Qatar Happening - September 2014 by Qatar Happening

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Table of Contents

pg 18

Mark Wahlberg: One-On-One

OUT CHECK pening.com

atarhap ion! www.q test informat la for the

September MENT ENTERTAIN

EVERY ISSUE 5 Editor-In-Chief's Letter

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

QH Speaks

108

112

11 12

Top Picks 39 Disney On Ice Is Here! 40 Director Patty Vincent takes us backstage with Rockin' Ever After

Mark Wahlberg: One-On-One

The best of our monthly social media

Events Calendar

With all the city’s do-not-miss monthly events

It Happened

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

Phone Directory

Need-to-know phone numbers

The Transformers star opens up about fatherhood and aging in Hollywood

Do The Hustle

Virgin Recommends

Spotlight On Movies

DJ Kinky D is back with the Doha Hustle, now at The Grand Hyatt!

TURE ARTS & CUL

The best monthly entertainment picks from the Megastore

Top Picks Culture Club

It's a busy September for the Qatar Brazil 2014 Year of Culture

The Storyteller Through the lens with Doha- based filmmaker Alex Klim

The Tiger's Dream

MIA's latest exhibit explores the life and times of Indian ruler Tipu Sultan

Arts & Culture Listings

Find out everything that’s going on this month

Our top five must-see films of the month

Entertainment Listings

Find out everything that’s going on this month

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/qatarhappening

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Table of Contents COMMUNITY 47

Top Picks

The QH Guide To Life On Campus

We've got your college basics covered

52 The Trailblazers We introduce you to a handful of ladies from the upcoming Qatar Success Stories: Inspiring Women 54

Community Listings

Find out everything that’s going on this month

KIDS CLUB 55

Top Picks

Double Trouble

How coping with twins doesn't have to mean losing your sanity

Kids Club Listings

pg 66 Enjoy A Dinner Voucher For Two At Caminito

Fun ideas to do with the kids

Top Picks

The Path To Argentina

Sunny With A Side Of Sweet

We get our fix for eggs with Chac'late's newest breakfast offerings

Top Picks

Ramp Stars

Caminito Restaurant serves up authentic South American flavour

IONS QH SENSAT

SPORTS

ING FOOD & DIN

QH Recommends

The Guerlain Glow

A look ahead to the Qatar International Boat Show 2014

103

Reasons To Fly

Sports Listings

104

How Doha's skateboarding movement is gaining momentum

Float Your Boat

Find out everything that’s going on this month

Food & Dining Listings Find out everything that’s going on this month

Our favourite monthly must-haves Indulgence meets luxury at Guerlain Alfardan Spa

Our pick of top destinations

A Weekend In Copenhagen

We catch our breath in the Danish capital

106 The Dish On Qatar

Everything you wanted to know about the country's school system

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:

info@qatarhappening.com jorge@qatarhappening.com

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+974 4427 8416 +974 5584 4905 +974 4427 8415

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

8/26/14 11:39 AM

From The Desk Of The Editor-In-Chief

On the Cover?

Dear friends, Let us welcome you to our first issue of the fall. I hope that all of our readers enjoyed a peaceful and relaxing Eid Al-Fitr holiday and made it through the heat of the summer break. With September upon us, people are flowing back into the city as work and school resumes. It’s an exciting time in Doha as the events and activities we left behind for the past few months start up again, and the new school term begins. For our annual back-to-school issue we bring you our QH Guide To Life On Campus for freshmen students starting classes at Education City’s Hamad bin Khalifa University. We introduce you to the facilities, amenities and best spots to take advantage of all that college life has to offer in order to make the most of it. Then, in our Dish On Qatar column, we offer some handy insights for parents into the process of public and private school enrolment here in Doha. For new families with school-age children, re-locating to Qatar can bring with it the added uncertainty of where to go to school, what institution is right for your child’s needs and how the curriculum standards match up to home. Our insider’s tips can help you along the way towards settling in and getting back into the educational routine your family is used to. In Arts and Entertainment, September has some exciting shows and exhibitions launching throughout the month. We recently interviewed curator William Greenwood from the Museum of Islamic Art who is overseeing their newest exhibit The Tiger’s Dream. Join us as we explore the history and legacy of 18th century Indian ruler Tipu Sultan, whose tenacity on the battlefield led to one of Britain’s most preeminent defeats in the 1780 Battle of Pollilur. Then, after a summer’s worth of build-up and hype, Disney On Ice will finally be here with their new stage production Rockin’ Ever After at the end of the month. We get the behind-thescenes scoop in an exclusive interview with Director Patty Vincent on the characters, songs and new additions to the usual Magic Kingdom crew – then, we show you what goes into making the 140,000 lbs ice rink at the Qatar National Convention Centre. Finally, September is going strong on the Sports front as we introduce you to a local skateboarder who’s carving out a niche for the movement here in Doha. Having started the Qatar Extreme Sports group and with the recent Go Sports Skateboarding & BMX Competition at Aspire under his belt, Kamel Zarandah and his fellow boarders are well on their way to changing the landscape for the street sport in Qatar. These are only a selection of highlights to be found throughout this month’s issue – so if you’re keen for more then by all means, turn the page… Thank you for making us a part of your lives,

Skateboarder Kamel Zarandah pops a trick at Aspire Zone Photo Credit: Jessie Palanca

About Us QH is your voice and your guide for all things fun, funky and happening in Qatar! Send us your feedback to editor@qatarhappening.com. Publisher: The Art of Business Chairman: Ahmed Hassan Bilal Editor-in-Chief: Nasser Ahmed Hassan Bilal Executive Editorial Director: Moona Masri-Whitice Editor: Ashlee Starratt Finalizer / Production Manager: Srimani Welagedara Lead Designer / Brand Manager: Zahi Srour Photographer: Jessie Palanca 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: Emily Alp, Amy Bassett, Chantelle D’Mello,

Sian Edwards, Diana Farid, Stephan Flad, John Hunt, Alex Klim, Jonny Parr, Marc Pelletreau, Charlie Sands, Gerald Tan, Ujwala Thirumurthy

QATAR HAPPENING (QH) is published 12 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

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. 2014

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QH Speaks Tweets Of The Month @FactsGuide

Don’t chase people. Work hard and be yourself. Under these two principles, the right people will find their way into your life.

@kataraqatar

Solidarity festival raises over QR 148m in one night for Gaza. @WeAreQatar.

@ICDohaTheCity

Qatar Summer Festival is in full swing! You do not want to miss out on the summer fun! www.qatarsummerfestival.qa, #Doha.

@MOI_QatarEn Don’t jump the traffic queue and push in from the sides. Respect others’ rights while driving. #Qatar #Doha.

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 How many of you remember what it’s like to be a student? For me, my college days at least were some of the best – it’s where I met the friends who have (so far!) lasted me a life-time, discovered my passion for politics and journalism and traveled the world for the first time. So this month, in our back-to-school issue, we’ve tried to re-capture that freshman feeling with a peek inside student life at Education City’s Hamad Bin Khalifa University. From clubs, courses and classes, to residences and roommates, we take you on a campus tour you won’t forget. Also, after the long summer lull, September’s back with a bang – Disney On Ice is here, the Doha Hustle with DJ Kinky D moves to The Grand Hyatt, and the MIA unveils a unique new exhibition with an Indian twist. We take you behind the scenes with all of them – plus we have an exclusive interview with Transformers: Age Of Extinction star Mark Wahlberg! We know, we know….it’s pretty darn awesome! He tells us about his rigourous diet and training schedule for the movie, what it’s like to be a father of four and how he handles aging in Hollywood. Finally, as the weather starts to dial itself back to more manageable temperatures, there’s also a lot happening on the sports front – think boat shows, sports camps and skater-boys! So our Sports section is a big one – and we’ll be very surprised if you don’t find something in its pages that motivates you to get out there and get active! Welcome to the fall folks, it’s going to be massive. See you next month,

@qatarliving It looks like they’re setting up a small convenience store at the Doha Corniche near the Oryx statue.

In Your Face

e, the start of the new For students and parents alik you’re happy sure ing school-year means mak enrolled in. We asked with the institution you’ve at criteria they look wh ers ow foll ok our Facebo or university here in ool sch a g for when choosin responses! r you of Doha. Here are some

Aisha Marie

“I wish I could choose…it’s actually what’s available with space to take your kids. You can apply for ten schools and you’re lucky to have two call you back.”

Mohammed Abdul Majeed

“In my opinion, for school it would be Cambridge School Doha…and for college Weill-Cornell Medical College in Qatar.”

Ambar Sarwar

“Environment is the first one…then the teaching standard, then the cost.”

Waheeda Ismail

“The credibility of the school and feedback [about it].”

Jame Corleone Ashlee Starratt Editor

“The qualifications of the teachers and the school environment.”

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/qatarhappening

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SEPTEMBER 2014

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Mind The View Doha Marriott Visit their newest outlet!

WEDNESDAY

Don’t Be Late Crowne Plaza Doha – The Business Park Misturado Lounge Happy Hour

Chowking New Indo-Chinese Menu &Value Meals

1 Let’s Get Quizzical Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Champions

Shuttle Service Mathaf Ongoing

Eco-Adventure Trips Entalek Ongoing

7 Twins & Multiples Get-Together Doha Mums Every Monday

Social Sushi Doha Marriott Asia Live!

14 Spanish Fiesta InterContinental Doha The City The Square

21 The Green Box Doha Garden Club Ongoing

The Tent The Four Seasons Garden Terrace

9 10 Tapas Fiesta September Kempinski Residences & Suites The Lounge & Aroma

Modern Turkish Cuisine Grand Heritage Doha Agora Mon-Sat

15 16 All You Can Eat Zubarah Boutique Hotel Caminito Mondays

Spoken Arabic Lessons Fanar Islamic Cultural Center Sun & Tues

22 The Tiger’s Dream Museum of Islamic Art Special Exhibitions Gallery

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2 3

Bounce And Rhyme Every Tuesday www.dohamums.com Till the 27

23 24 Ladies Night The Diplomatic Club Le Grill Restaurant

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Sponsored by THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Rare Books Library Museum Of Islamic Art Ongoing

SATURDAY

Sparkling Fridays Kempinski Residences & Suites Fridays

Doha Hustle The Grand Hyatt Rocca

Big Night Out InterContinental Doha Paloma & Lava

Weekend Brunch Sharq Village & Spa Fridays & Saturdays Al Liwan

Seafood Brunch InterContinental Doha Fish Market

12 The Art Of Public-Speaking Doha Toastmasters Club Saturdays

Cuban Fiesta The Ritz-Carlton Doha Habanos

Theme Nights InterContinental Doha Lava Vibe Nights with resident DJ

19 Big Friday Night W Doha Wahm

Express Lunch Zubarah Boutique Hotel Baraha

IAID Music Courses Sat-Thurs

CHECK OUT

www.qatarhappening.com

for the latest information!

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Entertainment

s k c i P p o T ’s This Month

The St. Regis Doha JALC Doha Returns

InterContinental Doha T

he City

Latino In The City Mondays: Strata. Join the popular Latin dance movement every Monday night at Strata bar and lounge. Let the spicy rhythm fill you as you dance the night away. From 7:00 p.m. till 1:00 a.m., enjoy tango, salsa, bachata and meringue with professional Latin dancers from Yamativo. The entrance fee for gentlemen is QR 65, which includes one beverage, while entrance is free for all ladies. For more information call 4015-8888.

InterContinental Doha Old School Disco

Sept 26: Paloma. Doha’s favourite dancefloor welcomes a new resident band playing high-class, live music from the 1950's era to the present. Come on down and help Paloma celebrate their arrival! For more information call 4484-4444.

OUT om .c CHECaK ppening

atarh tion! www.qthe latest informa for

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Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Oktoberfest Sept 24-28: Champions. Let your spirits soar high this Oktoberfest as the Marriott Marquis presents a range of special German craft hops and scrumptious German delicacies, bringing one of the year’s best celebrations to life at Champions Sports Bar. There will also be a live band from Austria performing every night. From 5:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.westenddoha.com.

Sept 3: The next exciting season of jazz returns under the guidance of Global Ambassador and extraordinary trumpet player Dominick Farinacci, and will welcome Brazilian vocalist and pianist Clarice Assad. Hailing from Rio de Janeiro, Clarice’s music fuses multiple kinds of Latin dance rhythms – not to mention she’s also from one of the most famous musical families in Brazil. Special guest Christian Tamburr, who wrote music for Cirque du Soleil and was Julio Iglesias' Musical Director, will also return to Doha, along with other great international artists. For more information call 4446-0000.

W Doha Salsa N Candela Sundays: Crystal. Drink, eat and dance while enjoying a very unique Latino experience at Crystal. Latin-lovers can join the Salsa N Candela team for a musical night of salsa, Cubano, Latin house, Kizomba and reggae dance hall, while experiencing three DJs in one night. For more information call 4453-5353 or BBM: 2ADD2715.

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Entertainment

Disney On Ice Is Here! As told to Jorge Granda Additional images courtesy of Disney On Ice

After its big summer build-up the Magic Kingdom crew will finally touch down in Doha from September 24-27 at the QNCC with blades sharpened for Disney On Ice’s skating spectacle Rockin’ Ever After. We go behind the scenes with Director Patty Vincent. QH: What was your vision for this Disney On Ice show? PV: My vision for this show was to create different highlights of four Disney fairytales: The Little Mermaid, Tangled, Brave and Beauty and the Beast. We have featured three of these fairytales in ice shows before, but we wanted to make them different. It was exciting because we got to dig back into the scripts and the movies, and try to remember, ‘What did I think was exciting as a child?’ We removed everything we have ever done before and started over. QH: What is your favourite ‘re-imagined’ part of the show? PV: The ‘Kill the Beast’ section in Beauty and the Beast was such a highlight for me. Watching Gaston and the mob go to the castle with their fire torches is such a great visual for the audience. We haven’t featured that scene in a very long time, and it’s so fabulous. It’s a

big contrast between the beautiful ‘Under the Sea’ segment with the wonderful colours, but also a contrast to the lantern scene in Tangled. For that specific scene in Tangled, we had the villagers come in actually holding the lanterns and as soon as Flynn turned Rapunzel around she was there to see it. Actually, when we were rehearsing it I teared up. It was a really emotional moment, and I think it’s going to be emotional for the audience as well. QH: What is the best part about this show? PV: I think audiences are going to love a lot of things about this show—the music is fabulous. It’s very upbeat, contemporary and energetic. The costumes are really colourful and the ‘Under the Sea’ scene is absolutely gorgeous. Scenically, we’ve got this gorgeous seaweed that comes in and fills the space above the ice. We also feature these great Disney rock-stars that come rushing in at the beginning and end of the show with some contemporary moves and

fun, upbeat music. I think the audience will love the characters in the fairytales, which is what I love the most. You can really connect with the characters in the stories and I think that is something Disney and Pixar do really well. QH: How do the different scenes in the various fairytales come together to make one, cohesive show? PV: Visually we go to many different places and really transport the audience, but we had our challenges of course! In ‘Under the Sea,’ during The Little Mermaid, we want to place our audience in that sea world. In order to do that, we used these gorgeous pieces of seaweed emerging from 35 feet up and great colourful coral pieces on the ice. We also have a scene in The Little Mermaid segment where there’s a storm, and we have fabric representing the waves that is 35 feet across—our performers have never carried fabric that big. When you see it billowing across the ice, and the entire ice

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A lively Gaston regales villagers about the fearsome Beast in one of the show's segments

feel the richness of the castle. Of course the beautiful rose is present on the ice as well.

Patty Vincent: Director is swept up in this fabric portraying the angry ocean, it’s really gorgeous. Then we’re in the world of Tangled. We see a beautiful tower and open the doors to the interior of it. We’ve got a great stage where Mother Gothel is standing, to kind of make her feel superior, and a little easel where Rapunzel is painting and her little chair. You really feel the coldness of the tower. With Brave we wanted to capture the grass and greenery of Scotland and really portray the feel of the highlands. I think we’ve done that with our colours, the plaids on the clan banners, the targets in the archery competition, and the richness of the greens in the mountain backdrop. It comes together beautifully. Lastly, Beauty and the Beast is something completely different. Much of it takes place in the interior of the castle where a gorgeous chandelier lowers in, there is a beautiful staircase and candelabras glowing; you really

QH: Tell us about the unique curtain used to frame each of the different fairytale settings? PV: We’ve got this beautiful Austrian curtain that is our talent show backdrop initially. It ombrés from deep purple all the way up to white, and it moves beautifully because it brails in different places, so we can create many different looks and entrances. It’s really grand and rich, and it can do so many different things. For instance, when you open it wider you can see the green mountains and the hillsides of Scotland for our Brave segment, and then we draw it closed so it frames the staircase and the stained glass window from Beauty and the Beast. It really plays quite a large part in the show. QH: How do we transition between the four Disney stories? PV: We wanted to do something a little different with Mickey and Minnie and Goofy and Donald, so they go around the globe trying to find their favourite superstars to bring to our talent show. Different characters ‘audition’ for their talent search, starting with Pinocchio. He does this fabulous number where he’s showing off how he’s not a puppet anymore and that he’s a real boy. But then he starts lying, and his nose grows and you know the story on that one. Then

Mickey and Minnie try to find someone who can sing and dance. Out of the best singers in the world, they find the stepsisters from Cinderella, and that doesn’t turn out so well. Next up is Sebastian, and he introduces the lovely Daughters of Triton, who have absolutely gorgeous voices. Mickey, Minnie and the entire audience are so excited about how fabulous they are and this is how we lead into the first fairy tale. We use this talent show segment, stagingwise, to get us into every story. QH: Tell us about your trip to Scotland. How did it add to creating the Brave segment of the show? PV: It was my first time going to Edinburgh, Scotland. It was something I’ll never forget. I went with Taylor Firth, the principal skater who plays Merida, and we just had the time of our lives. The people were so extraordinary. We had a guide that led us around, and we got to learn about the different clans featured in the film. I’ve done research and read as much as I could, but to be there with the people was wonderful. They explained the different tartans, the various colours, what Scottish people eat, and what they wear. It was so wonderful to learn those things first-hand. Then we went to the countryside, and ran around and felt the freedom that Merida would feel. It was all so green and absolutely beautiful. I got a sense of how the choreography could look for Merida’s solo, ‘Touch the Sky.’ I could just see Merida running around, with her red curly hair, leaping and bounding, and it was just a wonderful experience.

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Entertainment

Go under the sea with Sebastian and friends!

QH: How do you think the trip to Scotland helped Taylor Firth dive into playing the role of Merida? PV: I think it was a wonderful experience for Taylor to go to Scotland. It was so fun to watch her eyes get so big when she saw the scenery, the gorgeous castles, and got to taste the food and meet the people. She has red curly hair herself, so it was so cute seeing her running through the hills of that country, her clothes flying and her hair spinning, as she imagined her character doing the same. She really felt the freedom there, the speed and the strength of Merida’s character. She definitely brings that to the ice. QH: Was there anything that was really challenging in bringing Brave to the ice? PV: [It] was a bit challenging because we weren’t very familiar with the culture and the relationships of those new characters. We saw the screening of the movie, did some research, and then flew to Scotland to learn more about where the characters were from. I wanted to really embody who the characters were, and what their relationships were like—how Merida acted with her little triplet brothers, what her relationship with her mother, Queen Elinor was like, etc. Relationships and reactions between

characters are very important to me. We wanted to learn about the clans as well and what they meant to one another. While in Scotland we had a guide who told us so much about the clans and the families, which really helped us choreographically to set them apart from one another. QH: Was there one character in particular that you really connected with yourself? PV: I really connect with Merida of all of the characters, not just because she’s a new princess, but because there is a really independent quality in her, and I love her strength. I like that she wants to live her life for who she is, rather than allowing her mother to manipulate her and tell her how to live or act as a princess. It’s a great message. QH: Do you have a favourite scene in the entire production? PV: My favourite scene is in the Tangled segment when the citizens of the kingdom are releasing the lanterns and Rapunzel is just realizing that she is the lost princess. Flynn slowly turns her around to see the lanterns start lifting up into the sky. I can just feel the energy in the room with the audience. It’s a gorgeous moment.

QH: How do you think the audience is going to connect with these different fairytales featured in the show? PV: The audience will connect with each story in different ways. All the princesses have very different quests, but they’re all searching for something more. Ariel’s searching for that prince that she saw on the ship, Belle just wants to get out of the provincial lifestyle of her small town, Merida wants to live by her own rules, and Rapunzel wants to leave the tower because she knows there’s more out there for her. I think that every person has a favourite character they can relate to. QH: We have seen Ariel a lot in Disney On Ice shows, but now we have a new section with a Spanish Web routine. Can you talk a little about that? PV: We wanted to do something a little different for Ariel. When she gave up her voice, and got her legs to meet Prince Eric, she wanted to be a human, so we thought, ‘What haven’t we done?’ There was a moment in the show where we knew we could try something new. We thought a Spanish Web act was a great idea because it’s never been done before in our portrayal of The Little Mermaid (Spanish Web is an aerial act that is often featured in circuses). Ariel ‘swims’

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Taylor Firth stars as Brave's Princess Merida up to the surface on this rope, and does an exquisite routine 35 feet in the air. To see her leave the ocean floor and swim up to the surface like that is really visually exciting. QH: Is this a show for the entire family? PV: The entire family will really connect with the show because it has a lot of comedy and it’s a lot of fun. There’s comedy with the stepsisters from Cinderella, Maximus from Tangled, the triplets from Brave; it’s really funny. Even while we were rehearsing I was laughing out loud. The music will drive the families and the kids up out of their seats. It’s a really colourful, fun, energetic show that boys will love just as much as the girls. The opening number is ‘Let it Go’ and we’ve got really fun dance numbers; the performers have a blast during this scene. The ‘I’ve Got a Dream’ tavern scene with the pub thugs in the Tangled segment is really raucous and fun. Gaston and LeFou are so comedic during Beauty and the Beast as well. It’s really intimate at times, really energetic at times, and there are scenes with villains. That said, I think it’s geared for the entire family; everyone will enjoy it.

PV: I think audiences are really going to relate to the characters, the story and the fun atmosphere. The fun that the performers have is really important, and you can see it on their faces during the performance. I think all of the dancing, the music, the colours and the interaction is wonderful. The performers

Belle and the creatures of the castle invite you to be their guest!

really get up close to the audience, which is exciting for the kids. Belle is right down there with the rose at one point, and she’s almost so close that they can touch her. We really want everyone to have a good time. n

DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS: ROCKIN’ EVER AFTER Venue: Qatar National Convention Centre Show Times: Wed, Sept 24: 7:00 p.m. Thurs, Sept 25: 3:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Fri, Sept 26: 3:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Sat, Sept 27: 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Prices: • Bronze, QR 175 • Silver, QR 275 • Gold, QR 475 • VIP, QR 1,000 • Royal, QR 2,000 Tickets are available at all Virgin Megastores and online at www.virginmegastore.qa.

QH: What do you think audiences will enjoy most about Rockin’ Ever After?

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Entertainment

How It's Made! As told to Jorge Granda Images courtesy of Disney On Ice

Audiences in 60 countries have had the privilege of watching a Disney On Ice show, but these performances aren’t easy to bring to life. In many arenas world-wide, the ice-floors aren’t available and Disney’s Ice Engineers have to do their thing to make it happen – QH finds out how.

Ice engineers prepare the floor for 12,680 gallons of water!

he rinks created by Disney use something known as ‘tank ice’, which requires two 64-ton refrigeration units, a water hose, pump, and aluminum panels. The company responsible for its production sends ice-making equipment to venues that don’t have ice-making capabilities of their own. Here’s the breakdown of numbers: 12,680 gallons of water or 48,000 litres are needed and the entire process from start to finish takes between 24 to 48 hours and 425 man-hours to install, maintain and break down the ice-floor for a five day engagement. Weighing approximately 140,000 lbs, its size varies depending on the seating configuration of the venue, but its width is always remains 60 feet. The engineers working on the project must be fully-qualified Certified Refrigeration Technicians. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers three types of certification (depending on the type of equipment the technician will be operating) and requires passing a comprehensive exam. So, this is no easy task!

Ice-Making Process • First, aluminum panels (flat boards resembling baking sheets) are installed on the floor. The bottoms of the panels are insulated to keep from damaging the arena. These can be applied to any floor surface as long as it’s flat. • The panels have tubes in them that carry chilled glycol. Once the refrigerator units are turned on, the temperature goes down to 12 degrees Fahrenheit or -11 degrees Celsius. • Light sprays of water are applied with a hose and the pressure is increased with a pump. The water is then left to freeze to seal the surface. Once the surface is sealed, heavier coats of water are added until the desired thickness of 1.5 to 2 inches is achieved.When the ice reaches 0.5 inches, an additive is stirred into the water and applied to make the ice look white. • The ice must be kept at this ideal level of

thickness. If it’s too thick, it requires more energy to keep frozen and the top layer could potentially melt. If it’s too thin, a skater could break through the ice during a performance. • The surface temperature is constantly monitored by an Ice Engineer day and night. During intermissions and after each performance, the surface is scraped and resurfaced with hot water to keep it as smooth as possible. • After the show’s finale, the panels are broken down and taken outside where they can melt without doing damage to the arena. If necessary, the ice is taken to a remote location where it can melt without being in the way. Science lesson over! Now – go grab your tickets for Disney Once Ice presents: Rockin’ Ever After, running from September 24-27 at the Qatar National Convention Centre. Tickets available at all Virgin Megastores or online at www.virginmegastore.qa. n

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Special Promotion

What’s In A Name? Well, when that name is ‘Marriott’ – quite a lot actually! As the Marriott Hotels Brand continues its expansion across the MENA region, we go inside the first Marriott Marquis to open outside of the US – right here in Doha.

arriott International’s signature business and leisure brand, Marriott Hotels, continues to grow in popularity, having just announced the opening of a new property in West Bay, where three hotels currently known as the Renaissance Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott and Marriott Executive Apartments Doha City Center become one under the Marriott Marquis label. “Marriott Hotels is our flagship brand designed for frequent travelers who want to make the most of every opportunity,” says Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director of Marriott International Middle East and Africa. “In addition, the iconic Marriott Hotels brand is on a journey to transform itself and reassert its position as a leader in innovation.” The Marriott Marquis City Center Doha is in line with Marriott Hotels’ new brand strategy. ‘Marquis’ is a brand extension of the Marriott Hotels and JW Marriott Hotels brands. The name is given to select properties that are distinguished by their exceptional offerings and iconic locations, including expansive meeting facilities, multiple restaurants, and grand public spaces. The Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel, with its 580 guest rooms, 1,200 square metres of flexible meeting space, and breath-taking views of the Doha skyline and Arabian Gulf is no exception. “Doha is a dynamic, diverse city and a professional business destination capable of hosting large, city-wide events in state-of-the-art conference and exhibition centres,” says Andreas Wissdorf, General Manager of the new Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel. “We saw an opportunity to enhance our offerings through the Marriott Hotels brand, adding some key features and facilities such as the ‘Great-Room’, ‘Future of Meetings’ and ‘Mobile Guest Services’. We’re extremely proud to be the first Marriott Marquis property outside of the United States, offering the option of tailoring any kind of event, conference, meeting or social function to our customers’ needs through enhanced facilities and technology.” The Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel will be the first Marriott Marquis in the Middle East, as the other Marriott Marquis properties are located between New York, Atlanta, San Francisco, San Diego, Houston and Washington D.C. For more information visit www.marriottmarquisdoha.com. n

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Entertainment

Mark Wahlberg:

One-on-One

By Sian Edwards Interview and images courtesy of Viva Press

Everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourite redeemed bad boy, Mark Wahlberg, 42, is back on the big screen starring alongside Stanley Tucci, 53, and newcomer Nicola Peltz, 19, in the newest addition to the franchise, Transformers: Age of Extinction. QH got face-to-face with the star to talk family, fans and franchises!

