ Yaser Zain and enjoy a 50% discount on food and beverage for hotel staff. For more information call 4484-4444.
House Hunters Night
Mondays: Lava. Dance to the tunes of the resident DJ and take advantage of a 50% discount for hoteliers, plus a special drink every hour. For more information call 4484-4444.
Big Night Out
Wednesdays: Paloma and Lava. 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.
KEMPINSKI RESIDENCES & SUITES Soulful Sunday Nights
Sundays: The Lounge. Discover the talented voice of Kassandra, the new singer of The Lounge, next to the piano and the bar. Revel in blues and soul sounds, sip your favourite cocktail and sample fine savoury bites. From 9:00 p.m. till 12:00 a.m. For more information call 4405-3325 or email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.
MIX & FUSE Happy Hour
Mondays: The Lounge. Socialize at The Lounge with the trendiest crowd in Doha while sipping your favourite cocktail and benefit from the 50% discount on selected drinks, cocktails and Tasting & Sharing menu items. From 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. For more information call 4405-3325 or email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.
Half Note Wednesdays
Wednesdays: The Lounge. One of the most successful nights out in Doha is back with the upbeat mixes from the DJ paired with the funky saxophone sounds, the trendy crowd and the hip cocktails that have made it the talk-of-the-town night at The Lounge. From 7:00 p.m. till 12:00 midnight. For more information call 4405-3325 or email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.
Airline Crew Happy Hours
Sat-Fri: The Lounge & Aroma. All airline flight crew can enjoy a complimentary 20% discount on the final bill of their dinner or drinks in Aroma or The Lounge when presenting their company I.D. card. From 7:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4405-3325 or email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.
LA CIGALE HOTEL 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 while 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.
Sky View
Sat-Fri: Sky View. Warm up your nights at the rooftop outdoor bar with musical video shows played on a giant LED screen followed by mixed live tunes with DJ/VJ Tony Schwery. No entrance fee and no minimum charges during weekdays. From 7:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4428-8204/8888.
ORYX ROTANA Club Hospitality Night
Mondays: The Jazz Club. Every Monday is a great date for fellow hoteliers, crew members, and all hospitality staff to come and enjoy the best notes of jazz being played by the in-house band Hayway and benefit from a 25% discount on their total food and beverage bill. Hoteliers can invite up to three guests. For more information call 4402-3333.
Diva Tuesdays
Tuesdays: The Jazz Club. Enjoy a buy-one-getone-free on cocktails, house vino and sparkling and a 25% discount on any giant cocktails. From 9:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4402-3333.
Sangria Night
Wednesdays: The Cellar. Experience all the flavours and atmosphere of a real Spanish bar right here in Doha. Unlimited Sangria for QR 190 per person. From 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4402-3333 or email to oryx.hotel@rotana.com.
Happy Hour
Sat-Fri: The Jazz Club. There’s nothing better than Happy Hour at the Jazz Club after a full day! Now you can bring your friends and make sure your night starts in style! From 6:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. For more information call 4402-3333.
THE DIPLOMATIC CLUB BBQ Donut
Sat-Fri: Looking to set sail on the Arabian Gulf, searching for an exclusive dining place or a fun experience? With room for 8 people the BBQ Donut will take you on 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: one hour QR 450, two hours QR 800, additional 30mins QR 200. For more information call 4484-7450 or email spa. recreation@dclub.com.qa.
INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA THE CITY After Work Evenings
Louis Armstrong Night – Gentleman’s Night
Sat-Thurs: Hive. Unwind and relax after a hard day at work at Hive. From 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m, buy-one-get-one-free on selected beverages. For more information call 4015-8888, or email doharestaurants@ihg.com.
Tuesdays: Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha. This is one for the boys; every Tuesday night, gentlemen receive 50% off selected spirits, vino and hops drinks. From 6:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0106 or email diningreservations@stregis.com.
DJ Rico
High Heels Night – Ladies Night
Sun- Fri: Strata. Chill-out music, Buddha barstyle, funky house music. From 9:30 p.m. till late. For more information call 4015-8888, or email doharestaurants@ihg.com.
Martini Night
Wednesdays: Strata. Buy-one-get-one-free on beverages and 20 % off on food if the table has ladies. For more information call 4015-8888, or email doharestaurants@ihg.com.
THE RITZ-CARLTON DOHA Marina Nights
Mon- Sat: Admiral’s Club. Live bands invade both floors of the Admiral’s every day of the week except Sundays. Get started for the weekend nights with everything on the menu at QR 25 from Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. From 8:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. For more information 4484-8663 or email dilip.kumar@ritzcarlton.com.
Retail Nights
Tuesdays: Habanos. Get 30% savings on your bottle of vino or spirits from 8:30 p.m. till 1:00 a.m. For more information call 4484-8504 or emailrc.dohrz.leads@ritzcarlton.com.
Bubbly Nights
Tuesdays: Level 23. Ladies can enjoy two glasses of sparkling vino on arrival from 8:30 p.m. till 12:30 a.m. For more information call 4484-8504 or email rc.dohrz.leads@ritzcarlton.com.
SHARQ VILLAGE & SPA Hotelier Night
Mondays: The Cigar Lounge. All hoteliers enjoy 30 % off the total bill from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight. For more information call 4425-6666.
Happy Hour
Sat-Fri: The Cigar Lounge. Enjoy 50% off on all your beverages from 5:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. For more information call 4425-6666.
THE ST. REGIS DOHA Dominick Farinacci And Band
Mon-Sat: Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha. The first artist is the fabulous Dominick Farinacci and band who will be performing for three weeks at JALC Doha. There is no cover charge for JALC Doha unless you wish to reserve a VVIP table. Bookings highly recommended. From 6:00 p.m. till 1:00 a.m. For more information call 4446-0106 or email diningreservations@stregis.com.
Wednesdays: Vintage Lounge. Step into the glamourous and elegant Vintage Lounge for a great night out. Ladies enjoy a complimentary second drink between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. and 50% off selected beverages between 9:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. For more information call 4446-0106 or email diningreservations@stregis.com.
W DOHA Ladies Night
Mondays: Wahm. Ladies enjoy complimentary drinks on the house. Come at 9:00 p.m. you get two drinks. Come at 10:00 p.m. and you get one. For more information call 4453 – 5353.
WEEKEND CROWNE PLAZA DOHATHE BUSINESS PARK Liquidity nights
Thurs - Sat: Liquidity. Relax with DJ KayJay& DJ Xriss lounge music every Thursday ( Latino Music) , Friday (R&B Music) , and Saturday (Lounge Music). Ladies enter free and men pay QR 100 (including one drink). From 7:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4408-7777.
GRAND REGAL HOTEL Bollywood Night
Thurs: Bar Rancho’s. Catch the best of Bollywood tunes with international DJs at Rancho’s Bar. QR 100 (including one free drink). Ladies enter for free and get free membership. From 8:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4409-4600 or 4409-4444 or email sales@grandregal.com.
GOKULAM PARK DOHA Desi Night With DJ Khizer & DJ Ansh
Thursdays: D’Illusion. Start the weekend by dancing to the tunes of the popular DJs. From 6:30 p.m. till 2:30 a.m. For more information call 4470-8888.
INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA Ladies Night!
Fridays: Paloma. Free selected drinks for ladies from 10:00 p.m. till late. Enjoy the new resident band and DJ Shadi. For more information call 4484-4444.
KEMPINSKI RESIDENCES & SUITES Sparkling Fridays
Fridays: The Lounge. Fridays at The Lounge are bright and sparkling! Every Friday all ladies receive two complimentary glasses of bubbly. From 8:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4405-3325 or email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.
SEALINE BEACH RESORT It’s Time For Africa
Fridays: Enjoy a variety of traditional and contemporary African entertainment including drumming and dancing, cultural displays, masquerades and an extravagant fashion show featuring designs from all parts of Africa. A seasoned DJ from Nigeria is set to thrill guests with delightful African tunes from sunset. Guest can also enjoy unlimited access to all recreational activities available at Sealine Beach Resort. QR 135 for adults, free for kids below 11 years old. From 1:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m.
INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA THE CITY Cosmopolitan Night
Thursdays: The Square. Sip delicious cosmopolitans at The Square. QR 300 including selected house beverages and QR 230 including soft drinks and mocktails. From 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4015-8888 or email doharestaurants@ihg.com.
SHARQ VILLAGE & SPA Crew Night
Saturdays: The Cigar Lounge. All cabin crew members enjoy 30 % off the total bill. Aye aye Captain! From 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight. For more information call 4425-6666.
THE ST. REGIS DOHA Swingin’ Fridays at JALC Doha
Fridays: Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha. Come and listen to music that’ll get your heart beating and your toes tappin’. Hit the dance-floor and swing to the soulful tunes played by world-class musicians straight from the heart of New York. Buy one cocktail get one complimentary on selected beverages from 6:00 p.m. till 1:00 a.m. For more information call 4446-0106 or email diningreservations@stregis.com.
Picante Night
Fridays: Vintage Lounge. Friday nights are hot and spicy at Vintage Lounge with live Latin music and complimentary tapas from 7:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. Ladies enjoy 25% off throughout the evening on selected beverages. For more information call 4446-0106 or email diningreservations@stregis.com.
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Entertainment Directory
Nightclubs, Bars & Lounges Bar Rancho’s Grand Regal Hotel
4425-6666
Lava Lounge InterContinental Doha
Belgian Café InterContinental Doha
4484-4444
Le Club Mercure Grand Hotel
Bubbles on Two Radisson Blu
4428-1428
Champions West End Renaissance Doha
Liquidity Crowne Plaza – The Business Park
4419-6100
Manhattan Radisson Blu
4428-1428 4448-4800
Cigar Lounge Sharq Village & Spa
4425-6666
Club 7 La Cigale
Marina Nightclub Ritz-Carlton Doha
4428-8888
Crystal Lounge W Doha
4453-5135
Misturado Crowne Plaza Doha – The Business Park
Dunes Lounge Grand Hyatt
4448-1234
Glo Cocktail Bar West End Renaissance Doha Habanos Ritz-Carlton Doha
4419-6100 4484-8000
Jazz at Lincoln Center The St. Regis Doha
4446-0000
Jazz Club Oryx Rotana
4402-3333
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4484-4444
Shehrazad Radisson Blu
4428-1428
4446-2222
Sky View La Cigale
4428-8888
Spike’s Lounge Doha Golf Club
4496-0777
Strata Lounge InterContinental Doha The City
4015-8888
The Irish Harp Sheraton Doha
4485-4444
The Library Radisson Blu
4428-1428
4408-7777
4408-7777
Orion Radisson Blu
4428-1428
Oyster Bay & Bar The St. Regis Doha
The Library Bar & Cigar Lounge Four Seasons 4494-8888 The Lounge Kempinski Residence & Suites
4405-3325
4446-0105
Paloma InterContinental Doha
Vintage Lounge The St. Regis Doha
4446-0105
4484-4444
Pearl Lounge Doha Marriott
Wahm W Doha
4453-5353
4429-8888
Qube Radisson Blu
4428-1428
Arts & Culture
s k c i P p o T ’s h t This Mon
Fanar Arabic Language Classes
Art Exhibition In Souq Waqif Sept 3-28: This exhibition will feature three artists: Rafik Majzoub (Lebanon), Saddam Aljumaily (Iraq), Yasser Safi (Syria) and will feature drawings, paintings and sculpture. Gallery hours are Saturday through Thursday 10:00 a.m. to noon and 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and by appointment. Admission is free. For more information contact Heather at 6600-8750 or heather@almarkhiyagallery.com.
Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra
Season Opener
Sept 21: Opera House, Katara Cultural Village. Han-Na Chang opens the QPO’s fall season with Beethoven’s Seventh symphony in her debut as its new music director. Other musical highlights also include Maurice Ravel: La Valse, Marcel Khalifé: Concerto for Kanun and Orchestra, finishing with Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92. For tickets and more information visit www.qatarphilharmonicorchestra.org.
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atarh tion! www.qthe latest informa for
Sun-Thurs: Spiral mosque building near Souq Waqif. This personalized spoken course will focus on communicative functions required in the day-to-day language such as: greetings and getting to know people, asking and answering essential questions, numbers and other topics that help for a better understanding of the society. The course is written by transliteration: Arabic words written in English letters. For more information email courses@fanar.gov.qa.
Artwork by Hassan Hajjaj
Al Markhiya Gallery
VCUQATAR Crossing Boundaries Lecture Series Sept 18: The atrium at VCUQatar. Since the early 1980s, Joachim Sauter has been working as a media artist and designer focusing on digital technologies, experimenting how they can be used to express content, form and narration. Fuelled by this interest, he founded ART+COM in 1988 together with other artists, designers, scientists and technologists. Their goal was to practically research this new up-and-coming medium in the realm of art and design. Until now, he is leading this interdisciplinary group. Free and open to the public from 6:00 p.m. For more information contact Speaker Curator Caitlin Doherty at 4402-0555 or cmdoherty@qatar.vcu.edu.
VCUQATAR My Rock Stars: Volume 1 Sept 4-Oct 24: The Gallery at VCUQatar. My Rock Stars: Volume 1 by acclaimed artist/ photographer Hassan Hajjaj pays homage to traditional African portraiture, while celebrating present-day pop stars, unsung artists and personal inspirations in Hajjaj’s life. Open to the public. For more information contact Speaker Curator Caitlin Doherty at 4402-0555 or cmdoherty@qatar.vcu.edu.
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Arts & Culture
The BBC Symphony Orchestra in full regalia
p U e n i L l l a F K U r a Qat Images courtesy of Qatar UK 2013
In a cultural collaboration between the two countries, the Qatar UK Year of Culture revs up big time this September with events, workshops, exhibitions and more that bring a little bit of Britain to Qatar. Here’s what’s on the radar!
I
t’s no secret that Qatar loves Britain and Britain loves Qatar. The Gulf nation is one of the UK’s biggest investors and swinging London is a favourite vacation destination for many Qataris. Likewise, the United Kingdom also has a huge presence here in Qatar, with a large percentage of the expat population hailing from its shores. As part of an endeavour of cultural exchange, the Qatar Museums Authority and the British Council of Qatar have teamed up to bring a host of programs that celebrate all things cultural to both Doha and London. This fall marks the launch of some incredible events in each city that shouldn’t be missed: Relics: Damien Hirst Exhibition Oct 10, 2013 – Jan 22, 2014 Al Riwaq, Doha Since 1988, when he conceived and curated his first exhibition, Damien Hirst has developed to be the most prominent British artist of his
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generation. Hirst is known for his famous artworks ‘The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Minds of Someone Living’ and ‘For the Love of God’, his spin paintings and other major installations, such as ‘In and Out of Love’. QMA is hosting the artist’s first solo exhibition in Middle East. Hey’Ya: Arab Women in Sport Until Oct 13 National Football Museum, Manchester The National Football Museum in conjunction with the Qatar Museums Authority will host a special exhibition celebrating female athletes from the Arab world. Hey’Ya: Arab Women In Sport, features pictures from internationallyrenowned photographer Brigitte Lacombe alongside film by her sister, documentary filmmaker Marian Lacombe. Large-scale photographs show Arab sportswomen, including many Olympians, from different countries. Shot over a period of seven months from December 2011, the exhibition aims to show the modern
face of Arab women and initiate wider, often unspoken discourse on gender and sport in the Arab world. Doha on Centre: Jigsaw of the City Aug 10-Sept 14 In-Q, Harrods, London Installation at In-Q by Makower Architects that will include photography, jigsaw puzzles, videos and sketchbooks depicting Old Doha. Football in the Arab World Sept 4 National Football Museum, Manchester The Qatar Olympic & Sports Museum (QOSM) is organizing the Arab Football Forum 2013 (AFF13) as part of the Qatar UK 2013 Year of Culture. AFF13 aims to bring together football experts to debate the main issues of football in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The one day forum will be on the last day of the acclaimed Football 150 Conference organized by the National Football Museum in Manchester.
Piecing together a vision of the city for the Old Doha Prize
Fashion Exchange Sept 5 Victoria and Albert Museum, London A fashion show at the V&A museum in London showcasing traditional Qatari abayas and jalabiyas accompanied by accessories by highprofile British designers including Philip Treacy. Northern Legacy Sept 12-Oct 19 Katara Cultural Village, Doha Black and white photographs by Harold Crompton Robinson of Northern England from the 1950s and 1960s.
Photo still from the Hey’Ya: Arab Women
exhibition at ALRIWAQ Doha Renowned British artist Damien Hirst will host his first Qatar
In Sport exhibit
V&A Pearls Exhibition Sept 21, 2013 – Jan 19, 2014 Victoria and Albert Museum, London Experience the beauty and allure of pearls which, across centuries and cultures, have long been associated with wealth, royalty and glamour. This autumn the V&A and the Qatar Museums Authority explore the history of pearls from the early Roman Empire through to the present day. BBC Symphony Orchestra Concert Sept 30-Oct 1 Katara Opera House, Doha The BBC Symphony Orchestra will perform works by three of England’s finest and well-known composers: Ralph Vaughan Williams, Edward Elgar and Benjamin Britten, whose 100th birthday falls this year. n
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Arts & Culture
Caught on camera, a Qatari family celebrates in traditional attire
A New
Ali’s lense captures Qat ari youth on the Cornich e reflecting upon the gro wth of their nation’s cap ital
Perspective By Rabi’ah M. Images courtesy of Ahmed Ali
We speak with Qatari artist and photographer Ahmed Ali about the way he sees his country through his lense.
F
or many Qataris the name Ahmed Ali is a name they’ve heard in their local community, whether it’s through the likes of Flickr, Facebook or his participation in local photography and film-based events and activities in the GCC region. Born on December 10, 1986, Ahmed’s passion for photography blossomed when he realized his true creative skill for capturing every-day life as it happened. As Ahmed explains: “It all started six years ago when I started with simple steps in photography where I focused more on portraying images by using simple mediums such as the mobile phone for capturing [them]. This seemed to progress when I started buying digital cameras which were far more professional in nature and certainly came with a hefty price
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tag along with them.”Educated in both Qatar and France, Ahmed studied at the College of the North Atlantic campus in Doha and is currently employed at Qatar Petroleum. But his love of photography stayed with him and he continued to hone his skills every chance he could get. When recollecting his earlier days of photography, Ahmed points out: “I had a very simple approach towards photography, thanks to one of my friends who recommended I develop my skills by joining social networking websites, whether it was the likes of Facebook, Instagram [or] Flickr. This boosted my morale and gave me the opportunity to meet various people, photographers and artists. It felt good to receive praise for my work, I definitely felt confident about [it] and wanted to continuously strive to improve and progress.”
In terms of the value photography holds for Ahmed, it plays a vital role in how he expresses himself as an artist, viewing the world through his lens. As he explains: “I usually practice photography during [my] leisure time and despite not having a formal qualification in [it], I managed to sign up for membership [in] figurative workshops. I managed to learn a great deal of new things. It was truly helpful.” There’s been a sudden boom in recent years in the number of artists emerging in Qatar, and a
The remains of a boat guard the entrance to a fortress, drawing the eye towards an historical viewpoint
commercialization of such artists in different arenas. Whether they’re fashion designers, graphic designers, film-makers or photographers, Qatar is truly supporting arts and design as one if its budding industries which has shaped up well in the last five years. One cannot deny Qatar has outstanding talent within the photography scene, however Ahmed feels there is insufficient support coming from some of the nation’s funding institutions. He explains: “I don’t really know the real reason why photographers are not actively encouraged; there are insufficient figurative associations and photography centres. Surprisingly, there are only three in Qatar that specialize in teaching the fundamentals of film-making and photography. [They] are the Katara Village which houses the Photographic Society; the centre in the city of Doha and finally the one which is administered by the Ministry of Arts and Culture.” Further to his passion for photography, Ahmed shares a liking for graphic design which he believes is important to ensure a photograph is properly re-touched and is mounted as a complete story to the audience or viewer. One final creative art that is of great interest to Ahmed is film-making, with his involvement in short-films through the Qatar and Youth Group, under the patronage of Mr. Abdul Rahman Al
Zooming in for a close-up , Ali captures a dragonfl y in all its natural beauty
Abbasi, who has supported fresh talent and given them the opportunity to work hard and produce local stories. There’s no doubt Qatar is thriving and flourishing thanks to the stable and booming economy that has led to a window of opportunities for its citizens and residents. While there are still gaps that can be filled, Ahmed Ali strives to be one of many upcoming local artists who will step in to fill them. As seen on these pages, his images speak to how dedication in the field of arts and its daily, proactive implementation can make a difference, bringing the seemingly ordinary and every-day into a whole new light through the lense. n Want more of Ali’s images? Follow him on Flickr and stayed tuned for his potential gallery opening in Bahrain coming soon!