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ailing from Boston, Massachusetts, Wahlberg started his life-long career in the boy-band, New Kids On The Block. After he departed, he started Marky Mark and The Funky Bunch with his single, ‘Good Vibrations,’ reaching platinum. Shortly after his musical success, Wahlberg embarked on an acting career, starring alongside Danny DeVito in Renaissance Man and continued with much critical acclaim. Wahlberg also produced the hit HBO show Entourage. He’s been married to model Rhea Durham, 35, since 2009, however, they began their relationship in 2001. They are raising their four children Ella, 10, Michael, 8, Brendan, 5, and Grace, 4, in Los Angeles. As usual, he’s chatty, in a good mood and is probably one of the most amiable actors in Hollywood. He’s wearing grey trousers and a white T-shirt. He looks a little unshaven and naturally handsome. QH: You’re playing an older character this time? MW: Well, I knew it was going to happen. It’s one of the things that I obviously knew was in my near future. When (director) Michael Bay asked me to be in the movie and told me what it was about and I knew I’d be playing the dad of a teenage girl. QH: How are you with your older daughter? Are you protective of her? She was coming to Vegas with you on the set right? MW: Yeah. Very, very protective. QH: To which extent? MW: To the furthest possible extent. (Laughter). As far as the actual legal limits. Look, those are things are inevitable and hopefully she’ll find a nice guy and that will be it – one guy forever. (Laughter). QH: What are you going to do to the guy who breaks her heart?

blockbuster The summer's biggest back in the has put Mark Wahlberg ht tlig spo big-screen

MW: I don’t know. I enjoy my freedom so I don’t want to have to do anything too crazy. But I don’t know. I don’t want to think about it, stop asking me those questions. (Laughter). Only a couple of more years, because I know there’s going to be a lot more of that.

QH: Let’s talk Transformers. Do you remember the first Transformers you watched and why do you think these movies were so cool? MW: I remembered seeing the cartoon when I was a kid in the 80’s and they are just really fun. Me making this movie, working with Michael again, it was really appealing to me, and I loved the human element of the story and the relationship between the father and the daughter. This ordinary guy thrust into this extraordinary situation where he has to then become kind of larger than life to be able to protect her and keep her alive, and there isn’t anything he wouldn’t do to keep her alive, so I can certainly relate to that. I thought that that is obviously a universal theme that everybody can relate to. QH: What's it like for you now to be the older guy? Playing a father type? MW: You know what? I agree that I am getting older but I embrace that because in certain situations in Hollywood, if Hollywood had their way, the girl would be my girlfriend instead of my daughter right? But no, look, I am a Dad and I embrace that. QH: Did you lose weight? MW: I did. Michael wanted me to look a certain way in the movie, so I exercised and trained. QH: You keep switching for every movie, you gain weight…you lose weight. MW: I don’t have a little magic pill or anything. I exercise and change my diet, for Gambler, I went from 197 to 137, and I just jumped rope for two hours a day, I drank only liquid, on a liquid diet. QH: What do you during that first phase of that diet? MW: I am miserable. My wife and everybody was just like, ‘Eat, stay away from us!’ (Laughter. I was very cranky. QH: What was your first treat after all this? MW: Oh God, I had a pancake breakfast with bacon and eggs and toast and an English muffin,

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Entertainment and I remember ordering the meal and then the guy came with the English muffin and I go, ‘Dude, I have been waiting four months for this English Muffin, take it back, and make it golden brown.’ (Laughter). But it’s a place that I frequent, so he’s not a stranger, he’s a friend. QH: People are obsessed with trying to lose weight and trying new diets. MW: There is no trick. Everyone wants the easy road. The trick is I was getting up at 1:15 a.m. in the morning getting exercise for two hours, eating very little to nothing, drinking just liquids for thirty days, as I said. So now I’m just eating everything I can, I probably just had eight meals already today. (Laughter). Because I didn’t want to take too long and Michael freaked out when he saw me because he wanted to do a bunch of additional pickup shots, and I had hair down to here and I was super skinny. He was like ‘Dude, not cool. You have got to get back!’ So I started eating and training again. QH: Are you going to have a role in the new Entourage movie? MW: A small role. I will appear as myself. Just one scene, a little cameo. QH: Do you feel you bring some maturity also to the movie a little bit more? MW: Yeah, being the lead in the movie you have got a responsibility to be a good example and you’ve got kids around. This is a business that is tempting and has tainted many a young man and woman and it will continue to for as long as Hollywood exists. But having had that experience myself and now being older and wiser, you want to set a good example and set the tone for everybody else in the movie.

QH: What would you do next physically? What would be the great challenge for you that you haven’t done before? MW: Well there was always the idea of doing one more Fighter movie, just because everyone always said, ‘You can’t make the story of Mickey Ward without having the three great fights with him and Arturo Gotti.’ And one of them is considered the best round in the entire century. QH: Mickey is in great shape now. MW: Yeah. But I’m 42 and that door is kind of closing, so if we can get the script in time… QH: Forty-two is not that old.

lunch, and take a little nap after getting beat up for most of the day. So it was a nice change of pace. But no, I approached this role and every other role the same. I try to make it as realistic as possible and I do my job to the point where Michael is satisfied. QH: But it doesn’t hurt financially right? MW: We will see…I will see. (Laughter). QH: Yes. So as a father yourself are you as strict with your sons as you are with your daughters? MW: Unfortunately there is a double

MW: No it’s not, but you’re playing somebody who is 30, 30-something. And I don’t know, I saw that trailer with DeNiro and Stallone, I was like…(Laughter.) QH: You didn’t want to see the movie? MW: Well if I have been going to the movies. Like the last movie I saw in a theatre, we went to see The Muppets with my kids. And then before that, it was Peabody and Sherman and before that it was The Lego Movie. QH: You always mentioned that you’re more of a businessman right now. So do you approach Transformers as a businessman? Like okay, I have a franchise now? MW: No, because I was hired as an actor, so I’m not producing the movie, I’m just an actor for hire. And I like that. After a long year of pushing my own passion projects up a steep hill to get made it was nice to just show up, go in my trailer, take a nap till Michael came, had

standard. Boys get away with more than girls, but being a boy and being an [expletive] for quite some time [having] a daughter taught me to respect women the way I should. I know all the things that can happen, so yes, I will be very overprotective. I was in Vegas yesterday, we were

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at Cinema-Con, and I took my daughter with me. She had just done a play at school and another play at the Academy of Dramatic Arts, so I wanted to give her a little treat and just do something alone with her. I realized that I just took my daughter to Vegas. (Laughter). I had said, this is the first time she›s been in Vegas and hopefully the last. I can›t help but be overprotective.

complete jerk. I had my feelings hurt when I was young and then after that I never really trusted, and so therefore, I couldn’t be trusted. But once I had a little girl, it’s just being a father and having a girl makes you a better man. If it doesn’t make you a better man and change then there’s something really wrong with you.

QH: So at what point did it change for you?

MW: All four of my kids shot a scene in the movie, and I don’t know if they will make the final cut or not. (Laughter). I warned them.

MW: Well as you start to get older and more mature it happens but it really came full circle when I had a daughter and I wasn’t just a

QH: Is your daughter in the movie?

QH: You did it on purpose? MW: Well it was like the first time that they were excited about me making a movie, and it was something that they felt they could potentially see, so I was mentioning that to Mike and he was like,‘Oh. Ok.’ QH: Is it true that you try to take your wife on a date once a week? MW: Yes. QH:You like to catch up on everything? MW: Yeah. n

Want more Marky Mark? Catch him and his Boston brothers on the small screen in the new reality TV series Wahlburgers, airing on US cable network A&E. The show follows Mark and his brothers Donnie and chef Paul as they prepare to expand the family's hamburger business. Talk about a real-life Entourage!

A larger than life Optimus Prime stood sentinel over the red carpet at the film's world premiere in Hong Kong

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Entertainment Listings

Remembering Robin By Jorge Granda

Versatile on-stage and onscreen, and endowed with a unique gift for comedy, Robin Williams leaves behind a movie legacy of nearly 100 films. In a tribute to one of Hollywood’s most beloved performers and comedians, QH celebrates his life by revisiting the actor’s most emblematic roles

or decades Robin Williams entertained millions all over the world with his singular humour and extraordinary performances in film and television. His untimely death last month at the age of 63 has left us and countless fans across the world reeling. We at QH do not want to remember how he died, but how he lived, and his invaluable contribution to the entertainment industry. Robin Williams was a remarkable actor who brought to the silver screen a vast range of performances. Here are some of our best-loved.

Good Morning Vietnam (1987): In this famous film Williams played the role of Adrian Cronauer, a DJ in a radio station in the American army who travelled to Saigon to entertain the troops during the Vietnam War. His performance was so moving that the actor received his first Oscar nomination and won a Golden Globe.

of a new drug, L-Dopa. He administers the drug to patients who then awaken after decades of catatonia.

Hook (1991): This rather different take on Peter Pan proved to be one of the highest grossing films in 1991. Even though it received negative reviews from critics, audiences fell in love with Williams’ performance. With a cast that included Julia Roberts, Dustin Hoffman and Bob Hoskins this film tells the story of a workaholic (Williams) who travels to Neverland to rescue his children who were kidnapped by Captain Hook. Aladdin (1992): Every single person who grewup in the 90s must have seen Aladdin. In this film Williams gave life to the comedic Genie in the magic lamp. His interpretation was so terrific that he received a special award at the Golden Globes that year.

Dead Poets Society (1989): I was very small when this movie came out, but I can still remember his powerful performance. I realized then that he wasn’t only an extraordinary comedian but also a character actor. He got his second Oscar nomination with this film, playing the role of an eccentric professor in an elitist academy.

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993): We can’t mention Robin Williams without remembering Mrs. Doubtfire. This is by far my favourite Williams’ film. Why he didn’t get an Oscar for this performance is beyond me! With Mrs. Doubtfire, Williams proved himself to be one of the greatest comedians of our time.

Awakenings (1990): Watching Robin Williams and Robert de Niro in this film is pure bliss. Both actors provided audiences with outstanding performances. In the film Williams is a doctor who, in 1969, discovers the beneficial effects

Jumanji (1995): Jumanji is another of my very favourite movies. At the time the film came out it was a special-effect extravaganza with great performances and storyline. It was very different from any other movie at the Cineplex that year.

In Jumanji, Williams plays a kid who disappears after playing a board-game with a friend and reappears 25 years later to discover his entire life has changed. He needs to finish the game to get his life back.

Friends TV Cameo (1997): Robin Williams and Billy Crystal were an undeniably hilarious duo in one episode when, sharing the couch at Central Perk, Monica tries to tell her friends about what's been going on with her boyfriend Pete, while Williams and Crystal's juicy hilarious conversation on the other side dominates the scene. Even though Williams only had less than three minutes of screen-time, he stole the show and kept us laughing! Good Will Hunting (1997): At the time, two young, unheard of actors – Matt Damon and Ben Affleck – wrote a script that captivated audiences all over the world and gave Williams his first and only Academy Award as supporting actor. What Dreams May Come (1998): Not many people consider Williams’ performance in this film as one of his greatest. I beg to differ. The movie tells the story of a man who, after dying with his two kids in a car crash, searches the afterlife for his wife who is severely depressed after losing her entire family. This movie isn’t a comedy, but more of a melodrama. Williams, as well as Cuba Gooding Jr. and Annabella Sciorra deliver incredible performances in this heartfelt film. n

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COLOUR PRESENTATION

PREFERRED COLOUR PRESENTATION

CORRECT USAGE OF THE LOGO The Tickets logo has been specially designed as a unit and must not be recreated. These correct variations of the logos are supplied with the ofďŹ cial brand artwork. Consistent application of the logos will reinforce Tickets as a brand.

The preferred colour presentation of the QVision Productions brandmark is in full colour on a white background (positive), or in full colour white on a dark background (reverse). The black and white brandmarks have been created for use when colour inks are not available. CMYK LOGO

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Brandmark in one-colour black on a light colour background

When placing the QVision Productions brandmark on a colour background, photograph or graphic pattern, always ensure that the surrounding area is neutral in appearance and allows for the brandmark to be TICKETS LOGO ON WHITE BACKGROUND visually clear.

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Entertainment

Do The Hustle By Jorge Granda

The one and only DJ Kinky D is back on deck and she’s brought the Doha Hustle with her. Débuting this fall in a new venue at Rocca in The Grand Hyatt, spin your Saturdays around with the best of disco, funk, house and a whole lotta soul. QH hits the dance-floor starting on September 6.

or almost a decade, party-goers in this city had no choice but to get their revel on at one of the nightclubs or pubs inside a hotel. Except from the occasional outdoor events organized (mainly) by Global DJs, options were limited when it came to outdoor ‘grownup’ entertainment. This changed prior to the summer when a new trend for open-air bashes rose to the top of Doha’s nightlife scene, marking a refreshing change to the typical night out. The Doha Hustle is one of the newest attempts to entertain the crowds alfresco. Starting on Saturday, September 6, local musical heavy-weight DJ Kinky D will keep you pumping all afternoon and well into the night. Setting up shop on the terrace area of Rocca at The Grand Hyatt, Kinky and friends have found the perfect space to rock the decks. The Hustle isn’t a totally new concept though – the Saturday sun-downer was created by Kinky and launched earlier this year at The Hilton Doha. For those that love their music with a side of soulful groove, the Doha Hustle proved a success, attracting a considerably large crowd of thirsty party-goers. DJ Kinky D’s music set goes from disco and soul, to house and straight-up funk. Every Saturday Doha’s party people will also have the chance to dance to the tunes of other local and international guest DJs on the decks. And if the music makes you thirsty, then bottoms up, because there’re also promotions for discounted cocktails, vino, pints and pizza, along with complimentary water. The Hustle kicks off with an early 5:00 p.m. start and keeps going until 11:00 p.m., giving you plenty of time to party hard, but still be rested up for work the next morning. No better way to spend a Saturday we say! n

The Doha Hustle Location: Rocca terrace, The Grand Hyatt Date: Every Saturday Timings: 5:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. Price: QR 50 entry fee, includes a free drink (spirit or vino)

are back for a DJ Kinky D and friends Doha Hustle! the of son sea whole new

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Entertainment

e d i u G n u F l a v i t s e F By Amy Bassett Images courtesy of Stephan Flad and Berlin Music Festival

Pop-star Ellie Goulding

The home of Techno and Europe’s breeding ground for musical talent, Berlin throws open its doors for the music scene’s avantgarde to strut their stuff.

n the final edition of the Festival Fun Guide, this month, I would like to politely call your attention toward the North; to Europe; to the stomping ground of Techno – Berlin. Because it just so happens – fortunately for us – that the first week of September, is Berlin Music Week. Let us upgrade from a festival to a city-wide soirée showcasing innovations and experimentations and the most exciting new expressions that music has to offer. The music week consists of three main programs which host hundreds of acts over five days and across dozens of venues. So buckle up, take your vitamins and sneak in a disco-nap…you’re going to need to be prepped for this one. The first of the three main programs is called First We Take The Streets, an open invitation to applicants to take a soapbox and impress a pedestrian crowd. Numerous stages and

platforms are set up along the River Spree, from the Eastside Gallery –which is what remains of the Berlin Wall – to the 02 Arena, the glossy concert venue. The footpath is host to the audience and you can wander alongside the famous waterway and its historic brick companion in the evenings to see what fancy new aural delights catch your ear. There is a main stage, curated by Berlin-based indie folk band, Mighty Oaks, so if you prefer to dance rather than walk, stock up on Hefeweizen and find a boogie spot in front of this stage. When: 3:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m., September 4 & 5 Where: Start at the Eastside Gallery and meander along the Spree Tickets: Free Line-Up: The freshest and the newest First We Take Berlin is the flipside. Two nights of established acts are spread generously across

nine venues in the ghetto-fabulous Kreuzberg area including biergartens, kulturhauses, the inner-city beach club Yaam, and an old converted railway-station house. These are acts that have earned their stripes in the cutthroat Berlin scene, recent breakthrough artists and underground heroes. Satisfaction guaranteed. When: Late until late, September 4 & 5 Where: Evening venues Tickets: QR 100, all-venue pass Line-Up: Get Physical label-mates M.A.N.D.Y. and DJ T, Poesie Musik’s Wankelmut, British Guardian’s ‘Band of the Day’Eliza and the Bear and 30+ more.

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Berlin 2014 is the cherry of Berlin Music Week, with dance-floor thrillers throwing down their most inventive wares at the city’s most killer nightclubs. Glashaus, Badeschiff and world-renowned club Club der Visionäre sit on the Spree’s southwest bank, complete with a stunning city vista. Should you decide to party non-stop from ‘go to whoa’, (quite likely in this town,) you’ll catch tech-king Jimmy Edgar, label stalwarts Jazzanova (DJ set), Warpaint, music-videoartiste Woodkid, Rustie, Trentemøller, Mount Kimbie, pop bandits Moderat, Jessie Ware and German favourite DJ Koze. The green space surrounding the clubs, which has been dubbed Arena Park, includes an Art Village where you can tantalize the eye should your ears need a break. Exhibits include The Fall of the Wall, an art jam celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Berlin Wall’s happy retirement; a Poetry Saloon, hosted by Germany’s forefather of slam poetry Wolf Hogekamp; and an Art Market where you can pick up an artisan souvenir to take home with your memories of a wild weekend.n

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Berlin Music Week When: September 5-7 Why Go? This is a city that knows how to kick it, and if you’re thinking of striking out on a musical adventure, then Berlin Music Week is the pick. A ticket to the Berlin 2014 event automatically gains you access to the First We Take Berlin, so don’t sleep – spoil yourself! Tickets: QR 385, Weekend pass QR 215, Day pass Flights: From QR 3,095 (www.kayak.com) Website: www.berlinfestival.de

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Entertainment

Party Hoppin’

Happenings

ge and Grab a burger, a bevera go a bite and watch the sun tt! rrio Ma ha Do the at down

By Jorge Granda Photography by Jessie Palanca

As the mercury finally begins to drop, it’s time to venture out and hit up some outdoor venues. QH visits The View, the brandnew terrace at the Doha Marriott, to enjoy some sun and a few refreshing drinks.

a central bar, giving it an overall chic look. The ambience is very relaxed and laid-back – which is something we liked – while the waiters were attentive and cordial.

I’m the type of guy who likes to be outdoors and The View is the perfect hub to enjoy a drink, a bite to eat and a cool breeze off the water. Initially, it reminded me of the restaurant terraces you find across Europe -- the space is designed patio-style, not big but definitely cozy. We arrived on a Thursday afternoon around 5:00 p.m. to catch the start of their happy hour; the area is completely open with high tables and

One of the things I most enjoyed is that it isn’t overcrowded, making it easy to order without a long wait time for food and drinks. The crowd is chilled, the prices are more than reasonable and the atmosphere is unpretentious, making it a great place to unwind after work for a relaxing evening or as a gathering spot before heading out to a nightclub. If you get peckish you can order some snacks off the menu, including the Marriott’s famous burger or a delicious tomato and mozzarella salad. The dishes are not elaborate – but instead, simple and satisfying pub fare. The View opens every day from 11:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m. – so if you enjoy having a few cold ones and a catch-up outdoors, it’s a sure bet to have a great time with friends. n

or a year now the Doha Marriott has been on a mission to make themselves the latest ‘it’ spot, and from what we can tell, they’re quickly accomplishing that goal – providing guests with not only great food but also high-quality entertainment and more than a few decent promotions. Their latest addition to its family is a terrace bar called The View, separated just off the pool deck with excellent views of West Bay waters and sentinel skyscrapers.

The View Location: Doha Marriott Timings: 11:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m., daily Happy hour from 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. Smoking: Yes Contact: For reservations call 4429-8499

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Virgin Recommends u QH brings yo f picks f a t s p o t e h t store a g e M e h t m fro

NAME: MAY-ANN FRANCISCO STORE SECTION: MULTIMEDIA

TIME AT VIRGIN: 6 ½ years

Best Part of My Job:“Watching movies is fun and working here opens you up to new experiences with all kinds of media – there’s excitement with every episode you watch and we take that enthusiasm back to the customer.” Frozen This new Disney film has quickly become the top-rated kids’ movie of the year and is one of our bestsellers. Poised to become a classic, it tells the story of Princess Elsa, whose unwanted powers have blanketed her kingdom in ice, and her sister Anna who teams up with a woodsy cast of characters to save her. This tale about sisterhood and acceptance delivers its message over a song-filled hour-and-a-half. Retail price: QR 89.

The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug The Desolation Of Smaug This one has been out for a while, but we received it a bit later – so it’s new to Virgin. They’re expanding the book into a series of three movies and this is the second big-screen installment of the story. We pick up where we left Bilbo Baggins and the dwarves on their journey to the Lonely Mountain, where an ancient evil sleeps and a molten fire burns. Retail price: QR 89

Thor: The Dark World Another blockbuster in the theatres, this film has also proven to be a hot ticket on the shelves. The sequel sees Thor (Chris Hemsworth) on a quest to save Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) from a force that’s holding her prisoner inside her own body. To do this he must confront the Dark Elves in a battle that threatens to pay the ultimate price. Retail price: QR 89.

American Hustle A gangster flick for the ages, this Academy Award-winning movie sees Christian Bale and Amy Adams in some of their most provocative roles yet. Bale takes his turn on the big-screen as professional con-man Irving Rosenfeld, who finds himself and his partner in crime roped in by the FBI on a sting to bring down the don of the New Jersey mob. Retail price: QR 89.

ION Audio Pure LP Record Player Rock ‘n roll will never die…and neither will our love for vinyl it seems. The age of the turntable is here again and making a comeback – and Virgin has a quite a library of records. This ION Audio brand player has a retro vibe, built-in stereo speakers and even a digital option to convert your records into up-loadable files. We threw on Van Morrison’s Tupelo Honey (QR 135) and it was music to our ears – literally! Retail price: QR 449 for large unit and QR 399 for small unit.

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Spotlight On Movies

Thriller

The Two Faces Of January

This nail-biter centres around a con-artist, his wife, and a stranger who flee Athens after one of them is caught up in the death of a private detective. Stars: Kirsten Dunst, Viggo Mortensen, Oscar Isaac QH Fun Fact: After a two-year hiatus, this is actor Viggo Mortensen’s first screen role since 2012’s On The Road where he portrayed Beat novelist William S. Burroughs.

Hit the theatre this fall and remember why movies make the world go round with our top five September screenings.

Dolphin Tale 2 Drama | Family

The Boxtrolls Animation | Adventure | Comedy A young orphaned boy raised by underground, cave-dwelling trash collectors tries to save his friends from an evil exterminator. Stars: Elle Fanning, Simon Pegg, Toni Collette QH Fun Fact: The film is based on author Alan Snow’s best-selling children’s novel Here Be Monsters.

The Drop

With the passing of her surrogate mother, the team who saved dolphin Winter’s life get back to together to find a friend for the lovable marine mammal, so she can remain at the Clearwater Marine Hospital. Stars: Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Nathan Gamble QH Fun Fact: For stars Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd, this marks the fifth movie that the two celebs have worked on together. Seems like they have the buddy system all worked out!

The Maze Runner

Drama | Family

Action | Mystery | Sci-Fi

Bob Saginowski finds himself at the centre of a robbery gone awry and entwined in an investigation that digs deep into the neighbourhood's past where friends, families, and foes all work together to make a living – no matter what the cost.

Thomas is deposited in a community of boys after his memory is erased, soon learning they're all trapped in a maze that will require him to join forces with fellow ‘runners’ for a shot at escape across a hostile landscape.

Stars: Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, James Gandolfini

Stars: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Will Poulter

QH Fun Fact: Actually this is more of a sombre fact. This is the last film appearance for Sopranos star James Gandolfini prior to his sudden death last year in Rome.

QH Fun Fact: While filming on location in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the crew had to hire wranglers to clear the area of venomous snakes. More than 25 were found, including a five-foot rattlesnake.

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Entertainment Listings RECOMMENDS

zed are categori All listings ed it lim is usion per hotel. Incl h it w e, ac sp y of to availabilit s. er is rt n to adve priority give

Big Friday Night

Sept 26: Wahm. French-Canadian DJ Nicholas Sechaud is no stranger to the international club and fine-dining scene. Currently resident DJ at the world-renowned Siddhartha Lounge at Grosvenor House Dubai, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Nicholas has done a number of residencies across famed bars, clubs, lounges and restaurants worldwide, from Italy, Spain, Monaco and Turkey, to Uzbekistan and the Philippines. For more information call 4453-5323.

411 Doha Exclusive

Sept 9: Crystal presents, coming all the way from the hottest parties of Dubai, the one and only DJ Bliss mixing it up with real flavour and a special twist. Opening set by DJ Tobias Sabido. For more information call 4453-5353.

DOHA MARRIOTT

Mind The View

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

Making it easier to navigate at your fingertips, we’ve categorized all our listings per outlet – brunches, business lunches and weekly/daily promotions.

SPECIAL PROMOTIONS MARRIOTT MARQUIS CITY CENTER DOHA Let’s Get Quizzical

Sept 8: Champions. Join the Champions crew for the best quiz night in Doha with a maximum of six per team to win the 1st prize of QR 3,000. Entry is free and quiz runs from 7:30 p.m. till 9:30 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.westenddoha.com.

THE RITZ-CARLTON Cuban Fiesta

Sept 19: Habanos. Kick back for a night of Cuban rhythms, instruments, performance and dance. From 5:00 p.m. till 1:00 a.m. For more information call 4484-8504, or email rc.dohrz.leads@ritzcarlton.com.

Art Of Cocktail Making-Class

Sept 12: Habanos. Meet the Habanos team for an immersion in the art of creating exciting drinks. Minimum number of 15 people per class, for a full group of 15 a special offer applies. From 4:00 p.m. till 6:00 p.m. For more information call 4484-8504, or email rc.dohrz.leads@ritzcarlton.com.

W DOHA Lounge & Mingle

Sept 3 & 24: Wahm. DJ Adrien Callier continually amazes the social set, both locally and internationally, with his eclectic style of cross-mixing electronic dance music best defined as nu-disco and house. With a growing number of followers and new projects in the pipeline, Adrien is definitely the next big name to watch out for in the Middle East. For more information call 4453-5323.

REGULAR PROMOTIONS CROWNE PLAZA DOHA – THE BUSINESS PARK Don’t Be Late

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

DOHA MARRIOTT Pearl Lounge Theme Nights

Mondays: Ladies Just Wanna Have Fun. Gents QR 100, ladies get three free drinks between 9:00 p.m.and 12 midnight. Tuesdays: Bollywood vs. Hollywood. Ladies get one free drink between 9:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight. Wednesdays: Arabic Night. Ladies get one free drink between 9:00 p.m. and 12 midnight. Thursdays: Diva’s Night Out. Gents QR 75, ladies get three free drinks between 9:00 p.m. and 12 midnight. Fridays: Khaliji Night. Saturdays: Bollywood. Gents pay QR 75 and get one free drink. Ladies get one free drink between 9:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight. Sundays: Closed. For more information call 4429-8444.

Wednesday Fever

Sept 10: Wahm. Enjoy a night of deep house music with DJ Stephane Karl coming all the way from Paris. For more information call 4453-5323.

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Entertainment Listings INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA

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

Lava Theme Nights

Sundays: Hospitality Night. Enjoy a 50% discount on food and beverages for hotel staff and cabin crew with DJ Hossein. Mondays: Urban Diva Night with DJ Shadi. Enjoy two free drinks for ladies and no entrance fee from 10:00 p.m. till late. Tuesdays: Fly Night with Resident DJs! Enjoy 50% off on food and beverages for teachers and free drinks for female cabin crew all night. Thursdays: Vibe Nights with their resident DJ. Fridays: Sparkling Friday with their resident DJ. Saturdays: Themed parties every Saturday night. Doors open from 8:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m.

Happy Hour

Daily: Paloma. Enjoy an amazing Happy Hour from 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. with selected beverage offerings seven days a week and exclusive food offerings on Saturday, Sunday and Monday with a 50% on the a la carte menu. For more information call 4484-4919 or 4484-4444.

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA THE CITY After-Work Evenings

Sat-Thurs: Hive. De-stress with an after-work visit to Hive and make the most of their buy-oneget-one free offer on selected house beverages between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. For more information call 4015-8888.

Live DJs

Wed-Fri: Strata. Enjoy three musical-themed nights with two extremely talented DJs on the decks from 9:30 p.m. till late. Every Wednesday and Friday enjoy the disco and deep, soulful house tunes from Steve Kz. Deep and funky house music enthusiasts will enjoy the beats played by Jared McCulloch & Friends every Thursday, with local DJs making guest appearances on selected dates. A mash-up of dance and urban tunes will keep you on the dance floor the entire night every Friday with Sam World & Friends. For more information call 4015-8888.

Bucket Day

Fridays: Hive. Quench your thirst with a bucket of six brews for the price of four on selected beverages for QR 125, while listening to funky tunes from the ‘70s from 5:00 p.m. till midnight. For more information call 4015-8888.

Super Saturdays

Global DJs

KEMPINSKI RESIDENCES & SUITES Happy Hour MIX & FUSE

MARRIOTT MARQUIS CITY CENTER DOHA DJ Beats

Saturdays: Hive. Gather the boys and get down to Hive on Saturday to enjoy the best the Premier League has to offer, while indulging in a 20% discount on food items and selected beverages for QR 25. For more information call 4015-8888.

Daily: The Lounge.The Happy Hour at The Lounge is back in September, more Mixed and Fused than ever! From 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m., socialize with the trendiest crowd in the city and sip your favourite beverages and cocktails or take a bite from the refreshed options on the menu and benefit from a 50% discount on selected items. For more information call 4405-3325, email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.

Soulful Sundays

Sundays: The Lounge. Kéyali Mayaga returns, recharged, to The Lounge – ready to relax and chill you every Sunday evening with her magnificent voice. Start the new week in style at The Lounge and revel in blues and soul sounds from the much-loved repertoire of Kéyali. From 9:00 p.m. till 12:00 midnight. For more information call 4405-3325, email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.

Slow Motion Vogue

Wednesdays: The Lounge. The hippest night out in Doha returns in September with Longplayer and Kinky D at the decks of The Lounge. The weekend starts early with sophisticated Latin funk, disco-boogie and reedited sounds. Sip the most creative cocktails in Doha and socialize with the trendiest crowd in the city. From 8:00 p.m. till 1:00 a.m.For more information call 4405-3325, email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.

9 To 1 At The Lounge

Thursdays: The most chic Thursday night out in Doha arrives back at The Lounge after the summer vacation. Listen to the finest grooves and the slickest of soul, funk, jazz, Afro and soulful house music, sip cocktails of the future and be part of the fun and class. From 9:00 p.m. till 1:00 a.m. For more information call 4405-3325, email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.

LA CIGALE Ladies Night With DJ Roger Choueiry

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

Thursdays: Club 7. Welcome your weekend in a vibrant atmosphere at Club 7, and join Global DJs every Thursday for an unforgettable night! From 9:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4428-8665 or 5518-8008.

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

Music Fridays!

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

MÖVENPICK HOTEL DOHA Be Entertained At Jazz Up

Fridays: Jazz Up. This bar is a charming spot where sports and music-lovers can chill out in intimate and contemporary surroundings. Listen to soothing tunes and indulge in the beverage selections, creative cocktails and snacks. Catch all the major sporting events live on the big screen, plus sizzling performance by the Doha Jazz Club every Friday from 8:00 p.m. onwards. For more information call 4429-1111.

ORYX ROTANA Hospitality Night

Mondays: Jazz Club. All hoteliers, crew members and hospitality colleagues can enjoy the best notes of jazz played by the in-house band and benefit from a 30% discount on spirit bottles. Make sure to check in early for a great night! You can invite up to three guests. For more information call 4402-3333.

Ladies’ Night

Tuesdays: Jazz Club. Ladies enjoy three complimentary drinks from 5:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. After that, enjoy a 50% discount on selected cocktails. Enjoy the night as our DJ plays the best of funk, soul, groove and lounge music from 6:00 p.m. till 1:00 a.m. For more information call 4402-3333.

THE FOUR SEASONS

Caribbean Carnival Daily: Library Bar and Cigar Lounge. Savour sumptuous light bites and special drinks inspired by Jamaican, Peruvian, Cuban and Bohemian cuisine. With every chosen Caribbean dish, they offer white vino at special price. Food starts at QR 60 and special drinks start at QR 55. From 5:00 p.m. till 1:00 a.m. For more information call 4494-8981.

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THE GRAND HYATT

A1 Nights by Extremer Entertainment Fridays: The Grill. Do you want to feel ‘A1’? Xtremer Entertainment presents ‘A1 Nights’ at The Grand Hyatt every Friday from 9:00 p.m. till late. Xtremer’s official DJ Rage will rock the house along with top international DJs performing the best hip-hop, R&B, UK garage and soul music. Ladies enjoy free cocktails before 11:00 p.m. Dress code is dress to impress. For more information call 7712-3400 or 4448-1240.

Karaoke Nights

Sundays: Dunes. Do you think you can sing?! Let The Hyatt be the judge! Book your table at Dunes every Sunday and show off your talent. For more information call 4448-1234.

THE RITZ-CARLTON

Cigar Night Fridays: Habanos. Enjoy a 25% savings on all cigar selections. From 5:00 p.m. till 12:45 a.m. For more information call 4484-8504 or email rc.dohrz.leads@ritzcarlton.com.

Happy Hour

Daily: Habanos. Get one complimentary drink every time you purchase one of their special selected items. From 5:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. For more information call 4484-8504 or email rc.dohrz.leads@ritzcarlton.com.

THE ST. REGIS DOHA

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

Jam At JALC Doha

Wednesdays: Every Wednesday night JALC Doha gathers an eclectic group of local, regional and international musicians for an exciting and impromptu jam session. Led by JALC Global Ambassador Dominick Farinacci, musicians and vocalists of all styles are brought together in dynamic performances. QR 100 entry per person includes complimentary welcome beverage. From 9:00 p.m. till late. For more information call 4446-0000.

W DOHA

Theme Nights At Crystal Mondays: Mad Night. Enjoy a new edition of Mad Monday’s with Crystal’s DJ Lilo mixing up the best deep and progressive house hits with that Crystal special twist. Enjoy a 50% discount for airline crew on beverages and a 25% discount for Crystal members on beverages. Tuesdays: Urban Night. Party every Tuesday and welcome back resident DJ Tobias Sabido mixing up the best of R&B, hip-hop and old school with a Crystal special twist. Two free drinks for ladies from 10:00 p.m. till 12:00 midnight. Wednesdays: Kiss & Fly. Doha’s favourite ladies night at Crystal is back! Ladies enjoy three free drinks from 10:00 p.m. till 12:00 midnight. Friday: Carnival Party. Its carnival time at Crystal with DJ Tobias Sabido mixing up all the latest tunes with that Crystal special twist. Saturday: Arabesque Night. Crystal proudly presents Arabesque Night LAYALI 1001 Nights with the stars Fadi & Mazen performing all the latest Arabic songs live, and DJ Imran mixing the best of R&B and commercial house. For more information on all theme nights call 4453-3135 or BBM: 2ADD2715.

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ret Directory en ltu nm Cu ter&tai Ents Ar

Bar: Champions Sports nter Doha Ce y Cit is Marriott Marqu

The W Doha: Wahm Lounge

: The St. Regis Doha Vintage Lounge

Let us help you make the most of your weekend with our comprehensive directory of bars, pubs , clubs and lounges throughout the city. So grab your friends and head out for a night on the town! Admiral’s Club The Ritz-Carlton

4448-4800

Jazz At Lincoln Center Doha The St. Regis Doha

Pearl Lounge Doha Marriott

Bar Rancho’s Grand Regal Hotel

4425-6666

The Jazz Club Oryx Rotana 4402-3333

Belgian Café InterContinental Doha

4484-4444

Krossroads Horizon Manor Hotel

Bubbles on Two Radisson Blu 4428-1428 Champions Marriott Marquis City Center Doha 4419-6100 Cigar Lounge Sharq Village & Spa

4425-6666

Club 7 La Cigale

4428-8888

Crystal Lounge W Doha

4453-5135

D’Illusion Gokulam Park Dunes The Grand Hyatt

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

Qube Radisson Blu 4428-1428 Rocca The Grand Hyatt

4448-1234

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

4428-8888

4446-2222 Spike’s Lounge Doha Golf Club

4429-8888

4446-0000

4496-0777

4448-4800 Splash Oryx Rotana 4402-3333

Liquidity Crowne Plaza Doha The Business Park

4408-7777

Strata Lounge InterContinental Doha The City 4015-8888

Madison Piano Bar La Cigale

4428-8888

The Irish Harp Sheraton Doha

4485-4444

The Library Radisson Blu

4428-1428

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

Misturado Crowne Plaza Doha The Business Park

4408-7777

The Library Bar & Cigar Lounge Four Seasons 4494-8888

Glo Cocktail Bar Marriott Marquis City Center Doha 4419-6100

Orion Radisson Blu

4428-1428

The Lounge Kempinski Residences & Suites 4405-3325

Habanos Ritz-Carlton Doha

Oyster Bay & Bar The St. Regis Doha

4446-0105

Vintage Lounge The St. Regis Doha

4446-0105

Paloma InterContinental Doha

4484-4444

Wahm W Doha

4453-5353

Fahrenheit Horizon Manor Hotel

Hive InterContinental Doha The City

4445-5444

4484-8000

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Arts & Culture

Museum Of Islamic Art

Photo Credit: Museum of Islamic Art, MS.5.2006.2

s k c i P p o T ’s This Month

Building Our Collection: Mughal and Safavid Albums Sept 17, 2014-Feb 21, 2015: Temporary Exhibitions Gallery, 4th Floor. Showcasing the museum’s collection of miniatures and calligraphy, this exhibition reveals the journey of artistic refinement from the Middle East to Asia and Europe across the centuries. It allows visitors to understand the significance of Islamic art-collecting and, in particular, how this part of MIA’s collection was formed. Timings are Sun, Mon and Wed 10:30 a.m. till 5:30 p.m., Thurs & Sat 12 noon till 8:00 p.m., Fridays 2:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. and closed on Tuesdays. Admission is free. For more information call 4422-4444 or visit www.mia.org.qa.

IAID Visual Arts Sat-Thurs: 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, plus visual art perception and portraits through the use of various art mediums. For more information call 4432-0974/4441-1234, visit www.iaidonline.org or email enquire@iaidonline.org.

OUT om K C E H .c C ppening

atarha tion! www.qthe latest informa for

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Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra BBC Proms Preview Sept 2: Building 16, Katara Opera House. 7:30 p.m. Ha-Na Chang, music director, Peter Jablonski, piano. Featuring compositions from Behzad Ranjbaran’s The Sunrise from Seemorgh (part of The Persian Trilogy), Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No.2 in C Minor and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 in E Minor. Tickets range from QR 75-QR 200 and are available at the Katara Opera House or at tickets.virginmegastore.me.

Al Markhiya Gallery New Fall Exhibitions Sept 2-Oct 25: Souq Waqif. This fall will see a host of new artists from the Arab world displaying their creations at Al Markhiya Gallery. Selections of works include pieces from Abdullah Akar (Tunisia), Fayeq Oweis (Palestine), Hamza Bounou (Algeria), Hassan Meer (Oman), Hazem El Mestikawy (Egypt), Khaled Al-Saai (Syria), Jamal Abdul Rahim (Bahrain), Sabah Al Arbili (Iraq) and Yousef Ahmed (Qatar.) Gallery hours are from Saturday to Thursday, 10:00 a.m till 12 noon and 4:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m., or also by appointment. Admission is free, and they are closed on Fridays. For more information call 6600-8750 or email heather@almarkhiyagallery.com.

The St. Regis Doha Family Jazz Afternoons Sept 20: JALC Doha. Once a month on a Saturday afternoon the Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha opens its doors to the community for a free afternoon of jazz fun! Children can be inspired by interacting with the world-class musicians, and these informal and fun afternoons are designed to be fully interactive and educational, where the Doha community can be inspired to sing and dance to jazz beats. From 3:00 p.m. till 5:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0000 or visit www.jalcdoha.com.

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Arts & Culture

Culture Club

Compiled by Ashlee Starratt Selected images courtesy of Qatar Museums

After the summer’s FIFA World Cup frenzy, the Qatar Brazil 2014 Year of Culture is coming back full swing for September. We bring you info on its must-see, must-do events on both continents! 1001 Inventions: Science From Muslim Civilizations Education Program Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil Sept 18: Qatar Week In Brazil The 1001 Inventions: Science from Muslim Civilization Education Program aims to engage schools across Brazil with a range of educational activities and science shows to reflect knowledge from ancient Muslim civilizations that have left their mark on our world, as part of the Qatar Brazil 2014 Year of Culture.

Pearls Exhibition Museu de Arte Brasileira São Paulo, Brazil Until Sept 28 On July 19 2014, Qatar Museums opened the Pearls exhibition in São Paulo, Brazil as part of the Qatar Brazil 2014 Year of Culture. On display are over 200 pieces of jewelry and works of art showcasing the extraordinary variety of colour and shape in natural and cultured pearls. The exhibition examines Qatar’s central role in the pearl trade for hundreds of years, as well as the pearl as a status symbol through the ages in both East and West. The exhibition opening saw more than 850 people in attendance at MAB-FAAP, one of Brazil’s most renowned cultural institutions. This is the third year in which Pearls travels as part of QM’s Years of Culture initiative. During Qatar UK 2013, the exhibition drew over 107,000 visitors to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Prior to showing at the V&A, Pearls was on display at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art in Kobe, Japan as part of Qatar Japan 2012.

The shows take audiences on a journey through an exciting world of science and inventions from over 1,000 years ago in a colourful and creative era known as the Golden Age of Muslim Civilization. Stories of men and women of different cultures working in this civilization that spread from southern Portugal to eastern China are told. From algebra to inoculation, from the astrolabe to time-telling machines, the show uncovers how that world of the past impacted our lives today, focusing on science and cultural connections in a fun and engaging way. Connections to Brazil are highlighted – from the Malba Tahan to the Alfajores, while the contemporary works of Butantan and Qatar in science are also included.

Contemporary Painting Of Qatar And Brazil Katara Gallery 1, Building 13 Opens Sept 29 Four Qatari artists and four Brazilian artists will show a collection of their works curated by Brazilian artist and curator Luiz Dulino. The exhibition explores the issues of identity and nationalism through abstraction. Through surrealist, tachist, geometrical, and naturalistic forms of expression, the artists interpret the differences and similarities in how they view the world for an audience. This exhibition is created in partnership with the Qatar Fine Arts Association.

Tribute To Brazil Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra Katara Opera House, Building 16 Oct 30, 7:30 p.m. As part of the Qatar Brazil 2014 Year of Culture, Qatar Museums, the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, and the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra are collaborating to bring a special concert to Doha audiences. The performance, entitled Tribute to Brazil, will feature renowned Brazilian conductor Claudio Cohen. n

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Quality Of Life At Bilal Pearl Suites Enjoy the Elegance in Bilal Pearl Suites , Your only destination to luxury life style. 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments at the most glamorous address in the Middle East The Pearl , Qatar

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Arts & Culture m the Alex and his students fro HDSLR workshop

The Storyteller By Ujwala Thirumurthy Images courtesy of Alex Klim

Pointing his lens outwards at the world, Doha-based filmmaker Alex Klim has been showing us new ways of looking at one another and the world we live in for the last five years. The self-taught director has seen his talent rise in Qatar and beyond, telling stories that make a difference through the medium he’s mastered.

he most honest form of filmmaking is to make a film for yourself. And that’s exactly how it all started for Alex Klim, multiaward winning filmmaker, director and producer. At 35 years of age, he's an achiever in his own right. Having arrived in Qatar five years ago from Vienna, Austria to work as a mobile portal specialist, Alex enjoyed the luxurious lifestyle he could have wished for, until two years later when he realized that he was a square peg in a round hole. “I woke up one morning and asked myself, is this what I want to be doing ten years from now, and the answer I got was a ‘no’. That was my cue,” he says. Being new in the city, his desire to explore, learn and create grew with each passing day. “The beauty of places like the Souq, The Pearl-Qatar, [and] Katara made me want to discover, recreate and tell. That’s when I finally decided to give up my job.”

Alex was keen on photography and filming ever since he was eight.“Wherever I went, my video camera went with me. I took pictures and made short video clips of interesting places so I could go back home and play them for my folks and friends, and they loved it as much as I did.I started to discover new places, meet new people, learn about new cultures and it was all very exciting to capture on camera.” A student of communications engineering, he forayed into filmmaking with no formal training. “A school teaches you the structure/hierarchy – it teaches you that the role of a production manager ends with his role and he should not be concerned with the direction or sound editing or visual effects. But as an independent filmmaker, I get to be involved in all aspects of filming, and that’s exciting,” says Alex who also conducts several workshops on filmmaking for the public and students.

Filmmaking is a combination of creativity and technology. Alex got his first HDSLR Camera in 2011, and from then on he’s been riding the high tide, creating and improvising with every film he’s made. One of his noteworthy pieces of work includes the action documentary titled The Doha SpiderMan. It’s a story of rope-access technicians or window-cleaners on skyscraper apartments who hang in balance every single day while they get on with their job. Then, his unique interpretation of a music video on Nina Heidenreich, the Principal Second Violinist with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra propelled him straight into corporate films, documentaries, concert recordings, events and even public awareness campaigns. The video shows a young girl being attracted by a violin at a music store and falls in to a dream, where

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sia Alex While filming in Indone ers ow foll ng gains some you Lugging gear across temples in Myanmar

she’s an accomplished violinist, portrayed by Nina herself. His short film One Moment recently won a platinum award and two gold awards at the AVA Digital Awards in Dallas, Texas. This was a step in the right direction for Alex whose dream is to make a feature film and have it premiere at a red carpet event. Alex’s current project is the Diabetes Awareness program in partnership with The Art of Business for the Qatar Diabetes Association and sponsored by Sasol. The campaign uses camel mascots (stuffed toys) named Sarah and Salem to teach children how to tackle their daily medication routine without feeling ashamed or scared of being diagnosed with diabetes. “This is my most important piece of work so far”, he notes.

reet Right: On location at Zik new flying In Circle: Alex tests his w drone for a bird's-eye vie

A self-made filmmaker, Alex emphasizes on the positive impacts of social media. “Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo, YouTube, they’re here to make communication simpler and reach wider audiences,” he tells us. “And most importantly, I get immediate responses from viewers, corporate houses and other agencies who find my work interesting.” Apart from his creative and intellectual genius, it’s his remarkably unassuming nature coupled with an ability to instantly connect with people that is mirrored in the quality of his work. Alex Klim is an inspiration for many aspiring artists in the filmmaking industry – and his rule is quite simple. It’s never too late to do what you want to do. n

For details on Alex Klim’s filmography and upcoming workshops, visit www.alexklim.com, or follow him on Facebook at facebook.com/alexklimcom.

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Arts & Culture

The Tiger’s Dream By Ashlee Starratt Photography by Marc Pelletreau Images courtesy of Qatar Museums

A new exhibit at the Museum of Islamic Art explores the life and times of formidable Indian ruler Tipu Sultan. QH gets a dose of history with curator William Greenwood.

qual parts man and myth, hero and adversary, the name Tipu Sultan is one that still resonates across the British Empire. Indubitably one of the India’s greatest generals and most storied rulers, Tipu led his army to victory on September 10, 1780 in The Battle of Pollilur, marking one of Britain’s most devastating defeats during the Second Mysore War. It’s these artifacts of his history that have come to rest in The Tiger’s Dream at the Museum of Islamic Art’s Special Exhibitions Gallery. “The real man was a very important Indian ruler – one of the last, great Indian rulers before the British Raj took over,” says curator

William Greenwood. “He’s remembered as an anti-colonial, nationalist figurehead… some people even remember him as more of a religious character. But the man himself lived in the second half of the 18th century; he was a warrior but also a literary man – he wrote poetry, and he was fascinated by dreams and by the imagery of tigers.” Notable objects in the collection are 24 restored paintings from Tipu’s palace and an ornate half-ton cannon worthy of a king’s army. As its name suggests, The Tiger’s Dream sheds light on the mythology behind a man whose vision for a united India he gave his life to preserve, and all items on display are part of the MIA’s Permanent Collection.

“This is a first for our temporary exhibitions – I think the best we’ve managed before is 90%, but this one is completely ours,” Greenwood tells us. “We [also] have a sword, a copy of the Persian Book of Kings [both owned by Tipu], and we have an Ottoman ceramic which shows the connection between Ottoman and South Indian culture at the time. A lot of the things we have relate to war, because Tipu pretty much spent his whole life fighting. But even [those] objects are very beautiful – they’re all imbued with his tiger imagery. We have a pistol barrel, which obviously, was probably intended to kill people but it’s absolute beautiful – gold and silver inlay with a lovely calligraphic design. We’ve got the cannon, which has tigers all over it and beautiful inscriptions…it’s a wonderful thing, a piece of art as well as a weapon.” The exhibition will also mark a milestone for Qatar Museums as they actively reach out to attract visitors from the South Asian migrant worker population. “They’re one of the largest populations here in Qatar and it relates to their history,” explains Shaika Al Nasr, Head of Exhibitions for the Museum of Islamic Art. “[For] our marketing campaign we are trying to

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These paintings are part of 24 on display that were once part of a large scroll at Tipu's palace. Photo Credit: Museum of Islamic Art, PA.83.2011.12 reach out to the worker population living in the Industrial Area by advertising to them in their meeting points. We’re also going to have gallery guides in Urdu and Malayalam as well as Arabic and English – so all the information will be presented in four languages. “ Coupled with the exhibit are planned lectures and workshops related to Tipu Sultan and also a possible cinema series in conjunction with the Doha Film Institute, though details are still being finalized. The display will also feature multimedia components highlighting in particular the 24 paintings from Tipu’s palace. “The 24 paintings were originally one huge scroll which is about 2-metres high by 9-metres across,” says Greenwood. “At some point it was cut into 24 pieces and whoever cut them up didn’t do the most advantageous bit of conservation, because they folded the pieces around the sides of the frame to make it like a painting – so if you put a frame around them, you can’t see those sides. So we’ve re-photographed them using a mirror so that it actually shows the sides.” The final outcome will be shown on a multimedia projection adjacent to the paintings.