A model poses for a glamour shot in front of Ali’s lense
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Arts & Culture
Music Of The Soul By Charlie Sands Images courtesy of Bruce Browne
Singing the praises of the drum and all the good it can do for you, is master of the djembe, South African Patrick Dilley who runs Qatar’s newest and definitely coolest night out - Full Moon Desert Drumming, in a joint venture with Arabian Adventures Qatar.
W
ith the calmness of the Inland Sea and the warmth of the desert sand, and under a glorious full moon, a group of people from all corners of the globe come together for an evening of drumming. For some it is the first time they have picked up a djembe (West African drum), for others it is not, but what they all have in common is this - the rhythm they are making with their hands on the drum, and the desire to get out of the city, enjoy nature and meet new people.
Patrick himself has been playing the drum as long as he can remember, first as part of the school marching band, then with the Navy, and later as a hobby with various bands in South Africa and the U.K. But it wasn’t until 10 years ago that Patrick took the decision to make it his life and turn professional. He is now a drumming teacher, a performer with his band Team Spirit and leads drum circles and team building events.
Fifty-two year-old South African Patrick Dilley enthuses about the positive vibe you can get from the sound of the drum and the community spirit it evokes: “You can learn to play the djembe in about 15 minutes and you can have a bit of fun. It makes you relaxed, it blocks your brain waves, and it’s low pressure. I don’t put any spiritual connotations into drumming - if you feel it then great, but I am just here to drum and share that experience.”
Patrick talks about what led him to make the move and turn into a professional musician and teacher:
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“I had been dreaming of becoming a pro-drummer since I was about 12 years old. Then while I was working at the University of Cape Town I started doing various courses, learning facilitation and teaching courses and I found that I loved teaching.”
Having falling in love with the djembe in “about 1999”, Patrick sought the expert guidance of master djembe players from Ghana and in turn taught them how to facilitate and teach in a kind of learning exchange. But it wasn’t until he was running a drumming workshop out in the Maluti Mountains, that he realized this was to be his future path in life. He says: “I actually had a strange experience happen after the workshop we did, it’s a very powerful place where a lot of witch doctors live and after the session I had a kind of vision which made me realize that I was going to quit my job and start Team Spirit.” He adds: “My life has changed a lot since I changed my career. My health has improved and it has been a much better life. And I enjoy teaching also. I love to see how drumming affects people and how it makes people happy.”
A full moon hovers in the sky at sunset. Let the drum circle begin!
The drumming session at the desert camp has a break for some South African-style food, and everyone reconvenes later on, picking up and playing out some new rhythms. Patrick says the idea behind the monthly full moon drumming events is “to break out of the international circles and expat circles and bring this music to Arabs and Middle Easterners as well.” And Arabian Adventures is the ideal partner because part of its mission is to make the Arabian Adventures Desert camp accessible to everyone. Communications manager for the company, Zarina Rajah, says: “Hassan, the
Drumming is an activity that appeals to all age groups
owner, wants to keep the camp simple, basic, and relaxed where families and people can come and enjoy the weather. He comes here every Friday with his family without fail and he wants people to come out here and get to know each other no matter where they are from. But also, he wants to bring in different cultures into the camp to bridge the gap between the different people living in Doha, and this event is the beginning of that project. In the future we would like to hold more events with musicians and musical styles from different parts of the world and the Middle East.” n
Tapping out a rhythm that people can connect with
Find out more via the Doha Desert Drummers Facebook group online or for further information and reservations contact: info@arabianadventureqatar.net.
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Arts & Culture
Once Upon a
Butterfly
This solo exhibition by Said Baalbaki will be on display starting on September 15 at The Pearl-Qatar’s Anima Gallery. QH has all the artsy details.
T
he Ancient Greeks used the word ‘psyche’ to refer to the butterfly, which means ‘soul’. The beautiful, yet fragile creature symbolizes the metamorphosis of the human soul, the spiritual evolution from childhood,(the caterpillar), to adulthood,(the butterfly). It symbolizes new life. It reflects change and transformation, evolution and adaptation. Said Baalbaki’s paintings tell the story of the migrating butterfly. Since his early childhood, with the civil war in Lebanon, Said lived with suitcases, and memories of evacuation, of migration and of eventual immigration to Berlin. Even then, Said and his family were forced to move again to escape the events of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1990. Said’s ‘Suitcases’ share the butterfly’s destiny; they travel the same journey. Sometimes they are scattered, often they are heaped. They collect the debris of time along the journey of metamorphosis. Like many of the Lebanese who grew up during the civil war, Said witnessed the horrors of war and the tragic consequence of destruction and fear – displacement. Born in Lebanon in 1974, Baal now lives in Berlin. He first studied painting at the Institut des Beaux-Arts, Beirut (1998), followed by the Marwan Summer Academy at the Darat al Funun in Amman (2001). He then studied painting at the University of the Arts, Berlin (Universitat der Kunste Berlin), attending the master classes of Burkhard Held (2005). He graduated with a Masters of Arts from the Institute for Art in Context, University of the Arts, Berlin (2008). Baal won a stipendium from the Graduate School for the Arts and Sciences in 2008 and the President’s Master Student Prize in 2005 from the Institute for Art in Context, Berlin (2008) and an Artist in Residence award from Solidere, Beirut in 2006. n
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Suitcases evoke a sense of displacement, a common theme in Baalbaki’s artworks
Once Upon a Butterfly Exhibition When: September 15 till November 15 Where: Anima Gallery, Parcel 17, 30 La Croisette, The Pearl-Qatar Contact Info: 4495-3536, art@animagallerylounge.com www.animagl.com
Qatar UK 2013 is a year-long cultural exchange programme between the State of Qatar and the United Kingdom, aiming to strengthen bilateral relations by creating lasting partnerships between institutions and individuals. Upcoming events are the Hajj Exhibition at the Museum of Islamic Art, an exhibition at ALRIWAQ DOHA by the world-famous artist Damien Hirst, and a concert by the BBC Symphony Orchestra at Katara Opera House. For further information visit us at QatarUK2013.com
Organisers
Strategic Partners
Platinum Sponsors
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 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
IAID Indian Classical Dance
Sat-Thurs: IAID, Hilal St., Al-Tadamon Signal, D-Ring Road. The IAID Indian Dance program is a 7-year certificate course affiliated to the Nalanda Dance Research Centre in Mumbai, India. The course tackles the dance styles Bharatanatyam and Mohiniattam. Certificates are awarded to its graduates; Prarambhika after four years and Kovida after seven years. Call 4432-0974/ 4444-1234 or 6671-0589/ 5538-1960. Visit www.iaidonline.org or email enquire@iaidonline.org.
ONE OF A KIND ANIMA GALLERY Solo Exhibition Of Mohamad Said Baalbaki
IAID IAID Music Courses
Sept 15: Anima Gallery is located on The PearlQatar, Parcel 17, 30 La Croisette. Anima Gallery is pleased to invite you to the opening of ONCE UPON A BUTTERFLY, a solo exhibition of the latest work by Lebanese artist Mohamad Said Baalbaki on Sunday, September 15 at 7:00 pm. For more information call 4495-3536 or email art@animagallerylounge.com or visit www.animagl.com.
Sat-Thurs: IAID, 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 6671-0589/5538-1960. Visit www.iaidonline.org or email enquire@iaidonline.org.
WEEKLY
IAID Visual Arts
MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART
A Course in Ruqa’a and Naskhi Scripts Sun-Thurs: Teachers Room, 2nd Floor. Calligraphy workshops at the museum allow adults and educators to experience and learn the historic scripts from a renowned master calligrapher from 9:00 a.m. till 11:00 a.m. For more information email educationmia@qma.org.qa.
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Sat-Thurs: IAID, Hilal St., Al-Tadamon Signal, D-Ring Road. The Visual Arts program is a progressive course for beginners, intermediate and advanced that covers colour theory, art styles, drawing and painting techniques, shapes and figures, visual art perception and portraits with the use of various art mediums. Call 4432-0974/4441-1234 or 6671-0589/5538-1960. Visit www.iaidonline.org or email enquire@iaidonline.org.
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
Community
s k c i P p o T ’s h t This Mon
Doha Mums Mums Night Out
Doha Players 40th Pantomime ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’
Once A Month: Feel like a night out but, don’t know very many people in Doha? Want to go out with friends but don’t know where to go? Then come join the Doha Mums’ Mum’s Night Out every month at a fun location. For more information www.dohamums.com or email rsvp@dohamums.com.
Sept 20 & 21: The Doha Players are pleased to announce auditions for their 40th pantomime ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’, to be held on Friday Sept 20 at the Doha Players’ villa for the main cast and Saturday Sept 21 at Doha English Speaking School for the chorus. The time will be confirmed closer to the audition dates. For more information email panto@thedohaplayers.com.
Ladies Of Harley Saturday Ride Sept 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.
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atarh tion! www.qthe latest informa for
4U Royal Plaza Natura Bissé-Bubble Pure Air Sept 3-5: Enjoy a fun beauty treatment open to the public at 4U! The facial and body treatments are performed within a cocoon-like environment with pure, filtered air that increases the effectiveness of the products used. Members of the community can test drive this new treatment for free from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. For bookings and information call 4413-0698 or 4413-0699.
Doha Players Doha Players’ Annual Party Sept 12: Calling all new and old members! The Doha Players’ annual welcome back party will be held on Sept 12th from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Activities include a meet and greet with the new board, and sign-up for social events, workshops, productions and activities. For more information contact Allison Pressley at socialmembership@thedohaplayers.com or Elaine Potter at admin@thedohaplayers.com or call 4447-4911.
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Community
t c A g n i c A Balan Words and images by Mai Akkad Additional photography provided by QNL
With the new Qatar National Library set to go cosmopolitan with the move to its new location next year, the current space preserves a Heritage Collection that’s as rare as they come. QH turns the pages of its history as the institution looks towards the future.
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ince schools, universities and other learning institutions start their year in September, we couldn’t find a better reason to share with you some news about Qatar’s oldest library in the Gulf region, the Qatar National Library. Currently located at 71 Al-Maha St., off Luqta St. near Immigration Roundabout, the library will be relocating in 2014 to Qatar Foundation, offering vast sources and services to the country’s students, researchers and community members in a new, state-of-the-art facility. To cater to these different segments, this non-profit organization will function through three different categories: • The National Library, which allows librarygoers access to the world’s knowledge relevant to Qatar and the region. • The University Library, which supports education at all levels by providing a digital library to students and researchers. • The Metropolitan Public Library, which delivers library services for adults, teens and children and will include book clubs, crafts workshops and music programs to name a few community-focused activities.
Exploring the floors of the QNL’s Heritage Collection can leave you lost among the thousands of old tomes that line its shelves
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While this massive education-enhancing project is getting underway, history enthusiasts can currently enjoy a rare Heritage Collection, which was handed to the library earlier this year by His Excellency Sheikh Hassan Bin Mohammed Al Thani, who began collecting these historical pieces in the 1980s.
century offer a Early regional texts from the 17th exploration glimpse at the progress of global
The prized collection features the oldest printed map of Qatar, the first detailed photographs of Mecca and thousands of works by travelers and explorers who visited the Arabian Gulf region. This valuable collection is not only accessible to the general public but also to specialists and researchers who have struggled to access rare sources that were not available in the Arab world. The Heritage Collection was part of the International Day for Monuments and Sites this year, under the theme ‘Heritage of Education’. This special day is held annually on April 18 to celebrate the diversity of heritage throughout the world. The day was proposed by the International Council on Monuments and Sites in 1982 and approved by the General Assembly of UNESCO in 1983. This year, libraries, schools, universities and academies around the world celebrated the history of education across cultures and geographies by exploring and preserving valued cultural assets such as Qatar’s Heritage Collection. To further highlight the purpose of the heritage collection, Dr Claudia Lux, Qatar National
Library’s Project Director says, “The Heritage Collection – the heart of the new Qatar National Library – is a place families, students, researchers and tourists can see, explore, and enjoy now. On the occasion of the International Day for Monuments and Sites, the Qatar National Library is proud to join with families, foreign dignitaries and cultural luminaries to explore the rich history of human thought that we all share and which is reflected so comprehensively in [this] collection.” In order to preserve the past Dr. Lux and her team at the QNL are using the technologies of the present; a task that would have been impossible without the support of Qatar’s educational leaders . “With ambitious efforts to digitize and share these rare materials already underway, the Qatar National Library is, under the visionary leadership and inspiring direction of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, doing its part to bridge Qatar’s rich heritage with its future using knowledge,” says Lux.
Ancient religious texts spa nning centuries are seen under glass
“We are enormously grateful to His Excellency Sheikh Hassan Bin Mohammed Al Thani for his generosity and passion in assembling such a significant and relevant historical record for the people of Qatar and the Gulf.” n Want to have a peek at this trove of old manuscripts, books and artifacts? Visit www.qnl.qa/visit-request-form to fill in a request for a tour of the Heritage Collection.
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Community
How we get around in Doha is set to get a whole lot easier in the next few years with the advent of the ambitious QRail project
By John Hunt
As Qatar’s population continues to grow, an effective public transportation system is paramount as traffic congestion builds and long commutes persist. Here’s our analysis on the new QRail project that could revolutionize how Doha’s denizens move around.
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atar’s National Vision 2030 is a multistrand project designed to literally change the face of the country and prepare it for the future. This ambitious program – among others – encompasses infrastructure, tourism and commerce. One particular strand which undeniably requires attention is that of transport. While any Doha commuter would justifiably curse the current state of the road network in the capital, this is being addressed through the construction of new roads and, crucially, a metro system for the capital (more of this later). However, the largest undertaking – both in terms of transportation and its anticipated economic and environmental
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effects – is that of the proposed national rail system for Qatar, which is named QRail. QRail, founded in 2011 as a joint venture between Qatari Diar and Germany’s Deutsche Bahn (the latter bringing the technical expertise to the table and the former bringing the investment), has been tasked to create a country-wide rail network for the transportation of people and, crucially, freight, at a cost of $35 billion. The establishment of a rail network will make it far easier and faster to travel around the peninsula. Presently, road is the sole means of getting around the country. There is more than
speed and ease of travel to be gained, however. We spoke to UK-based Transport Consultant Donald Stirling, who told us: “The transportation of goods by rail is more economical, efficient and environmentally-friendly than by road. It’s very cost effective, particularly for large volume goods and containerized products, and reduces the level of emissions significantly by comparison with road transport. Rail freight also [reduces] congestion on the road network.” With this in mind, the program will be split into two main parts: freight and passenger. The freight line, 340km in length, will run from the industrial city of Ras Laffan in the northeast, to the new Doha port at Mesaieed in the
southeast. The railway will also have a spur that runs to gas-processing facilities in Dukhan in the west. When complete, it will have the capacity to transport 11 million tonnes of cargo a year. The freight line is not going to be a crowdpuller, but it is going to enable smoother, faster and more voluminous transfer of Qatar’s chief export – liquefied natural gas (LNG) – from the extraction facilities in the north, direct to port and from there, to the world. This is really the ‘money-maker’ of the project. Other projects in the overall transport program include a $2.2 billion West Bay people-mover, the Doha Metro, a freight line linking the country’s east coast ports with Doha, a highspeed passenger line and light railways in the Lusail City and Education City developments. The freight and passenger rail networks will span 651km and will be served by 98 stations. The high-speed passenger line will run at up to 220 km/h from the New Doha International Airport (NDIA), through Doha city and on to Ras Ashairij in the northwest of the peninsula – the start of the proposed Qatar-Bahrain Causeway. All lines will converge in, and be connected to, the Doha Metro system to provide a fullyintegrated transport system for Qatar.
It would be fair to say that this sounds appealing on numerous levels, but there’s more to it than that: the small matter of national prestige in a part of the world where countries are incessantly trying to outdo one another. Stirling continued: “With the dearth of rail systems in the Middle East (neighbours Saudi Arabia are the only country in the region with a rail network at present), having an integrated transport system could definitely be seen as a sign of status and a progressive mindset.
Proposed layouts of the country’s rail-way system
already has a railway, but the UAE, Kuwait, and Oman are all developing an entirely new industry from scratch.
Rail systems have been perceived as a sign of kudos almost since their invention, with countries seeking to expand their networks and more recently construct high-speed lines. The construction of any new transport infrastructure should be justified by a strong business case and this is certainly the case in Qatar.”
The overall aim, as is the case in Europe, is that when all the individual GCC countries have completed their individual rail networks that there will exist a ‘critical mass’ to develop a comprehensive rail network in the Gulf. The ability to provide faster, lower cost movement of both passengers and freight, combined with reducing demands on the road network and limiting emissions are all positive benefits of a wider rail network which the area seems keen to embrace.
Other GCC member states are also currently planning or developing their own railway networks, which will include passenger lines, freight lines and metro and tram projects. KSA
For Qatar, the challenge is to make their network superior for the social and economic reasons mentioned. And to make travelling in the capital a pleasure, not a chore! n
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ubity Listings mm Clun Co Kids 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
4447-4911 Search ‘Doha Players Lovers’ Group on Facebook
Egyptian Women’s Association 5572-4171
DOHA MUMS Children’s Library New Location
Three Days A Week: The Doha Mums Children’s Library is relocating to a new site in Al Jazi compound. The library contains more than 4,500 books for children up to age 12 and members are invited to come and read, browse, borrow and return books! Open three days per week. For more information www.dohamums.com.
The Mum2Mums program is designed to assist mums, mums-to-be, grandparents and anyone else who needs a short-term loan of baby/toddler equipment or could use some ‘moving to Doha’ advice. It also provides incoming residents with a direct line to mums who are here on the ground and have volunteered to answer questions and offer opinions about specific subjects, such as nurseries, schools, compounds and areas of town. Don’t have everything you need for your sister’s visit? The Mum2Mum Borrow program allows you to borrow pieces of equipment, such as car seats, travel cots, high chairs and strollers in return for a donation to the Doha Mums Children’s Library. For more information www.dohamums.com or email rsvp@dohamums.com.
EVERY WEEK DOHA MUMS New Arrivals Night Out
Tues: Have you been in Doha for less than a few years? Or are you a new mum? Join other newbies for a casual dinner on the first Tuesday of every month. Mums only please,no babies or kids. For more information www.dohamums.com.
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5559-7467
Indian Women’s Association 4442-4052
ONE OF A KIND DOHA MUMS Mums2Mum Program
French-Speaking Ladies Group
DOHA MUMS Depression Support Group
Wed: For those of you who are feeling low and don’t know what is wrong and need someone to talk with please join us every first Wednesday of the month from 10:00 a.m. till 12:00 noon at our Depression Support Group. This group will by no means be a cure but it will hopefully give you someone to talk to and let you know where to get professional help. Please get in touch if you could use the support of others who are in the same boat; together we can talk through this! For more information email dsg@dohamums.com.
DOHA MUMS Hotel Pool Sessions
Mondays: Join us for a pool playgroup at a hotel every Monday morning from 9:30 a.m. till 12:30 p.m. or afternoon at 3:00 p.m. till 6:00 p.m. The little ones will enjoy the shaded pool and the older kids can explore Doha’s longest private beach. For more information www.dohamums.com or email rsvp@dohamums.com.
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
Kids Club
s k c i P p o T ’s h t This Mon
IAID Dances Of India For Kids
IAID Fun & Fit Sat-Thurs: IAID, Hilal St., Al-Tadamon Signal, D-Ring Road. An excellent way to have fun, develop a sense of rhythm, increase stamina, boost metabolism and improve co-ordination. Designed for kids ages seven years and above. For more information call 4432-0974 /4441-1234 or 6671-0589/5538-1960 or visit www.iaidonline.org or email enquire@iaidonline.org.
Girls Creativity Center Arts Club For Girls Sun-Thurs: Located in Mamoura, this is an arts club for young girls and ladies, hosting exhibitions on a regular basis. For more information call 4468-8837.
OUT om .c CHECaK ppening
atarh tion! www.qthe latest informa for
Qatar Bowling Center
Saturdays: IAID, Hilal St., Al-Tadamon Signal, D-Ring Road. A once a week dance class offered as an extra-curricular health and well-being activity for kids! This is a chance for children to let go, have fun and gain a different cultural perspective through Indian dances inspired by the Indian film industry. Open for kids ages four years and above. For more information call 4432-0974/4441-1234, or 6671-0589/5538-1960 or visit www.iaidonline.org or email enquire@iaidonline.org.