Tipu Sultan drew much of his strength by mirroring the fearlessness and ferocity of the tiger – a symbol with which he became synonymous. “Previous Indian rulers and other Islamic rulers had used tiger imagery,” divulges Greenwood. “For example, in Ottoman art, tiger stripes were used on silks, ceramics and you can also find them on coins. Other Indian rulers used the tiger, but for Tipu it was the absolute centerpiece of his visual propaganda. He constantly referred to himself as ‘The Conquering Lion of God’ and in Indian literature at the time, lions and tigers are interchangeable. But also, in Persian mythology and in the Persian Book of Kings, the great hero Rustam wears a tiger-skin as a sign of his bravery and in Tipu’s war-songs of the period he’s referred to as the Rustum of the age.” That status has not been lost in the annals of British history, as Tipu Sultan – and his story – still captures the imaginations of the public to this day. Greenwood explains that longevity: “I think [this is] partly because Tipu was absolutely terrifying to the British. In the paintings that we have they show the Battle of Pollilur which was, up until that point, the worst British defeat for hundreds of years. I think during the battle

one in every five British soldiers in India was captured…it echoed across the world really and it came at pretty much the same time as the British were losing the war in America. They surrendered at Yorktown a couple months later, so it was a pretty horrifying time for them and they built Tipu up in their minds to be this terrible villain – but also it was a justification for regime change. Also, because his self-image was so strong they couldn’t help but be taken in by him – for example the Man-Tiger [carving] in the Victoria & Albert Museum is one of the most famous objects in there. For better or for worse, Tipu Sultan’s history collided with Britain’s history. Tipu Sultan is as much a part of Britain’s history and the British kind of ‘self-mythology’, as anyone else. He’s as important as Queen Victoria in some ways, or Henry VIII.” n

The Tiger’s Dream runs from September 29, 2014 till January 24, 2015 at the Museum of Islamic Art’s Special Exhibitions Gallery. For more information visit www.mia.org.qa.

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Arts & Culture Listings

Museum Guide

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

Photo Credit: Museum of Islamic Art, PA.83.2011.12

RECOMMENDS

MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART The Tiger’s Dream: Tipu Sultan

Sept 29, 2014-Jan 24, 2015: 1st Floor, Special Exhibitions Gallery. Drawn entirely from the MIA collection, this exhibition delves into the life and times of Tipu Sultan, the South Indian ruler, statesman, and patron. Featuring a selection of objects that reflect Tipu’s image as the ‘Tiger of Mysore,’ the main highlight of the exhibition is a rare display of 24 paintings showing Tipu’s victory at the Battle of Pollilur in 1780. Admission is free and opening hours are Sun, Mon and Wed, 10:30 a.m. till 5:30 p.m., Thurs and Sat, 12 noon till 8:00 p.m., Friday 2:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. and closed on Tuesdays. For more information call 4422-4444 or visit www.mia.org.qa.

ONE OF A KIND MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART Rare Books Library

Ongoing: With over 2,000 priceless tomes and manuscripts in both English and Arabic, the Rare Book Collection at MIA offers a glimpse into our region’s past. Many of the items in the library’s catalogue have been digitized for easy viewing, allowing visitors to peruse rare copies of the Qu’ran and the Muwatta. The Muwatta is the first written collection of hadith, comprising the subjects of Muslim law, compiled and edited by the Imam, Malik ibn Anas. To view the Rare Book collection you must submit an application to be approved 24 hours in advance to MIA. For more information www.mia.org.qa.

EVERY WEEK IAID Music Courses

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

SALSA N CANDELA Fall Schedule

Ongoing: Eforea Spa, Hilton Doha. Learn the high-energy, sultry art of Latin dance with Beginners, Intermediate, New Joiners, Choreography, Kizomba and Zumba classes offered from the best trained professionals. QR 60 per class or QR 420 for a package of eight classes taught by instructor Meli. For more information call 5504-7010, visit www.salsancandela.com or email info@salsancandela.com.

KATARA The Writing Exchange

Ongoing: The Katara Arts Center, Building 5. Creative minds looking to express and develop their ideas and inspiration can come share their writing with a like-minded group. Writer’s block or too shy to share? Interactive and engaging exercises and activities aim to bring out the inner creative writer in everyone. Perfect for adults, university-aged and up. From 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m., open to all and free to attend. For more information on dates and schedule visit www.katara.net.

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

QMA Gallery

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

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

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

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Community

s k c i P p o T ’s This Month

Doha Tweetups Monthly Networking

Qatar Toastmasters Personal Growth Sept 7 & 21: Looking to develop communication and leadership skills? Want to build your selfconfidence? Look no further than Qatar Toastmasters Club. Master the art of public speaking in a supportive, multicultural group. The club meets on the first and third Sunday of the month, all year round. Meetings are at the Radisson Blu Hotel from 7:00 p.m. till 9:30 p.m. For more information call 5505-5275 or 5572-5293 or visit www.qatartoastmasters.net.

Doha Mums

Salsa N Candela

Cooking Classes

Cuban Salsa

Ongoing: Sign up for their cooking classes for Mums looking to learn new skills – whether it be Italian, Thai, Lebanese, Korean or even dessertmaking. They also host classes for children including pizza, gnocchi, cupcakes, smoothies and more! For more information visit www.dohamums.com.

Mondays: Eforea Spa, Hilton Doha. For lovers of Cuban and Afro-Caribbean beats, Salsa N Candela holds Cuban Salsa lessons with their favourite pro Mubarak. You’re guaranteed to get fit, improve your technique and have tons of fun in this friendly class. For more information call 5504-7010, email info@salsancandela.com or visit www.salsancandela.com.

OUT om .c CHECaK ppening

atarh tion! www.qthe latest informa for

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Ongoing: If you’re new to Qatar, the Doha Tweetups is a great way to get involved and meet new people. This online community regularly hosts monthly ‘offline’ gatherings where people can network or enjoy themed presentations of local talent. Follow them on Twitter or Facebook to find out when and where the next event will be held, or email them at team@dohatweetups.com.

The Grand Hyatt Locks Of Love Event Sept 8: Glow American Salon is hosting a charity event from 10:00 a.m. till 7:00 p.m. at The Grand Hyatt, where you can donate your hair to US non-profit organization Locks Of Love. The charity makes wigs for financially-disadvantaged children who suffer from hair loss due to medical illness, such as alopecia or cancer. Through hair donations for wigs, children can restore their self-esteem and confidence. Come out, do your part and enjoy some delicious food and beverages courtesy of The Grand Hyatt. For more information visit Glow Charity Event For Locks Of Love on Facebook.

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Community

The QH Guide To Life On Campus By Chantelle D'Mello Selected photography by Jessie Palanca

As September rolls around, the back-to-school month will see waves of new freshmen and returning students heading back to the classrooms of Education City’s Hamad Bin Khalifa University. It can be an exciting time, and to make the most of it we introduce you to the facilities, amenities and clubs that make life on campus memorable.

ver the years, Qatar has grown from a small appendage jutting out of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to an international contender in the fields of science, arts, sport, and architecture.Its humble beginnings have instilled in the country a deep respect and appreciation for the role of education and human capital in building a nation. As a result, Education City, a conglomerate of international universities specializing in medicine, communications, politics, engineering, business, archaeology, and fine arts, was born. From its inception, the six main

universities, along with HEC Paris, UCL, Qatar Faculty for Islamic Studies and the Translation and Interpretation Institute have graduated thousands of students, and have helped shaped the minds of many more. But Education City is much more than degrees or professors – as its name suggests, it’s a city in its own right. This month, we show you the other side of Education City and take our pick of its choicest facilities and extra-curricular offerings.

Sports

The sprawling EC campus houses an incredible array of sporting facilities. The Student Centre

opposite Texas A&M University, and located by Gate 3, houses two gyms, a studio, and a massive indoor basketball court. Each gym is staffed with dedicated, professional coaches who are ever helpful with information on exercises, training, and nutrition. While access to the gyms is restricted to students and staff of EC, each member is allowed to bring a guest. The basketball court is open to everyone, and is often used as a training ground for local amateur teams. For football enthusiasts, EC also has two grass pitches, which are open to the public. The smaller of the two is nestled between the Recreation Centre and Qatar Academy, while the other is located at the nearby Awsaj Academy. The Recreation Centre also houses a gym, a dance studio, a yoga/circuit training room, a wooden floor gym, squash courts, and a multi-purpose hall that doubles as an indoor basketball, football, and volleyball space.

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Grab your last-minute supplies and snacks at the on-campus Sidra Awsaj Academy, formerly known as The Learning Centre, an institution offering specialized educational programs to students with learning challenges, also has a full-fledged gym. Access to this facility is limited to EC staff and students, along with a guest of their choice. Pools at the Recreation Centre and Awsaj Academy are free and open to EC members and guests from 2:30 p.m. till 9:45 p.m. during weekdays, and 8:00 a.m. till 9:45 p.m. on weekends. Additionally, the Student Centre and the Recreation Centre also offer a variety of free classes ranging from Pilates, yoga, zumba, and aerobics, to more strenuous workouts like Insanity, circuit training, Thai boxing, and toning workshops. The classes are usually open to EC members, but guests are allowed to join too. The Recreation Centre also hosts free water polo, floor-ball, cricket, badminton, and squash classes, open to the EC community and guests. Paid classes in Crossfit, scuba diving, swimming, ballet, fencing, trampoline gymnastics, taekwondo, and numerous other sports are also offered. The centres also routinely hold cooking classes where attendees are taught how to prepare healthy, delicious meals at a minimal cost. Most facilities are open from 7:00 a.m. till 10:00 p.m. For additional timings and information on all services call 4454-0801 or email recreationcentre@qf.org.qa.

Entertainment & Lifestyle

Unknown to the wider community, Education City also features a host of entertainment facilities. Most, housed in the Student Centre, are open to the public accompanied by an EC member. The SC has spaces for the entire family, with a bowling centre, an arcade, and a cinema on offer. A game at the bowling centre costs QR 10 for adults and QR 5 for kids. Shoes can be rented at the centre, but guests are required to bring their own socks.

Got time for a game of billiards between classes? The arcade next-door houses a Dance Revolution machine, Guitar Hero, air hockey, Tetris, and a few racing games, with games costing around 1-2 tokens. Tokens can be bought from the counter outside the arcade centre, and cost QR 1 each. A few metres outside the arena is a free billiards space open to the public, with sticks and pool balls in tow. The cinema is open to the public, but can only be booked by an EC member. Bookings are done for free through OrgSync, the online management system used by the Student Centre. However, guests are required to bring their own movies to play on the giant screen. During the school year, organizations, student clubs, and universities throughout Education City hold their own themed screenings, which are usually open to the public. Also, the Student Centre features private TV rooms

with comfortable seating spaces and sofas for smaller crowds. On the other side of campus, the Recreation Centre doubles as a relaxation hub. Guests are allowed to avail of the facilities, provided an EC member accompanies them. The upstairs area features a spa complete with a tiled Jacuzzi, a dry sauna, and a wet steam-room. Guests can also book massages with the reception desk downstairs 24 hours prior to their visit. Massages cost QR 90 for an hour and QR 135 for 90 minutes, and must be paid for via credit or debit card. Treatments include a classic Thai massage, a full back massage, foot reflexology, and an aroma oil massage. During the school year, universities put on numerous shows, each showcasing talent, or

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Community

Refresh and re-charge in the Student Centre's iSpot

entertaining the public. Most of the events are free and open to the public, and include a Desi Night organized by VCU, Open Mic nights hosted by Georgetown, Coffeehouse by Weill Cornell, and a Halloween event joint-hosted by Texas A&M and Northwestern.

The Residence Halls too have cafeterias that are open to the public. Head over to the main halls in front of the LAS building for a complete meal at around QR 30 per person. On offer are salad bars, pasta stations, drinks, buffet meals, and desserts, in a luxurious seating space.

Other big draws include lecture series held in the fields of medicine, psychology and business in Carnegie Mellon, Weill Cornell, and Texas A&M, art and designing classes by VCU, and multimedia, writing, and photography classes by the Student Centre in conjunction with museums around Qatar.

For your daily caffeine dose, there’s a Starbucks at the LAS building, which also features an in-house restaurant downstairs with great burgers. Additionally, the Recreation Centre has a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, while the Student Centre has a Gloria Jean’s.

EC also works to cultivate leadership and entrepreneurship, and students are treated to desert challenges, team building activities, and dedicated leadership programs like Leadershape that help hone their skills.

Food

With hungry college kids abound, EC is a foodie’s haven, encompassing dozens of food courts, café, and restaurants. Each university building has its own cafeteria and mini-store open to the public. The cafeterias specialize in Subway-style sandwiches and wraps, and personalized pasta and pizza dishes. Gourmet coffee, tea, and juices are also available, along with biscuits, candy, and other snacks. Texas A&M University in Qatar also houses a branch of the popular Bateel café, with excellent chicken sandwiches, shawarmas, and meal boxes at affordable prices. Papa John’s, along with the Student Centre’s catering service, make up the food court at the SC. The latter offers a variety of dishes from Chinese to Thai to Italian.

Though primarily a grocery store, the Sidra next door also serves up sandwiches, paninis, and pastries from Bateel, hotdogs, and fresh coffee. A few kilometres east of EC’s borders, Lulu Express at the Education City Community Housing stocks some of the more esoteric supplies like almond milk, kale, and black rice, along with fresh fruits and meats, and popular American and European brands.

Facilities, Amenities & Libraries

Sports and entertainment aside, EC also features offices of some of the more prominent businesses in Qatar. The Recreation Centre has a branch of the Qatar National Bank, the Post Office, Qatar Airways, and local telecom providers Ooredoo and Vodafone. The Student Centre houses the Sidra minimarket stocked with drinks, bread, toiletries, gadgets, and snacks, a Xerox, a bookstore, Khulud Pharmacy, and an iSpot. The QF Clinic is adjacent to the Student Centre, and is open to the public. StudentCare medical insurance

Grab a slice at the Student Centre or pick up a prescription from their Khulud Pharmacy

is accepted at Khulud Pharmacy on prescribed medications. Students around Qatar can also avail themselves of EC’s many libraries, especially the impressive multi-storied Georgetown University Library. Study spaces and cubicles open to the public can also be found on the first floor of the Residence Halls, and upstairs in the Student Centre. We hope you took notes after all that! The best way to familiarize yourself with your new campus surroundings though is to get out there and explore – take a walk, smile, say hello and get to know. You just might meet the college friends who will last you a lifetime. n To learn more about Education City and Hamad Bin Khalifa University visit www.qf.org.qa or www.hbku.edu.qa.

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It's Worth More

“Today, a college student is using your old laptop to finish her thesis.”

As told to Jorge Granda Images courtesy of dubizzle

Dubizzle.com, the leading free classifieds website for users in the MENA region is celebrating its first year of business in Qatar. The site is a portal for users to buy, sell, or find anything in their community. QH finds out how it works and how our unused items can change a life.

ometimes, what we own can be taken for granted, as we pack something up – or worse, throw it away – we don’t realize that our unused and unwanted items can be of great value to others. That’s when dubizzle can play a major role in re-defining the culture of ownership and the way people perceive their possessions. Their It’s Worth More Than You Think campaign, tackles the emotional side of that culture with a motto that aims to educate people about the benefits of using classifieds and encourage them to let go of their unused items and give them to others. “We want to show fellow residents of Qatar that anyone with an internet connection can make a difference,” explains dubizzle’s GM of

Emerging Markets, Tariq Zabian. “By trading their unused items and passing them on to someone else who needs them, they will benefit others and, at the same time, make extra cash. These items can be anything from baby clothes, to mobile phones, to cars. The beauty of dubizzle is that it allows you to connect with the people around you who want what you have. We bring buyers and sellers together, making your old items loved again.” Besides the emotional side of the movement, there’s the resulting impact on the local economy. When consumers trade items they no longer need or use, the overall supply in the market increases. This leads to lower prices, increasing the quantity of trade and keeping

money in the local economy. In addition, as people sell their unused goods, they have more money to buy what they really want. This increase in demand also expands market prices and quantity, as well as creates even more local trade – and that definitely has an impact. Got something to sell? Get started at www.dubizzle.com. n

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Community This image is for illustrative purposes only

By Ashlee Starratt Images courtesy of Caroline Carpentier

s r e z a l b l i a r T e Th Due out this fall, Qatar Success Stories: Inspiring Women is author Caroline Carpentier’s third book highlighting the movers and shakers of Qatar. Here, she turns her focus towards the trailblazing women whose contributions and unlimited potential are shaping Qatar’s present and building its future. QH brings you a sneak peek at a few of the faces you’ll see in its pages.

y chronicling those who have made an indelible mark on the growth and development of Qatar, author and businesswoman Caroline Carpentier has, in turn, left a mark of her own. The French expat’s legacy to her adopted home has been three books detailing the life and times of the country’s nation-builders – Leaders Of Qatar, Qatar Success Stories and, now, Qatar Success Stories: Inspiring Women which will be released in November by Medeis Al Khaleej press.

The selection process for inclusion in the book was exhaustive says Caroline. “I did a lot of research and crossed recommendations and suggestions to put together a list of ladies from all sectors and with all kinds of backgrounds and experience,” she tells us. Here are a few excerpts on just a handful of the inspirational women who will be highlighted. Sheikha Naila Hamad Al Thani Designer for Qatar Luxury Group brand Qela Holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from

VCUQatar, Sheikha Naila Hamad Al Thani honed her skills in London, New York and Los Angeles before setting up her atelier with Qela. She is a three-time VCUQatar Golden Needle Award recipient for Best Senior Collection in 2009, Best Swimwear Collection in 2008 and Best Sophomore Collection in 2007. She has also been a featured alumni guest at the prestigious international art and design conference Tasmeem Doha 2013. She’s an avid supporter of wildlife charities and is a contributing member for National Geographic.

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Author Caroline Carpentier

“I get a chance to work in all the departments and within them I’m involved in the entire process, which is a great learning and growing opportunity,” she says of her role with Qela. “The position encompasses each and every aspect of a fashion house, which is unique. I’m constantly looking for new challenges and setting new goals for myself. I would like my progress to be an additional example. Women in Qatar are strong and driven; we play a crucial role in society and have opportunities to pursue whatever it is we want – as well as the capability of achieving them.” Sara Al Derham Upcoming Filmmaker & Director At the tender age of 22, Sara Al Derham already has six films under her belt, with her 2012 release Ghazil – The Story of Rashid and Jawaher, which she directed and wrote, screening in the Made In Qatar category of the Gulf Film Festival. A Northwestern University –Qatar graduate, Sara holds a Bachelor of Communications in Media Industries and Technology and, in 2011, co-founded a two-week summer college preparatory program ‘Ta2heel’, which introduces prospective students to life on campus. Whether documentary or fiction, a common theme in her films are the traditions and nuances of Qatari culture. “Most filmmakers would tell you they want to be nominated for an Oscar, but I want to be good enough for future generations to look back at and learn from my cinematic techniques,” she says. “We study great Russian, French and German filmmakers in books. Fifty years from now, I would like students to look at a page that says ‘Sara Al Derham – Qatar’.”

Entrepreneur Aya Abu Issa

Filmmaker Sara Al Derham

Maryam Al Subaiey Author & Entrepreneur Maryam Al Subaiey is a force to be reckoned with. London-educated, she established the Q Talent Company and was appointed as Director of Programs and Creation for Qatar Television. In 2011 she also débuted her first collection of children’s books at the Doha Book Fair and is the founder of the Qatari youth initiative UChange. “Tell me that I cannot do something and I will do it,” she says. “Tell me it’s not possible and I will prove you wrong. Negative comments and people don’t dissuade me; they motivate me more than anything.” Aya Abu Issa Businesswoman & Entrepreneur Aya Abu Issa has always had her eye on the next generation of talent here in Qatar. She is the CEO of The Youth Company – a grassroots organization that seeks to educate, empower and engage youth in Qatar and around the world – and is also a Managing Partner at Al Hussam Holdings. Aya is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Business Administration at the London School of Marketing and is an avid community volunteer. She’s devoted her time and efforts to initiatives with Reach Out To Asia, the 2006 Asian Games and is a board member of Youth Hub Qatar. “I believe that being a balanced individual is the key to success for every woman in society, and that managing to balance personal and professional responsibilities is what will lead

to a balanced society,” she explains. “Qatari society has seen some important changes throughout the years. Although we still have a long way to go, women have succeeded in entrenching themselves within society in a very short time.”n Qatar Success Stories: Inspiring Women would not be possible without the invaluable support of silver sponsor AHB Group and joint bronze sponsors Qatar Luxury Group, ExxonMobil and International Islamic Bank. To learn more about Caroline Carpentier and her work visit www.qatarsuccessstories.com or email info@medeisalkhaleej.com.

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Community Listings RECOMMENDS

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

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

Doha Players

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

Doha Mums Craft Club

Ongoing: If you have Pinterest boards bursting with projects you’d like to do, but never quite get round to them, then come along and work on your latest project with some company to get you motivated and inspired. This club is for members only. For more information visit www.dohamums.com or email rsvp@dohamums.com.

Egyptian Women’s Association 5572-4171

ONE OF A KIND

EVERY WEEK

French-Speaking Ladies Group

Fanar Islamic Cultural Center Blue Mosque Tour

IAID Zumba

Indian Women’s Association

Ongoing: Sign up for a unique tour around Qatar’s state mosque with an emphasis on the aesthetic interior and its history. Visitors will be bused from Fanar to the mosque and back, where a traditional Arabic dinner will follow the evening prayer. From 3:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. For more information or to register, email info@fanar.gov.qa.

Sun-Thurs: Hilal St., Al-Tadamon Signal, D-Ring Road. Zumba is the latest dance fitness craze spreading fast world-wide. This upbeat workout is fantastic for kids and adults alike so come take part in an exhilarating class filled with positive energy and party-like fun. For more information call 4432-0974/4441-1234, visit www.iaidonline.org or email enquire@iaidonline.org.

Dubizzle Qatar Buy Or Sell

KATARA Dragon-Boat Racing

Ongoing: Dubizzle is an online marketplace where you can post your pre-owned items for sale, connecting people with the products they want. It’s free to use for individuals and you don’t have to worry about purchasing online – instead, you post an ad for the item you want to sell, wait to be contacted by an interested buyer, then meet up face-to-face for the exchange of sale. For more information and to get started visit www.qatar.dubizzle.com.

Ongoing: The Doha dragon-boat team first took to the water in October 2013 and its popularity and number of team members has grown ever since. A unique style of long-boat, dragon-boat racing is found all over the world and is one of the fastest-growing water-sports. Paddlers of all levels and age groups are welcome to join in this fun exercise of teamwork, physical fitness and camaraderie. For more information on the training schedule call Jeff at 7044-3823.

FANAR ISLAMIC CULTURAL CENTER Coffee Morning

e! s onlig.cnom See urha nin ppe www.qata

Ongoing: Join the team at Fanar for a warm cup of traditional Arabic coffee, followed by an engaging presentation on Qatari culture and lifestyle. From 9:00 a.m. till 11:30 a.m. For more information, or to register, email info@fanar.gov.qa.

5559-7467

4442-4052

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

Red Dotters Qatar

5520-9294 Follow @RedDottersQatar on Twitter

Silver Dhow Association 4435-2598

Turkish Women’s Association www.twaq.org

Tuesday Ladies Group Email: tlgindoha@gmail.com

SASCOM: South Africans In Qatar

www.southafricansinqatar.netfirms.com

Canadians In Qatar

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

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Kids Club

s k c i P p o T ’s This Month

Museum Of Islamic Ar t Kids Calligraphy Workshops Ongoing: Informative and entertaining for kids, the MIA offers a range of walk-in sessions, individual workshops and special courses in calligraphy and art education. During each session, students will explore the MIA’s collections and create beautiful artworks and calligraphy. Try out traditional and modern techniques, learn about the great artists of the past and engage with historic works of art. For more information visit www.mia.org.qa.

Doha Mums Bounce & Rhyme Tuesdays: A fun activity for parents, care-givers and children (newborns to pre-school age), with action songs, rhymes and stories that help children’s literacy and numeracy and are a great way for parents and guardians to brush up on their nursery rhymes! Recurs every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. till 11:30 a.m. For more information visit www.dohamums.com.

Doha Mums Bubbles Playgroup Mondays: The Doha Mums would like to invite 2010 bubs for some fun playtime every second Monday from 10:00 a.m. till 12 noon at the Fun City play area in City Center Mall. It’s a perfect opportunity to make ‘first friends’ for the little ones and for Mums to have a chat. For more information visit www.dohamums.com, or email rsvp@dohamums.com.

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Gymnastics Academy Do

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

IAID Classical Ballet Mon-Sat: Hilal St., Al-Tadamon Signal, D-Ring Road. IAID’s 2nd term for Classical Ballet starts on September 13. Classical Ballet is a dance that’s generally associated with graceful and elegant movements. In ballet, turn-out, points, ankles, knees and posture are all important elements which ballerinas spend years perfecting. This is a graded course using the Russian Ballet syllabus, designed for children and adults. For more information call 4432-0974/4441-1234, visit www.iaidonline.org or email enquire@iaidonline.org.

for

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Kids Club

Double Trouble Words and selected images by Diana Farid

Hearing the words ‘You’re having twins’ is enough to knock any first-time Mom or Dad off-guard. Double the love, double the work, double the reward – being a parent of multiples means adjusting to a very fast learning curve. Thankfully we’re here to offer up some quick tips on how to cope from a very busy Mom of two.

he alarm rings, I open my eyes feeling that I didn’t get enough sleep. I’m tired and still need some rest, having been drained from yesterday. The day before was full of activity, crazy times, lots of nagging and endless duties. But this is how I start my day every morning being a mother of twins who moved to Doha two years ago and decided to take care of her own babies without a nanny. Raising twins without help in a country that’s not your own is no easy job; it’s challenging and most of the time overwhelming. Even getting through the day itself is sometimes an achievement in itself. One of the things that really helped me was the fact that I decided to let go of my office job for

the first few years – because taking care of two kids and a career, even if someone is helping you, is draining and you will ultimately end up enjoying neither. Instead I took my hobby of writing to a professional level, where I’m now a freelance writer working from home for a couple of major publications in Egypt and the Gulf. Moms need to find a hobby for themselves or revive an old one, because in times of stress and pressure you’ll appreciate those little moments you spend doing something you love. Taking care of twins all day long comes with a great deal of pressure, but having time for yourself can

Author Diana Farid and her two-year old twins Kareem and Nadine help you and supports you big time -- for me it gives me the renewed energy I need. Here are a few of my sanity-saving tips that help get me successfully through the week.

Survival Quick Tips Planning is key to a successful home life with twins. I’m not saying I’m that organized, but planning helps me get around things. Planning your house-cleaning, your week’s food menu, your outings, your kids’ doctor visits, your ‘me-time’ does wonders. It’s of utmost importance to deal with your house as if it’s a project. Become a fan of to-do-lists. I have a small magnetic white board on the fridge for important dates and house chores, and a specific notebook for all my personal/house notes. Start loving the precooked food. For mothers who want to have fresh-cooked food everyday at home, it can

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become impossible to find time on a daily basis. What I started to do and find is a helpful tool is planning over the weekend what I’d like to cook for the entire week. I then see which of these dishes can be prepared and stored in the fridge to rescue me when I get super busy during the weekdays. Always have cleaned, marinated poultry ready in the fridge because it’s a suppertime saviour any night of the week!

playing with the kids can take the pressure off your shoulders when it comes to most of life’s problems. I spent the first year after I gave birth only focusing on the tasks of feeding, showering, etc. But only when I stopped behaving like that, I began to enjoy my twins more – and so will you.n

Don’t postpone today’s chores till tomorrow. This is another tool for a happy home. If you don’t want to see the laundry piling up or the kitchen basin flooding with dirty dishes learn to be efficient. Don’t wait for long before you move. Many mothers I know have the dishwasher at home as an accessory in their kitchens. Use it more often so you never run out of dishes and always have a neat looking kitchen. Same with laundry, the more frequent you do it the better even if you will wash on a daily basis. Doing small quantities of everything is much easier. Take care of yourself. I’m a mother of twin babies and having time for myself is a challenge that I often fail to accomplish. But on the rare occasion when I do, it really makes me feel alive and fresh which has a direct positive effect on me and my kids. Take time off out of the house every now and then. Leave the kids with your hubby or mother or a trusted relative and go shopping. Learn something new. Revive an old hobby. Don’t feel guilty doing that. It’s the best thing you can do for your family. Lower your expectations. Don’t be a tough judge on yourself – it’s impossible that everything will be exactly the same after you have kids – and especially if you have twins! You simply will not have time for everything like before. Prioritizing is the solution when you feel overwhelmed. Always determine priorities of what is more important and divide the major tasks throughout the week, so over the weekend you find everything in place. Never look at your babies as a burden, but always a joy. I’ve come to know and meet people in my life who suffered until they were blessed with their first child….and I know other people who have spent years pursuing and still don’t have one. So appreciate them as a blessing and treat them as such. Have fun with them…

Diana’s Parenting Blog Out of my passion for writing and, because I felt I was gaining so much experience, I decided to start a Facebook blog page named Twin Mummy’s Diary to share all the funny yet challenging ordeals I go through on a daily basis as a parent of multiples. I share my insights, tips, advice and everyday situations that might hopefully be beneficial, as well as entertaining for mothers/parents of both twins and singletons, so please do give it a follow!

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Kids Club

Kitchen Creations Selected images courtesy of The St. Regis Doha

Who doesn’t like a sweet treat that they can make at home after school? This month, JeemTV’s celebrity Chef Elias Gemayal from Opal by Gordon Ramsay in The St. Regis Doha pulls out all the stops with these easy-to-make, super-duper chocolate chip cookies. Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredients: • 180 grams of unsalted butter, softened • ¾ cup (120 grams) brown sugar • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 2 eggs • 2 cups (300 grams) plain flour • 1 teaspoon baking powder • 150 grams dark chocolate and white chocolate chips or buttons Instructions: • Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius – it’s good to have an adult help you with this. Then, place the butter, sugar and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until creamy. Gradually add in the eggs and continue to beat well. Next, add the flour and baking powder and beat until a smooth dough forms. Fold through the chocolate chips and roll tablespoonfuls of the mixture into balls, place on a baking tray lined with non-stick baking paper and press to flatten. You can add extra chocolate chips to make them extra crunchy! Bake for 12–15 minutes or until golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the tray for about 15 minutes before serving – makes enough for 12 people! Now grab one before they’re gone! n

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

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Always Designed With You In Mind...

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Kids Club

s y a D n u F y l i m a F By Charlie Sands

It’s probably another month before we can safely head outdoors with the sun-block on, so to keep the kids happy until then, this month we bring you the five best indoor play options in Doha.

oft play, amusements, rides and games are a familiar form of entertainment for any resident in Doha through the summer months – and they’re literally everywhere, so I’ve got together with friends and collectively we’ve come up with what we think are the best spots to play cool indoors.

Fun Ville at Ezdan Mall Ezdan tops the list here because, put simply, it offers some great play options, is securityconscious and is open throughout Friday where others are not.

Tell me more... Fun Ville has a range of activities including a Fun ’N’ Learn play area aimed at younger children with arts and crafts, singing, dancing, colouring and pretend play. Fun Ville also has rides such as the Happy Swing, Drop and Twist Tower, Bumper Cars, Beach Safari, Tour de Paris and Mini Dance Party 360.

The soft play area (ideal for four to 12 year-olds) is well-lit and has a good sign-in and sign-out system. And you pay one price (QR 40) for the whole day so you can leave, have a spot of lunch, and return for more tiring-out-the-kids play later. Also for the complete shop and play trip, Ezdan has a good range of shops and is open all Friday (closing for just an hour and a half between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.), unlike most other malls.

Tired of shopping? Take a break with the little ones here!

Jungle Zone at Hyatt Plaza For those with older children the Jungle Zone at Hyatt Plaza really does tick the box, hence its position in the top three on the list. In fact, for the daring and intrepid adults among us, this one is a hit with parents too.

Tell me more... The main attraction of this animal-themed fun park is a suspended obstacle course where you

get strapped into a harness and navigate through a large area with things to jump through, go round, climb up, plus a rope walk and zip wire. They also have a younger kids’ area as well with a few rides and games. Entrance to the Jungle Zone costs QR 55 Thursday to Saturday and is open from 10:00 a.m. till 10:00 p.m. on these days, and QR 40 Sunday to Thursday, from 1:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m.

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Take a walk on the wild side at one of Doha's most entertaining amusement centres

Gondolania at Villaggio Gondolania has enough choices for everyone with an impressive range of activities including an indoor theme park, a log flume, sky loop, and Ferris wheel among other rides; plus an ice rink, Go-Karting and bowling, a 4D cinema, trampoline and soft play area.

a ball pit and so on. And as with most soft and toddler play areas in Doha, the baby and toddler room is free for infants. Another great option at City Center is the ice-skating, which is the only other rink aside from Villaggio at the moment.

Tell me more...

Rays Reef is geared towards children from six months to 11 years-old and has quite a lot to offer in an enclosed and security-conscious setting.

It’s huge, which is fantastic, but perhaps not as easy to navigate or keep your eye on the kids as some of the smaller play centres elsewhere. But for days-out and parties, the entertainments on site could easily fill a day. The various play areas are open from 9:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m. from Saturday to Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. till midnight on Thursdays and 1:00 p.m. to midnight on Fridays. Ice rink timings vary so visit www. gondolania.com and click on opening hours for up-to-date details.

Fun City at City Center Fun City at City Center Mall is another good option for families. They have a lot of play areas, rides, soft play and a baby and toddler room.

Tell me more... The soft play area is extensive and generally well-lit, costing QR 25 for two hours. And there’s an excellent room for kids under the age of four which costs QR 25 for two hours. It has plenty of interactive toys and games, a mini-trampoline,

Rays Reef at Royal Plaza

Tell me more... What I like about this underwater themed play centre is that you pay one fee to get in (QR 35) which covers the soft play, ball pit, creative zone (for painting), baby and tots corner and even a chill-out movie corner. There’s a snack café, and a baby changing table in the ladies which makes a nice addition. Other attractions here are the various amusement games and the bumper cars, for which you buy vouchers from the entrance counter. When I visited each mini-ride or game, except for the bumper cars, cost just one riyal. I would say this is perfect for kids under the age of eight, but older children may get a bit bored. Ray’s Reef is on the second floor of Royal Plaza and is open from noon till 10:00 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, 3:30 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. on Fridays and 10:00 a.m. till 10:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

Tips and Pointers Top-Up Cards Most of the mall theme parks and entertainment zones require you to use a card to pay for the activities, and they often offer a good rate if you add more cash to the card in the beginning. You can then keep the card and if you have any credit left you can use it another time, so it’s wise to tuck it away in your wallet.

Mall Walks Most of the outlets have mall walks these days as part of the nationwide Step Into Health campaign to encourage fitness. Don’t be put off by thinking you have to weave your way through shoppers, because you can go to the malls in the morning before 10:00 a.m. and have plenty of room to stretch your legs without the crowds. There are scheduled walks at certain times, but of course you’re free to go anytime during mall opening hours. Some malls will even provide you a map with distance markers so you know how far you’ve walked. Visit the mall information points for more details.

Prices Since prices change, those listed above are only a guide. Suffice to say that it will cost you upwards of QR 50 for two children for any of the malls’ entertainment zones, but the sky’s the limit depending on how much ‘entertainment’ you’re prepared to buy for your children. n

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stings Ling Dini &ub odCl Kids Fo RECOMMENDS

IAID Dances Of India For Kids

Saturdays: Hilal St., Al-Tadamon Signal, D-Ring Road. With rhythm, energy and sharplycontrolled, expressive movements, Dance of India is a fusion of traditional and classical Indian dances with the influence of jazz, hip-hop and modern dance, set to the tune of popular Bollywood songs. For more information call 4432-0974/4441-1234, visit www.iaidonline.org or email enquire@iaidonline.org.

Karate Classes

Sun-Thurs: Hilal St., Al-Tadamon Signal, D-Ring Road. Shotokan, a karate style developed from various martial arts, tackles karate basics, forms, patterns of moves and sparring. Affiliated with the Qatar Karate Federation, the course is open for kids and adults. For more information call 4432-0974/4441-1234, visit www.iaidonline.org or email enquire@iaidonline.org.

QATAR BOWLING CENTER Bowling For Kids IAID Talent Development Program For Toddlers

Saturdays: Hilal St., Al-Tadamon Signal, D-Ring Road. IAID’s Talent Development Program for Toddlers, Stages 1&2, starts on September 13. The course is about kids exploring their musical side. Curious as they are, this will be a great start to stir their imagination and creativity – not only in basic and fundamental musical concepts but also in practice, thus developing their skills and love for music in a fun way. For more information call 4432-0974/4441-1234, visit www.iaidonline.org or email enquire@iaidonline.org.

ONE OF A KIND

EVERY WEEK

MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART Park Playground

DOHA MUMS New Arrivals Coffee

Ongoing: The MIA Playground has grown and is now twice the size, offering three unique spaces where children of different age ranges can enjoy the new play equipment. Designed for fun, safety and physical development, there is now a play area for 2-5 year-olds, a larger area for 5-12 year-olds and a teen area for 12-16 yearolds. Please note that the MIA Park is closed on Tuesdays and the bungee trampolines, bike rentals and paddle boats will re-open in October. For more information visit www.mia.org.qa.

DOHA MUMS Children’s Library New Location

Ongoing: As of September the Doha Mums Children’s Library is relocating to a new site in Al Jazi Compound. Open three days a week, the library contains more than 4,500 books for children up to the age of 12, and members are invited to come read, browse, borrow and return books. For more information and opening times visit www.dohamums.com.

Wednesdays: Lagoona Mall. 10:00 a.m. till 11:30 a.m. If you’re new in Doha or the Doha Mums group, come for a laugh and a cup of coffee/tea at the Costa Coffee. Members that have been here forever are also welcome to come and get to know new people or to have a chat with the ‘old’ ones. For more information visit www.dohamums.com or email rsvp@dohamums.com.

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.

ELITE SPORTS QATAR Progressive Junior Tennis

Sun-Thurs: A sport management company based in Qatar, Elite Sports Qatar is dedicated to the highest quality of sport instructional programs. With extensive experience and networks in the industry on and off-court, ESQ seeks to provide world-class sports instruction to all ages and levels. For more information on course availability call 5566-4747.

e! See usapopenninlig.cnom www.qatarh

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Food & Dining

s k c i P p o T ’s This Month

InterContinental Doha The City Spanish Fiesta

Doha Marriott Salsa Restaurant Revamp Daily: Watch out for the newly-renovated Salsa Restaurant at the Doha Marriott! The lively, authentic restaurant will be designed to impress and amaze those who enjoy a dining experience with bursts of colour and design, menus and funky wall artwork. Visit Salsa and see how much heat you can handle in one go with their newest menu item, Wing Stings! Warnings are issued that these may be the hottest wings you’ve ever tried – so don’t miss out on all the fun! For more information call 4429-8499.

Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Brazilian Independence Day September 4 -7: Ipanema. Enjoy a fourday celebration culminating on Brazilian Independence Day. Come and experience the sounds, moves and flavours of Brazil! Dance to the tunes of a Brazilian samba band, with Capoeira performer, delight you palate with a Bahia-inspired food buffet and sip signature cocktails all for QR 290. From 9:00 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100.

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Sept 21-23: The Square. Add some spice to your life with a special Spanish Fiesta, featuring a full buffet of flavourful Spanish dishes such as gambas al ajillo, gazpacho, salpicon de mariscos, seafood paella and more. QR 180 per person for buffet and QR 250 per person including sangria and selected house beverages. For more information call 4015-8888 or email doharestaurants@ihg.com.

The Ritz-Carlton Moroccan Festival September 24-27: The Lagoon. Delighting guests and visitors, The Lagoon is set to introduce an authentic, lively Moroccan ambiance for diners to set out on an unforgettable journey through North African cuisine and folklore. Enjoy a feast of Mediterranean and Arabic tastes and best-loved Moroccan dishes, all enhanced by the story of the spices, sweetening even the most tantalizing taste-buds. For more information call 4484-8512 or email rc.dohrz.leads@ritzcarlton.com.

W Doha Oktoberfest Brunch Sept 19: Market by Jean-Georges. Come and join in for a Bavarian-inspired Oktoberfest Brunch at QR 395 per person including house beverages, or QR 290 including selected soft drinks. From 12:00 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4453-5135 or email bnfreservations.wdoha@whotels.com. .

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Food & Dining Chicken causa with mashed potatoes, yellow capsicum, tomato, avocado and olive

a in t n e g r A o T h t a P e h T By Jorge Granda Photography by Jessie Palanca

In case you hadn’t noticed with all the construction, C-Ring Road is going through a revival in many ways, with a slew of new businesses cropping up along one of Doha’s busiest main drags. The Zubarah Boutique Hotel is one of them and it’s home to one of the city’s only Argentinean restaurants, Caminito. QH visits the bistro to try their quality cuts of beef and much more.

aminito opened its doors last month with a simple but very solid concept – great steaks and authentic Argentinean cuisine. Located in the 5th floor of the hotel, the restaurant can easily accommodate over 50 guests inside and a lot more on the attractive

outdoor terrace. ‘Caminito’ is the Spanish word for ‘path’ and at this small but cosy restaurant the quality of the meat is the backbone of their menu. The tables are well-distributed for such a small space, affording diners privacy in an intimate setting. It’s evident that they wanted to re-create an authentic Argentinean experience and those expectations are handily met. Caminito is not pretentious at all – totally the opposite in fact; it carries a relaxed ambiance in a beautifully-designed concept, with vibrant paintings hanging from the walls and wooden elements present all around. Executive Chef Mourhaf Jumie is the man behind Caminito’s gastronomy. Coming from The Ritz-Carlton Doha, he’s joined the Caminito team to give its regional dishes a special twist. Working alongside him in this endeavour is Sous Chef Gaspar who has been flown in directly from Argentina to enhance the authenticity of the flavours on the menu. From the tenderloin to its rib-eyes, Caminito offers an extensive array of different juicy meats accompanied with perfectly-paired side dishes. The menu is a journey though the essence of Argentinean culture, as their culinary team

works with quality products and genuine, simple and unpretentious preparations. Apart from its cuts of meat, the restaurant has options to satisfy all tastes, and includes poultry, game, fish and delicious appetizers. We start the evening with an unbelievably tasty mushroom soup with quail egg, micro herbs, crème fraîche and truffle oil. Creamy and succulent, it’s a stand-out bowl. Both my companions and I are pleasantly surprised with the taste and texture. We’re also served an equally flavourful locro soup with chickpeas, red beans, pumpkin, turkey and chorizo Colorado sausage. After the soup course, empanadas of chicken, beef and corn arrive at the table. The pastry is perfectly cooked to a light crunch and the taste is explosive – definitely some of the best empanadas I’ve had here. The next round of dishes includes a duck breast with blue potatoes, pumpkin purée, rocket pesto, thyme herbs and passion-fruit sauce. Sliced thinly, the duck is nicely cooked and though I’m generally not fan of wildfowl – and it’s not a dish I would have ordered – it proved very flavoursome. The blue potatoes were lovely; I’ve never tried them

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Duck breast with pumpkin purée and passion-fruit sauce

Quail comfit with red lentil and halloumi cheese before but they’re on my radar now, and the pumpkin purée was sweet and fresh. We’re also served a scrumptious portion of slowcooked lamb with roasted potatoes, caramelized onions, almond butter and sweet natural gravy. But the star of the night is definitely the beef tenderloin – the meat is juicy, soft and melt-inyour-mouth. I would recommend having it with French fries, but if you’re looking for a healthier alternative you can opt for a side of mashed potatoes. The meat is so nice that I don’t need to add salt or pepper. We also sample a taste of the ocean with a mouth-watering grilled pavé of turbot served atop a lemon-dill risotto. Stuffed to the gills, we linger over our mocktails for a while, digesting before dessert. The first presentation is a rich date cake with fresh figs, toffee sauce and vanilla ice cream. Everyone at the table agreed that it was the best date cake we’ve had – it was that sumptuous. This is followed by a traditional Argentinean three-milk cake with fresh cream and strawberry-mango sauce. The overall experience was exemplary – the food at Caminito is so good that we’re not even bothered by the fact that the restaurant is dry. Enhancing its authenticity, all the waiters

Pavé of turbot with lemon-dill risotto

Caminito Restaurant Slow-cooked lamb with almond butter

Location: 5th Floor, Zubarah Boutique Hotel Timings: Opens at 7:00 p.m., daily Smoking: Yes, on the outdoor terrace

are from South America, adding that special Latin touch to the evening. If you like dining out, Caminito is a must – delectable food at reasonable prices will keeps us coming back. n

Licensed: No Average Meal Price: QR 135 Contact: Call 4447-0160

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Food & Dining The perfect combo of scrambled eggs and smoked salmon!

Sunny With A

Side Of Sweet

By Ashlee Starratt Photography by Jessie Palanca

Known for its decadent desserts, Chac’late at Katara has carved out its corner of the market for our sweet tooth. So, their next foray – an assortment of breakfast offerings ranging from pastries to protein – was a natural next step. We headed out to the Cultural Village one morning to try their newest sunny-side-up menu option, the Organic Egg Breakfast.

ig flavour comes in small packages, as is the case with Chac’late – Aspire Katara Hospitality’s nouveau chocolaterie. Located beside the entrance to the amphitheatre, the terraced patio gives way to a cozy interior, flooded with natural light and ornate fixtures reminiscent of the quarters of Marie Antoinette. There are lions-head fountains that spout chocolate, cocoa carvings and Rococo design elements. But all of this pales in comparison with the restaurant’s real stars – its selection of hand-crafted, unique chocolates. You can order them by the bag or by the box from the deli-style display counter, where Head Chocolatier Javier Martinez’s inspired creations run the gamut from chili-infused dark chocolate, to Nutella, cinnamon pyramids, passion-fruit

white chocolate, strawberry and rosewater and – in a nod to the local flavours – a karak cream delicacy. As we’re seated, Chef Martinez himself brings us a sweet sampler to whet our appetites. As we place our orders for breakfast, we’re told that all the eggs are certified organic, free-range, and locally-sourced. Tag-lines aside, we prefer to taste-test the difference in quality and, hot on the heels of its immensely popular Parisian and Chac’late signature breakfasts, their newest protein-packed offering is simple, yet flavourful. In my opinion, this is the best formula for recipe success – not too many ingredients and where freshness is key. We started with a helping of lightly-salted scrambled eggs with a side of smoked salmon and gently-tossed rocket leaves. The flavours are classic breakfast-brunch fare and it’s a combination I prefer most. Complementing each breakfast plate is an assortment of freshly-made bread and baguettes that are baked on-site. We’re also served a selection of full-yolk and egg-white omelettes with olive oil, baked tomato au gratin and baby spinach. The eggs are non-greasy – which I like – light and easily-cooked. We finish up with a pair of yolky, sunny-side-ups tossed with grilled mushrooms and mixed greens. Again, the simplicity of the ingredients and the quality of the flavour forgo the need for condiments. No trip to Chac’late would be complete without a sweet ending – and Chef Martinez has spoiled us today. He brings out four different kinds of Brussels waffles topped with homemade vanilla

ice cream and chocolate, caramelized bananas and milk chocolate, custard cream and fresh fruit and the original Snow White, dusted with icing sugar. They’re melt-in-your-mouth, please-sircan-I-have-some-more good. The dough is made fresh every two hours to maintain the perfect consistency on the griddle – crunchy on the outside and fluffy-sweet on the inside. Chef Martinez also offers us a slice of their limited edition Medovnik Prague cake – an eight-layer cake imported from the Czech Republic, made with honey, cream and brown sugar. You can also drizzle it with chocolate sauce topping for an extra QR 10. It’s sumptuous, but supplies are dwindling so you may have to wait to get your next slice. After this indulgent spread we could say that Chac’late certainly takes the cake – but that would be a terrible pun, we know. So instead, we suggest heading to Katara one morning and simply trying it for yourself. n Chac’late Location: Building 15, Katara Timings: • 8:00 a.m. till 10:00 p.m. Sun-Wed • 8:00 a.m. till 12 midnight, Thurs-Sat • Breakfast served from 8:00 a.m. till 11:00 a.m. Average Meal Price: • QR 48, Organic Egg Breakfast • QR 30, Parisian Breakfast • QR 50, Chac’late Breakfast

Smoking: On the outdoor terrace Contact Info: 4408-0733 or www.akh.com.qa

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Food & Dining

Word of Mouth The dining room layout at Seasons is crisp and cosy

Photography by Jessie Palanca

This column is part of a monthly contest where we send one of our readers to experience a meal at a restaurant. It’s our way of giving the community a voice in our pages. This month Claire Brom casts her line at the Mövenpick Hotel Doha’s Deep Blue Seafood Theme Night at Seasons Restaurant. Here is her review. QH: What did you order? CB: Thursday Night’s Deep Blue Buffet, some house beverages and breakfast tea and coffee. QH: Were the prices reasonable? CB: At QR 180 per person, the pricing was very reasonable for the display available. QH: Describe the ambiance. CB: We were both impressed by the ambiance. Well-suited light was accented by pleasant music played at just the right level to notice when walking [around] the buffet, but never distracting from the conversation. My guest and I sat in a smaller section of two tops and enjoyed the intimacy and setting. Larger groups had a more relaxed seating area that encouraged active chatter and mingling.

didn’t do justice to the creative seafood salads along the back wall, but did sample a wide array of crab, calamari and fish dishes – all wellseasoned, fresh and creative. The variety of the dessert table was spot-on, [the] fruit was fresh and vibrant, and a wide array of sweet choices were available. The flavours used in each option married perfectly! We were both surprised and a bit smitten with the plum and nut crumble – this warm, hearty dessert matched wonderfully with a great cup of coffee. QH: Describe the quality of the service. QH: Favourite thing about the restaurant? CB: [The] attentive wait staff were quick to respond but never hovered intrusively. The Chef made frequent rounds to check on his dishes. Most impressive was the warm and genuine chit-chat we had with the managers. It was a really lovely evening for us!

QH: Describe the quality of the food.

CB: Buffet stations were placed at a perfect stagger for browsing. The layout and grouping of the food made each trip up a distinctly new visit. QH: Least favourite thing about the restaurant?

QH: Would you go back? Why/why not? CB: Beautiful cuts of sashimi and sushi were a highlight in both presentation and quality. We focused too much room on that great display and

CB: Yes, [the] food was memorable and the overall experience would encourage a repeat!

CB: Construction outside the hotel and restaurant made arrival slightly complicated but [it] seems this will be resolved soon enough. We

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The deep, rich hue of fresh tuna sashimi

Contest winner Claire Brom (left) and guest pose with Chef Rolly

A delicious presentation of colourful hors d'oeuvres

arrived early in the evening when food turn-over was slower (having just been put out fresh and the diner numbers low still). A few dishes lost their visual appeal and they were passed over for brighter dishes [with] little regret. QH: Was there a special touch or flair to the experience?

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.

CB: The fresh fish battering station was a nice addition! Overall there was little flair lacking. It was a lovely evening and we’ll happily return for more Seasons theme nights! n

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Food & Dining Panna cotta with mango compote and white chocolate sauce at La Spiga by Paper Moon

One Sweet World:

Panna Cotta Words and images by Gerald Tan

Who doesn’t love a creamy, indulgent spoonful of panna cotta? We explore the wigglywobbly wonders of this most simplistic of desserts.

the way the panna cotta wobbled and quivered said everything about its consistency. Too much gelatin and it was a rubbery blob; too little and it was a watery mess. Yet quite invariably, what I received would be silky and creamy with just the right amount of wobble.

Little did I know then how accessible panna cotta is to the home cook. It’s so easy to achieve that the recipe should be committed to memory, poised for whipping out on a whim or when unexpected company pop by for dinner. The ingredients couldn’t be more elemental to a standard larder: milk, cream, sugar and gelatin.

Rapture, you ask? Oh yes, indeed. For I can’t think of too many desserts that have the same versatility and general like ability as a flawless panna cotta. And that’s the key thing: this Piedmontese specialty is so foolproof that flawlessness is not happenstance – it is effectively guaranteed.

For four servings, you simply cook together 250ml of cream with 250ml of milk and add 25 grams of sugar along with three gelatin leaves. Then divide into individual moulds or glasses and refrigerate. Voila. You could start preparing this dish as your guests are removing their coats and getting settled in. By the time you’ve finished your main meal, the panna cotta is chilled and ready to serve. It doesn’t get much easier.

he Italians get full credit and my interminable gratitude for inventing some of life’s greatest pleasures: opera, the ballet, and, of course, panna cotta. I realize the last one sits in a slightly different league; but, ultimately, all three inspire rapture and nourish the soul.