Doha Mums
Bowling For Kids
Ray’s Reef Fun Time
Sun-Thurs: QBC features 32 synthetic bowling lanes, automatic pin setters with Qubica automatic scoring, four bumper lanes for the children (for kids below 8 years old only please!), other sports facilities and a wide parking space. For more information visit www.qatarbowlingcenter.net.
Sundays: Let’s have some fun at Ray’s Reef, Royal Plaza 2nd floor, from 4:00 p.m. till 6:00 p.m. on Sundays. It’s a fun and clean area with lots of options for your kid(s) to choose from, suitable for different age groups. RSVP is required. For more information visit www.dohamums.com or email rsvp@dohamums.com.
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Kids Club
Balancing Books & Babies By Jacqueline Bodnar
home causes a whirlwind of activity and the last As most new parents can agree, having a baby in the is pursuing higher education. But that’s just what thing some may consider doing while raising children many parents are doing, for a variety of reasons.
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ourtney Hans, a mom who recently graduated from the University of California, Davis, earned her degree while pregnant and then having an infant at home. “I had my daughter, Gabriella, in week 7 of a 10-week quarter,” she says. “I missed one week of school and then was back to finish the quarter and take my finals. I completed the second year of the program with no problem, sometimes taking my daughter with me to study groups/ group meetings.” What helped Hans get through the program, infant in tow, was having a good support system in place, both at home and at school. She found the faculty, staff and fellow students to be very supportive.
raising a child Getting a degree while rmountable task insu an be to e hav sn’t doe
Making The Decision
of Parenting (LearnGarden Press, 2007), agrees that many new moms find themselves in a position of needing to balance their joy with the economic realities in their life.
Many new moms are entering college right out of high school, while others are heading back to school after years of being out. For whatever reasons, many new moms are making getting an education a priority. No matter what the age, moms are finding out that making a living today is much more expensive than it used to be.
“The higher cost of living - especially in major metropolitan areas, has eroded the value of jobs that were once sufficient to maintain a family budget,” says Jones. “Moms who want greater prosperity in Economy 2.0 are going back to school more than ever.”
Dr. Jennifer Jones, a parenting and child development expert and author of The Three P’s
She explains that, while many people would like to hold off on school when they have a baby,
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they are often also feeling the pressure of the rising cost of living, which drives them to take on the challenge sooner. While taking on a the role of new parent and college student may not have been ideal several decades ago, today it is quite common.
Weighing Options, Overcoming Challenges Making the decision to get an education while having a baby in the home doesn’t come without challenges. But that doesn’t mean that those challenges can’t be met and overcome. Quite the contrary, it’s done on
a daily basis. U.S. citizen Cassie Boorn has met and overcome many such challenges in the course of her educational journey, having started college when she was four months pregnant, she is now the mother of a three year old. “The biggest challenge is balancing my time,” explains Boorn. “Most mothers have to work a part-time job, as well as keep up with course material and still manage time for their children. Finding a way to keep each of these balanced is a constant struggle.” Her advice is to set priorities, create a schedule and use your time wisely. For example, she does her homework when her son is napping or sleeping at night.
Getting Help One way to help balance books and baby is to see what type of on-site childcare options is available at the school. Many colleges offer an on-site care department where students can drop off their kids, attend classes, and then pick them up after class. Along with checking into on-site care, other options for earning a degree while being a new mom include:
• Getting help. Arrange for the grandparents or another family member to watch the baby while you attend classes. If this is not possible, locate a trusted source with whom you can arrange care, if you plan to attend classes in person. • Finding free care. Create a babysitting co-op with other new moms who are attending your school. If you pool together and create a sitter schedule, you can all take turns watching each other’s babies for free, while freeing up time to attend classes and/or study. • Being flexible. Get used to doing your work when it is convenient for baby, by getting up early in the morning, staying up late at night, or doing it while the baby is napping during the day. Use whatever moments you can get to keep up on studying, taking the time as it comes, because babies are often unpredictable and don’t stick to schedules.
Thinking Alternatively Another route to consider, one which has been increasing in popularity over the last several years, is earning a degree online. Many people choose the online degree-earning route because of the convenience it offers, allowing students to log into class online when they’re able to, and allowing them to stay home, rather than
put hours per week into driving to and from class and sitting in the classroom. As an added benefit, the younger mothers of today are more in tune with using such technological advances and seem to take to online learning in a positive way. That’s a win-win situation for new moms that want to earn a degree, seek flexibility, convenience and will be handling most of the childcare. “When the baby takes a nap or is playing in its crib, you can attend the live session or listen to the recording of your class,” says Karen Janitell, executive director of enrollment at Western International University in Phoenix, Arizona. “You can work on your homework whenever it is easiest for you, during the week. And you don’t have the extra expense and worry of finding babysitters.” Earning an online degree keeps you with the baby, while you earn the degree in a more flexible manner around the baby’s schedule. And if you are considering furthering your education while caring for baby, don’t be overwhelmed by the thought of all the homework. “Many mothers are afraid they won’t have time to complete homework if they return to school,” adds Boorn. “That should never stop you.” n
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Kids Club
This strawberry cheesecake is one dessert that both parents and kids will love!
Kitchen Creations Images courtesy of The St. Regis Doha
Celebrity Chef Elias Gemayel from Opal by Gordon Ramsay at The St. Regis Doha and JeemTV shares one of his favourite recipes, a delicious treat simple enough for kids to make and delicious enough for the whole family to enjoy!
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elebrity Chef Elias Gemayel from Opal by Gordon Ramsay at the St. Regis Doha and JeemTV shares one of his favourite recipes, a delicious treat simple enough for kids to make and delicious enough for the whole family to enjoy!
Easy No Bake, Totally Delicious Strawberry Cheesecake Cheesecake base 6 granola bars 2 tablespoons of honey
Cheesecake mixture 3 cups or 600 grams of soft cream cheese (Philadelphia brand) 1 cup of double cream 1 tablespoon of icing sugar Cheesecake topping 6 to 10 strawberries cut into chunky pieces 4 leaves fresh mint, thinly chopped
To Make: Wash and remove the stems from all the fresh strawberries then cut into quarters. Put in a bowl and set aside. Next we need to make the base. First, crush granola bars in a plastic bag with a rolling pin. Crush until you have coarse crumbs, then mix well
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with the honey and spread approximately 1-2cms into the bottom of glasses or small bowls. In a large mixing bowl, mix the cream cheese, double cream and icing sugar together with a wooden spoon. Mix until smooth. Once mixed, spoon a layer of the cheese mixture (approximately 3cms) into the glasses or bowls straight on top of the granola mix.
Chef Elias pipes the mix ture
Top with half the strawberries, then put another layer of the cheese mix on top of the strawberries and then top with remaining chopped strawberries and sprinkle with the fresh-cut mint. Refrigerate for one hour before serving. Enjoy! Makes enough for 4-6 people depending on the size of the serving glass or bowl.
into mason jars
Chef’s Tip: You can use a piping bag to squirt the cream cheese mix into glasses or bowls for a real chef-style finish. n
ENTER AND WIN! Make The Cheesecake, Take A Photo Of Your Creation, Post It On The Qatar Happening Facebook Page And You Could Win A Family Brunch For Four At Opal By Gordon Ramsay.
Kids Club
Family Fun Days Words and images by Charlie Sands Additional photography by Jessie Palanca
This is not your typical museum by any stretch of the imagination but a visit to the Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum to see his collection of historical, mechanical and culturally iconic artifacts is a definite must for every resident and visitor to this sometimes misunderstood country that is Qatar.
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his is a collection of the old, the truly ancient and the modern classic, a journey into the history of the culture in which we all now live and an insight into the ruling family of this country which everyone should see before they leave Qatar. Why? Well, because it’s there, because it’s not a shopping mall and well, simply because there is such a vast array of items that you will, whatever your tastes, find something you like. You might think then that with all the talk of history and culture that it’s not an ideal day out for kids. But fear not, even a toddler can appreciate the shiny cars, the war helmets and weaponry and the ornate furniture and weird and wonderful pieces of history to be found in the museum. And if not that, then they will certainly appreciate the opportunity to walk around freely in the massive air-conditioned halls which house the collection.
Getting There The museum is located in Al Samariya about 25km from the outskirts of Doha and it’s fairly straightforward to get there if you pay attention to the road and follow the signs. Start by heading up the Dukhan Highway passing Education City and the Qatar National
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Convention Centre. After about 20km you’ll see a sign for the Camel Racing Track and you need to take this exit and then instead of turning right towards the camel racing, do a U-turn and come back on the highway heading towards Doha. Drive for about 4 kilometres, keeping your eyes peeled for a large palm tree plantation on your right behind a wall, pass this then not long after you’ll see a white sign on your right pointing to the museum which is up a tree-lined road perpendicular to the highway. Once you’re inside the gates keep driving, avoiding the ramp, going around it until you see the museum, a huge building, which is next to a small manmade lake. Park anywhere in front of the main entrance, the doorway is at the front towards the left of the building.
On Arrival As you come to the museum entrance there are some benches, both inside and outside, useful for eating a picnic before or after your visit. Note the sign saying that no food or drinks are allowed inside the museum itself. Then the museum collections begin in a long hall to the right hand side; most of the time you can just keep following the main halls that all link together, with a few interesting side rooms off the main ones.
A replica of a fully-functio ning dhow boat dominates nearly an enti re room at the museum
The Collections Starting in the order you are likely to walk through it, you’ll find in the first room, dozens of photos of the extended Al Thani family going back through the generations, plus plenty of ancient artifacts from all over the Middle East, Persia and Asia including silver-threaded armour and weaponry. At the end of this hall is the mocked-up interior of a traditional Qatari house, with old clothes, decorations and furniture. Moving on you’ll see some amazingly ornate furniture and some interesting litters, or shoulder carriages, to carry important people
about their business. Then in a side room to the right is another collection of weapons, rifles and ammunition. The main attraction for many at this museum will be the huge collection of classic vehicles from a McLaren Formula One Racing Car to one of the earliest steam-powered motor cars dating back to circa 1890. The collection of mechanical and transport vehicles also includes motorbikes, buses, trucks, traditional dhow boats used by Qatari fishermen, an airplane, a Penny Farthing and a bicycle made out of bamboo, oh and a real well which looks like it goes down at least 10 metres, and is quite dizzying to look into. Worried parents need not panic as there is a metal grid covering the well which is too small even for the smallest tots to get through, but small toys could well be lobbed inside never to be seen again! The vintage car models range from the years 1924 to 1950 and include various Model-T Fords, Chevrolet, DeSoto, Dodge, Buick and MercedesBenz cars. There are also religious artifacts including possibly the worlds’ largest and its smallest Qur’an, ancient coins and bank notes, as well as many ancient manuscripts, making this a collection of national and international importance on the history and culture of Qatar.
museum a high score. But let’s look at the facts, the museum is fairly easy to find, the collection itself is of historic importance and would appeal to most tastes. The addition of a café and museum shop, which are being planned, would be a welcome add-on. But there are decent bathroom facilities and, provided you bring your own refreshments, it’s a great family day out. There’s even an oryx farm on the same land, which is a welcome side-attraction (if you can find it!) So, considering all these factors I would give the Sheikh Faisal Museum a resounding 9/10.
Important Information The museum is open Monday to Thursday from 9:00 a.m. till 6:00 p.m., but is closed during Ramadan, Eid and other national holidays. Although material on various websites indicate they prefer people to book their visit, you can go without booking as we did. There is an unofficial Facebook page with some photos, printable directions and the like – search for Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum on Facebook.com. To book your visit or for more information email: sfm.reservation@yahoo.com.
to developing musicians. All festival proceeds go to the Next Generation Scholarship Program, which last year gave over $600,000 USD in funds to furthering musical education in jazz. This means you, dear punter, get an extra warm fuzzy feeling when laying down those hard-earned scallops for your ticket. So, who to look out for at MJF 2013? One young artist from Los Angeles, Mr. Gregory Porter, has been making tidal waves across the music scene in the past two years. His debut album, Water (2010), earned him a Grammy nomination and this is reflected in the program – he plays three sets over the weekend. He’s on the bill with super heavyweights Herbie Hancock, George Benson, the Buena Vista Social Club and scores more. It is indeed a much more chilled out affair than say, Glastonbury, but that’s a good thing, right? n
Perhaps one of the most impressive things about the organization running MJF is its commitment
The final room that is worth a visit and could easily be missed is on the right hand side as you return on your path towards the entrance, parallel to the first room you came through and is full of paintings and pictures from the old to the very modern, giving some hint of the eclectic tastes of the museum founder and historic collector Sheikh Faisal himself.
Who Is Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani? Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al-Thani is a prominent Qatari businessman born in Doha in 1948. Most of the collection was acquired during the Sheikh’s many global adventures, with some of it being acquired from other powerful Qatari families. Sheikh Faisal started collecting as a boy when his father, Sheikh Qassim bin Faisal Al Thani, took him on numerous trips and visits to museums and archeological sites in the region and beyond.
in the light Ancient traditional jewelry sparkles
The museum opened in 1998 as the Sheikh wanted to share his collection with the world. The museum was built on the family’s farm and to date stands at 17,000 metres squared, though at the time of writing work was being done to extend it even further.
The Score Is Out This fascinating journey into the past of Qatar through this private collection surely earns this
The museum is home to one of the world’s largest private collection of classic cars
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Available now, luxury studios, two and three bedroom apartments at the most glamorous address in the Middle East – The Pearl , Qatar.
Kids Club Listings RECOMMENDS
IAID Hip-Hop
Tues & Thurs: IAID, Hilal St., Al-Tadamon Signal, D-Ring Road. This is a popular high-energy 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 6671-0589/5538-1960 or visit www.iaidonline.org or email enquire@iaidonline.org.
EVERY WEEK DOHA MUMS Fun City Toddler Group
Thursdays: Come and have some indoor play at Fun City, City Centre Mall between 10:00 a.m. and 12 noon every Thursday. A very suitable play area for tots up to the age of five, the toys are fabulous and it’s a great child-friendly environment. For more information www.dohamums.com.
DOHA MUMS Bubbles Playgroup
Mondays: Doha Mums would like to invite 2010 bubs for some fun playtime every second Monday from 10:00 a.m. till 12:00 a.m. at Fun City play area, City Center Mall. It’s a perfect opportunity to make ‘first friends’ for the little ones and for mums to chat! For more information visit www.dohamums.com or email rsvp@dohamums.com.
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DOHA MUMS 2009-2012 Kids Playgroup
Sundays: From 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. meet other mums while the kids play. They meet in a different mum’s home every week. RSVP is required. For more information email rsvp@dohamums.com.
IAID Modern Jazz for Kids
Sat, Sun, Mon & Wed: IAID, Hilal St., Al-Tadamon Signal, D-Ring Road. Covers the basic step vocabulary and variations of dances which is a common form used in musical theatres and commercial entertainment industries. Designed to train students to professional standards with technical exercises and exciting routines. For more information call 4432-0974/ 4441-1234 or 6671-0589/5538-1960 or visit www.iaidonline.org or email enquire@iaidonline.org.
IAID Zumba
Sat, Sun, Mon & Wed: IAID, Hilal St., Al-Tadamon Signal, D-Ring Road. Zumba is the latest dance fitness craze and is spreading fast worldwide. This upbeat workout is fantastic for kids and adults alike. Zumba is an exhilarating class filled with good feelings and party-like fun that’s perfect for your fitness goals. For more information call 4432-0974/4441-1234 or 6671-0589/5538-1960 or visit www.iaidonline.org or email enquire@iaidonline.org.
DOHA MUMS Playtime For 2012-2013 Babies
Wednesday: From 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Have a baby born in 2012 or 2013? Come along in Al Messilah or Tebah Gardens. RSVPs are required. For more information visit www.dohamums.com.
Food & Dining
s k c i P p o T ’s h t n This Mo
InterContinental Doha The City Business Lunch
Suites Kempinski Residences & Sweet Tooth Sat-Fri: Gourmet House. Dreaming of the perfect cake for your birthday or special occasion? Spoil your family and friends with the best cakes and pastries in Doha, available for order and pick-up. The chefs can make your dream come true if you allow them 48 hours. From 7:00 a.m. till 9:00 p.m. For more information call 4405-3326.
Sat-Thurs: The Square.The Square’s threecourse business lunch offers a selection of à la carte starters and main courses including locally-sourced seafood, prime cuts of meat, vegetarian selections and right-sized desserts for QR 88 from 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4015-8888 or visit doharestaurants@ihg.com.
The Bread Basket Saver Set for Diners Sat-Fri: Enjoy delicious healthy meals with fresh juices all day long at this authentic bistro. The Bread Basket is located at La Croisette, The Pearl-Qatar. For more information call 4495-3876, Ext. 3501.
OUT om .c CHECaK ppening
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Magnolia Bakery Get Your Cupcake Fix Sat- Fri: Enjoy savoury treats and the biggest selection of freshly-baked desserts under one roof! Open from 8:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m., Mangolia Bakery is located in Dar Al Salam Mall next to the Old Aramex roundabout in Abu Hamour. For more information call 4450-9407.
The Torch Saturday Brunch Flying Carpet. Presents an array of specialties from the Mediterranean, Asia and Latin America for QR 195 including selected beverages. Special rate of QR 95 for children between the ages of six and twelve. From 12:00 noon till 3:30 p.m. For more information call 4446-5600 or email reservation@thetorchdoha.com.
Chowking’s beef wanton nood les make for
Takes Over The ever-popular Chowking franchise, an associate of Ahmed Hassan Bilal Group will mark a milestone in this coming month with the opening of its first location in a hotel at the Holiday Villa compound.
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a combination of 12 delectable ingredients like sweetened banana, beans, jackfruit, nata de coco and jellies on top of a bowl of finelyshaved ice, drizzled with milk and syrup.
Just like in the Philippines, Chowking Qatar is famous for its siopao, a popular steamed bun stuffed with fillings of flavourful, tender chicken chunks and a sweet sauce. Another Chowking favourite offering is the halo-halo, a popular cold dessert with an added secret flavour and
Other Chowking best sellers are the beef wanton noodles, chicken supreme and their very own siomai, an old-time favourite dim sum made from the choicest chicken or beef cuts and best served with chili oil sauce. The brand is also envisioning the openings of more Chowking stores in the next five years as it aims to be the benchmark in the GCC region in the areas of sales, overall customer satisfaction, market share and people development. They will also continue to expand their menu lines, offering new products that will also give additional variety and opportunity that distinctly appeal to a diverse culinary market. n
uests and visitors to the Holiday Villa Hotel compound will soon have another delicious dining option as the Sizzling Hot Pot restaurant is set to convert into a new Chowking outlet. With its sights set on a different kind of dining experience, this new location will be one of the franchise’s largest to date, serving up the best in Oriental cuisine for the whole family at affordable prices. With its spacious interior the restaurant boasts space for party and banquet functions with room for up to 150 guests.
a filling, hearty meal
Opening Soon At Holiday Villa – Ground Floor, Entrance # 7 Chowking Holiday Villa is located in Muntaza and is open every day from 10:00 a.m. till 1:00 a.m. except Fridays, when they open from 8:30 a.m. till 11:00am and 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. For parties and functions call 4411-5225/335. Parking area is available. About Chowking: Locations: Salwa Road (near Ramada Hotel) Al Saad St. (before Commercial Bank) Al Khor Mall, Al Khor (2nd floor food court area) Dar Al Salam Mall, Level 1, Mamoura Holiday Villa Hotel, Muntaza (Coming Soon!) Timings: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Average Meal Price: QR 30 – QR 50 Telephone: 4431-1212 (Delivery Hotline) 4437-1212 (Salwa Road) 4431-4411 (Al Saad St.) 4411-8816 / 4411-8817 (Al Khor) 4486-6077 (Mamoura) 4411-5225/335 (Holiday Villa Hotel, Muntaza)
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Food & Dining
Grill Masters
The vintage industrial vibe makes for a funky dining atmosphere
By Ashlee Starratt Photography by Jessie Palanca
We get our teeth round some of the juiciest patties on the planet at Burgerry, now open at Aspire Park.
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o, you’ve finished your run at Aspire and your stomach’s growling. Hungry trailblazers can now head over to Burgerry, the latest outlet to open on the edge of the park. Serving up a plethora of premium patties, (think Black Angus and Wagyu), all-American hot dogs, sweet potato and cheesy fries, decadent milkshakes (Oreo? Swoon!), and authentic New York cheesecakes imported direct from Junior’s in the Big Apple. As we step inside, the first thing that draws our attention is the décor. The place is like an eclectic, re-claimed warehouse, with an exposed beam ceiling, unique industrial lighting – no two hanging lamps are alike it seems, a mix of comfy booths and kitschy tables with a mish-mash of vintage chairs tucked under each one. In fact that whole place has a vintage vibe worthy of an episode of Auction Hunters. Most of the items have been sourced and brought over from Germany. They have old Coca-Cola memorabilia adorning the walls and the space is dominated by a fully-functional antique Coca-Cola cash register. There’s also a giant screen that plays retro 80s music videos while you eat and some pretty cool touches in the bathrooms as well – the faucets are exposed copper pipes and you have to use a wrench handle to turn the water on in the sink. Burgerry is easy, laid-back and the fare is filling. As we sit down to sample the menu, Restaurant Manager Michael Potter tells us that ‘burgerry’
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is an Arabic word that roughly translates to ‘my burger place’. It’s a traditional fast-food concept – you order at the counter, which looks into the bright, open-air kitchen and then wait for your food to be handed to you. You can either eat-in or take-out and Michael tells me they’ll be opening their drive-thru in the near future too. As we tuck into the spread he’s brought out for us, my first thought is that it’s the kind of food that reminds me of BBQ’s back home. We try the B. Special burger, a Black Angus patty topped with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, cheese and their secret Burgerry sauce, the B.Majestic, a succulent Waygu beef patty with melted cheddar and similar toppings, but set apart with a delicious baby Portobello and cepes mushroom sauce that seems almost blended in with the beef. Both burgers are excellent; we’ve ordered single patties so the size is manageable, though many napkins are still required. Also on our trays are the B.Chicky, a tender chicken breast sandwich topped with more leafy lettuce and tomato and a lemon and black pepper seasoning that hits it out of the ball-park. We also share a couple small orders of sweet potato fries, regular crinkle-cut and a cheesesmothered Brave Dog – a Black Angus all-beef hot dog topped with fried onions, relish, mustard and heaps of cheesy goodness.
Line-up to order a prime pattie and
don’t forget to try their milkshake s!
It’s heavy stuff, but it hits the comfort food spot. Next up is dessert and we chat over Junior’s cheesecakes with Chef Andrew Gonzalez who hails from New York City’s Bronx. A master at the grill, Chef Andrew tells us that he came to Qatar especially to develop Burgerry’s menu and he’s been here ever since. With his experience working for some hallmark burger joints in NYC he’s the perfect guy for the job, bringing a taste of Big Apple tradition to Doha. We’ll easily be back next time we’re at Aspire, but we’re going to need some extra napkins. (Also, stay tuned for some new ‘green’ menu items coming soon to Burgerry!) n Burgerry Location: Aspire Park, near main parking lot Timings: 11:00 a.m. till 12:00 a.m., daily Average Meal Price: QR 19-QR 45 for single burgers QR 30-QR 55 for double burgers Smoking: No Delivery: No Contact Info: 4449-3958 www.facebook.com/burgerry.
Food & Dining
An Exotic Appetite By Ashlee Starratt Photography by Jessie Palanca
Spicy shrimp tempura maki rolls
Nusantao: Sea Kitchens at The Four Seasons has launched a new business lunch menu that spans four delectable culinary corners of the globe. We grabbed our forks and readied our taste-buds.
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pen for a little over a year now, Nusantao: Sea Kitchens has already made a unique impression on those with a palate for the adventurous. Today we’re here to try their new business lunch options and to start we grab some new appetizers off the main menu – Asian fresh vegetable spring rolls and yum woon sen, a spicy Thai glass noodle salad topped with shrimp. We also try a small order of Nusantao’s popular pangsit goring crispy chicken and prawn wraps. The vegetable spring rolls are a nice surprise – instead of something deep-fried within an inch of its life, they’re fresh, wrapped with a translucent, chewy rice noodle exterior and fresh sprigs of crunchy greens with a kick of chili sauce on the side. For our mains we tried a selection of the newest items from Chef Toshikazu Kato’s kitchen, plus a bento box to share between us. The level of creativity and exploration on our plates is refreshing; no two items are similar in terms of flavour and cultural origin. In a nod to Chef Kato’s roots, there’s a strong leaning towards the Japanese influence in today’s fare. We try the katsu burger, a Japanese quick-food favourite with breaded chicken breast topped in curry-style gravy and what seems to be shredded daikon. It’s heavy and messy, but definitely filling. My colleague says it’s the best burger he’s had in a long while and in a few chomps it’s gone.
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We’re also offered the khao soi gai Thai yellow chicken curry with noodles, which is a favourite of mine. The curry is rich, sweet and creamy and the crunchy wonton toppings make for a nice transition of texture in every bite. We also try another Japanese tried-and-true dish, their version of curry. A little different in taste from the Thai iteration we’ve just sampled, this one is served over breaded salmon fillets and a bed of sticky rice. Again, it’s lush and rich – though the mixture of the salmon and the curry is unusual at first, after a few bites it’s a taste we quickly embrace. The bento box arrives next. There’s an Oriental lamb dumpling, tatli borek, covered in, from what I can taste, a tahini-based sauce. The combination of sesame undertones and rich lamb make this a meal in itself and while it’s tasty, I’m not sure if it goes with the other assorted items in the bento, which are distinctly seafood-related. There’s sambai goring udang, Indonesian prawns tossed in a sweet and smoky chili sauce which is, for me, the tastiest item in the selection. Adjacent to this is a tangy and refreshing yam som ow Thai pomelo salad with tamarind dressing. The taste is truly unique and the small segments of pomelo fruit crumble apart in my mouth like grains of citrusy rice. The last menu item in the bento is a traditional Japanese chirashi made with chopped raw tuna, Japanese mayo and ikura salmon roe on a bed of rice. Chef Kato tells us that this would be the
Crunchy and refres hing Thai vegetable spring
rolls
kind of quick, hearty lunch that many Japanese would have on the go or pack on the run. For me it’s also the most challenging and complex item, even though it’s quite simplistic. Mostly a matter of texture, the raw salmon is buttery while the ikura roe pop in my mouth like tiny, salty currants. The flavour is very briny and it really takes an adventurous eater to make a meal out of this one. Our dessert course is a sweet ending and overall the new business lunch menu at Nusantao will not leave diners bored. In fact it spoils the average lunch-goer for choice and with its reasonable prices for the portions and quality of the fare it’s a great indulgence if you’re ever caught in West Bay at noon-time with your stomach growling. n Nusantao: Sea Kitchens Location: The Four Seasons Timings: 12:00 p.m. till 3:00 p.m., lunch service Price: QR 130, Bento Box Lunch QR 55-QR 110, Choice of Lunch Dish Combos Smoking: No Licensed: Yes Reservations: 4494-8601
Food & Dining
h t u o M f o d Wor 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 give the community a voice in our pages. This month Dany Dabbagh sampled the dinner offerings at The Square, the international all-day dining restaurant at the InterContinental Doha The City. Here is his review: QH: What did you order? DD: The dinner was an open buffet with an international food variety. I had tabbouleh and some Arabic salad as starters and then sushi and finally I was indulged with the dessert buffet [which had] all types of cake and [a] chocolate fountain!
your food and be obliged to come back to the same table in the first section. QH: Was there a special touch or flair to the experience?
QH: Were the prices reasonable? DD: I think that it was QR 250 per person for the buffet dinner, which is a bit expensive but reasonable with the variety that you can have at the time. QH: Describe the ambiance. DD: It was very cozy; the smiles upon the staff [were] very welcoming, lights were controlled according to each section. All in all it was a nice dinner and very different from all the places I’ve been to. QH: Describe the quality of the food. DD: The most important quality is freshness and neatness. Food was served in a very elegant presentation with different shapes and nice displays. As for the taste, they serve the best of each type of food you decide to have. Also the chefs are always ready to make your stomach satisfied!
Dany Dabbagh poses with Sous
Chef Nyo Nyo
here. You can always find someone to serve you even if you are fine. Nonetheless, the chefs try their best to find what you ask for even if it’s not on their menu, which makes you feel special to them.
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QH: Could the overall experience be improved? If so, how?
QH: Would you go back? Why/why not? DD: Without any doubt; it’s a chance to [relieve] the stress of the working week and the boring routine. Also it’s a nice place to greet a friend/ family member and introduce them to all kinds of food of the world. QH: Favourite thing about the restaurant? DD: The chocolate fountain part! Oh and the greetings [of the] staff. QH: Least favourite thing about the restaurant?
QH: Describe the quality of the service. DD: As I mentioned, the happy faces you see from staff or clients make you glad that you are
DD: When I asked the sushi chef [for] fried tempura, he requested one for me from their kitchen since it wasn’t included in the buffet. It makes you feel special when you ask for something not available and find it in a few seconds on your table.
DD: [The restaurant’s name] is The Square, but with a bit of long distance between the sections, it’s a bit annoying to go to another section to get
DD: The concept should be consistent with the whole place; [given] the distance between the sections [it could] help to play different kinds of music according to each theme, like Japanese music in the sushi section, Italian music in the pizza/pasta section etc. [This can] also be applied to the staff costumes so they are consistent to the section they are responsible for. n 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.
Food & Dining
The Magic Fruit By Gerald Tan Photography by Jessie Palanca
We get crazy for coconut with these scrumptious, bake-by-numbers Magic Bars
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grew up on a tropical island somewhere in between paradise and magical. Forget the sun, sea and sand; it was nature’s bounty that got my heart a-thump-thump even at a young age. In the garden of my childhood home stood nearly 20 varieties of fruit trees with exotic names the likes of rambutan (nephelium lappaceum) ciku (manilkara zapota), and nona (annona squamosa). But one stood above the others, literally -- the venerated coconut palm. Known as the tree of life, the plant is valued for its absolute utility. Every part is used… its trunk carved up into durable furniture and utensils; its fronds made into thatch for huts and woven into baskets. And then there is the fruit. Not so much a nut as it is a drupe (a fruit with a hard stone), the coconut itself is exceedingly versatile. First there’s the juice, a clear, refreshing liquid stored in the centre of young fruits. In many cultures, the nutrient-packed, antioxidant-rich coconut water is viewed as a panacea for everything from gastrointestinal ailments to fevers and dehydration. In this case, granny’s tale may just be valid. During World War II, many doctors turned to coconut water as a substitute for intravenous solutions when they were low on supplies. As the fruit matures, it’s the flesh that is most prized, where it’s scraped out or grated from the shell and squeezed to produce coconut milk.
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This base ingredient flavours and thickens curries, soups and rice dishes, as well as marinades in Asian, Central American and island cuisines. Coconut flesh is also desiccated and used in chutneys, custards, cakes, cookies and a cavalcade of other dishes. Those who live in a tropical climate have ready access to fresh coconut in all its forms. But the increased use of the ingredient in international cuisines means one no longer needs to track to specialty stores to procure the wondrous fruit. Coconut milk in cans and bags of dried coconut are now de rigeur in most decent supermarkets. I love baking with coconut. As it browns in the oven, the house is filled with an aroma that’s nutty, woody and sweet. Coconuts can add a whimsical twist to meringue (behold the birth of the splendidly moist macaroon) or quite a bit of elegance when toasted golden and scattered over a rich ganache (anyone craving German chocolate cake?) For a knockout dessert with minimal effort, try this six-layer bar, a version of the American southern treat Hello Dollies. We call them Magic Bars in my household. I’m not sure exactly why. If I had to venture a guess, it got its name because of how the condensed milk caramelizes the coconut and chocolate and cookie base into one chewy, irresistible nugget. Or because of how they vanish when presented to a crowd. Now you see ‘em, now you don’t -- just like magic. n Comments, feedback, tips or Malcolm Powder’s not-so-secret recipes gladly welcome. Do share how the Magic Bars turn out. I’m on Twitter @GeraldoTan.
A little bit of coconut makes any dish better!
Magic Bars Ingredients: 1 ½ cups Marie biscuits or graham crackers ½ cup butter, melted 1 cup chocolate chips 1 cup walnuts, chopped 1 ½ cup dried or flaked coconut 1 can sweetened condensed milk Instructions: Grease a 9x13 baking pan with butter or cooking spray. Place the biscuits inside a sealed plastic bag and crush into crumbs using a rolling pin. Transfer into baking pan and stir in the melted butter. Press the crumbly mixture to form a cookie base. Sprinkle the chocolate chips and chopped nuts in an even layer followed by the dried coconut. Then pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the whole tray. Bake at 170 degrees Celcius for about 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven and cut into squares while still warm and soft. The bars will harden as they cool.
Food & Dining Listings RECOMMENDS
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Grapes And Cheese Night
Tues 24: Opal by Gordon Ramsay. Once a month the Head Sommelier opens one of the largest cellars in Doha inviting enthusiasts for a tasting paired with the finest selection of gourmet cheeses. Places are limited, bookings essential. QR 375 including 10 exclusive labels and a selection of cheese. From 6:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0105 or email diningreservations@stregis.com.
EVERY WEEK CROWNE PLAZA DOHA – THE BUSINESS PARK Phoenician Night
RADISSON BLU Vino, Paint And Tapas
Tues 24: Picasso’s. Doha’s favourite tapas night is back! Why not have a go at creating your very own Picasso while enjoying delicious tapas and vino for QR 190, starting from 7:00 p.m. For more information call 4428-1555
PROMOTIONS CHOWKING Value Meals
Daily: 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.
DOHA MARRIOTT The Late Brunch
Every Friday from Sept 20: Marriott beach. Join in for Doha’s first and only late brunch! Chill out and watch the sunset over the Doha skyline from your beachside table. Including ‘all-in’ bubbly and BBQ for QR 380. From 5:00 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4429-8499.
THE GRAND HYATT Irish Brunch
Fri 13: The Grill. Join The Grill for an Irishthemed brunch and indulge yourself with an inspired buffet with an exquisite Irish menu and fun Irish dance competition. Upon presenting their passports Irish nationals will be served free Irish beverages. For more information call 4448-1240.
INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA Menu Of The Month
Tues 10-Thurs 19: Fish Market. Menu of the month – Shrimp Sizzlers prepared your way. For more information call 4484-4919 or 4484-4444.
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RENAISSANCE DOHA CITY CENTER Foie Gras Deluxe
Sat 7-Fri 20: New York Steakhouse. Chef Didier Quennouelle places an elegant touch on New York Steakhouse’s menu with a fresh approach to foie gras. Come in and taste this amazing gourmet delicacy. For more information and bookings call 4419-6100 or visit www.westenddoha.com.
Tuscan Temptations
Sat 14-Fri 29: Cucina: The Italian Kitchen. Try Chef Massimiliano Ascione’s delicious Tuscan specialties, such as Livornese seafood and tomato stew, mixed bruschettas of liver pâté and Asiago cheese, panzanella salad and more. For more information and bookings call 4419-6100 or visit www.westenddoha.com.
THE ST. REGIS DOHA Classic Menu
Tue 17-Tue 24: Gordon Ramsay. Classics are sometimes simply the best! Enjoy a carefully chosen four-course degustation menu of classic Gordon Ramsay dishes that can be complemented by a rare sommeliers selection. QR 625 or QR 1,100 with sommelier’s selection. From 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0106 or email diningreservations@stregis.com.
Mondays: Aramede. Enjoy a wide variety of Lebanese and Oriental specialties with livecooking stations and Arabic desserts, taking you into the midst of the Orient for QR 170. From 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4408-7777.
Seafood Night
Wednesdays: Aramede. Enjoy live-cooking stations of fresh seafood. Chefs await your order for delicious jumbo shrimp or giant lobsters, including a selection of seafood salads for QR 250. From 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4408-7777.
You Think You Can Eat Meat?
Sun-Fri: Rodizio. Eat as much meat as you can and try a wide variety of salad bar and seafood before you start on the delicious 12 different cuts of meat along with Cuban Entertainment for QR 265 or QR 395 including house beverages. From 5:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4408-7777.
Mediterranean Food
Sat-Fri: Aramede. Enjoy exquisite Mediterranean cuisine at this all-day dining theatre restaurant from 6:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4408-7777.
Brazilian Churrascaria
Sat-Fri: Rodizio. Delight your palate with the best meat cuts in town from 5:00 p.m. till 12:00 midnight. For more information call 4408-7777.
DOHA MARRIOTT A Taste of Italy
Wednesdays: Corniche Restaurant. Join in for a true taste of Italy with indulgent Italian-inspired theme nights prepared specially by a native Italian Executive Chef for QR 198. For more information call 4429-8499.
BBQ Ribs Extravaganza
Sat-Fri: Salsa. Mouth-watering BBQ ribs served to perfection at the authentic Mexican restaurant, only at Salsa this September! For more information call 4429-8499.
GRAND HERITAGE Indian Night
Wednesdays: Flavours. Indulge in a vivid buffet dinner that captures the diverse tastes of traditional Indian dishes with a contemporary twist. Choose from a delectable selection of curries and biryanis, kebabs and breads from a live tandoor oven. QR 199 including selected beverages. From 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4445-5555.
Turkish Cuisine
Mon-Sat: Agora. Offering a contemporary Turkish family dining experience with a difference. The cuisine at Agora is inspired by a blend of light spices from the Ottoman Imperial Court era, cuisine from the Black Sea region influenced by Balkan cookery, as well as some Mediterranean touches. From 6:00 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4445-5555.
HILTON DOHA Curry & Creole Guitar Nights
Wednesdays: Mawasem. Sample the restaurant’s Crazy for Creole menu during the month of September. Enjoy spectacular authentic Creole and curry dishes from the heart of the islands while you listen to classic melodies of the house guitarist. QR 190 including unlimited soft drinks. From 7:00 p.m. till 10:30 p.m. For more information call 4423-3333.
Crab Feast
Sat-Fri: Bab El Baher, Zawaya and La Sahtaine restaurants. This month at Hilton Doha, join in for a celebration of the delectable crustacean! With dishes such as Blue crab tartar with fresh coriander, lemon confit and avocado, or Mauritianstyle Blue crab curry served with rice stick and deep fried aubergine, savour every bite. Starting at QR 65. For more information call 4423-3333.
INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA All Day-Dining
Sat-Fri: Coral. With its spectacular views of the pool and sea and ambient atmosphere, Coral all-day dining offers cuisine from around the world infused with healthy menu options and live-cooking stations. Open for breakfast from 5:00 a.m. till 11:00 a.m., lunch buffet 12:30 noon till 3:30 p.m. and dinner buffet 7:00 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4484-4919 or 4484-4444.
KEMPINSKI RESIDENCES & SUITES Breakfast Eggsperience
Sat-Fri: Gourmet House. This is not your ordinary breakfast! Coddled eggs with your choice of spinach, bresaola or salmon, your favourite bread, a cup of tea or coffee and a scone with cream and jam for a sweet ending at QR 50. From 7:00 a.m. till 11:30 a.m. For more information call 4405-3326 or email gourmet.doha@kempinski.com or www.kempinski.com/doha.
Food & Dining Listings Happy Hour
Sat-Fri: Gourmet House. Fresh bakery products on sale every evening for half-price. From 7:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. For more information call 4405-3326 or email gourmet.doha@kempinski.com or www.kempinski.com/doha.
Steak & Vino Experience
Sat-Fri: Aroma. Enjoy the most succulent and tender steaks, perfectly combined with superb grilling, tasty accompaniments and a glass of vino from 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4405-3325 or email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com or www.kempinski.com/doha.
Dinner A La Carte
Sat-Fri: Aroma. A mix of fusion creations blended with the European heritage of Kempinski and the local fresh produce of Qatar is on offer with the innovative European menu created by Executive Chef Mike Scheumann. From 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4405-3325 or email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.
Tasting & Sharing
Sat- Fri: The Lounge. Share with your friends delicious bites from the Tasting & Sharing menu, including the biggest hit: the mini burgers. From 5:00 p.m. till 1:00 a.m. For more information call 4405-3325 or email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.
LA CIGALE
Beautiful Food Sat-Fri: Le Cigalon. International cuisine and a daily extravagant buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner with a la carte option available. Buffet breakfast for QR 130 and buffet lunch or dinner for QR 220, inclusive of American coffee or tea. From 6:30 a.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4428-8698.
Italian Flavour
Sat-Fri: Di Capri. Celebrate an Italian flair with the exuberant a la carte menu and a wide selection of vino from 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4428-8840.