I used to admire the way restaurants would present this glistening mound of cooked cream (the literal translation of panna cotta in Italian) accompanied by a coulis or reduction as sweet and unhurried as molasses. It always looked impressive and, well, professional, for lack of a better word. And I would love observing that first spoonful, when the cutlery slit the pudding with the grace of a diver plunging into water. Because

Plus, you avoid so many food allergy landmines. There are no eggs or nuts. And it’s gluten-free. Is someone in the midst lactose intolerant? Well, panna cotta also works with soy or almond milk, though the result won’t be as creamy. Or perhaps you have strict vegetarians who don’t consume gelatin. Easy: use a vegetable-based setting agent such as agar-agar instead. But the fun hasn’t even begun. While the most traditional version calls for vanilla bean to

flavour this Italian cousin of blancmange, I’ve seen it with many different faces: coffee, white chocolate, mango, lavender… the list goes on. Then don’t forget the topping. Berry coulis is a popular choice, along with chocolate sauce. Some people dilute a bit of jam; others like plain fresh fruit with a swirl of honey. And for an adult version, any number of liqueurs can be poured straight on. n

TRy panna cotta HERE: La Spiga by Paper Moon The W Doha 4453-5135 Daily, noon till 11:30 p.m. le Vesuvio Katara 4408-1500 Sun-Wed, noon-10:30 p.m. Thurs-Sat, noon-11:30 p.m. Carluccio’s The Pearl-Qatar, La Croisette 18 6690-1777 Sun-Thurs, 8:00 a.m. till midnight Fri-Sat, 8:00 a.m. till 1:00 a.m.

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

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Food & Dining Listings RECOMMENDS

er to navigate Making it easi tips, we’ve at your finger l our listings categorized al unches, per outlet – br s and weekly/ he nc lu ss busine ns io . daily promot

Roam In Rome

Sept 14-27: Cucina. Sample savoury dishes and explore the cuisine of the Italian city of Rome, experiencing one of the world’s best gastronomic centres. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.westenddoha.com.

MÖVENPICK HOTEL DOHA New Theme Night! CROWNE PLAZA DOHA – THE BUSINESS PARK It’s Payback Time

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

Making it easier to navigate at your fingertips, we’ve categorized all our listings per outlet – brunches, business lunches and weekly/daily promotions.

SPECIAL PROMOTIONS GRAND HERITAGE DOHA Sushi & Steak

Saturdays: Blue. Enjoy a sharing sushi platter along with your choice of US tenderloin steak for QR 215 per person. An option of Wagyu beef is available for an additional QR 50. From 12:30 noon till midnight. For more information call 4445-5555.

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA THE CITY Chef’s Signature Dish

Daily: Prime. Chef Valentin Herbet pampers your palate with his unique creations – including his take on surf n’ turf, pairing Black Angus tenderloin with handmade rock lobster tortellini as well as his mouth-watering Wagyu beef short ribs braised for 24 hours and garnished with roasted butternut squash and wasabi spinach sauce. For more information call 4015-8888 or email doharestaurants@ihg.com.

Izakaya

Mondays: Strata. The restaurant transforms into a traditional Japanese after-work haunt known as an izakaya serving a special Japanese menu including sashimi, sushi, yakitori, karaage, edamame and tsukemono. QR 200 per person for food only, QR 320 per person including unlimited vino service for two hours or QR 280 per person including three brews. From 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4015-8888 or email doharestaurants@ihg.com.

KEMPINSKI RESIDENCES & SUITES Tapas Fiesta September

All Month: The Lounge & Aroma. Taste deliciously-prepared sharing platters including tortillas, home-cured beef ham, chilli peppers, seafood paella and potato salad with tuna, to name a few! The tapas will be delightfully accompanied with a matching cocktail and vino list. For more information, call 4405-3325, email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.

MARRIOTT MARQUIS DOHA CITY CENTER Meet, Eat & Mingle

Sun & Tues: Ipanema. Dining alone? Not anymore! Present your business card and dine at our community table with your first house beverage on us for QR 250. From 6:30 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.westenddoha.com.

Thursdays: Seasons Restaurant. Deep Blue Thursdays will now become Family Thursdays. In addition to its usual selection of Thursday night seafood and sushi, there will also be a wide variety of delicious child-friendly dishes such as spaghetti and meatballs or mini-burgers. Kids can choose from a dreamland of sweet treats like ice cream, cotton candy or cupcakes, while parents enjoy a more sophisticated dessert buffet. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4429-1111.

SHARQ VILLAGE & SPA Weekend Brunch

Fri & Sat: Al Liwan. Unwind with friends and family and indulge in a luxurious buffet featuring the freshest seafood, Middle Eastern favourites and international classics. There’s live music and a lively atmosphere. A children’s buffet is also available with supervised activities to keep them entertained. QR 250 with soft drinks, QR 390 including house beverages and QR 125 for children ages six to twelve. From 12:30 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4425-6666, email rc.dohsq.reservations@ritzcarlton.com or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/sharqvillage.

THE FOUR SEASONS The Tent

Daily: Garden Terrace. Enjoy a true, authentic Middle Eastern experience in their exclusively designed tent, opening every day with a unique Oriental selection along with delicious shisha flavours available. From 12:00 noon till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4494-8888.

THE GRAND HYATT A Taste Of Argentina

Sept 14-18: The Grill. The Grill invites you to explore a colourful array of Argentinean culture and cuisine every evening at 6:30 p.m. all week-long. Their Argentinean Chef Franco will take you on a culinary journey of the best gauchos, empanadas and asados complemented with fine bottles of Mendoza’s red vino and live tango performances courtesy of dancers flown-in especially from Argentina. For more information call 7798-2400.

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Argentinean Brunch

Sept 19: The Grill. As part of the special Argentinean promotion, mark your calendars for an Argentinean brunch on from 12:30 noon till 4:00 p.m. The Grand Hyatt has flown in some great tango dancers. Book your soft beverage brunch for QR 295, or QR 420 for special beverages. Get ready for an authentic Argentinean experience! For more information call 7798-2400.

THE ST. REGIS DOHA BBQ Buffet On The Terrace

Sept 11 & 25: Vine Terrace. Enjoy a wide selection of classic BBQ favourites cooked just the way you like served with a great selection of salads, pasta, cheese and desserts. Bookings recommended. QR 320 with soft drinks and QR 420 with sommelierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s selection. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0000.

Early Thursdays

Thursdays: Opal by Gordon Ramsay. Start the weekend early every Thursday at Opal by Gordon Ramsay with a special selection of drinks and small bites at small prices. From 3:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0000.

Adult Cooking Class

Wednesdays: Sign up for a pizza-making class with TV celebrity and Head Chef at Opal by Gordon Ramsay, Elias Gemayel. Learn how to cook the best pizza and flatbread in a fun cooking class for adults. Chef Elias will teach you the secrets of a gourmet tomato sauce and clever combining of the trendiest pizza toppings. Glass of bubbles and Chefs menu included. Bookings essential, QR 150 per person. From 4:00 p.m. till 5:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0000 or email diningreservations@stregis.com.

REGULAR PROMOTIONS CHOWKING Indo-Chinese Menu &Value Meals

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

See us online! www.qatarhappening.com

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Food & Dining Listings CROWNE PLAZA DOHA – THE BUSINESS PARK The Deal Is Done

Sat-Thurs: Aramede. Combine business with pleasure at Aramede restaurant and unwind from your heavy working hours with a healthy and quick business lunch for QR 95 per person including local mineral water. From 12:00 noon till 3:30 p.m. For more information call 4408-7777.

You Think You Can Eat Meat?

Sun-Fri: Rodizio. Meet up at their awardwinning restaurant Rodizio and experience the taste of Brazil. Dig into all-you-can-eat meat starting at QR 265, or QR 369 including selected house beverages. From 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4408-7777.

DOHA MARRIOTT Social Sushi

Daily: Asian Live. Happy Hour with a twist! Choose between California maki, prawn tempura maki, spicy tuna roll or dynamite roll for your perfect combination of sushi and bubbly! Four pieces of sushi including one drink for only QR 50. From 5:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. For more information call 4429-8499.

JW’s Steakhouse

Daily: Marriott’s signature restaurant and still the best in the city, JW’s Steakhouse offers an exclusive, upscale dining experience reflected in the sophisticated atmosphere and classic décor. JW’s main courses feature only the finest cuts of US Certified Prime Angus Beef complemented by exquisite spices and sauces. Seafood and salad are also available. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4429-8499.

Gourmet Route

Thursdays: Restaurant Gallery. Something for everyone, with highlights from the specialty restaurants showcasing cuisine from around the globe, experience a gourmet buffet and a taste sensation! Not to be missed! QR 225 for regular, and QR 320 for bubbly. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4429-8499.

Weekend Brunch

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

GRAND HERITAGE DOHA Modern Turkish Cuisine

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

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Spanish Tapas

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

Family Brunch

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

HOLIDAY VILLA BBQ-Themed Buffet Dinner

Thurs & Fri: Sample a variety of meat, seafood, lamb and a lot more, grilled to your liking by the chef and combined with a selection of international cuisine. From 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4408-4220.

Dim Sum Brunch

Fridays: D’Chopstix. Delight in the bursting flavours of Dim Sum and choose from a vast selection of sumptuous options alongside freeflowing Chinese tea. From 11:30 a.m. till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4408-4230.

Japanese Sushi & Maki Promo

Daily: D’Chopstix. Experience delectable, fresh Japanese sushi and maki in an authentic Oriental setting. From 12 noon till 6:30 p.m. For more information call 4408-4230.

Malaysian Breakfast

Fri & Sat: Kafe Ole. Enjoy a taste of Malaysian cuisine influenced by various cultures – Malay, Chinese and Indian, resulting in a symphony of flavours. Kafe Ole serves the most popular dishes for all to savour for QR 60 and upwards. From 6:00 a.m. till 11:00 a.m. For more information call 4408-4248.

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA Mezze Day

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

Theme Nights At Coral Restaurant

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

Grand Mussel Brunch

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

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA THE CITY Authentic Bibimbap

Daily: Hwang. The Pan-Asian restaurant Hwang is expanding its menu to include the favourite Korean dish bibimbap. It’s fun to say and it’s fun to eat! Bibimbap is rice with meat, vegetables, an egg and chilli pepper paste. Served to the table steaming hot, diners delight in mixing the ingredients together as the flavours are unleashed around them! Enjoy our Chef Randy Joung’s creative presentation with authentic sides. For more information call 4015-8888.

Seafood Night

Wednesdays: The Square. Delectable locallysourced seafood is served every Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. Cold seafood salads, fresh seafood cooked ‘a la minute’ at the live cooking stations and a delectable dessert station will make it a night to remember. QR 350 per person including selected house beverages, or QR 250 per person inclusive of soft drinks and mocktails. For more information call 4015-8888.

Friday Brunch

Fridays: The Square. Featuring four interactive kitchens specializing in cuisine from Japan, China, India, Thailand, Europe and the Middle East, The Square is the place to be for an indulgent day out. Choose from four distinct seating areas before sampling an array of starters, main courses and sumptuous desserts. QR 330 including selected house beverages, or QR 230 including soft drinks and mocktails. From 12:00 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4015-8888.

Theme Nights

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

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JUST BURGER Now Open!

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

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

Steak & Vino Menu

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

Breakfast Eggsperience

Daily: Gourmet House. Considered by many as one of the top breakfast spots in the city, Gourmet House serves the Breakfast Eggsperience. Coddled eggs with your choice of spinach, bresaola or salmon, your favourite bread roll from their famous selection, a cup of tea or coffee and a scone with cream and jam for a sweet ending – all for QR 50 per person every morning. From 7:00 a.m. till 11:30 a.m. For more information call 4405-3326, email gourmet.doha@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.

Business Lunch

Sat-Thurs: Aroma. Kempinski’s new Executive Chef, Vinon Yergu, has revamped the popular business lunch menu with creative, healthy and fresh options. Savour culinary creations such as the chilled vanilla and orange soup, the vegetable moussaka, and finish off with the sweet indulgence of the lemongrass crème brûlée. QR 95 per person, from 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4405-3325, email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.

LA CIGALE International Cuisine

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

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Food & Dining Listings Sushi Mania

Business Express Lunch

LA VARENNE French Country Brunch

MÖVENPICK HOTEL DOHA Mövenpick Ice-Dreams

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

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

Rotisserie Night

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

Business Lunch

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

MARRIOTT MARQUIS CITY CENTER DOHA Three Countries, One Platter

Daily: New York Steakhouse. Taste three origins of beef tenderloin as the Chef presents cuts from the USA, Argentina and Australia all on one plate. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.westenddoha.com.

Tomahawk – Can You Handle It?

Daily: New York Steakhouse. Can you handle the largest steak in town? This is definitely the talk of the town with 800 grams of flavourful Tomahawk Wagyu rib-eye, only at New York Steakhouse. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.westenddoha.com.

Pizza & Pasta Express

Daily: Cucina. Order any one of Cucina’s pizza or pasta along with a side dish and one soft beverage for just QR 45! From 12:00 noon till 6:00 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.westenddoha.com.

Make Your Own!

Daily: Quick Bites. Make your own sandwich, salad or breakfast with the highly successful ‘Make Your Own’ options at Quick Bites offering a wide selection of freshly-baked breads, spreads, cheeses and fillings. Sandwich QR 35, salads, QR 55, breakfast QR 20 onwards. From 6:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.westenddoha.com.

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

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

Travel The World On A Plate

Monday: Matador Night. Savour enticing Spanish delights with tapas, paella, live cooking and much more for QR 160 per person. Tuesday: Les Alpes. Enjoy the combination of the finest delicacies of France, Italy and Switzerland for an exclusive gourmet event for QR 160 per person. Wednesday: TemptAsian. Be tempted by authentic ingredients and aromas. Gather around the teppanyaki table, taste the creativity of the Japanese sushi or the tang of the Thai curry for QR 160 per person. Thursday: Family Thursday. A simply spectacular buffet of rich, fresh and succulent seafood and fish combined with a carnival of kid’s options for mains and endless sweet treats. The ideal night for the entire family at QR 190 per person. Children under 12 years-old eat for free. Friday: Curry, Kare, Kari. Get ‘curried’ away from Southeast Asia to the north of India for QR 160 per person. Saturday & Sunday: International. Indulge in a colourful collection of international creations for QR 140 per person. For more information call 4429-1111.

ORYX ROTANA New Tapas Galore Selection

Tuesdays: The Cellar. Enjoy a selection of tantalizing tapas with unlimited selected vinos for only QR 300 per person or QR 160 for food only per person. For more information call 4402-3333.

Oriental Seafood Night

Wednesdays: Choices. Indulge in traditional Middle Eastern-style seafood in a perfect family ambiance. QR 260 per person for food only, QR 345 including unlimited selected house beverages or try the premium package for QR 375 including unlimited sparkling vino, house spirits, selected digestives and aperitifs. For more information call 4402-3333.

X'Press Lunch & Dinner

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

PRINCE OF PERSIA Now Open!

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

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

RADISSON BLU Sushi Time

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

After Work Tapas

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

Asian Night

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

See us online! www.qatarhappening.com

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Weekend Brunch

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

SHARQ VILLAGE & SPA Sushi Mania

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

THE ANVIL ROOMS Lunch Special

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

The Blacksmithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Supper

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

THE DIPLOMATIC CLUB Qanun Player

Mon -Sat: Le Grill Restaurant. Enjoy an evening of alluring Oriental music that will entertain you and enhance your appetite. Sit back and enjoy the rich variety of seafood dishes and premium steaks while enjoying the music every. For more information call 4484-7412 or email f&b@dclub.com.qa.

Lobster Your Way

Daily: Al Sayyad Restaurant. Pick up your lobster from the tank and have it prepared in your desired way. Poached, grilled, thermidor, or served over a simple salad. QR 220 per meal. For more information call 4484-7412 or email f&b@dclub.com.qa.

BBQ Donut

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

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Food & Dining Listings THE FOUR SEASONS Piatto Unico

Sat-Thurs: Il Teatro. ‘Piatto Unico’ in Italian literally means a one-dish meal that is well balanced, healthy and bountiful. The chef is delighted to share this unique Italian lunch on a weekly changing basis to suit all tastes. Perfect for those who don’t have much time for lunch and offers great value for a true Italian experience. QR 88 per person. From 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4494-8631.

Go Go Bento Box

Sat-Thurs: Nusantao: Sea Kitchens. The Go Go Bento Box is a take-away bento box that gives you four different menus for a delicious, easy meal. Boxes have to be ordered in advance over the phone and pick-up times will be advised (allow 45 minutes preparation time). The boxes are composed of four to six dishes, all cooked to order and packed with authentic flavours. From QR 79 for a four-course bento to QR 89 for a six-course bento. From 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m., and from 7:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. For more information call 4494-8601.

Friday Brunch

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

THE GRAND HYATT Sushi Nights

Mondays: The Grill. Experience sushi the Grand Hyatt way every Monday from 6:30 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. Order the assorted platter of sushi, sashimi, tempura and California rolls with condiments for QR 150 per person. For more information call 7798-2400.

Curry Nights

Mondays: Isaan. The Thai restaurant, offers an all-you-can-eat curry night. Every Monday from 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m., you can order a variety of unlimited curry to share, with your choice of fish, beef, chicken, mussels or vegetables. You can share up to five curries per round, for only QR 75 per person. For more information call 7021-8097.

Pizza And Pasta

Daily: Rocca. Feast on as much of Chef Marco’s delicious pastas (or fresh pizzas) as you can eat, served with your choice of bottomless vino or brews all for QR 180. From 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. For more information call 7021-8096.

THE RITZ-CARLTON Seafood Platter

Tuesdays: Admiral’s Club - Lower Floor. You’re invited to enjoy a fresh seafood platter of lobster, prawns, fish and squid overlooking the marina for QR 260 per portion, serving up to two people. From 6:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. For more information call 4484-8663, or email rc.dohrz.leads@ritzcarlton.com.

BBQ Platter

Mon, Thurs & Fri: Admiral’s Club - Lower Floor. Enjoy a platter of BBQ food for two people inclusive of beef steak, chicken skewers, salmon fillet, lamb chops, hammour fillet, jumbo prawns with baked potato, condiments and chef's salad. Savour each selection while relaxing by the marina for QR 190 per portion with an additional charge of QR 50 for fresh lobster. From 6:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. For more information call 4484-8663, or email rc.dohrz.leads@ritzcarlton.com.

Friday Brunch

Fridays: The Lagoon. Bring all the family for a relaxing weekend brunch. Live music complements the delicious buffet of Middle Eastern specialties and international live cooking stations. Children have their own junior buffet and entertainment. QR 260 per person including soft drinks, QR 340 per person including bubbly, or QR 395 for full brunch. Kids under the age of four can dine for free, QR 120 for kids ages 4-12 years-old. From 12:30 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4484-8512, or email rc.dohrz.leads@ritzcarlton.com.

THE ST. REGIS DOHA Burger & Pint Night

Mondays: Opal by Gordon Ramsay. Enjoy the tastiest and juiciest burger in Doha! Choose from lamb, Wagyu beef, or Opal’s vegetarian burger served with fluffy fat fries and homemade tomato sauce all for QR 100. From 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0000 or opalbygordonramsay@stregis.com.

Gourmet Chilli-Dog Nights

Tuesdays: Opal by Gordon Ramsay. Tuesday night is officially Gourmet Chilli-Dog Night. Enjoy the tastiest chilli dogs in town served with bubbles or brew and includes ice-cream for dessert, all for QR 125. From 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0000 or opalbygordonramsay@stregis.com.

What’s Your Beef

Sun-Fri: Astor Grill. Astor Grill steakhouse delights meat lovers with a three-course tasting menu featuring the finest cuts of meat using various cooking techniques. Pair with sommelier’s selection and enjoy an unforgettable dining experience. QR 280 for food only or QR 380 with Sommelier’s selection. From 7:00 p.m. till 12:00 midnight. For more information call 4446-0000.

Family Brunch

Fridays: Gather with family and friends and experience a lavish buffet with treats for everyone. Parents can relax as children are taken care of with special entertainment and buffet. Live music and breath-taking views from the terrace make this a brunch to remember! Entertainment for children is provided by The St. Regis Doha recreation team and includes fun games, face painting and lots of creative activities. QR 320 inclusive of soft drinks, QR 420 inclusive of grapes, grain and sparkling beverages. From 12:30 p.m. till 4:00 p.m., then enjoy the After-Brunch Happy Hour with 50% off on selected beverages from 4:00 p.m. till 6:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0000, or email diningreservations@stregis.com.

THE TORCH DOHA Theme Nights At Flying Carpet

Escape To India: Each Monday night try out Indian food platters for only QR 180 per person including selected beverages. Tex- Mex Night: Every Wednesday try Latino specialties with a wide selection of steaks, burgers and hot dogs for only QR 190 per person. Seafood Extravaganza: Every Thursday night find a selection of seafood for grilling, frying, wok and many more for only QR 250 per person including selected beverages. Arabian Nights: Every Friday live the charm of the Orient and indulge in a variety of plates from different Arabic cuisines for QR 200 per person. From 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. For more information call 4446-5600, or email restaurant.reservations@thetorchdoha.com.

Casual Business Lunch

Sun-Thurs: Mezzanine. Served from Sunday to Thursday, enjoy a fantastic business lunch that includes salad buffet plus a la carte sandwiches or pasta, one soft drink or chilled juice and a mini-dessert from QR 80 per person. For more information call 4446-5600, or email restaurant.reservations@thetorchdoha.com.

Barbecue Bazaar Brunch

Fridays: Flying Carpet. Choose from a wide selection of steaks, Oriental BBQ, fish, burgers, hot dogs for only QR 199 per person including selected beverages. From 12:30 noon to 3:30 p.m. Special rate or QR 95 for children between the ages of six and twelve years-old. For more information call 4446-5600, or email restaurant.reservations@thetorchdoha.com.

W DOHA Burger Night

Sundays: Market by Jean-Georges. Start your week with your favourite burger, side dish and one amazing sundae from the selection – all for QR 125 per person. From 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4453-5135 or email bnfreservations.wdoha@whotels.com.

See us online! m www.qatarhappening.co

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Sip & Savour

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

Business Lunch

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

Jazz Brunch

Fridays: Market by Jean-Georges. Enjoy a delicious brunch with live entertainment by Doha Jazz. QR 395 per person including house beverages, or QR 290 including soft drinks. For more information call 4453-5135 or email bnfreservations.wdoha@whotels.com.

Friday Broonch

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

ZUBARAH BOUTIQUE HOTEL All You Can Eat

Mondays: Caminito. Caminito brings you a fantastic promotion where you can enjoy endless bruschettas, empanadas and free flow of their signature drinks for just QR 80 per person. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4447-0000 or email Caminito@zubaraha.com.

Two For One

Wednesdays: Caminito. Because they love Wednesday, Caminito offers one complimentary main course for your guest when a main course of equal or greater value is purchased. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information please call 4447-0000 or email Caminito@zubaraha.com.

Express Lunch

Sun-Thurs: Baraha. Stop by Baraha restaurant to try their new Express Business Lunch, specially crafted by their Executive Chef for busy professionals at only QR 75 per person! For more information call 4447-0000 or email baraha@zubarah.com.

All-Day Dining

Daily: Baraha. Indulge in Oriental and international flavours of cuisine at Baraha. Tantalizing dishes served round the clock from buffet breakfast a la carte, or express lunch and a la carte dinner with an option of al fresco seating. For more information call 4447-0000 or email baraha@zubarah.com.

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SPECIAL LISTINGS ASPIRE KATARA HOSPITALITY Red Velvet Cupcakery

Sept: Katara Cultural Village. Get two free drinks tomorrow by spending QR 100 today. For more information call 4408-0700 for more details. Sept: A party celebration at Red Velvet is fun! Celebrate your children’s birthday party at QR 60 per child with their great birthday party package. Advance reservation is required. For more information call 4408-0700. Sept: Ice Cream Sandwich. Enjoy a mouthwatering ice cream sandwich and get a free small bottle of regular water with every purchase. For more information call 4408-0700.

Aspire Grand Café

Sept: Aspire Park. New Grab-To-Go items. Due to business demand, the Aspire Grand chefs have prepared special ready-to-go Middle Eastern flavours up for grabs. Available daily. For more information call 4449-3963. Sept: Try their chicken biryani – a speciallyprepared fresh chicken, well-marinated with traditional Indian spices, cooked with fragrant basmati rice and finely-chopped fresh herbs. For more information call 4449-3963. Sept: Delight your taste buds with a speciallyprepared dhal curry cooked with Indian spices, tempered with cumin and served with paratha bread. For more information call 4449-3963. Sept: Choose from ready-to-heat soups and a wide selection of hot and cold beverages for dine-in or take-away. For more information call 4449-3963. Sept: Enjoy healthy choices of breakfast while visiting the park, including fresh croissants, sunny-side up or omelette egg dishes to crêpes. For more information call 4449-3963.

Burgeri

Sept: Aspire Park. B. Mushroom Melt. A choice of Black Angus, Wagyu beef, or chicken topped with fresh tomatoes, grilled onions and mushrooms, garlic aioli and melted Swiss cheese. Beef burgers are available in single and double sizes for dine-in and take-away. Available daily. For more information call 4449-3958. Sept: Indulge in a healthy choice of new salads, including spiced carrot salad, coleslaw and classic potato salad. For more information call 4449-3958. Sept: Burgeri Fun Meal. Each meal comes in a beautifully-designed Fun Box that includes one fruit juice, an order of regular French Fries, and choice of B. Classic, B. Cheesy, Good Dog or their new B. Bites (served with special sauces). For more information call 4449-3958.

Sukar Pasha Ottoman Lounge

Sept: Katara Cultural Village. Experience the comfort of their designer VIP beach tents with personalized butler service. Also, their outdoor garden seating is your ideal option to unwind. For more information call 4408-2000. Sept: Enjoy a whole lamb seasoned to perfection, charcoal spit-roasted and served with aromatic traditional Machbous rice for QR 115 per serving. From 3:00 p.m. till 12:00 midnight. For more information call 4408-2000.

Chac’Late

Sept: Katara Cultural Village. Sesame Fantasy. Satisfy your sweet tooth with this concoction made of white chocolate, vanilla cream, crunchy tahini, cappuccino sponge, tahini ice cream, cacao dusted almonds and milk chocolate. For more information call 4408-0733. Sept: Chac’Date. Those who love a traditional, local taste will enjoy this dessert of date sponge, vanilla cream, chocolate ganache and sahlab. For more information call 4408-0733. Sept: Their newly-designed breakfast menu is now includes an organic egg breakfast, served fresh and healthy at QR 48. For more information call 4408-0733. Sept: Enjoy a signature Parisian or Chac’Late breakfast with indoor or outdoor seating. Prices start from QR 30. From 8:00 a.m. till 11:00 a.m. For more information call 4408-0733.