RENAISSANCE DOHA CITY CENTER Delightful Dinner
Sun-Thurs: Crossroads Kitchen. Indulge in Chinese, Spanish, French, Italian, Indian and Arabic cuisines prepared at live-cooking theatres for QR 195. Valet parking included. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit westenddoha.com/crossroads.
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Indian Night
Wednesdays: Crossroads Kitchen. Biryani, curry, laksa, koftas, tandoori, samosas and more. Live-cooking stations featuring all your favourites from the North, South, East and West for QR 195 including soft beverages. Valet parking included. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit westenddoha.com/crossroads.
THE RITZ-CARLTON DOHA Seafood Nights
INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA THE CITY Theme nights At The Square
SHARQ VILLAGE & SPA Italian Night
Saturday: International Night Sunday: International Night Monday: La Méditerrané. Mediterranean food covering Italy, Spain, Lebanon, Morrocco, France and Greece. Tuesday: Asiana. Seduces taste-buds with authentic Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Indian delicacies. Friday: International Night QR 180 from 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4015-8888 or visit doharestaurants@ihg.com.
Seafood Night
Wednesdays: The Square. Indulge in fresh and delicious seafood for QR 350 including selected house beverages and QR 250 including soft drinks and mocktails. From 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4015-8888 or visit doharestaurants@ihg.com.
Tuesdays: Admiral’s Club. Tuesday is seafood day at Admiral’s Club! Overlooking the marina, you are invited to enjoy a fresh seafood platter of lobster, prawns, fish and squid for QR 260. For more information call 4484-8663 or email dilip.kumar@ritzcarlton.com.
Wednesdays: Al Liwan. All the regions of Italy come together at this Italian extravaganza from the fragrant risottos of the north to the seafood of the south. QR 250 including soft drinks or QR 360 including house beverages. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4424-2888.
THE ST. REGIS DOHA Burger And Pint Night
Mondays: Opal by Gordon Ramsay. Monday night is burger night at Opal by Gordon Ramsay. Genuinely the best wagyu beef burger in Doha! Served with crispy fries and Opal’s homemade tomato sauce. QR 100 including pint. From 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0105 or email diningreservations@stregis. com.
BBQ Night
Sat-Fri: Prime. Buy one and get 50% on the second main course. From 6:00 p.m. till to 8:00 p.m. For more information call 4015-8888 or visit doharestaurants@ihg.com.
Tuesdays: Al Sultan Brahim. Authentic Lebanese grilled meat BBQ cooked to perfection. Enjoy a range of recipes showcasing the varied marinating and cooking styles from Lebanon. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0105 or email diningreservations@stregis.com.
Early Bird in Strata
A Taste of Astor Grill
Early Bird In Prime
Sat-Fri: Strata. Create your own two-course set menu for QR 200 from 6:00 p.m. till to 8:00 p.m. For more information call 4015-8888 or visit doharestaurants@ihg.com.
THE DIPLOMATIC CLUB Breathtaking Arabic Food
Sat-Fri: Al Sayyad. At The Diplomatic Club’s signature restaurant you can enjoy the finest traditional Middle Eastern seafood and stunning views over the Doha skyline and the Pearl-Qatar. The perfect place to truly experience the Middle East’s rich cuisine from 12:00 noon till 12:00 midnight. For more information call 4484-7412 or email f&b@dclub.com.qa.
Total Elegance
Sat-Fri: Le Grill. The restaurant serves the best prime steaks and grilled seafood in town. You can see the chefs prepare your food in the open kitchen at the live-cooking station. Le Grill will also feature a Qanoun player. Open from 12:00 noon till 12:00 midnight. For more information call 4484-7412 or email f&b@dclub.com.qa.
Sun-Fri: Astor Grill. The best of their New York-style menu. Start with a selection of handpicked starters followed by a choice of mains that include Angus beef or catch of the day and finish with a classic New York dessert. QR 300 for three courses or QR 390 for three courses with Sommelier’s selection. From 7:04 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0106 or email diningreservations@stregis.com.
Fine Dining
Mon -Sat: Gordon Ramsay Fine Dining. The restaurant re-opens after Ramadan with a new seasonal a la carte menu created by Michelin Star Chef Gilles Bosquet. Famous classic dishes are refined in true Gordon Ramsay style. From 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0106 or email diningreservations@ stregis.com.
ORYX ROTANA Choices Asian Night
Mondays: Choices. Take a culinary journey around Asia every Monday night as Choices Restaurant features the Asian Night. Join in as our expert Thai, Indonesian and Philippine chefs prepare an exquisite buffet of authentic Far Eastern cuisine. QR 200 including unlimited juices and soft drinks, QR 280 including unlimited selected house beverages or try the premium package for QR 320 including unlimited sparkling vino, house spirits, selected digestifs and aperitifs. For more information call 4402-3333 or email oryx.hotel@rotana.com.
Tapas Galore
Tuesdays: The Cellar. For tapas lovers, the unlimited night is every Tuesday. Enjoy the selection of tantalizing tapas with unlimited selected vinos for QR 300, or QR 160 with soft drinks. For more information call 4402-3333 or email oryx.hotel@rotana.com.
Choices goes Italian
Wednesdays: Choices Restaurant. Discover an amazing variety of regional dishes, well-renowned for the use of fresh, classic ingredients every Wednesday while enjoying the live-cooking presented by the chefs. QR 200 including unlimited juices and soft drinks, QR 280 with unlimited selected house beverages or try the premium package for QR 320 with unlimited sparkling vino, house spirits, selected digestives and aperitifs. For more information call 4402-3333 or email to oryx.hotel@rotana.com.
International Cuisine
Sat-Fri: Choices Restaurant. Dining at Choices is a culinary delight of the highest standards. The open kitchen serves up a superb buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner in addition to an à la carte menu and daily theme nights. Breakfast from 6:30 a.m. till 10:30 a.m., lunch from 12:00 noon till 3:30 p.m. and dinner from 7:00 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. (Friday brunch and family brunch from 12:30 noon till 4:00 p.m. ) For more information call 4402-3333 or email to oryx.hotel@rotana.com.
WYNDHAM GRAND REGENCY Theme Nights at Grand Gourmet Restaurant
Saturdays: Italian Night. QR 150 per person. Mondays: Far Eastern Night. QR 150 per person. Wednesdays: Seafood Night. QR 200 per person. Fridays: Arabian Night. QR 165 per person. From 6:30 p.m. till 10:30 p.m. For more information, call 44343203 / 3333 or email: sdesilva@wyndham.com
W DOHA Lunch In The Office ‘Salad Menu’
Sat-Fri: W-Café. Choose any one of the W Café salads, soft drinks and cupcakes, give them a call and collect your lunch to have in the office. Promotion only applicable as a takeaway order for QR 85. From 12:00 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4453-5385.
Express Lunch
Sat-Thurs: Market by Jean Georges & Spice Market. Choose your favourite starter, main course and dessert for QR 95. From 12:00 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4453-5135.
Sushi Lunch
Sat-Thurs: Spice Market. Mix up your pulsating selection of sashimi, nigiri and maki rolls for lunch for QR 145. From 12:00 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4453-5135.
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Food & Dining Listings Tasting Menu
Sat-Fri: Spice Market. Enjoy a succulent five courses and 10 mouth-watering flavours. Minimum of two people dine for QR 500, tasting menu includes a bottle of wine from the set menu. From 6:00 p.m. till 10:30 p.m. For more information call 4453-5135.
WEEKEND CROWNE PLAZA DOHA – THE BUSINESS PARK La Dolce Vita
Thursdays: Aramede. The restaurant brings to you the streets of Italy to your plate. Live chefs preparing your pizzas and pastas await you for a lavish Italian Night buffet for QR 170. From 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4408-7777.
DOHA MARRIOTT Gourmet Route
Thursdays: Gallery. Something for everyone, with highlights from specialty restaurants, experience a gourmet buffet and a taste sensation! QR 225 regular and QR 320 with bubbly. For more information call 4429-8499.
GOKULAM PARK DOHA A Spice of India
Fridays: De Dine Zone. Enjoy Indian cuisine in a multi-cuisine restaurant with sumptuous meals specially prepared, whether it’s a quick bite, breakfast, lunch or dinner. Savour a wide choice of gastronomic delights from the menu for QR 85. From 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. call 4470-8888.
HILTON DOHA Seafood Extravaganza
Thurs-Fri: Mawasem. Book a table and start your weekend with an extravagant selection of fresh seafood favourites every Thursday. From 7:00 p.m. till 10:30 p.m. QR 225 including unlimited soft drinks. For more information call 4423-3333.
1001 Arabian Feast
Saturdays: Mawasem. Enjoy Arabian and Oud player and singer and a feast of tantalizing dishes from North Africa, the Levant and the Arabian Gulf. QR 190 including unlimited soft drinks. From 7:00 p.m. till 10:30. For more information call 4423-3333.
INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA Seafood BBQ Night
Fridays: Beachfront. Come and join in every Friday for a seafood B.B.Q dinner by the beachfront. Enjoy grilled fish and seafood freshlyprepared by the expert chefs including livecooking stations from 7:00 p.m. till midnight. For more information call 4484-4919 or 4484-4444.
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RENAISSANCE DOHA CITY CENTER Seafood Night Thursdays: Crossroads Kitchen. Enjoy the biggest seafood paella in Doha, alongside tiger prawns, mussels, tuna, oysters and the freshest sushi in town! The newest addition is the Mongolian stir-fry station where the chef can mix chicken, beef, lamb or seafood with crunchy vegetables. Starts at QR 225, from 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. Valet parking included. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit westenddoha.com/crossroads.
THE RITZ-CARLTON DOHA BBQ Platter Promo
Thurs & Fri: Admiral’s Club. A platter of BBQ good for two people includes beef steak, chicken skewers, salmon fillets, lamb chops, hammour fillets, jumbo prawns with baked potato, condiments and chef’s salad. All to be savoured while relaxing by the Marina for QR 190, additional QR 50 for fresh lobster. For more information call 4484-8663 or via email: dilip.kumar@ritzcarlton.com.
Saturday Roast
Saturdays: Admiral’s Club. Saturday evening is Saturday’s roast at Admiral’s Club for a choice of roasted prime beef, lamb, chicken, Yorkshire pudding, chips, and vegetables. A lavish platter to end the weekend. QR 120. From 6:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. For more information call 4484 8663 or via email: dilip.kumar@ritzcarlton.com.
SHARQ VILLAGE & SPA Ocean‘S Bounty
Thursdays: Al Liwan. Jewels from the ocean’s depths are displayed in a luxurious seafood buffet. If marine delicacies are to your taste, this is sure to please. QR 280 including soft drinks or QR 390 including house beverages. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4424-2888.
W DOHA Burger Nights
Saturdays: Market by Jean Georges. Choose your favourite burger, your favourite side dish and one amazing sundae from the selection for QR 110. From 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m.
WYNDHAM GRAND REGENCY Sushi Fiesta
Thursdays: Chopsticks Restaurant. Enjoy the teppanyaki station with a selection of seafood or meat together with a sushi fiesta. Eat as much you can for QR 169 from 6:30 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4434-3203/3333 or email sdesilva@wyndham.com.
Far Eastern Buffet
Fridays: Chopsticks Restaurant. Enjoy a delightful lunch and dinner buffet of Chinese, Japanese and Thai Food for QR 129. Children ages six to 12 pay QR 65. Lunch from 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. and dinner from 6:30 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4434-3203/3333 or email sdesilva@wyndham.com.
It’s All About Sushi
Saturdays: Chopsticks Restaurant. Immerse yourself in an electrical range of original and sensational sushi platters from the sushi bar at Chopsticks, the award-winning restaurant. Try sushi made of chicken, beef and duck! Eat as much you can for QR 129. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4434-3203/3333 or email sdesilva@wyndham.com.
W DOHA Sushi Night
Saturdays: Spice Market. Add some flavour to the start of the week with Spice Market’s comprehensive sushi menu featuring assorted sushi, nigiri, maki and sashimi prepared with the secret condiments of three-Michelin star chef, Jean-Georges Vongerichten and his expert team for QR 230. From 6:00 p.m. till 10:30 p.m. For more information call 4453-5135.
BRUNCH CROWNE PLAZA DOHA – THE BUSINESS PARK Family Brunch
Fridays: Aramede. Enjoy a family brunch Mediterranean-style with live music for QR 205 from 12:30 p.m. till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4408-7777.
Carnival Brunch
Fridays: Rodizio. Join the Brazilian restaurant and enjoy brunch Carnival-style for QR 265. Or, pay QR 333 with special house beverages. From 12:30 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4408-7777.
DOHA MARRIOTT Weekend Brunch
Fri & Sat: Restaurant Gallery. A culinary journey like no other. Discover an array of live-cooking stations with favourite dishes from around the globe. Gallery brunch QR 245 and bubbly brunch QR 350, from 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4429-8499.
HILTON DOHA Start The Weekend In Style
Friday: Mawasem. Every Friday visit Mawasem for a day of fun and indulgence. Enjoy a sumptuous buffet with family and friends served to live music accompanied by amazing views of the pool and beach from 12:30 noon till 3:30 p.m. QR 222 including unlimited soft drinks and QR 333 including unlimited house beverages. The kids have their special food corner and a ‘Kidz Paradize’ for fun activities. For more information call 4423-3333.
Weekend Brunch
Fri & Sat: La Sahtaine. Enjoy an exquisite four-course brunch menu in a posh, vibrant setting starting at QR 222 including unlimited soft drinks and overlooking the Arabian Gulf. Children six and under dine free, children ages seven to 12 receive a 50% discount. From 12:30 noon till 3:30 p.m. For more information call 4423-3333.
‘Aina Awakea’ Brunch
Fridays: Trader Vic’s. Come to Trader Vic’s for a Hawaiian family brunch to share with your loved ones. Sample the delicious island-style five-course set menu with delectable favourites such as Mongolian beef, grilled nine-spice chicken and island tid-bits. Sip on your free-flowing selected beverages and enjoy the lively beats and majestic views of the Gulf. QR 350 including selected beverages from 12:30 noon till 3:30 p.m. For more information call 4423-3118.
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 while enjoying the stunning views of the Arabian Sea and Doha’s skyline. From 12:30 noon till 3:30 p.m. For more information call 4484-4919 or 4484-4444.
SEALINE BEACH RESORT Friday Brunch
Bonbini Restaurant. Indulge your taste buds with exceptional flavours and an array of sensational blend of platters. QR 165 per adult, QR 90 for children ages six to 11 years from 12:00 noon till 3:30 p.m. For more information call 4476-5249.
RENAISSANCE DOHA CITY CENTER Friday Brunch
Ipanema Brazilian Churrascaria. Take a trip to Rio de Janeiro every Friday 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, QR 320 includes selected beverages. Valet parking included. From 12:30 p.m. till 3:30 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit westenddoha.com/ipanema.
Family Brunch
Fridays: Crossroads Kitchen. Offering a delicious international brunch of Chinese, Spanish, French, Italian, Indian, Arabic and more. Kids are kept entertained with games, face-painting and movies while you relax with a cocktail in hand. QR 225 including soft beverages, QR 275 including selected beverages. Children seven to 12 dine half price, while kids under six dine complimentary. Valet parking included. From 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit westenddoha.com/crossroads.
INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA THE CITY Brunch
Fridays: The Square. Enjoy a succulent brunch at one of the most cosmopolitan hotels in town. QR 330 including selected house beverages and QR 230 including soft drinks and mocktails. From 12:00 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4015-8888 or email doharestaurants@ihg.com.
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Food & Dining Listings THE ST. REGIS DOHA Family Brunch
Fridays: Vine. Gather with family and friends and experience lavish buffet with treats for everyone. Parents can relax with live music and enjoy breath-taking views from the terrace. Entertainment for children is provided by The St. Regis Doha recreation team and includes fun games, face painting and lots of creative activities. QR 275 with soft drinks and QR 375 including Sommelier selection. From 12:30 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0105 or email diningreservations@stregis.com.
SHARQ VILLAGE & SPA Friday & Saturday Brunch
Al Liwan. Unwind with friends and family and indulge in a luxurious buffet of the freshest seafood, Middle Eastern favourites and international classics. There is live music and a lively atmosphere. A children’s buffet is available for the little ones and kids’ activities are well-supervised. QR 250 or QR 390 with house beverages and QR 125 for children aged six to 12 years. From 12:30 noon till 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4424-2888.
ORYX ROTANA Jazzy Brunch
Fridays: Choices. Every Friday no one does it better! Brunch offers a wide variety of food and beverages with live jazz music. (Last order for beverages is at 3:15 p.m.) QR 250 including unlimited juices and soft drinks or QR 325 including unlimited selected house beverages. From 12:30 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4402 3333 or email oryx.hotel@rotana.com.
W DOHA Jazz Brunch
Fridays: Market by Jean Georges. Enjoy a jazz brunch with live entertainment for QR 380 including selected house beverages or QR 290 including selected soft drinks. For more information call 4453-5135.
Friday Brunch
Spice Market. Asian street food meets slick city chic at the new up-market weekly Spice Market brunch every Friday, Enjoy a backdrop of live, upbeat swing music courtesy of Doha Jazz. QR 380 including selected house beverages and QR 290 including soft drinks. From 12:00 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4453 5135.
BUSINESS LUNCH CHOWKING
Sun-Thurs: Enjoy a delicious meal with the trusted Chowking flavours you love in under 30 minutes. From 1:00 p.m. till 3:00 p.m. at all locations. 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.
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THE FOUR SEASONS
Sat- Thurs: Il Teatro. Choose from our variety of contemporary and delectable lunch dishes carefully crafted by our culinary team, whether you’re entertaining business clients or just looking for a sumptuous lunch meal, Il Teatro is the right place to be. QR 75, from 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4494-8888.
GOKULAM PARK DOHA
Sun -Thurs: De Dine Zone. A multi-cuisine restaurant with sumptuous meals specially prepared whether it’s a quick bite, breakfast, lunch or dinner, savour a wide choice of gastronomic delights from our menu for QR 35. From 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4470-8888.
HILTON DOHA La Sahtaine
Sun-Thurs: Step out of your office and enjoy a three-course meal consisting of a selected delectable variety of starters, main courses and desserts in an elegant brasserie ambience overlooking the waterfront for QR 88 From 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4423-3333.
Trader Vic’s
Sun-Thurs: Create your own delicious threecourse business lunch by choosing from a selected variety of options for QR 95, from 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4423-3118.
KEMPINSKI RESIDENCES & SUITES
Sat-Thurs: Aroma. Select from the gourmet business lunch menu with your choice of starters, main courses and desserts and indulge in the most delectable business lunch in Doha for QR 90. From 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4405- 3325 or email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.
SPECIAL LISTINGS ASPIRE KATARA HOSPITALITY It’s Time For Lamb
Sept: Sukar Pasha Ottoman Lounge. Succulent, spit-roasted, well-marinated whole lamb seasoned to perfection and served with aromatic traditional Turkish rice for QR 99. From 7:00 p.m. For more information call 4408-2000.
Red Velvet
Sept: Katara Cultural Village. Let your children decorate their own cupcake for QR 60 per child. Advance reservation is highly recommended. For more information call 4408-7000. Sept: Cool off with these two promotions. Get a free large bottle of water with every purchase of six cupcakes or get a free small bottle of water with every purchase of an ice cream sandwich. For more information call 4408-7000. Sept: Enjoy your favourite Red Velvet cupcakes right in the comfort of your home. They deliver for a minimum order of 100 pieces. Advance reservation is highly required. For more information call 4408-7000.
El Cigar Lounge
Sept: Katara Cultural Village. Unwind in a comfy armchair with some savoury snacks and refreshing signature mocktails while listening to the rhythm of classical jazz music. From 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays. Doors open from 3:00 p.m. till midnight daily. For more information call 4408-0750. Sept: 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.
L’wzaar Seafood Market.
LA CIGALE HOTEL
Sat-Fri: Le Central. Le Central welcomes you and your corporate associates for a closed business deal with its specialty Business Set Menu consisting of three courses for QR 150. From 12:00 p.m. till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4428-8772
Sept: Katara Cultural Village. Their special main course might be your choice. Visit L’wzaar and relish their recommendation of the day. For more information call 4408-0710. Sept: With family and friends, come celebrate any of your special occasions at L’wzaar and capture the moment for a happy and everlasting memory with a free snapshot that will be featured in the L’wzaar Celebrant’s book. For more information call 4408-0710. Sept: Experience Tandoori grill and Thai curry cooking styles for your fresh seafood. For more information call 4408-0710.
RENAISSANCE DOHA CITY CENTER
Chac’late
Sun -Thurs: Cucina, The Italian Kitchen. Choose from six entrees, six mains and five desserts made from the freshest ingredients for QR 85. Valet parking included. From 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit westenddoha.com/cucina.
WYNDHAM GRAND REGENCY
Daily (except Mon & Fri): Chopsticks Restaurant. The restaurant offers the ideal solution for busy professionals; a variety of distinctive modern Asian food presented in an exceptional three-course menu for QR 59. From 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4434-3203/3333 or email sdesilva@wyndham.com.
Sept: Katara Cultural Village. Enjoy 20% off on Amelia Rope Chocolate, handmade chocolates that are all about quality, taste, purity and indulgence. For more information call 4408-0733. Sept: Enjoy the signature Chac’late breakfast from 8:00 a.m. till 11:00 a.m. For more information call 4408-0733.
Shawarma Albisana
Sep: 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.
Kunafa Albisana
Sept: Katara Cultural Village. Offering the best traditional Kunafa with Nabulsi cheese imported from Jordan for dine-in and take-away. For more information call 4408-1200.
Aspire Grand Café
Sept: 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. Sept: Enjoy healthy choices of breakfast while visiting the park, including fresh croissants, sunny-side up or omelette egg dishes and crêpes. For more information call 4408-1996.
Le Vesuvio
Sept: Katara Cultural Village. Check out the kids menu. Le Vesuvio is happy to serve all of its guests, especially kids, with its healthy menu options. For more information call 4408-1500.
Burgerry
Sept: Aspire Park. A vintage industrial-themed American burger restaurant serves gourmet burgers with both certified Black Angus and Wagyu beef, chicken sandwiches, hotdogs and varieties of fries and milkshakes. For more information call 4449-3958.
LA VARENNE Provence Week
Tues 3- Mon 9: La Varenne. Offering specialty dishes from the French region of Provence, famous for traditional dishes such as bouillabaisse, pissaladiere and tomato fougasse, to name but a few. Join in for the business lunch between these dates and sample the true delicacies of this region.
Sommelier’s Dinner
Wed 4: Join the talented French sommelier, Anais Fabre for a delightful evening of paired vino and food from Provence. You will be invited to share Anais’ passion for food and drink typical of Provence. Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.
La Varenne Brunch
Sept: La Varenne. The French Country Brunch is back! Join us every Friday from 12:00 p.m. till 4:00 p.m. to indulge in their interpretation of a table-top brunch. Enjoy a full-course, all-you-can-eat menu with sharing-style dishes showcasing an array of the best La Varenne classics, along with their hors d’oeuvres and dessert trolleys for QR 179 per person.
Flavoured Frozen Coffee
Sept: Beat the heat with a caramel-flavoured frozen coffee. Perfect as a ‘pick-me-up’ half-way through the day or as a sweet treat to end the perfect meal. They use 100% pure roasted coffee
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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
Latino 4485-4444
Wok of Fame
4413-4772
Animato 4496-6600
Oyster Bay
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
Arabic & Lebanese
Contemporary European Aroma 4405-3325 Astor Grill
4446-0105
Belgian Café
4484-4444
Gordon Ramsay
4446-0105
La Mer
4484-8000
Market by Jean-Georges
4453-5135
Nando’s 4436-0606 Opal by Gordon Ramsay
4446-0105
Agora 4445-5555 Al Balad
4491-8692
French
Al Bandar
4431-1818
La Sahtaine
4423-3333
Al Batross
4432-8888
La Varenne
4499-0680
Al Canteen
4433-6666
Al Mourjan
4483-4423
Le Relais de L’Entrecote 4495-3876 ext. 1411
Al Sayyad
4484-7420
Al Sultan Brahim Al Tawash
4424-7777
Crossroads Kitchen
4419-6100
De Dine Zone Restaurant
4470-8822
East 4433-6666 Grand Gourmet
4434-3333
La Brasserie
4446-2222
La Cigalon Restaurant
4428-8888
Lifestyle Restaurant
4463-2154
Mawasem 4423-3333 Mehfil Restaurant
4409-4444
Nando’s 4436-0606
4424-3444
4446-0105
Quisine by Guy Savoy
The Grill
4448-1234
4498-2002
Sormani 4495-3876 Ext. 3222
The Lagoon
4484-8000
4495-3876 4408-0840 4466-2616
Majlis 4448-1234 4436-2947
Tajine 4435-5554 Tangia 4434-3333 The Tent
4432-8888
Turkey Central
4443-2927
4002-7245
Indian
ww
Vine 4446-0105
Italian
Biryani Hut
4464-1401
Bombay Baiti
4428-1428
Bice Ristorante
4495-3876
Chingari 4428-1428
Carluccio’s 4495-3876
Idyl Factory
6674-1143
Cucina 4419-6100
Royal Indian
4466-6876
Di Capri
4428-8698
Royal Tandoor Al Souq St., Jasra 4444-6151 Souq Waqif 4432-3244
Fabio’s Pizza
4416-5641
Saffron Lounge
3325-8919
Sukh Sagar
4431-9172
Taj Rasol
4429-8888
ne! i l n o s u e e S w.qatarhappening.com 86
Cosmo Restaurant
The Dining Room (Fraser Suites Hotel)
Liza 4495-3876 Marmara Istanbul
Corniche 4429-8888
Maxim 4428-1428
Layali 4431-0005 Lebanese Shawarma
Choices 4402-3333
4433-6666
Istanbul Sultan Dining Restaurant 4468-5089 Khan Rafouk Tarab Café
4472-2666
The Dining Room (Al Najada Boutique Hotel)
Argan 4433-6666 Burj Al Hamam
Blue Brasserie Restaurant
II Teatro
4494-8888
La Dolce Vita Italian Restaurant
4436-7991
La Veranda
4485-4444
Picasso’s 4428-1428 Porcini 4484-8000 Romano’s Macaroni Grill
4451-7585
The Italian Job
4428-1428
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 4434-3203
Strata Restaurant & Lounge
4015-8888
Pool Bar
4484-4444
Al Kut Lounge
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
4405-3325
Bab Al Baher
4423-3333
The Lounge
Mediterranean
Wahm 4453-5353
Aramede 4408-7777
Burgers
Bert’s Café 4495-3876 Ext 1381 Biscoti 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
Hardee’s 4467-8750
Coffee Time
4466-7551
Rocca 4448-1234
Johnny Rockets
4455-2792
Colombiano
4434-2753
The Cellar
TGI Friday’s
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 4446-0105
Mykonos 4484-4444 4402-3333
Seafood
Persian Grill @ The Village
4444-4700
Southeast Asian 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
Al Dana
4425-6666
Al Dente Seafood Restaurant
4472-2666
Al Sayyad
4484-7420
Al Sultan Brahim
4446-0105
Fish Market
4484-4444
L’wzaar 4408-0710 Pampano 4495-3876 Pier 12
4428-1428
Mango Tree
4495-3876
Nusantao: Sea Kitchens
4494-8888
Spice Market
4453-5353
Bentley’s Grill
4428-1428
Sarab Lounge
Sri Kebaya
4434-0838
JW’s Steakhouse
4429-8888
Savor 4408-7777
The Noodle House City Center Mall The Pearl
4411-5063 4495-3876
Le Grill
4484-7412
Shisha Garden
4428-8888
4419-6100
Sky Lounge
4402-3333
Wok Mee Noodle House
4496-6600
Prime 4015-8888
Sugar and Spice
4411-4456
The Butcher Shop and Grill
4413-5508
The Courtyard
4433-6444
4446-2222
The Drawing Room
4433-6666
The Lobby Lounge
4484-8000
The Terrace Lounge
4433-6555
Torch Café
4446-5600
W Café
4453-5353
Ya Hala
4423-3333
Steakhouses
New York Steakhouse
The Old Manor Steakhouse
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Sports
s k c i P p o T ’s h t This Mon
The Sharq Village & Spa Six Senses Ideas To Succeed
Qatar Olympic Committe
e
World 9-Ball Billiards Championships Mon 2-Fri 13: Al Sadd Sports Club. Qatar will once again play host to the biggest and most exciting billiard championship in the country. For more information visit http://www.qbsf.qa.
Or yx Rotana Personal Training Daily: Enrol in their one-on-one training with a certified fitness instructor. Call 4402-3333 for more information and to inquire about their discounted rates.
OUT om .c CHECaK ppening
atarh tion! www.qthe latest informa for
Wed 25: A two-hour success coaching workshop. Do you want to lose weight, get a promotion or create more abundance and happiness in your life? Do you want to adopt a healthy life-style, be more active and feel more energized? In this two-hour interactive workshop, you will identify what is driving you in life and learn how you can turn every idea into a success. This workshop is limited to 15 people so reserve your place now for QR 50. From 6:30 p.m. till 8:30 p.m. For bookings and more information call 4425-6999 or email reservations-sharq-spa@sixsenses.com.
The Diplomatic Club InterContinental Doha The City Ballroom Dances Daily: The Health & Fitness Club offers ballroom dance classes including English waltz, Viennese waltz, tango standard, slow fox-trot and quick-step. Book four sessions for QR 350, eight sessions for QR 560, 12 sessions for QR 750 or 16 sessions for QR 950. For more information call 4015-8888.
Fitness Classes & Sports Facilities Daily: To keep up with your body, The Diplomatic Club offers a wide variety of aerobic classes from Zumba to body balance all week long. Other programs offered are step aerobics, box step, circuit training and yoga. From 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. Guests can also have access to the tennis and squash facilities, swimming pool and private beach. For more information call 4484-7450 or email spa.recreation@dclub.com.qa.
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Sports
Beating The
Bulge By Mai Akkad Photography by Jessie Palanca
nth we get expert advice from Had a heavy summer? This mo holidays. on how to get ripped after the
EXERCISE Beginners If you’ve been inconsistent with your exercising and haven’t hit the gym for a long time, then you’re considered to be a beginner. Bunting’s advice to people starting from scratch is to: • Obtain a full assessment test You could get the test by visiting a personal trainer who could help you identify your weaknesses, tights muscles and imbalances. This is the first thing, Bunting does when he has new clients since by analyzing the clients’ posture and movement, he could identify their physical restrictions and develop a program that will help them “loosen-off” their tight muscles, and train more efficiently. The science behind this is simple as Bunting says: “Efficient movement means training better and training better means better results.”
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Craig Bunting at Complete
Fitness LLC
Craig shows us how to max imize a basic push-up
• Start on a lower level It’s important for beginners to not overload muscles, joints and soft tissues but rather focus on doing bodyweight exercises in a correct form. Also interval training (shorter periods of hard work followed by longer periods of easier work) is recommended and once their fitness level increases, they can reverse these periods.
Active People For those who exercise regularly but still want to lose the summer bulge or simply upgrade their fitness routine, they should: • Increase workout intensity Lift heavier weights, perform super-sets, or non-opposing super-sets, or try circuit training, which are multiple exercises performed in a row with no rest between. If they decrease their rest
periods they increase the intensity and level of challenge. • Ramp up the cardio Interval training is great for this, and its mode can be tailored with the individual’s likes, dislikes, past exercise history and any injuries, in mind. Bunting also stresses the importance of changing your fitness routine every few weeks. By trying something new more often, your training program won’t ‘plateau’, which can make it detrimental for people to advance their fitness level. Beginners should change their program every six to eight weeks, while those who are more advanced will need to change it more often to maintain results.
Complete Fitness owner Craig Bunting offers healthy advice to stay fit and be the best you can be
along with reduced body fat levels will allow for a greater amount of muscle tone.
Balanced Diet When it comes to losing weight, diet plays a bigger role than exercise. Bunting explained that you could hit the gym for a brutal workout, but if you eat poorly afterwards or overeat, then it will be really difficult to shed the pounds. If you want to lose weight but aren’t sure about the amount of calories you need to consume to burn fat, a general calculation would be multiplying your body weight in pounds by 11. The result you get is the number of calories you need to stick with to melt the pounds. For obese individuals, Bunting recommends that they limit their calorie intake to 1,200 to 1,800 calories per day. Bunting’s breakdown of a perfect meal would be a combination of: • Protein Important for repairing damaged muscle and building new and improved muscle fibre that,
• Carbohydrates Aim to get your servings from fibrous sources such as fruits and vegetables and limit intake of refined carbs found in rice, pasta and bread to only after intense exercise. • Healthy Fats Fat is an essential macronutrient for the function of the body. Good sources would be dairy, eggs, fish, poultry, meat and essential fatty acids such as Omega 3 found in fish oil and flaxseeds, and Omega 6 found in vegetable oils. Avoid transfats found in processed foods. • Water Drink plenty of water, especially in hot, humid environments like Qatar. Also if you exercise you need even more water to stay hydrated. • The odd treat? Those who are making progress in their weight loss goals can allow themselves the odd treat. But if they still have a ways to go to meet their weekly targets, Bunting insists on cutting out any cheat meals until progress is made. n For more info about Bunting’s background, exercise and diet tips visit: www.fitness.qa
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Sports
e r u t a N o T Back Camping is an immensely popular activity in Qatar and this month camping lovers can rejoice as the first Qatar Camping Expo will take place in Doha, at the Doha Exhibition Center from September 23-25. Happy trails!
C
amping in the deserts is one of the oldest and richest traditions in Qatar and the Middle East. For thousands of years, it’s been the core activity for social communication and relaxation among the local tribes. From ancient times camping has become an integral part of Qatar’s opulent culture and heritage. The contemporary camping and outdoor season in Qatar is usually between the months of October and April. With breathtaking views and cool desert climate, all kinds of barbecues, picnics, outdoor sports, and family majlises are usually arranged throughout this time period. The Qatar Camping Expo 2013 is the very first exhibition dedicated to camping, sports activities, and outdoor recreation in Qatar and the Middle Eastern markets. It’s aimed at inspiring camping enthusiasts with new ideas, concept designs and tools for their next adventure. It’s also a productive environment for sharing original and exciting ways for camping in local deserts and sightseeing areas, such as parks, the seaside and sports grounds. Different suppliers providing camping equipment will be brought under one roof for product placement and to help visitors prepare for a fun and well-organized camping experience. This includes the following:
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Enjoy the great wide open with a desert camping excursion and get outfitted at the Qatar Camp ing Exhibition
• Camping equipment and outdoor tools • Furniture and fittings – lighting, chairs, tables, etc. • Catering – cooking equipment, food and beverage providers • Outdoor sports equipment – dune-biking, kiting, etc. • Portable sanitary units • Portable kitchenettes • Landscaping – gravelling solutions • Information about safety and camping, first aid, safe outdoor activity tips and how to be a more environmentally-friendly camper. • Medical, safety, and security tools • Environmental protection All potential or avid campers looking for the latest industry information and products related to exciting outdoor activities and camping equipment are invited to come check out the Qatar Camping Expo. The great wide open awaits! n
Qatar Camping Expo Where: Doha Exhibition Center When: Mon, Sept 23 till Wed, Sept 25
Sports
Ships Ahoy! for Lusail Marina this fall, bringing together to ing com is w Sho t Boa al tion rna The Qatar Inte ices with it. yachts, boats, marine equipment and serv the first time in Doha a wide selection of QH has the first sneak peek.
C
onsidering the continuous growth the state of Qatar has been experiencing over the past years, its marine industry and nautical lifestyle are next in line with significant changes and developments already taking place. Qatar is evolving into a significant player in the market for the trading, constructing, converting and repairing of all types of crafts such as tugs/ work boats, military vessels and high- value yachts, up to the largest commercial vessels in the world. Each year, the market has witnessed a significant growth of new boats and yachts, plus relevant services and accessories, which signals that this is the right time to organize the first Qatar International Boat Show at the beginning of the boating season. Additionally, in order to cater to higher demand, new marinas are being constructed. In June 2011, the Lusail Marina opened, accommodating 10 to 40 metre yachts across 93 spacious berths. The Dow Marina and Yacht Club Marina (previously the Doha Club Marina) are two new marinas in Doha that will open soon. Organized by Snow Conceptual Communications, this promising exhibition will take place in
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The Lusail Marina glimmers at night
November at the Lusail Marina and promises to be a premiere event, generating solid opportunities for the promotion of new boats and services and creating a luxury market for affluent Middle Eastern and Asian buyers. The exhibition will host shows both on land and in the water with 5,000 square metres of water basin surface and more than 12,000 square metres of land exhibition and outdoor areas. Visitors can expect 40-50 boats in the water and around 100 international exhibitors.
Dates & Timings: Tues, Nov 12 Wed, Nov 13 Thurs, Nov 14 Fri, Nov 15 Sat, Nov 16
3:00 p.m. till 9:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m. till 9:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m. till 9:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m. till 9:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m. till 9:30 p.m.
From speedboats to yachts, the QIBS will have something for every marine enthusiast
Venue: Lusail Marina, Lusail City The exhibition will host shows both on land and in the water, with 5,000 square metres of water basin surface and more than 12,000 square metres of land exhibition and outdoor areas. Visitors can expect 40-50 boats in the water and around 100 international exhibitors. Ticket Prices: QR 50 for adults QR 20 for children n
Sports Listings
Get In The Game With the summer holidays fading away, September sees the return of Evolution Sports Academy and their exciting, jam-packed sports calendar for children and youth to relish over the next 10 weeks! QH has all the details.
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rom Sunday, September 22 Evolution Sports kicks off their sports activities roster at Doha College, the American School of Doha (ASD), Aspire and the brand new Doha College West Bay Campus, which offers Evolution the exciting new opportunity to further expand their ever-evolving program with more top-quality sports courses for young people in Qatar. As the country’s biggest sports provider, Evolution will also deliver their regular schedule of first-class soccer, swimming, netball, cricket and basketball sessions as usual from the existing Doha College Al Waab site. The dedicated Soccer Academy Squad will also use ASD throughout the week and Evolution Tennis will be delivered at Aspire. Established in 2007, every term since then Evolution has grown as a multi-sports provider due to the sheer demand for more courses, the results children receive, and the first-class approach of Evolution’s instructors who are all fully qualified and experienced in coaching young people. It’s the perfect mix for guaranteed fun and satisfaction in a team environment!
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Teamwork and athletic spirit are the hallmarks of Evolutio n Sports’
The academy’s soccer program also now boasts a brand new partnership with the Ajax Online Football Academy. This follows from a relationship established back in 2007 when Dutch, Barcelona and Ajax legend Ronald DeBoer became official club ambassador for Evolution Soccer while working with the QFA. This unique connection makes Evolution Soccer Academy the first club in the Middle East to forge a partnership with the European giants. This also means that coaches at Evolution Soccer Academy are equipped with all the resources necessary to improve players like the world famous AFC Ajax Youth Academy, which included the DeBoer brothers, Marco Van Basten and Dennis Bergkamp. Evolution Sports also provides a top-notch learning experience for young athletes, building upon the importance of grassroots development
many programs
crucial for children to grasp the basics while also thriving in a sporting discipline that they like. The club delivers a specialized soccer program for 2-6 year olds named Little Ballers. With a focus on fun, it’s a network of informal yet professionally-run training classes where enthusiastic boys and girls are given a helping hand to stand on their own two feet. This course is ideal for any young child to blow off some steam, make friends and have fun in a safe environment – plus all parents are encouraged to get involved! For more information about any of the sports courses and to register your child’s interest for the autumn term (Sept - Dec 2013) please contact info@evosportsqatar.com or visit www.EvoSportsQatar.com or www.facebook.com/EvoSportsQatar.
Sports Listings
INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA Zumba Fitness
Mon, Wed & Fri: Zumba is the latest dance fitness craze taking over the world. Fitness should be fun and that’s exactly what Zumba is. It’s a mixture of Latin and international music fused together to create a fun, dance party atmosphere burning between 400-1,000 calories per hour and is suitable for all ages, shapes and fitness levels. So why not come along to a class and join in the party? QR 30 for members, QR 40 for non-members on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. and Friday at 10:00 a.m. (mixed class) and Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. (outdoors).
PROMOTIONS
EVERY WEEK
THE SHARQ VILLAGE & SPA Six Senses Dr Chet Collins
INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA The Bay Club Fitness Classes Spinning
Tues 17-Mon 30: Motion Restoration Therapy for Pain Relief and Improved Performance. Motion Restoration Therapy is a unique combination of detailed clinical chiropractic techniques, soft tissue manipulation, finger pressure and joint movement, developed by internationallyrenowned neuro- muscular consultant Dr. Chet Collins. He can provide you with immediate pain relief and long-term solutions for your physical discomforts. For bookings and more information call 4425-6999 or email reservations-sharq-spa@sixsenses.com.