L’wzaar Seafood Market

Sept: Katara Cultural Village. Sushi Night. Platters of specially-prepared assortments of sushi to share are now available during dinner time. Available Sunday to Wednesday. For more information call 4408-0710. Sept: A fresh selection of cold mezze, including Classic, Mixed or Deluxe are now available daily from the la carte menu. For more information call 4408-0710. Sept: A tantalizing special dish of the day is available during lunch and dinner. For more information call 4408-0710. Sept: Experience their Tandoori grill and Thai curry cooking styles for your fresh seafood. Other cooking styles are also available. For more information call 4408-0710.

le Vesuvio

Sept: Katara Cultural Village. Business Lunch. Catering to growing demand, le Vesuvio is now offering a special lunch-table menu consisting of a starter, main course and a dessert. Available Sunday to Thursday. For more information call 4408-1500. Sept: A special a la carte menu for children is available daily. For more information call 4408-1500. Sept: Enjoy home delivery for a minimum order of 20 pizzas. Advance reservation is highly required. For more information call 4408-1500.

Shawarma Albisana

Sept: 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. Savour a unique homemade soft kunafa with Nabulsi cheese imported from Jordan for either dine-in or takeaway. For more information call 4408-1200. Sept: Try their new aesh el saraya – a bread pudding recipe with deep flavours of caramelized sugar and hints of rosewater, topped with homemade fresh cream, pistachios, cashew nuts and a dash of cinnamon. For more information call 4408-1200.

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Chinese

American & Tex-Mex American Grill

4411-0188

Chopsticks

4434-3333

Al Hubara

4485-4444

Caminito

4447-0000

D’Chopstix

4408-4888

Al Liwan Restaurant

4424-2888

Chili’s

4466-0663

Royal Bafilyon

4411-4458

Al Matbakh Rooftop Grill

4433-6777

Ipanema

4419-6100

Ruby Wu’s

4428-1428

Al Shaheen Restaurant

4485-4444

Johnny Rockets

4455-2792

Wok of Fame

4413-4772

Animato

4496-6600

Just Burger 4015-0180 4437-2679 Latino

4485-4444

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

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 Nando’s

Arabic & Lebanese

4453-5135

Delivery Hotline 4436-0606

Opal by Gordon Ramsay

4446-0105

French

Agora

4445-5555

Al Balad

4491-8692

La Sahtaine

4423-3333

Al Bandar

4431-1818

La Varenne

4499-0680

Al Batross

4432-8888

Al Canteen

4433-6666

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

Al Mourjan

4483-4423

Al Sayyad

4484-7420

Al Sultan Brahim

4446-0105

Al Tawash

4498-2002

Argan

4433-6666

Burj Al Hamam

4495-3876

Istanbul Sultan Dining Restaurant

4468-5089

Khan Rafouk Tarab Café

4408-0840

Layali

4431-0005

Lebanese Shawarma

4466-2616

Liza

4495-3876

Majlis

4448-1234

Marmara Istanbul

4436-2947

Tajine

4435-5554

Tangia

4434-3333

The Tent

4432-8888

Turkey Central

4443-2927

Maxim

4428-1428

Quisine by Guy Savoy

4002-7245

4495-3876 Sormani Ext. 3222

Indian

4472-2666

Choices

4402-3333

Corniche

4429-8888

Cosmo Restaurant

4424-7777

Crossroads Kitchen

4419-6100

De Dine Zone Restaurant

4470-8822

East

4433-6666

Flying Carpet

4446-5600

Grand Gourmet

4434-3333

La Brasserie

4446-2222

La Cigalon Restaurant

4428-8888

Lifestyle Restaurant

4463-2154

Mawasem

4423-3333

Mehfil Restaurant

4409-4444

Nando’s

Delivery Hotline 4436-0606

4433-6666 The Dining Room (Al Najada Boutique Hotel) The Dining Room

4424-3444 (Fraser Suites Hotel)

The Grill

4448-1234

The Lagoon

4484-8000

Three Sixty

4446-5600

Torch Tea Garden

4446-5600

Vine

4446-0105

4464-1401

Bombay Balti

4428-1428

Chingari

4428-1428

Idyl Factory

6674-1143

Royal Indian

4466-6876

Bice Ristorante

4495-3876

Royal Tandoor Al Souq St., Jasra Souq Waqif

4444-6151 4432-3244

Carluccio’s

4495-3876

Cucina

4419-6100

Saffron Lounge

3325-8919

Di Capri

4428-8698

Sukh Sagar

4431-9172

Fabio’s Pizza

4416-5641

Taj Rasoi

4429-8888

II Teatro

4494-8888

La Dolce Vita Italian Restaurant

4436-7991

La Veranda

4485-4444

Picasso’s

4428-1428

Porcini

4484-8000

Rocca

4448-1270

Romano’s Macaroni Grill

4451-7585

The Italian Job

4428-1428

www.q

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4447-0000

Blue Brasserie Restaurant

Biryani Hut

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Baraha

Italian

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Japanese

Bar Food

Cafés

Neo

4432-2508

Belgian Café

4484-4444

Oishi Sushi

4442-8989

De Ozone

4470-8822

Alison Nelson’s Chocolate Bar

4495-3878 Ext. 1311

Sakura

4428-1428

Madison Piano Bar

4428-8888

Al Jalsa

4425-6666

Strata Restaurant & Lounge

4015-8888

Pool Bar

4484-4444

Al Kut Lounge

4434-3203

Sushi Minto

4467-5577

Shehrazad

4428-1428

Al Mandarine

4463-3748

Yen Sushi Bar

4428-8888

The Irish Harp

4485-4444

Atrium Lounge

4485-4444

The Lounge

4405-3325

Bab Al Baher

4423-3333

4453-5353

4495-3876 Bert’s Café Ext 1381

Mediterranean

Wahm

Aramede

4408-7777

Bistro Bistro

4428-1428

La Villa

4446-2222

American Grill

4411-0188

Le Central Restaurant

4428-8888

Chili’s

4466-0663

Medi @ The Village

4444-4700

Fuddruckers

4483-3983

Café Vergnano 4495-3876 Ext. 2611

Mykonos

4484-4444

Hardee’s

4467-8750

Coffee Time

4466-7551

The Cellar

4402-3333

Johnny Rockets

4455-2792

Colombiano

4434-2753

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

Burgers

Seafood

Persian Grill @ The Village

4444-4700

Al Dana

4425-6666

Parisa

4425-6666

Al Dente Seafood Restaurant

4472-2666

Prince Of Persia

4015-0190.

Al Sayyad

4484-7420

Al Sultan Brahim

4446-0105

Fish Market

4484-4444

L’wzaar

4408-0710

Pampano

4495-3876

Pier 12

4428-1428

Southeast Asian Asia Live! Chowking

Delivery Hotline Mamoura Al Khor Salwa Road Al Sadd St. Holiday Villa

4429-8888 4431-1212 4486-6077 4411-8816/17 4437-1212 4431-4411 4411-5225/335

Steakhouses

Biscotti

4448-1282

Café De Biznez

4470-8822

Café Tasse

4444-7017

Isaan

4448-1250

Bentley’s Grill

4428-1428

Sarab Lounge

4446-0105

Mango Tree

4495-3876

JW’s Steakhouse

4429-8888

Savor

4408-7777

Nusantao: Sea Kitchens

4494-8888

Le Grill

4484-7412

Shisha Garden

4428-8888

Spice Market

4453-5353

New York Steakhouse

4419-6100

Sky Lounge

4402-3333

Sri Kebaya

4434-0838

Prime

4015-8888

Sugar and Spice

4411-4456

The Anvil Rooms

4499-0685

The Courtyard

4433-6444

The Butcher Shop and Grill

4413-5508

The Drawing Room

4433-6666

The Old Manor Steakhouse

4446-2222

The Lobby Lounge

4484-8000

The Terrace Lounge

4433-6555

Torch Café

4446-5600

W Café

4453-5353

Ya Hala

4423-3333

The Noodle House City Center Mall

4411-5063

The Pearl Wok Mee Noodle House

4495-3876 4496-6600

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Sports

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

La Cigale Kids Boot Camp

InterContinental Doha Mind & Body Thursdays: Fitness Studio. Practice a holistic workout combining elements of Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi leaving you stronger and well-balanced. Mind & Body takes you through a series of stretches, movements and poses utilizing controlled breathing. Members QR 30/non-members QR 50. From 8:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. For more information call 4484-4852.

Saturdays: Ozone Gym & Spa. Customized fun fitness games for kids from the ages of six to 12 years-old are now available this month. Complimentary for members/non-members QR 60 per class. Each class is 60-minutes and are held on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. For more information call 4428-8101.

The Four Seasons The Diplomatic Club

Salsa Class Ongoing: Dance your way to fitness in this hour-long class. New to The Four Seasons, it showcases high levels of showmanship and integrity on and off the dance-floor. QR 70 per class. For more information call 4494-8802.

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Or yx Rotana Swimming Lessons Ongoing: Bodylines. The gym offers swimming lessons for children above the age of six yearsold as well as adults. For more information call 4402-3333.

Personal Training Ongoing: Personal training is a professional and personal assistance program ensuring you reach your desired training goals. After a thorough fitness test and mutual goal-setting, your program will be developed to reach those important goals (body-fat loss, weight gain, general well-being, sport-specific, etc.). The clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal trainers are fully qualified and certified. For more information call 4484-7450.

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Sports

Ramp Stars By Jorge Granda Photography by Jessie Palanca

From its speed to the skill it takes to pull tricks, skateboarding has forever been the sport of daredevils. Would you be surprised if we told you that Doha has its own group of talented boarders whose dream it is to follow in the footsteps of Tony Hawk and Danny Way? Yes? Then let us introduce you to Kamel Zarandah.

Getting some air on a trick, skateboarder Kamel Zarandah pops his board

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QH: Tell us about yourself. Apart from skating, what do you do? KZ: My name is Kamel Zarandah, I’m an average Joe from Palestine [and] I was born and raised in Doha. I study electrical engineering at the College of the North Atlantic and I’m hopefully graduating this December. Most of the time I’m skateboarding – so it’s hard to talk about myself without talking about [that]. But let’s see...I’m 21 years old...I'm pretty much a social person – which is kind of a helpful trait when it comes to organizing events or managing social media pages. I’m currently managing a Facebook page called Qatar Extreme Sports. I post a lot of news regarding action sports in Doha there and also videos of our local athletes. QH: How did you fall in love with the board? KZ: It wasn’t till the age of 13 that I figured out what skateboarding [was] all about. I was a chubby kid that always got picked last at football practice. I never managed to do good in any sport that was shown to us in school and on TV – which can be a little frustrating. For skaters it’s some sort of cliché to say ‘skateboarding saved my life’ but to be honest I don’t know where I would be without it. When you skate you learn more than just awesome tricks, skateboarding teaches you trial and error – the fact that success isn’t a straight line, it’s a process of patience, grit and consistency. Skateboarding teaches you modesty because no one is the best, no one is the greatest, there’s no specific judging criteria or coaching...everyone is free to do what they want and to develop their own style and tricks. No matter how good you get it’s an underground sport with no spotlight, so when you skate you do it for yourself – not for fame and glory. At the age of 13 I started learning a lifestyle of thinking outside the box and accepting differences in others. QH: How’s the boarding movement growing in Doha? KZ: Skateboarding is in a slow but constant progression here. There’s no better way to measure that success [than] the increasing amount of skaters, and the people I meet every day I’m on the board. When I first started we were five or six people – today if I organize an event I have to bring enough water for up to 100 skaters! In my point of view the ultimate progress of skateboarding comes from the community. Skateboarders in Doha are some of the funniest folks I’ve ever met in my life; they’re always [giving] constant encouragement and support to their peers, pushing forward to bring out the best in everyone and most importantly always making you feel like a part of the family. I recently got sponsored by a world-wide skateboarding company called DC Shoes. Here in Doha DC Qatar is one of the most interested companies in pushing skateboarding forward – they see the future it holds. Aspire Zone has also been very supportive to skateboarding in Qatar

which is completely amazing. They recognize action sports as proper sports, and are always trying their best to provide us with venues and resources to make skateboarding events happen, so there’s no way I can be thankful enough for their generosity. QH: Where do skaters go to practice around here? KZ: Right now there’s no skate-park in Doha, but there are many spots I spend my time skating. Some of these spots are easy to find using Google maps. A couple off the top of my head are – Dahil al Hammam, Al Beda Park, The Centre near Ramada signal, the Museum of Islamic Art Park has the most skater- friendly atmosphere, which is my personal favourite spot. Also there’s Al Khor Community Park, Omsaed Public Park, and Aspire Zone has been planning to build a skate-park, but for now they’re allowing us to skate around as long as we don’t damage property. QH: You’ve been organizing quite a few skateboarding events recently. Why is it important for you to stage these type of gatherings? KZ: Skateboarding demos and contests are a great way to bring the community together in a fun, active atmosphere, as well as bring skateboarding to the public. Progression comes from competing, so it’s a good way to push skaters into working hard. It’s also important to show kids something more than football and basketball ...give [them] one more sport to look at and take a chance on before breaking bad. 2014 has been the most successful year for skateboarding in Qatar; we managed to put together demos and contests all over. On June 21 we organized Go Skateboarding Day at Aspire Zone which was sponsored by Aspire, Go Sport, DC Qatar and NBK Fashion Group. That three-day event was a great success – we had a two-day demo and workshop for kids and on the last day there was a championship. Kids were buying skateboards just so they could join us. I had a great time teaching the young ones – I remember being overwhelmed by the amount of kids that required my attention, so most of the skaters ended up helping us teach the kids and forgot about practicing for the contest. QH: Do you have new events coming up? KZ: Currently I’ve been working non-stop with the people at Aspire trying to put together a permanent venue for skateboarding until the Aspire skate-park is ready. Once we have a venue that is always welcoming all sorts of skateboarding and action sports, [then] events will be planned and announced on the Qatar Extreme Sports Facebook page. QH: What about participation – are more young people showing an interest than before? KZ: The young ones are the future of this sport. All the effort I put into organizing and skating

What began as a few avid boarders has grown into a community of skaters

is for the kids in the future – so that they don’t have to go through what I went through [of] getting chased out of spots and having no appreciation of the effort they put into skating. For now, every time we have an event I always try my hardest to get kids to try my boards – I know they end up nagging their parents about buying them their own. It’s my guilty pleasure to watch kids beg their parents for skateboards! QH: Any words of wisdom for a kid with his first board? KZ: Buy a skateboard and commit to it! Skateboarding will take time and effort but it’s very rewarding – the feeling you get after you land a trick you’ve been trying for an hour or two is the most amazing feeling in the world! And most importantly, always have fun! It’s all about fun. n

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Special Promotion

t a o B r u o Y t Floa Spend a week on the water as the second edition of the Qatar International Boat Show returns to the Lusail Marina this November 11-15. From speedboats to yachts, and everything in between, luxury meets functionality at one of the region’s best showcases. QH goes below decks.

here are some who said it couldn’t be done. But once the doors had closed on the very first edition of the Qatar International Boat Show in November 2013, the question on everyone’s lips wasn’t just how the organizers pulled the proverbial rabbit out of the hat, but how they planned to top what they’d already achieved for the next year. With an exhibition covering 15,000 square metres across both land and water, and with a total of 40 boats and yachts – ranging from 10m to 50m – on display, 10 boats were sold from local and regional boat-builders and dealers valued at over $27 million USD, with another four prospective orders for boats valued at some $700,000 USD and three prospective orders for yachts valued at $2.5 million USD. One of the

highlights of the show was the presence of M/Y Sharq, a 165-foot Overmarine Mangusta, which was sold to a Qatari businessman. Of the 10,500 visitors – coming from 62 countries – there were high level visits from Qatar’s Minister of Economy and Commerce, the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage, the Minister of Education, the Vice President of the Doha Chamber of Commerce & Industry, plus personal visits by the ambassadors of Great Britain, Canada, Poland and Italy, to name a few. Sixty-five leading exhibitors came from 16 countries, including Bahrain, Canada, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Poland, Qatar, Switzerland, Turkey, UAE, and the UK. In fact over a half of the exhibitors

came from abroad, representing 12 major international shipyards. So what’s there to look forward to this coming November? Faysal Mikati, Vice President of Snow Comms Conceptual Communications & Events – the organizers of the Qatar International Boat Show – said the number of companies that have signed up keeps growing. “We knew from the very start that Qatar’s very own International Boat Show was not a one-off event, but could literally take years to become a solid show. “We’re delighted by the fact that after the very first edition of QIBS, His Excellency the Prime Minister and Interior Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, is

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All-aboard some of the world's best luxury liners at the 2014 QIBS

giving us his full support. And the massive increase in exhibitors who have signed up to QIBS 2014 confirms our earlier belief that many potential exhibitors last year were waiting to see how well the first show would go before committing themselves. So we feel entirely vindicated in our early commitment to staging Qatar’s very own international boat show for the mutual benefit of the marine industry and for Qatar as a whole.” Mikati believes that given the fact that Qatar is rich in natural oil and gas reserves, and that Doha is one of the fastest growing cities in the world, no one should be surprised that its projected market outlook from now to 2020 is extremely strong. “The successful bid to host the FIFA 2022 football World Cup and the country’s National Vision 2030 are leading to an active projects market estimated to be worth $285 billion USD,” he explains. “New marinas and long-awaited yacht clubs, the brand-new Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara, and the new commercial port, along with the rest of the relevant marine preparations that will be required for the needs of the World Cup 2022, are only a few of these.”

“In short, QIBS 2014 will be double the size of the first show, offering a greatly improved layout, patronage from the Prime Minister, a high percentage of international confirmed exhibitors, a huge number of repeat exhibitors, more boats, a new luxury section … and much more besides.” The new upgraded exhibition area in Lusail Marina, located just north of Doha’s downtown area, comprises shows both on land and in the water with 25,000 square metres of water basin surface, over 60 boats in the water, and more than 10,000 square metres of pavilions and outdoor areas, with over 100 exhibitors. There

will be a totally new layout from last year, with the entire marina promenade being used for the first time, together with a bigger dock area situated right at the centre of the exhibition, as opposed to one of the side docks used last year. There will also be a new section this year devoted to luxury products and services. These areas will be topped by a unique Floating Media Centre and also one of the most atmospheric VIP areas of all boat shows worldwide. QIBS 2014 will be open daily from 3:00 p.m. till 9:30 p.m. from November 11-15 at the Lusail Marina just north of Doha. n

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Sports

s guides Instructor Carl Robert class at s ket Roc his in ts studen YamaYoga

Yoga:

Roots And Shoots Words and images by Emily Alp

The ancient practice of yoga has a long history and a mass following that’s endured throughout the ages. But with so many branches and off-shoots, knowing the difference between Bikram and Ashtanga can be as complex as mastering the Lotus Headstand. So, let us be your guide…

itting down to write this, I was faced with a massive task—the world of activities that could be termed ‘yoga’ has exploded over the past decade. And with that explosion has come a lot of new branching out from what could be termed ‘traditional’.

To be clear, ‘yoga’ implies way more than the collection of barefoot people, lined up on mats, reaching, bending, twisting and breathing to a teacher’s commands. These classes, which are technically called asana, are truly powerful yet only scratch the surface of the larger family of practices. Still, asana is the most common entry point for those who’ve cometo love yoga, so for the purpose of this article let us consider the names one-in-the-same. Because of the marriage of breath and movement confined to a highly-personal mat

space, most students comment that they leave a yoga class with a different feeling than other exercise classes. This effect is the result of methodologies forged, through countless practitioners, in India beginning many years ago. The methods were at times available only to higher castes and were sometimes repressed, but were eventually lifted within the last century leading to their spread westward. The oldest traces of yoga observed widely today are outlined according to a system known as hatha, which includes postures, breath-work and meditation techniques to achieve certain levels of centeredness and awareness. Hatha practices and postures were quite repressed and distorted at the time of British colonization in India, but were resurrected by a man named Tirumalai Krishnamacharya (who lived in India from 1888 to his death in 1989). A famous yoga teacher,

Ayurvedic healer and scholar, Krishnamacharya is said to have begun practicing asana at age five andfeverishly studied and promoted Sanskrit and prominent yoga texts, including the Yoga Sutras, the cornerstone philosophical text for any yoga instructor. As Krishnamacharya grew in years and devotion, his mode and teachings emerged as quite austere, but he was recognized and supported by the Maharaja of Mysore and thus moved forward, eventually drawing four devotees of great vision and strength. These students would see through Krishnamacharya’s strict approach to merge with his passion and become his most devout. And as they grew as teachers, these four

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stretching it out Getting centred while ds a Vinyasa lea b Above: Kristin Lei sion ses

individuals would bring yoga to the West. Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, who honed the AshtangaVinyasa method; B.K.S. Iyengar, who developed the Iyengar method; Indra Devi, who honed hatha methodology and taught the likes of Greta Garbo and Marilyn Monroe in the West; and Krishnamacharya’s son, T. K. V. Desikachar, who carried on his father’s legacy by making yoga accessible and suitable for people of all walks of life.

practice of balance and overall marriage of breath and movement—the word hatha directly translates as ‘forceful yoga’, which tips one off to the fact that it pushes one to the edge of their comfort zone in order to explore it. Iyengar: A style that draws strict levels of focus on details, precision and alignment of hatha-based postures—more of a drill-downinto technique than a flowing workout.

Like the first splits of a massive trunk on a tree, each of these four ‘disciples”’ of Krishnamacharya took yoga in different directions based on the demands of the world in which they found themselves, while remaining rooted in the fundamental methodology.

Ashtanga-Vinyasa: A rigourous style of asana that involves heating the body from within and gradually opening it through a set series of movements performed regularly with concentration on gaze points and strong focus on aligning breath and movement (six Ashtanga series are known to exist, and only one person is said to have completed all of them).

The branches have further split in myriad directions, some more focused on asana, but all still rooted in the intention to benefit the lives of those who practice them. The following is a brief (asana-focused) list of yoga styles that have grown to prominence today.

Vinyasa: An engaging class that emphasizes various, flowing sequences of movements that encourage fitness and hone concentration through synchronized breath and movement.

Hatha: A root/traditional series of postures designed to open the body and encourage concentration through the holding of postures,

Bikram: A rigourous sequence of poses done in a room set at 40 degrees Celsius or 104 degrees Fahrenheit —this is popular in colder climates and among those who desire rapid body-opening effects.

Rocket: An offshoot of the Ashtanga-Vinyasa method, this practice involves a flow of postures, emphasizing inversions, strength, flexibility and heating of the body from within. Acro-Yoga: An infusion of Thai massage, asana and acrobatics—the emphasis emerges on body awareness, trust, breath-work and collaboration. Jivamukti: A methodology developed in the 80’s, this practice is rooted in Ashtanga-Vinyasa and promotes a holistic array of philosophical and devotional practices, including music and a vegan lifestyle. Yin: A method emphasizing long, slow and penetrating postures that passively encourage the body to open as the student focuses on deep breathing—props and gentle guidance allow for the increasing relaxation of muscles and connective tissues. This list is by no means comprehensive, nor are the descriptions. For more information, I highly recommend attending classes and conducting research to find a set of experiences that enhance your own, personal well-being! n

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Sports

How To Make The Most Of The Treadmill By Jonny Parr

For gym junkies, putting in time on the treadmill can feel like….well…doing time. This month the pros at Absolute Fitness show us a few ways you can spice things up to make every step count.

here’s long been a huge opinion split between fitness-goers and fitness coaches alike, with regards to the infamous treadmill. For some, it’s a cult following – they love it and abide by it; whereas others can’t think of anything more monotonous than running in the same spot for minutes or sometimes hours on end. For me, I fall somewhere in the middle. One of the most common reasons people say they hate the treadmill is the fact that running on a more natural terrain is more beneficial in terms of your mechanics, calorie burn, and overall conditioning. They also highlight the fact that it’s far more beneficial for competitive runners – regardless of whether they compete over short or long distances – to stay off the treadmill and train in more natural conditions. While all of the above may hold true, I think those people who are quick to ‘trash’ the treadmill entirely are forgetting the fact that not everyone wants to run a marathon or run outdoors in the blistering Doha heat. Every person is unique and has different goals and circumstances. As such, I believe the treadmill can hold place in playing a hugely important role in assisting people in reaching their individual goals. The majority of clients I see week-in, weekout are looking for improvements in fat loss, conditioning, lean muscle and generally just want to look and feel great. With this being the case, here are three great uses of the treadmill to help you reach those particular goals.

a set period of time before resting and repeating the process. Confusion ranges with regards to interval training. ‘Real’ intervals involve an intense effort followed by complete or near rest. People make the mistake of not getting adequate recovery between each interval meaning that often they end up participating in some form of Fartlek training. The length of your rest period will be dictated by your level of fitness and conditioning. Generally however, tread intervals tend to be set up as follows. Run at around 85-95% for 30 seconds. Come completely off treadmill after this time using side arms (be careful when doing this). l Look for adequate and near complete recovery. For most of my clients, they require a ratio of 1/2, therefore 60 seconds rest. l Repeat this sequence for a total of 5-10 rounds l l

2. Tread Sprints Tread sprints are a form of conditioning not for the faint of heart. It involves you running on the treadmill as hard as you can while holding the treadmill arms in front of your body. What makes this particularly challenging is that you will be doing this without the treadmill being switched on. You are therefore dragging the tread with your legs. This is extremely demanding on the body. I structure this form of training as follows: l Run as hard as you can (100%) for 20 seconds. l Rest for anywhere between 60-90 seconds.

1. Tread Intervals This method of training is very popular and simply involves running at a challenging pace for

l Repeat this process for a total of 5-10 sprints. l This is very challenging so don’t be surprised if you’re humbled at your early attempts.

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Your treadmill workout doesn't have to be monotonous

3. Incline Tread Sprints Running on a treadmill set on a high incline is another excellent method of training. The set-up involves initially setting the incline to a challenging gradient. For most of my clients, I set this at around 10-12 although many do so at 15. You will then need to gauge a challenging speed. This will be appointed based on your level of conditioning and the structure of the run itself. Check out a good example I use below. l Set the incline to a gradient of 10-12. l Run at a speed of 8-12.

Mix it up with interval training or running on an incline Get some good tunes pumping and make sure to stay hydrated while you workout

l Run for 30 seconds. l Rest for 30 seconds by using the side arms and placing your feet off the tread. l Repeat for a total of 5 rounds. l Only 5 minutes but incredibly effective.