Shivani Aldalja
Sep 29-Oct 3: Shivani is regarded as one of the leading new-age well-being consultants in the Middle East and the Gulf peninsula. Find our which colour your aura has, what disturbances are there and how you can overcome them. Align your chakras and truly relax and unwind through meditation. For bookings and more information call 4425-6999 or email reservations-sharq-spa@sixsenses.com.
Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat: The spinning program is the original and most popular group cycling class. With no complicated moves to learn, a motivating group environment, top-notch instructors and music that begs your legs to pedal. Every class is a little different, but one of the great things about the spinning program is that it’s adaptable to your fitness level. QR 25 for members, QR 35 for non-members. Mon & Wed at 6:15 p.m., Fridays at 12:00 noon and Saturdays at 9:00 a.m.
Abs Workout
Tues & Fri: The hotel’s instructors will concentrate on your exercise technique to work the abdominal muscles from every conceivable angle. To give your abs a good base of strength and tone, you need to concentrate and focus on core strength and stability. The instructor will check that you constantly maintain control in the correct area. Free for members, QR 30 for non-members. Join in and get the abs you’ve always wanted! Tuesdays from 6:15 p.m. and Fridays from 11:15 a.m. For more information on all classes call 4484-4852.
ed ategoriz gs are c ion is limited in t s li ll s A e, with el. Inclu per hot ability of spac rtisers. il e a v v d a to a given to priority
INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA THE CITY Fitness Classes
Daily: To keep up with your body, the InterContinental Doha The City offers a wide variety of aerobic classes all week long including yoga, boxing, fitness, pilates, Muay Thai, Cora Ball Shape, circuit classes, crunch time, Latino dancing and Thai boxing. Please collect updated class schedule from the Health and Fitness Club. For more information call 4015-8888.
THE SHARQ VILLAGE & SPA Six Senses Fitness Promotions
Daily: Stay fit and healthy with the Six Senses at the Sharq Village & Spa. Buy an unlimited one month personal training package and get three sessions for free, buy an unlimited one month partner training package and get three sessions for free or, buy 20 yoga/pilates personal training sessions and get two sessions for free. For more information call 4425-6999.
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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
Al Samariya Stables 5525-7203 or qatarracing@gmail.com
Royal Yachting Association Courses www.ryacourses-qatar.com
Al Shaqab Riding Academy 4454-6236 or www.alshaqab.com
Swimming
Ice-Skating
Winter Wonderland (City Center) 4483-9162
Aqua Park 4490-5872 or aquaparkqa@gmail.com
Gondolania Ice Arena (Villaggio) 4403-9807 or www.gondolania.com
Tennis & Squash
Golf
Sailing
The Doha Golf Club 4496-0777 or www.dohagolfclub.com
Doha Sailing Club 4443-9840 or www.qmsf.com
Horse Riding
Regatta Sailing Academy 4442-4577 or www.regattasailingacademy.com
Al Khor Riding Center 4421-8857
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Aspire Academy for Sporting Excellence 4413-6219 or www.aspire.qa
Khalifa Tennis & Squash Complex 4440-9666
Walking
Park at Museum of Islamic Art The Corniche The Pearl-Qatar (2.5 km) Aspire Park
QH Sensations
RECOMMENDS
your Tell us what you think! Send ing.com reviews to info@qatarhappen
ick! Editor’s P
Srimani
Ashlee
Genting Highlands, Malaysia
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Whoever thought that my favourite travel destination this year would be home? Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada may be thousands of kilometres away, but there’s no place quite like it in my heart and mind. Aside from the friends and family I left behind to make the move to Doha, the place still holds a special allure. Located on the rugged Atlantic Coast, it’s a sea-faring town that’s as well known for its tall ships as it is its nightlife, vibrant arts and culture scene and historic sites. A walking-friendly city, Halifax and its surrounding municipalities have plenty of parks, nature trails and coastal rambles to satisfy the outdoorsy wanderer, while only a 30-minute drive outside the city limits is Peggy’s Cove, a historic fishing village, whose sentinel lighthouse, crashing waves and monolithic rocks have made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit www.novascotia.com to plan your trip. I recommend you don’t miss out on doing the Halifax Ghost Walk, a tour of Citadel Hill Fortress and National Historic Site and a raucous East Coast party at sea on the Tall Ship Silva!
Marlynne Slimmin’ Tennis After four months of hibernation (I just had a baby!), I’m all set to work this body again! I miss tennis; the sound of a ball bouncing on the rubber court, the breathless sideway-runs and perfect forehand swing are all I, (or rather all Moms out there), need to be back in shape. What’s good about tennis is it hits two birds with one stone: lose weight and have fun! For more information call Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex at 4440-9666.
Jessie The Mophie Juice Pack Helium Extend the battery life of your smart-phone with this ultra-thin, 1500mAh protective battery case made for the iPhone 5. Engineered with edge-to-edge protection and outfitted with 80% more battery life, its elegant, thin design makes it the perfect accessory, easily fitting into any pocket or handbag. I’ve got mine, where’s yours? A must-have for intrepid travelers and airport junkies who want to stay juiced to the Wi-Fi.
The perfect fall getaway! The Genting Highlands is about 50 km, or an hour-long car ride away from the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. Sitting at 6,000 ft above sea level, it’s a hill station, with a cool climate, beautiful views and a fantastic amusement park! A kid’s paradise, the place has merry-go-rounds, coaches, roller coasters, boat rides and mini-trains that you can spend an entire day exploring. For more information or to book your own package from Doha visit www.mannaiholidays.com.
Chet Johnson’s Baby Powder I can’t stand the heat; especially the greasy feeling caused by humidity, so I always carry Johnson’s Baby Powder to combat this side effect of the sun. It’s easy to put in my purse and I carry it wherever I go as it soaks up excess sweat and moisture from my skin that can seep onto my clothing. It’s a must-have in order to survive Doha’s scorching sun. It’s convenient to use and leaves me feeling fresh and smelling like a baby. For only QR 11 and available almost anywhere it’s a budget-friendly buy to boot!
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QH Sensations
Get
Pampered! By Ashlee Starratt and Jorge Granda Photography by Jessie Palanca
Known for its upscale eateries and glitterati-filled galas, The Diplomatic Club is a name that needs no explanation. This month we visit its lively Beauty Center to undergo some treatments worthy of a true dignitary!
T
ucked away in West Bay Lagoon on the edge of the Gulf waters, the Diplomatic Club has long been a hub where the who’s-who of Qatar come to relax, unwind and enjoy good food and ample leisure. You never know who you might end up rubbing shoulders with and even we here at QH have had one or two star-struck moments at the ‘Dip Club’, as it’s fondly called by those who know and love it. But today we’re here on a different mission: to test out the services at the Beauty Center. Split into the Women’s Beauty Center and the Men’s Salon, both areas are located on the club’s main floor. I’m up first and head to the women’s section for one of their deep-cleansing facial treatments. Inside the space is bright, airy and it seems like the salon is doing a brisk business on this day. Primarily known for its hair-styling services, we’re told it’s one of only two outlets currently operating in Doha that provide authentic Brazilian blowouts. It’s one of their signature services – and a popular one at that—along with a bevy of colouring, cutting and styling treatments.
Fresh-Faced Having just had a haircut a few days before, I’m keen to try something new and expand upon the
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The Beauty Center’s facial is sheer heaven
Beauty Center’s repertoire of aesthetic offerings. My specialist Alina hails from Romania and has a good knack for analyzing a person’s skin type – which is exactly what she does prior to starting my facial treatment. She’s professional and knowledgeable and I feel comfortable admitting my less-than-strict skin-care regimen to her. The dry desert climate has done a number on my face, creating simultaneous dry patches and oil slicks across my cheeks and T-zone. The nasty side-effect of combination skin? Breakouts. I’ve been recovering from a bad bout of spots and based on her assessment of my skin, Alina tailors the products and facial treatment methods she’ll use on my skin to both combat my oily areas and fully re-hydrate my parched pores. Using Dermalogica products, she starts with a de-toxifying cleansing process –
Need hair-care products ? Purc their professional line righ hase any from t in the store
Jorge goes in a for a close-up -- a shave that is!
My skin feels fresh and dewy for a few days afterwards and is still visibly-clearer weeks later.
removing all my makeup and using a primer with lavender extract to soothe my inflamed skin. She then steams my face with a light, hot mist for about five minutes before getting down to business and tackling the army of tiny blackheads and blemishes that dot my nose and cheeks. This is the most painful part of the process, the extraction. But the discomfort is worth the reward – glowing, even skin. After a light application of anti-septic foaming cleanser, what follows next is a blissful facial and cranial massage that nearly puts me to sleep on the table. The light pressure applied to the various energy points on the face also helps to release toxins and stimulate cellular rejuvenation in the skin. Lastly, Alina mixes a custom-made mask from a variety of Dermalogica products that is specific to my skin-type. Among its many components is calming sea kelp to reduce redness and provide deep hydration to my skin.
An admitted skin-care delinquent, I usually go months between facials and this is the first time I’ve noticed a sustained improvement in my overall skin texture and appearance. I’m impressed with the quality of the facial products and services offered at the Diplomatic Club’s Beauty Center and if the long-lasting results aren’t enough to keep you coming back, then the friendly staff and attentive service surely will.
Shave And A Haircut The Diplomatic Club Men’s Salon is a small, cozy barber shop with a big repertoire of services. I was surprised at the amount of staff on hand for its size, which works well because you have people there who can look after you from start to finish. The atmosphere was pleasant and my barber was very polite and skilled, giving me a haircut that I was really happy with. They do traditional barber shop shaves, cuts, colour and highlights, manicure and pedicure and waxing and threading in case you’re in need of a little ‘man-scaping’. All in all it was a laid-back experience in the midst of a great location – the salon is close to the Club’s pool and surrounding serene, tropical landscape. It’s a spot I would definitely drop by again. n
The Beauty Center Location: The Diplomatic Club, West Bay Lagoon Timings: Ladies Beauty Center: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Sat-Thurs 10:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Fridays Men’s Salon: 10:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Tues, Thurs-Sat 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Mon & Wed Prices: Visit www.thediplomaticclub.com/beautycenter for a full price list Contact Info: Call 4484-7407/472 or email bcentre@dipclub.com
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QH Sensations
A Whole Lotta Soul By Jorge Granda Photography by Jessie Palanca
If you’re a trendy man who likes to look good bit of pampering from time to time, QH has the place for you – Skin And Soul Men salon.
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kin And Soul Men recently opened its doors in Lagoona Mall, offering a fullrange of grooming services for guys. It’s not your typical barbershop; apart from haircuts and shaves, nail-care and waxing, the facility also provides options such as massages and facials. Though it’s not the classic, luxurious spa one can find in many of the five-star hotels around town, this doesn’t mean that Skin And Soul Men isn’t a top facility. The space is certainly small, but it’s cozy, private and clean. Between barbers and massage therapists there are at least eight professionals working in the shop. The large number of employees means it’s not hard to schedule an appointment right on the spot. The massages and facials can be short, which makes it perfect for businessmen looking for some fast and quality relaxing time. There’s even underground parking right in front of the gate leading into the entrance by the salon, making it easy to walk in and walk out without hassle. During my visit I had a haircut and a Guinot Hydradermie Age Logic facial. The haircut was quite good, even on the sides, and perfectly trimmed on the top, but what I was keen to experience was the facial. The massages and facials are given in a small room in the back of the salon, equipped with the latest machines and products as any top salon would be.
Guinot Hydradermie Age Logic Facial The facial room is still a relaxing space, even though I could hear a bit of noise coming through from inside the mall, but the soft ambient music and dimmed lights soon made me forget all about it. The treatment is recognized internationally as one of the most technologically-advanced skin-care treatments. The Guinot Hydradermie Age Logic double ionization facial is designed to reverse the ‘logic’ of cellular aging. This revolutionary facial
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You can even purchase Guinot products at Skin and Soul for post-facial after-care.
breathes new energy into tired skin cells by reactivating them with scientifically-advanced active ingredients. In less than an hour, my skin looked visibly rejuvenated as the Hydradermie Age Logic re-densified the layers and smoothed out any small wrinkles or imperfections. More than just the rejuvenating effect, the treatment combats the signs of aging from the heart of the cells – the result is one I would go back for. n
Skin And Soul Men Location: Lagoona Mall Prices: Haircut, QR 80 Guinot Hydradermie Age Logic Facial, QR 400 Reservations: Call 4441-2712
QH Sensations Listings RECOMMENDS
Bliss is excited to announce the Middle Eastern debut of the most renowned facialist in the world, Su-Man Hsu. From September 15-17 the hotel’s fabulous award-winning Bliss® Spa will welcome for the second time this London-based, super-facialist who has taken the world by storm with her unique Shiatsu inspired facial described as the “non-invasive alternative to botox” and a “facelift in an hour”. For more information call 4453-5555.
This September, the recreation playground just got better. A new chic beach bar surrounded by palm trees can now be spotted serving beverages and beach snacks. Now you can spend all day at the Grand Hyatt Beach without leaving your sun lounger. For more information call 4448-1060/61.
Contour Cryotherapy
Book this September the Contour Cryotherapy at Jaula Spa and get a 25% discount on their Dheanne magical cream. The treatment will contour and firm any mature, dry and dehydrated skin, using cryotherapy cubes and neuro-cosmetic products that hydrate deeply and uplift your skin. For more information call 4448-1056/64 to book the 60 minute treatment for QR 650.
THE DIPLOMATIC CLUB Reflexology Treatment
The Diplomatic Club Special
A combination of Aroma, Swedish and Thai treatments ensuring a fast recovery from muscular strain, increases circulation, stimulates skin and soothes the nerves. For more information on all treatments please call 4484-7407.
RENAISSANCE DOHA CITY CENTER HOTEL Saray Spa Indulgence Package
Rejuvenating back massage with express manicure and pedicure, reduced from QR 450 down to QR 320 for an 80 minute treatment. From 9:00 a.m. till 10:00 p.m. For more information call 4419-6090 or visit westenddoha.com/saray.
THE ST. REGIS DOHA Remède Spa Mellow Mama
Rebalances harmony to the body by cleaning congested reflexes and boost the immune system to help recovery from illness, boost circulation, increase energy level and improve mental and emotional processes.
A complete 60-minute body massage using specific pre-natal techniques to help relax, increase circulation, alleviate tired muscles and reduce excess water retention, focusing on the specific muscles that are responsible for supporting the pregnant tummy.
Hot Stone Treatment
Yummy Tummy
Heated black stones are used to massage the whole body, releasing deep-seated tension. Working at relieving stress at the deepest level as well on the body’s energy channel and is a holistic and energizing therapy for body, mind and spirit.
Swedish Treatment
Effective in ensuring a fast recovery from muscular strain, increases circulation, stimulates skin and soothes the nerves. An excellent treatment for both mental and physical stress.
This September Eforea Spa at Hilton invites you for the ‘Autumn Blush’. Get your skin glowing this September starting with a correcting facial. This results-oriented facial corrects skin concerns such as oily congestion, sun damage, fine lines and uneven skin tone. This treatment features a multi-acid exfoliation of the face, neck and décolleté, along with advanced micro-current technology to provide desired results. The Autumn Blush package includes the correcting facial, hot stone back massage and ends with a warm foot mask. 130 minutes for QR 750. For more information call 4423-3441.
SHARQ VILLAGE &SPA Six Senses Spa Detox Body Scrub, Wrap & Massage
W DOHA Bliss Spa
THE GRAND HYATT DOHA Jaula Spa And Club – The Beach
HILTON DOHA Eforea Spa
This combination 60-minute treatment begins with an application of Gravida Pulse Point Oil and gentle application of Omega Body Buff to increase circulation, gently exfoliate and improve the tonicity of the skin. A concentrated serum and treatment mask will be applied to soothe and hydrate the abdomen. Enjoy a scalp, face and upper body massage which is sheer heaven for pregnancy related headaches, aches, pains and generally tight and knotted shoulders and backs! Meanwhile the Intensive Tummy Stretch-ease Serum and mask take effect.
Start your detoxifying experience with a 130-minute deep cleansing full body scrub removing dead skin cells and leaving your skin silky, smooth and rejuvenated. Continue your journey with a detoxifying body wrap to help the body eliminate toxins using natural products to engage and stimulate all your senses. The last step to the new you is a 50-minute detox massage using lymph massage techniques as well as invigorative and stimulating techniques for cellulite areas. This massage will concentrate only on legs, hip, stomach and upper arm for QR 1,250. For more information and bookings call 4425-6999/6995 or email reservations-sharq-spa@sixsenses.com or visit www.SixSenses.com.
SEALINE BEACH RESORT Energy Heaven Spa Aromatherapy
A rejuvenation massage with aromatic oils naturally extracted from plants to create a perfect balance between body and mind. Distinct fragrances are thought to trigger memory while inducing relaxation and restoring healthy energy levels. 90 minutes for QR 700. For more information call 4476-5258. Open daily from 11:00 a.m. till 6:00 p.m.
ORYX ROTANA Bodylines Spa Regular Membership Offer
Enjoy a 20% discount on published tariff. Membership highlights: 24/7 access to gym, steam, sauna, jacuzzi and pool access from 6:00a.m. till 11:00 p.m. Also enjoy a 20% discount on food and beverage, massage and spa treatments, plus a discount on swimming lessons, personal training. Low Tide Membership Offer Enjoy a 35% discount on published regular membership tariff. Membership highlights: access to gym, steam, sauna and Jacuzzi from 9:00a.m. till 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. till 5:00 a.m. Pool access from 9:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m. Also enjoy a 20% discount on food and beverage, massage, spa treatments (conditions apply), plus a discount on swimming lessons, personal training.
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Special Promotion
Alfardan Group partnered with Dhreima this Ramadan to bring joy and an unforgettable experience to the children during a special Arabian night at Al Gassar Resort’s ballroom
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lfardan Group and Dhreima, the Qatar Orphan Foundation, recently collaborated to present a unique evening to the children of Dhreima through a special event held at the Al Gassar Resort. Themed ‘I Believe in Me’, the event was certainly an evening to remember for the children, with a surprise activity area featuring fair-like booths, games and bouncy castles, opening up after Iftar. The lavish Iftar held during the second week of the Holy Month and was exclusively sat at Al Gassar Resort was prepared with the children’s desires in making sure that there was something for children of all ages from food choices and activities such as virtual game areas, arts and crafts and a creative area to showcase painting and art creations to name a few. A large expression area with a 12 metre-long
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portrait, was also set up to enable children and volunteers to colour, draw and write notes expressing the spirit of the Holy Month and the ‘I Believe in Me’ theme of the night. The Iftar in particular was also a unique experience for the children with ‘1001 Night’themed decorations to create a genuine Arabian setting for the gala event that featured an array of cuisines and delicacies, not to mention traditional Qatari foods and a live-cooking station. Moreover, Alfardan Automobiles, a member of Alfardan Group, gave each child a souvenir from one of BMW, Mini and Ferrari lifestyle items, in addition to ‘I Believe in Me’ mementos. Commenting on the initiative, an official spokesperson from Alfardan Group, said, “The underlining objective of this evening was to create a memorable night for these children
and their volunteers, not just a simple Iftar. At Alfardan Group, we pride ourselves in creating unique experiences through our value-driven offerings; however these children are the essence of uniqueness; the happiness on their faces when we opened the activity and entertainment area specially designed for them at Al Gassar Ballroom was priceless. These children, who are the stars of Dhreima, are important members in our society and taking care of them is not only a CSR initiative, it is our duty to the community, our society and our country. As proud citizens of Qatar we consider all Dhreima children as our own and Alfardan Group will continue to organize such events to always bring a smile on their faces. On the other hand, it is also important to mention that Dhreima has done an excellent job with these children, who look happy and content and are brimming with hope and joy. The volunteers, supervisors and management of Dhreima who
were active throughout the evening along with the Alfardan team also deserve our praise and appreciation. We salute these wonderful men and women who have dedicated their lives to take care of these extraordinary children.” “To be supported by a leading advocate of corporate social responsibility such as Alfardan Group enhances our ability to meet the unique needs of our orphaned wards and fulfill our organizational commitments. We appreciate Alfardan Group’s keen understanding of the importance of social development in ensuring Qatar’s overall progress. Its expertise and fruitful experiences in social work make it a perfect partner for Dhreima as their ultimate objective was the entertainment and happiness of these exceptional children by creating an exclusive private night especially for them. Our collaboration reflects our belief that the care of orphans is the responsibility of the entire Qatari society,” added Khaled Kamal, GM, Dhreima. Dhreima was founded in June 2003 under the auspices of H.H. Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-
Misnad. It provides residential care for children under the institution’s accommodations and non-residential services for families who have been granted custody of children of unknown parents. The institution is named after the dhreima flower, part of the natural vegetation of the State of Qatar, which grows in hard ground and under harsh climates. The flower symbolizes the strength, perseverance and innocent beauty that children under Dhreima’s care possess. Alfardan Group’s CSR initiatives mirror how the Group conducts its business: ethically, responsibly, and charitably. The Group’s recent partnership with Dhreima to organize a memorable Iftar event for orphans underscores its commitment to supporting a healthy, motivated society. Being a leading advocate of broader private sector CSR adoption and implementation, Alfardan Group has developed various CSR initiatives designed to benefit its customers and the community at large as envisioned in the human development pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030. n
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QH Sensations Experience ons ning destinati some e p p a h c ti s ta n Escaping to fa rld does wonders. Here are o w e around th
Bangkok’s International Festival of Dance & Music Sept 13-15: Thailand
The Thai capital plays host to a world-renowned selection of artists, musicians and performers congregating to take part in the 15th installment of the nation’s premiere arts event. This year audiences can treat their eardrums to the likes of jazz legend Chick Corea, feast their eyes on The Nutcracker Suite performed on ice by the Imperial Ballet Stars, or listen to the Ten Tenors belt it out with full orchestral accompaniment. Get your dose of culture at www.bangkokfestivals.com.
Galway Oyster & Seafood Festival Sept 26-29: Ireland
Shuck ‘em high or shuck ‘em low, just be sure to fill your boots with as much of this mighty mollusk as you can handle at the Emerald Isle’s shellfish extravaganza. The most internationally-recognized Irish festival after St. Patrick’s Day, the Galway Oyster & Seafood Festival will have you reveling with traditional toe-tapping Irish tunes, a lightning-fast oyster shucking ‘Olympics’ competition, historic tours and tempting tastings that will last you well into this hustle and bustle of a weekend! Grab your bib and visit www.galwayoysterfest.com for a line-up of events.
Roi de L’Oiseau Festival Mid-September: France
Renaissance buffs can get their fix of all things medieval as the town of Le Puy-en-Valay transports itself back to France’s golden age. The Roi de L’Oiseau, or ‘Bird King’ Festival sees the town’s denizens in full role-playing garb as French aristocrats mingle with peasants pulling ox-carts as tourists catch a glimpse of the region’s Renaissance heritage, learning what life was like during that time period. The festival gets its name from a centuries old archery contest held to determine which man could shoot the most birds from the air. Visit www.ot-lepuyenvalay.fr and step back in time.
Melbourne Fringe Festival Sept 18-Oct 6: Australia
Design September Sept 5-30: Belgium
Design enthusiasts can rejoice as more than 100 cultural and commercial events take over the city of Brussels. Conferences, exhibitions, a design market and tours of local designers’ workshops are only a few of the activities available for public enjoyment. The theme of this year’s festival examines the different uses for design and the interactions between a variety of mediums. Explore some of Belgium’s most promising up-and-coming designers and visit www.designseptember.be for more information.
If you like your performing arts on the edge look no further than Australia’s largest Fringe Festival hosted annually in Melbourne. An ardent supporter of independent theatre, the festival is a showcase of both local and international talent, with many emerging artists using the Fringe as a platform for débuting their first or latest works on-stage. There’s also artist development programs and community theatre workshops where audiences can connect with their inner Shakespeare, Beckett or Bergman. Exit stage left and visit www.melbournefringe.com.au for the full program.
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QH Sensations
Discover Europe By John Hunt
London and Munich are booming cities, rich with history befitting their respective empires. It’s never been a better time to be a tourist than now, as we take you around the top attractions of these European hubs.
London:
The City By The River What to do: In terms of what to see and do, London is a city that offers practically everything on the planet in terms of attractions, nightlife, shopping, international cuisine and so on. As such, it’s not hard to find high-calibre activities. It’s actually quite difficult to say how long it would take to see everything London has to offer, as new things spring up all year round, but it has a selection of permanent attractions with global pulling power; these were the focus of our visit. In the centre of the city sits the London Eye which has become a tourist staple since opening in 2000. Its transparent ‘pods’ (with a capacity of about 20 people each) take you on a singlecircuit ‘flight’ with, obviously, the best views to be had at the top. Pray for a clear day and you can see the whole of the city and its landmarks beneath you. Photo opportunities galore.
View of the city from the London Eye with Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
The majestic Barry Room in
the National Portrait Gallery
London is home to one of the world’s oldest and most famous zoos. It’s big, comprehensive and very family-friendly. Again, decent weather is the key to getting the most out of this attraction.
it’s well-deserved. It has a smaller counterpart, Tate Britain which is on the north side of the Thames and reached by riverboat. Again, these galleries are all free.
If you do fall victim to the British weather then there’s a clutch of museums in the city’s Kensington area. These are of world renown and comprise the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Admission to all three is free.
The attractions above really only scratch the surface and the excellent visitlondon.com website is recommended if you’re planning to tour what is one of the world’s great cities. Prices are also provided for those attractions which are not free.
Art lovers are equally well catered for with the National Portrait Gallery on Trafalgar Square and, on the south side of the River Thames that bisects the city, the Tate Modern gallery. The Tate has gained a reputation for excellence and
Where to stay:
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A good base is essential for discovering London and we found one at the Hilton London Kensington hotel on the west side of the city. Superbly located just five minutes’ walk
of London
from Holland Park underground station and from there, anywhere in the city, the hotel is cheap by London standards – QR 720/night for a double room with breakfast – and something of a hidden gem. Having said that, I saw a lot of Middle Easterners in the hotel during my stay, so the word must be out in the Gulf that this property offers an excellent level of accommodation for a keen price. For an extra QR 180/night, you can be upgraded to an executive room and, with it, comes access to the executive lounge. This spacious lounge boasts computers, a printer, flat-screen TVs and, at 6:00 p.m. nightly, a free, unlimited hot buffet with free bar. As you can imagine, this can get very busy, but it’s well worth the extra money.
The painted fresco hallways of the Munich Residence
Munich:
Gateway To Bavaria Munich, in the heart of southern Germany (Bavaria) is steeped in history and culture and while my flying visit only afforded the opportunity to scratch the surface of what’s on offer for tourists, there’s plenty to be seen in this most picturesque of cities. The Deutsches Museum (walkable from the city centre) is one of the city’s ‘blue chip’ attractions and has been for some time. It’s ostensibly a science museum, with the starting point for the exhibits going back many hundreds of years until the present day. One of the largest museums of its kind in Europe, it’s of an exceptional standard, and also family-friendly. Admission is QR 45 for individuals, and double that for a family ticket. For the art connoisseur, a trio of world-class art museums sits to the north of the city centre, accessible by the cheap and fast metro service. The Alte Museum (historical art), Neue Museum (modern art) and the Pinakothek der
The Deutsche Museum stands like a goliath in the heart
of Munich
Modern (a design gallery) all sit within a few hundred yards of each other. The latter of the three, which are all outstanding, was definitely the highlight.
of government and residence of the Bavarian dukes, electors and kings from 1508 to 1918. It’s now a huge (and I mean huge) and impressive museum of grand antiquity. Admission is QR 35.
A combined ticket is available for all three, but if you visit on a Sunday, it’s just QR 5 admission each.
As already mentioned, the quintet of attractions above represents the tiniest fraction of what the city has to offer. Time, alas, was against me but I hope to return for a more thorough look. If you’re keen to plan your own trip to Germany’s most historical hub visit www.muenchen.de. n
Back in the city centre, our last stop was the Munich Residence, which served as the seat
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mends om ends mm coec ReR rg inin Virg Vi the top QH brings you m the staff picks fro Megastore
NAME: Amri Linda STORE SECTION: Music
TIME AT VIRGIN: 3 Months
Best Part of My Job:“My manager recruited me because he found me very passionate about music (and movies also!) I really enjoy the work, we have a nice team and we have something special; it’s a good opportunity to work here.” Buddha Bar XIV by Ravin TA lot of customers ask for this one. Ravin is a world-star Indian DJ who has spearheaded the collection and the whole Buddha Bar series comes very highly recommended at Virgin. This is a double CD with two discs featuring tracks from artists like Rosa Lux, Carlos Campos and Kohib. For Oriental-philes, you can definitely feel the touch of the Far East in these mellow, chill-out tracks. QR 175.
Wala Yhemmak Shayma Helali She’s from Tunisia, (like me!), and was one of the contestants on Arabian Star Academy. She has a great voice, bringing a lot of emotion and range to her performance. This is her new album, which we just received last month and the best song in my opinion is the title track ‘Wala Yhemmak’. QR 30.
The Best Arabian Nights Sineen Oudam Party 2013…EVER! Wael Jassar This CD is a bestseller. A lot of people from different nationalities ask about it – it has something for everyone. Today’s best Arabian-influenced artists are sampled on the 20-track release with top hits from the likes of DJ Edward Maya, Ramzi and Cheb Aissa with Chico & The Gypsies. With a mix of Algerian, Turkish and English tunes, it’s a great way to add some regional spice to the party! QR 60.
This ground-breaking book is a refreshing eye-opener for anyone who has ever wanted to learn more about Islam and is an absolute must-read for non-Muslim expats in the region, though its positive message makes it an important tome for all people. Examining the ways in which we can turn sadness into happiness and negativity into positivity with teachings and practices that are rooted in Islam. Retail price: QR 59.
The Best of Andrea Bocelli: Vivere Andrea Bocelli He’s one of the most important contemporary singers of classical opera – he has a very great voice. This is the first greatest hits compilation album from the Italian superstar and features five new studio tracks in addition to Bocelli favourites like ‘Time To Say Goodbye’ and ‘The Prayer’. QR 60.
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Spotlight On Movies
TOP
Beat the back-to-school blues with these must-see weekend flicks!
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 Animation | Comedy | Family Flint Lockwood now works at The Live Corp Company for his idol Chester V. But he’s forced to leave his post when he learns that his most infamous machine is still operational and is churning out menacing food-animal hybrids. Stars: Anna Faris, Neil Patrick Harris, Bill Hader QH Fun Fact: Haven’t read the book of the same name by author Judy Barrett? Like the movie, it’s a sure-fire hit with the kids!
Riddick Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller Left for dead on a sun-scorched planet, Riddick finds himself up against an alien race of predators. Activating an emergency beacon alerts two ships: one carrying a new breed of mercenary, the other captained by a man from Riddick’s past. Stars: Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Katee Sackhoff QH Fun Fact: Extras on-set went through basic military training and drills to add realism to the fight scenes.
The Family Action | Comedy | Crime The Manzoni family, a notorious mafia clan, is relocated to Normandy, France under the witness protection program, where fitting in soon becomes challenging as their old habits die hard. Stars: Robert DeNiro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dianna Agron QH Fun Fact: Produced by Martin Scorsese, this will be the ninth feature film that the iconic director has worked on with Robert DeNiro – the majority of them following crime-related storylines. 112
Insidious: Chapter 2 Horror | Thriller The haunted Lambert family seeks to uncover the mysterious childhood secret that has left them dangerously connected to the spirit world. Stars: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Ty Simpkins QH Fun Fact: The movie’s trailer soundtrack samples the same score used the 2002 controversial French thriller Irreversible.
Prisoners Crime | Drama | Thriller A Boston man kidnaps the person he suspects is behind the disappearance of his young daughter and her best friend. Stars: Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis QH Fun Fact: Hugh Jackman had originally dropped out of the lead role. Only after several years of the film being in development did he agree to return.
QH Sensations
The Dish on Qatar By Tasbih Amin
September means back-to-school, and for many new students heading off to university marks the start of a whole new chapter. This month we take an inside peek into life at Education City’s residence halls to get a feel for what it’s like to settle in as a college freshman.
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A
hhh, September is finally here! That means the bittersweet moment of going back to school is approaching. While the majority of students will go back to the same old school routine like attending classes, doing homework and hanging out on weekends, others will embark on a new adventure when they start attending college, living independently in the dormitory. Having lived in Education City’s residence halls for four years, I pretty much have a rounded idea of the dormitory lifestyle. In this month’s issue, I’ll give you five key tips to make the most out of what can be an amazing experience at Qatar Foundation.
1
Make sure you and your roommate are on the same page:
2
I’m sure you noticed when you filled out your dorm application a couple of months ago that most of the items were about the type of roommate you want to bunk with. You might think that sharing a room with someone isn’t that important, but the truth is it makes all the difference when you choose the right roommate. If you already have a good friend to bunk with, then you’re lucky. But don’t fret if you don’t, because this could be a chance to meet new people and make new friends. The key is that you both be in agreement where possible on everything from chores to sharing food to when it’s okay to invite friends over. The level of tidiness and cleanliness is usually what makes or breaks a friendship. This was the case with me in my freshmen year and I learned moving forward to be clear and frank to whoever I’m rooming about the standard of living I’m expecting from them. And remember, treating your roommate with respect and understanding might lead to a friendship you can’t imagine living without after graduation.
Don’t forget your chores!
When you live on your own for the first time, it can be hard to remember that you’re completely on your own when it comes to chores – especially when you’re a freshman. You might wake up one day with no milk for your cereal, and guess who’s responsible? You. The best way to deal with chores is to write up a checklist or a schedule of the things you need to do like laundry, grocery shopping or taking out the trash. I used to do all this according to a bi-weekly schedule and it became a habit for me even after graduation.
3
Eat healthy and stay healthy:
4
Have you ever heard of the ‘freshmen 15’ myth? Well I’m here to tell you that it’s not a myth but pretty much a reality. Most students who start living on their own tend to gain some (or a lot,) of weight due to bad health choices. Since you’re now independent and the sole provider of your own food, it’s hard to resist the unhealthy temptations of junk food, candy and fast food. If there’s anything that sticks with you from my advice let it be this: stay away from junk food. It’s not worth it and will only leave you feeling guilty, bloated and surprised at how much weight you’ve gained in a matter of weeks. The key to a healthy lifestyle as a student is to buy and cook your own food. If not, then introduce salads into your diet and figure out what other healthy options work for you. Introducing exercising into you daily routine also helps; there are six gyms in Education City – three for males and three for females. There are also professional trainers that could help you get started if you’re still not motivated. Once you commit to going healthy, there’s no looking back.
Become part of the Education City community:
Make sure to make some time for socializing and attending the many events within Education City. Every week, your building CDA (Community Development Advisor) holds an event in the social room on the ground floor. This is the chance to get to know your neighbours and become exposed to the different cultures that make up the student body. It’s amazing how many great people who share common interests with you live just across the hall! There are also bigger annual events that take place, like ‘Culture Day’ or the ‘Coffee House’ that you can attend and showcase you talents. You’re lucky to live in such a diverse place, so make the best of it.
5
Sleep, sleep, sleep!
This final piece of advice may come as a surprise, but you’ll even be more surprised when you find yourself struggling with your sleeping patterns. From my experience, most students get their sleeping cycles messed up within the first couple months of living alone. The reason is the lack of a curfew or a lights-off policy. In my freshman year, I would stay up all night watching YouTube videos and TV series. In only one month, I managed to finish watching five seasons of How I Met Your Mother and Supernatural! This caused me a lot of hassle waking up the next day and made it hard to focus in class while struggling to keep my eyes open. My only advice is to stick to a certain bedtime and try to wake up an hour early, if not more, before class. Having a good and steady sleeping cycle will do wonders for your academic performance and your attitude.
So there you have it, a few tips to make your experience at Education City’s residence halls worthwhile. I had the best years of my life living there and I hope you enjoy every part of this adventure; it will help you grow as a person and the friendships you make will last a lifetime! n
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It Happened
A pastry chef prepares dough for fresh flatbread
Photo Credit;: Sanjaya Munindradasa
Sukar Pasha Iftar Katara July 16, 2013
Alfardan Group Iftar Kempinski Residences & Suites July 18, 2013
QH’s Jorge Granda walks away with a Ramadan quiz prize
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Ramadan Iftar Sharq Village & Spa July 15, 2012
A hostess welcomes guests to break their fast at Iftar
Photo Credit;: Sanjaya Munindradasa
Ramadan Iftar Grand Hyatt Doha July 21, 2013
QH’s Jorge and Ashlee are flanked by The Grand Hyatt’s Noha Belhaj (Left) and Farah Elalfy (Right)
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It Happened
The QH team smiles with Miet, Tania and Rob from the Renaissance
Ramadan Iftar Renaissance Doha City Center July 24, 2013
Photo Credit;: Sanjaya Munindradasa
Sasol & ORYX GTL Sohour The Four Seasons July 27, 2013
Posing with Sasol’s Jack Saba and Kiran Kalsi and Oryx GTL’s Farida Feliciana-Figaroa
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Ashlee and Jorge of team QH, enjoy sohour with Edgar Oropeza and Badir Bechara
Ramadan Sohour La Cigale July 31, 2013
Ramadan Iftar Safir Hotel July 16, 2013
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It Happened
Beloved children’s characters come to life to celebrate Garangao
The evening culminates with the release of balloons into the sky
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Dreima Orphanage Garangao Event Crowne Plaza Doha The Business Park July 23, 2013
Acrobatics displays for the whole family to enjoy
Images courtesy of the Qatar Tourism Authority
Eid Festival Across Doha August 9-14, 2013
A bumper car rink takes over the Qatar Exhibition Center
Ramadan Sohour The InterContinental Doha Aug 6, 2013
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It Happened
The W Doha’s Ezra, Clara de Lama and Martin Foltin welcome diners to La Spiga by Paper Moon
La Spiga by Paper Moon Opening The W Doha Aug 14, 2013
ABODE Magazine’s Francesca Moser prepares to chow down
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Members of the media get the first taste of an eight-course menu
Qatar Happening
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www.qatarhappening.com
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 and Spa 4445 5555 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 City Center Mall 4493-0785 Oryx Rotana 4402-3333 Red Velvet 4408 0700 Renaissance Doha City Center 4419-5000 Sealine Beach Resort 4476-5299 Sheraton Doha 4485-4444 St. Regis Doha 4446-0000 The Diplomatic Club W Doha Hotel & Residences Wyndham Grand Regency
Ahmed Hassan Bilal Group
Health / Beauty
Hotels / Restaurants
4484-7444 4453-5021 4434-3333
Amaoras RelaxationSpa Angsana Spa Bader Chemist Bay View 26, Wellness Centre Bio-Bil Health, Beauty & Spa Ladies Men’s
4408-4085 4434-3152 4441-1888 4496-6410 4493-4433 4483-0989
4453-5555 Bliss Bottega Verde 4483-4535 Dados Beauty Salon 4498-0033 Diva Lounge 4431-8488 Diplomatic Spa 4484-7412 Doha Dental 4431-7766 4429-8520 Doha Marriott Spa 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 4494-8844 Frank Provost 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 4428-8888 La Cigale - Ozone Spa Medical Spa Villaggio 4451-7590 Patrice Salon 4485-4012 Ritz-Carlton Spa 4484-8173 Saray Spa 4419-5517 4425-6999 Six Senses Spa Snips Salonon 4408-4083
Tourism / Travel Airlines Air Arabia Air India Egypt Air Emirates Etihad Airways Gulf Air Qatar Airways
4432-2111 4441-8423 4435-2901 4438-4477 4436-6657 4499-8000 4449-6666
Hospitals/Emergency
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
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
4489-8000
Qatar Foundation for Child &
Hamad General Hospital
4439-2222
Woman Protection Hotline 4466-6671 / 72
Rumailah Hospital
4439-3333
Al Ahli Hospital
124
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 Publications ABODE/QH Magazines
4427-8416
Shopping Alfardan Jewellery 4440-8408 City Center Doha 4483-0582 4469-4848 Hyatt Plaza Landmark Mall 4487-5222 Lagoona Mall 4433-5555 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 Indonesian Embassy Japanese Embassy Nepalese Embassy Philippine Embassy South African Embassy Thai Embassy U.A.E. Embassy
4496-6000 4483-8812 4496-2000 4493-4205 4402-1702 4408-2334 4465-7945 4484-0888 4467-5681 4483-1585 6622-1552 4493-4426 4483-8880
Websites www.qatarhappening.com www.iloveqatar.net www.justlanded.com/english/Qatar www.qatarliving.com www.qatartourism.gov.qa