Love it or hate it, the treadmill is a staple in the fitness industry. Used for specific purposes it can be an extremely effective tool in conquering your fitness goals. Tread Intervals, Tread Sprints, and Incline Tread Sprints are just three routines to maximize its usage. Now letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s get to work! n

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Sports Listings RECOMMENDS

e categorized All listings ar d usion is limite per hotel. Incl ith w e, ac of sp to availability s. to advertiser priority given

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA THE CITY Fitness Classes

LA CIGALE Kids Boot Camp

Saturdays: Ozone Gym & Spa. Enjoy 60-minutes of customized, fun fitness games for kids between the ages of six and 12. Classes start at 10:00 a.m. and are complimentary for members; non-members must pay QR 60 per class. For more information call 4428-8101.

Making it easier to navigate at your fingertips, we’ve categorized all our listings per outlet – brunches, business lunches and weekly/daily promotions.

EVERY WEEK CROWNE PLAZA DOHA – THE BUSINESS PARK Personal Trainer

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

DOHA MARRIOTT Boxing

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

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LPG Slimming Machine

Upon request: Adored by stars all over the world and well-known to the general public, the Cellu M6 Keymodule (the Lipomassage machine) is the new alternative to invasive methods. Enjoy a special introductory offer of one LPG treatment plus a 20% discount on a personal training consultation with Adamou. For more information call 4429-8520.

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA TRX Fitness

Tues & Sat: The Bay Club. Another name for this challenging class is suspension training. Participants will be working against gravity using their own body weight and TRX equipment to complete a series of exercises. It helps to develop strength, balance, flexibility and core stability simultaneously. Tuesdays from 8:00 p.m. till 8:45 p.m., and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. till 11:15 a.m. Members QR 30/ non-members QR 50. For more information call 4484-4852.

Pilates Sculpt

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

Boxing Fitness

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

Sundays 7:00 p.m. till 8:30 p.m. Yoga at QR 60 8:30 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. Salsa Classes (advanced) Mondays 6:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. Zumba Toning (with Jamil) QR 60 7:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. Boxing QR 50 (with Big T) 8:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. Zumba Toning (with Jamil) QR 60 Tuesdays 9:00 a.m. till 10:00 a.m. Pilates QR 50 7:00 p.m. till 8:30 p.m. Yoga QR 60 8:30 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. Tango Classes Wednesdays 9:00 a.m. till 10:00 a.m. Pilates QR 50 6:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. Kids Salsa & Cha Cha @ QR 250 per child, per month 7:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. Zumba (with Jamil) QR 50 8:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. Thai boxing QR 50 (with Inigo) Thursdays 6:30 p.m. till 7:30 p.m. Salsa Classes (intermediate) Saturdays 6:30 p.m. till 7:30 p.m. Salsa Classes (beginners) 7:30 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. Salsa Classes (intermediate) Classes are subject to change on a month-to-month basis depending on instructor’s availability. Updated class schedules are available from the Health and Fitness Club. For more information email DohaRecreation@ihg.com.

LA CIGALE Tone & Shape

Saturdays: Ozone Gym & Spa. This 60-minute total body workout combines low to mediumintensity cardio and weight-training exercises. Complimentary for members; non-members pay QR 60 per class. For more information call 4428-8101.

Power Toning

Sun-Thurs: Ozone Gym & Spa. Undergo a variety of strength-training, combined with cardio exercises to tone and shape the body in this 60-minute class. Sun, Tue, Thurs at 12:30 noon, Mon and Wed at 7:00 p.m. Complimentary for members; non-members pay QR 60 per class. For more information call 4428-8101.

The Ultimate Core

Sun & Tue: Ozone Gym & Spa. An amazing 30-minute workout that focuses on core muscles to stabilize and strengthen the entire body. Sun and Tues at 8:00 p.m. Complimentary for members; non-members pay QR 60 per class. For more information call 4428-8101.

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Activities & Clubs Explosive Cardio

Sun & Tue: Ozone Gym& Spa. 60-minute endurance cardiovascular training to burn fat, tone the muscles and improve fitness capabilities. Sun & Tues at 8:00 p.m. Complimentary for members, non-members QR 60. For more information call 4428-8101.

MARRIOTT MARQUIS CITY CENTER DOHA Yoga Classes

Bike Riding The Corniche Aspire Park

Bowling

The Qatar Bowling Center 4432-9178 or www.qatarbowlingcenter.net

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

Gondolania Bowling Center (Villaggio) 4403-9807 or www.gondolania.com

THE DIPLOMATIC CLUB Pilates

Golf

Sun & Wed: Pilates is the system of strengthening and stretching exercises designed to develop the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core, mobilize the spine and build flexibility. It teaches you how to train your mind and build symmetry and coordination in the body. From 5:00 p.m. till 5:45 p.m. For more information call 4484-7450 or email spa.recreation@dclub.com.qa.

Zumba

Sun, Mon, Thurs & Sat: A global lifestyle brand that fuses fitness, entertainment and culture into an exhilarating dance-party workout! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a combination of different types of dance styles from hip-hop and Latin, to house and even contemporary! This 50-minute cardio workout will have something for everybody! Sundays from 11:00 a.m. till 11:45 a.m., Mondays from 5:05 p.m. till 5:45 p.m., Thursdays from 11:00 p.m. till 11:45 p.m., and Saturdays from 5:00 p.m. till 5:45 p.m. For more information call 4484-7450 or email spa.recreation@dclub.com.qa.

Aqua Dance Fitness

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

Strike Bowling Alley (City Center) 4483-9162

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

Horse Riding

Al Khor Riding Center 4421-8857 Al Samariya Stables 5525-7203 or qatarracing@gmail.com Al Shaqab Riding Academy 4454-6236 or www.alshaqab.com

Ice-Skating

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

Sailing

Doha Sailing Club 4443-9840 or www.qmsf.com Regatta Sailing Academy 4442-4577 or www.regattasailingacademy.com Royal Yachting Association Courses www.ryacourses-qatar.com

Swimming

Aspire Academy for Sporting Excellence 4413-6219 or www.aspire.qa

e! n i l n o s u e Se atarhappening.com www.q

Aqua Park 4490-5872 or aquaparkqa@gmail.com

Tennis & Squash

Khalifa Tennis & Squash Complex 4440-9666

Walking

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

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QH Sensations

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Lanie Thai Aroma Massage

Ashlee Escada – Born In Paradise I discovered this little bottle of blue by accident when I was wandering through The Centre in search of another fragrance that was – luckily – out of stock. The latest concoction from Escada, Born In Paradise has now become my signature scent du jour. When it comes to perfume, in my mind, if it’s not fruity or candy-coated then it can stay on the shelf – but this one hits all the right notes. A delicious blend of pineapple, watermelon and guava with undertones of coconut, it’s a vacation in a bottle. Taste the tropics? Smell like the tropics I say! When I spritz it on I think of beaches, hazy sunsets and big doses of Copacabana! Want to give it a go? Pick up a 3.3oz bottle from The Centre for QR 345.

A little while ago I felt like I was getting the flu and my back was hurting – my body was crying out for a massage. So on a whim I tried the Thai Aroma Massage at Lady Siam Massage & Spa and it was just what I needed. The therapist used fragrant oils extracted from herbs, flowers and fruits which had a soothing effect, while her technique consisted of Thai-style deep massage with stretching, combined with Swedish massage. My back pains were gone and I was rejuvenated and relaxed after the treatment. Enjoy your own for 60 minutes at QR 180, by calling 4435-4115 or email ladysiamm@hotmail.com.

Chet Jessie

Srimani

DJI Phantom 2

Timberland Shoes

This little gadget is a videographer’s dream! The Phantom 2 is unbelievably easy to fly, and combined with smooth, stabilized footage from the H3-2D or H3-3D gimbal, aerial cinematography has never been easier. It’s light, rugged and perfect for travel. The high capacity, high performance 5200mAh Lithium Polymer battery offers up to 25 minutes of flight time. It’s how I get my bird’s-eye view of the city! You can get one of your own for QR 3,500 from The Pro stores on Salwa Road or in City Center Mall, but it’s worth the investment. Call them at 4411-2043.

Shoes should be an investment rather than an impulse buy! Timberland is one of the best brands in the world and their boots haven’t let me down yet. Made of genuine leather, they’re waterproof, comfortable and have anti-fatigue comfort technology that will carry you through the day with no blisters! If you like the ones pictured here, you can grab a pair for QR 500 from Timberland stores in City Center and Ezdan Malls. Or, browse their different styles online at www.timberland.com.

Cancer Warriors Foundation Back in the spring, the Filipino Cycling Group and the Qatar Cycling Federation teamed up for a Pedal, Run To Beat Cancer event at Losail in support of the Cancer Warriors Foundation in the Philippines. On a special trip to Cebu by the Filipino Cycling Group, all proceeds raised were donated to help children battling cancer. It was great to see such a good turnout and support from the Pinoy community here in Doha and I feel it’s important to keep the momentum going throughout the rest of the year! To learn how you can help a child visit www.cancerwarriorsfoundation.com. A big thanks to the Qatar Red Crescent, Giant Bikes and Ride Bike Shop for helping make the event possible! We’re already looking forward to the next one.

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QH Sensations The relaxation pool undoubtedly has one of the best views in the city!

w o l G n i a l r e u G e Th By Ashlee Starratt & Jorge Granda Photography by Jessie Palanca

From its perch atop the 39th floor of Alfardan Towers, it’s luxury on high at Guerlain Alfardan Spa. We indulge in an afternoon of pampering with their Radiance Facial and Vichy Shower with Body Scrub treatments. Fresh-Faced In the world of beauty and fragrance, the name ‘Guerlain’ is spoken with reverence. One of the oldest brands in the industry, Pierre-FrançoisPascal Guerlain founded the family’s first perfume house in Paris in 1828. Over the next century and a half his descendents would build and sustain the empire from which scents like ‘Shalimar’ and ‘Mitsouko’ would grace the pulse points of silver-screen starlets and French aristocrats. Setting foot in Doha’s Guerlain Alfardan Spa for the first time, the history of the house still holds presence over the golden glitz of its décor. With a bird’s-eye view of West Bay, the spa spans two floors with a signature gold-tiled theme throughout. Spa Manager Florana Nget tells us that all materials for the design were imported from Italy, while there are also splashes of

scarab-green, elemental stone sculptures and bamboo focal points that add a calming dose of nature to the space. As she gives us a tour we pass through a hallway where giant vanity bottles of iconic Guerlain fragrances are on display – purchased at auction by the Alfardan family and encased in museum glass. My treatment room is spacious and filled with amenities – it has a private bathroom, shower, changing room with toiletries and even an exclusive Guerlain make-up counter filled with colourful products for after-treatment touch-ups. The service is complimentary and so far it’s the only spa I’ve come across that offers it. Before starting the Radiance Facial, my therapist Syreeta asks me what concerns I have, and after doing a brief diagnosis says she’ll treat my face

with Guerlain’s Super-Aqua line of products in an effort to re-hydrate my dry, combination skin. She starts with a gentle cleanser, followed by their Super-Serum to plump up collagen. All of Guerlain’s Super-Aqua lines of products are infused with essential enzymes of desert rose – a hardy plant that can retain moisture in the most arid of conditions, so its properties do a world of good for the skin. While the serum sets, Syreeta gives me a moisturizing hand massage, followed by a steam session and extraction of blackheads – the least relaxing part of the hour-long facial, but a necessity nonetheless! Making up for any fleeting discomfort is a heavenly exfoliating facial massage and a heavy-duty moisturizing mask. Instead of hardening like most masks, the cooling emulsion tingles and penetrates the

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deeper layers of the skin while remaining moist. While it does its work, Syreets goes about giving me a sleep-inducing scalp massage which is pretty much one of the best feelings you can possibly experience. The treatment ends with the application of a soothing toner, which she explains prepares the skin for the absorption of moisturizer which she massages in next. The final touches are a few daubs of Super-Aqua Eye Serum and some lip balm. A day later and my face is still glowing and, living up to its name, radiant.

Squeaky Clean After a few facials and massages over the past three months I’m ready to try something completely different – not that I’m complaining, but sometimes it’s good to get out of your comfort zone. This time around I decide on the Vichy Shower with Body Scrub at Guerlain Alfardan Spa. For those of you unfamiliar with a Vichy shower, it’s similar to a traditional hammam, but with a twist. Though I come here regularly to get my hair cut, I haven’t had a treatment in over two years, so I’m very much looking forward to the experience as the spa is one-of-a-kind. Guerlain boasts impressive facilities all wrapped up in a peaceful, secluded environment – as soon as I set foot inside the spa I can breathe luxury and relaxation. From the receptionist, to the therapists and spa manager, everyone is very attentive at making you feel right at home. Before we get started I’m taken to the changing room. Contrary to other spas in Doha, at Guerlain you have your very own dressing room and all rooms are adjacent to where the treatments take place, with the exception of the Vichy shower room, which is separate from all others. Designed to help the body get rid of dead skin cells while relaxing your muscles, smoothing and softening your skin, the Vichy shower treatment is unique. To open up your pores, you make a trip to the steam room first so the heat and warmth can give the cleansing a more powerful effect. After ten minutes sweating it out, I head to the Vichy shower room. The design is striking and resembles a chamber in a fancy nightclub. The space is dark with dimmed lights and features two sculptures in each corner and two heated marble wet-beds – above each hang the Vichy water pressure pipes. The room also has a mirrored ceiling and grey and gold-tiled focal walls that lend it an opulent, sensual ambiance. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to have a royal bath, nothing gets closer to it than a Vichy shower. You lay on the marble wet-bed and rubbed head-to-toe with soap to cleanse and prepare your body for the ensuing scrub.

The sultry Vichy shower room In Circle: Hydrotherapy room with massage table

After a quick rinse the head-to-toe process repeats itself, but this time with the exfoliation. At first the experience can be a bit intimidating, as another person is literally showering you, therefore it’s very important to be relaxed and feel comfortable. The whole experience can only be described as pampering worthy of a king – the therapist is extremely professional, so just unwind and let yourself go. The sensation of the scrubbing action, coupled with the water falling on your body is soothing and comforting – it feels like you’re immersed in a spring. After the scrub, you take a quick shower to remove any residuals, and then the therapist rubs cream all over your body for about five minutes which only adds to the relaxation. At the end your muscles feel completely calmed. The Vichy shower is a unique and personal occasion and I highly recommend it – it can be even better than a massage. n

Guerlain Alfardan Spa Location: 39th Floor, Alfardan Towers, West Bay Timings: Open daily, 9:00 a.m. till 10:00 p.m. Prices: • QR 550, 60-minute Radiance Facial • QR 550, 60-minute Vichy Shower with Body Scrub Contact: For more information call 4420-8660 or email spa@alfardan.com.qa

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QH Sensations Listings Cocolicious

RECOMMENDS

Daily: Coconut as the main ingredient of this luxurious treatment that helps slow the signs of aging by maintaining flexibility and elasticity of the skin and blood vessels. Begin with a foot-wash using coconut milk, continuing with a gentle coconut body scrub followed by full-body and scalp massages with pure coconut oil. Delicious coconut amenities serve after the treatment. QR 1195 per person for two hours. For more information call 4494-8802.

THE RITZ- CARLTON Body Remodeling Treatment

Daily: A cascade of vitamins and mineral salts compose this highly invigorating treatment with an innovative, three-dimensional slimming complex including firming properties and natural phyto-extracts. QR 600 for 90-minutes. A course of 6-10 treatments is recommended for best results. For more information call 4484-8183, or email rc.dohrz.leads@ritzcarlton.com.

DOHA MARRIOTT Fantasy Tan Spray

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

DOHA MARRIOTT Pevonia Facial & Massage

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

GRAND HERITAGE DOHA Rejuvenating Package

Daily: Facial massage followed by a relaxing scalp, neck and shoulder massage. Duration 60 minutes. QR 400. Free use of indoor pool, steam, sauna and Jacuzzi. For more information call 4445-5555.

MARRIOTT MARQUIS CITY CENTER DOHA Summer Buster

Daily: Saray Spa. Treat your body to a full fruit body-wrap and traditional Swedish full-body massage for QR 550. From 9:00 a.m. till 9:00 p.m. For more information call 4419-6090 or email sarayspadoha@renaissancehotels.com.

THE DIPLOMATIC CLUB Reflexology Treatment

Daily: Rebalance harmony in your body by cleaning congested reflexes and help boost the immune system. The practice of reflexology can assist with recovery from illness, boost circulation, increase energy levels and improve mental and emotional processes. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very relaxing and creates a feeling of well-being. For more information call 4484-7450.

Swedish Treatment

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

THE FOUR SEASONS Summer Breeze

Daily: Energizing and refreshing, this treatment starts with a foot ritual followed by jojoba body polish and sun-soothing facial that prepares your skin for the summer rays. QR 1,295 per person. For more information call 4494-8802.

Touch Of Sun

Daily: Saray Spa. Enjoy a relaxing mudwrap with rose petals or coffee, along with a spa manicure and pedicure for QR 512. For more information call 4419-6090 or email sarayspadoha@renaissancehotels.com.

Body Cellulite Buster Treatment

Daily: Specially designed to target stubborn areas of cellulite with visible result after the first three treatments. The pampering starts with a body exfoliation and body contour mask to detoxify the skin. Then you will be wrapped in a thermal blanket and finally a special vibratory massage is concentrated on cellulite zones, leaving the skin smoother with increased circulation. QR 600 (NB). Duration of 90 minutes. Offers best results overall a series of visits, along with home care products. For more information call 4484-8183, or email rc.dohrz.leads@ritzcarlton.com

THE ST. REGIS DOHA The Refinery Treatments For Men

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

ZUBARAH BOUTIQUE HOTEL Pamper Your Senses

Daily: Elevate your senses at Rayhaan Spa, a tranquil oasis of luxury and calm. Pamper your every fibre with their range of 60-minute treatments and enjoy a 20% discount plus one hour of complimentary Jacuzzi and sauna use. Also enjoy manicures or pedicures for QR 135. Advance booking is a must .For more information call 4447-0000.

ne! i l n o s u e e S w.qatarhappening.com ww

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Bilal Pearl Suites The Pearl Qatar

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

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

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

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

Aspen Film Fest

Sept 26-Oct 1: USA

The second-largest film festival after Sundance takes over the Colorado ski-resort town of Aspen for six days of nothing but celluloid. Come for the line-up of films, but stay for the celeb sightings and burning fall colours. This year marks its 35th anniversary celebrating the best of independent filmmaking and is sure to see some big names crop up on the ticket. The full schedule is available as of September 1 – download your copy and plan your movie marathon at www.aspenfilm.org.

Festival d’Automne A Paris Sept 1-30: France

Paris’ preeminent festival of the arts actually runs throughout the majority of the fall, with an array of exhibitions, cinema screenings, musical theatre and performance pieces on display up until November and December. The notion of art and Paris go hand-in-hand, and if the city in the spring is when ideas bloom, then the autumn showcase is the culmination of that creative harvest. Explore this year’s program at www.festival-automne.com.

Helsinki Comedy Festival

Sept 10-13: Finland

Laugh your way across the theatres and clubs of the Finnish capital in a side-splitting celebration of stand-up comedy. Starring loads of new talent, plus a host of the country’s best comedians, you can take your pick from whatever floats your boat. Whether it’s amateur hour or a pro-on-the-mic you seek, grab your tickets, a cold one and a heaping plate of muikku and get ready to be entertained! Check out the laugh line-up at www.helsinkicomedy.com.

Brick Lane Curry Festival

Earthdance

Sept 19-21: South Africa

Can dancing make the world a better place? We think so – and so do tens of thousands of people across the globe, ready to show off their fancy footwork leading up to the UN International Day For Peace on September 21. The three-day musical mash-up dubs itself a ‘Peace Party’ in its effort to use the good vibrations of music and song to empower and motivate the planet. Call it social activism for the new-age, but we guarantee it will get your toes tapping and bring a smile to your face. With Cape Town as the global hub for this year’s event, dance like the world depends on it and make a difference. Visit www.earthdance.org for more info.

Sept 19: UK

Celebrate the mighty curry leaf at London’s premiere festival of spice. We all know the Brits are crazy for a good curry – and let’s be honest, aren’t we all – and Brick Lane’s gauntlet of heat gets bigger and bolder each year. With its large population from the subcontinent bringing their unique, regional flavours to the table, fill your bowls at some of London’s best ‘Banglatown’ curry houses. This popular food festival is a must for those who like to get their kicks right in the mouth! Explore the menu at www.curryfestival.co.

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QH Sensations A bird's-eye view of the city centre

A Weekend In

Copenhagen By John Hunt

The Danish capital has picked up the complimentary nickname ‘Wonderful Copenhagen’ over the years. QH finds out if the reality matches the hype...

anding at Copenhagen Airport, we descended to the basement train station and onto a frequent service that had us swiftly in the capital’s central terminus. We emerged to find our hotel looming overhead. Minutes later we were in our 18th floor room. From landing to enjoying the view from our lofty perch had taken just half-anhour. That’s a good first impression. Denmark is a Nordic country, though sharing a border with Germany. This bicultural mix meant everything ‘worked’ in a typically Teutonic fashion, while Scandinavian influences were apparent in the architecture, design and ‘attitude’ (hugely friendly) of the city.

What To See We were armed with a pair of ‘Copenhagen Cards’ (www.copenhagencard.com) which enable free entry to scores of the city’s top attractions, as well as unlimited use of the excellent public transport system (buses, trains, Metro). Cards cost QR 380 for 72 hours. These were superb value and meant that, with just one exception, we spent

nothing further for all attractions and transport. First up was the Canal Cruise. Departing from a city-centre berth, the one-hour tour glides through the canals which bisect the capital, and out into the narrow strait which separates Denmark from Sweden. The cruise’s English commentary provides a history of Copenhagen, as well as that of many of the fantastic buildings perched on the waterline. This includes a close-up of The Little Mermaid – the statue which has become an iconic symbol of the city. Continuing the aquatic theme, we got the Metro out to the Blue Planet Aquarium, which is the largest of its kind in Northern Europe. It’s a new, family-friendly attraction featuring a huge array (20,000) of our underwater friends. The centrepiece is a vast tank filled with fish ranging from sluggish skates to deadly sharks. The place was heaving with locals and tourists alike, testament to its quality. Copenhagen is home to numerous top-class museums. The National Museum of Denmark

in the city-centre charts 14,000 years of Danish history from the Ice Age to the present. This was great – everything you want to know about Denmark in one place. The nearby Military Museum similarly does what it says on the tin and is worth a look. Next up was the National Gallery of Denmark, a beautiful building housing a comprehensive collection of Danish, foreign art and contemporary art whose quality ranged from the very good to the mediocre.

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-eye view of the tre

Walk through the water at the Blue Planet Aquarium

Thrill-rides abound at Tivoli Gardens

The Copenhagen Card will gain you entry to the gardens, but an unlimited pass for the various rides costs QR 130. I’m not sure it’s possible to visit Copenhagen and not visit Tivoli. Don’t miss it. The Little Mermaid has been calling sailors home for decades

On the way back into the city-centre we dropped in at Visit Carlsberg which tells the tale of the world-famous brewer. This was very interesting, and also helped slake the thirst of a hot day. Our hotel was situated directly above the famous Tivoli Gardens, Scandinavia’s most popular attraction. It’s a large, sculptured garden which also contains an extensive range of theme-park rides. From sedate children’s rides to full-on rollercoasters, Tivoli offers the sort of high-octane thrills you expect to see at Disneyland, not in a capital city’s centre. We went round and round on the various rides until motion sickness set in...

Overall, we only had the time to scratch the surface of cultural Copenhagen, but we did manage to cover several ‘blue chip’ attractions. Overall, ‘Wonderful Copenhagen’ lived up to its billing.

Where To Stay We stayed at the Radisson Blu Royal Crown Hotel, right in the heart of the city, which offered superb views from our room of Tivoli and beyond. The Royal Crown – designed by famed Danish designer Arne Jacobsen– is something of a Copenhagen institution. The five-star property has been renovated many times since its completion in the 1960s, yet maintains an authentic and appealing ‘retro’ feel in the common areas.

and rapid Wi-Fi. Downstairs, the basement was home to an enormous gym with separate ladies’ and gents’ steam and sauna facilities. Each morning brought us the familiar joys of the ‘Radisson breakfast’ – an extensive hot and cold buffet as well as items cooked to order if necessary. On our last night, we dined in the hotel’s Café Royal which offered tasty and keenly-priced fare. We both opted for the burger and fries for our mains, which were so big we had trouble finishing. We found the hotel excellent in every respect – service, room, food and facilities. A double room with breakfast costs from QR 725 per night.

How To Get There Qatar Airways flies to Copenhagen daily, with Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner aircraft being used on the route. n

Our room was bright, clean and well-equipped, with an enormous bed, flat-screen TV, and free

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QH Sensations

The Dish On Qatar By Ashlee Starratt

Relocating as a family to Doha can seem like a daunting transition â&#x20AC;&#x201C; especially with school-age children in tow. Trying to get your kids enrolled in school in a new country is certainly one of the challenges parents face. To make it easier on you, we break down Qatarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s education system step-by-step.

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or its size, Qatar has some of the best schools and post-secondary institutions in the GCC. Billions of dollars have been spent on the cultivation of Ivy League campuses at the aptly named Education City which plays home to heavy-hitters such as the Georgetown School of Foreign Service, Weill-Cornell Medical College, and Carnegie Mellon – all under the titular umbrella of Hamad Bin Khalifa University. All public and private schools are overseen by the Supreme Education Council (www.sec.gov.qa), which oversees funding, curriculum programming for governmentoperated public schools, and monitors independent outlets. There are dozens of schools in Doha that cater to the specific needs of expats – so, if you’re transitioning from the UK for example and want your child to maintain a British-standard curriculum you may consider enrolling them in the Doha British School, or the Sherborne School’s Qatar branch. Similarly if you’ve made the move from the US, the American School of Doha is one of the top-tier spots, along with the Doha English Speaking School. But no matter where you’re from it’s easy to find a school that meets your child’s educational preferences (Stafford Sri Lankan School, Phillippine School Doha, Doha Modern Indian School etc.) – it’s getting in that can be tricky. Due to Qatar’s booming expat population, demand for classroom placements outweighs the number of spots available, and in many cases a shortage of spaces and long wait-lists can be a frustrating reality for students and parents. All schools have comprehensive websites detailing enrollment availability, curriculum requirements and tuition fees. The application process for registration can be made by paying a visit to the school to gather the necessary forms. All prospective applicants must provide the school with their children’s Qatari ID number, health card number and an employment certificate from the primary parent or guardian. If you’re worried about being wait-listed and your child missing out on classroom time during that period, your best bet is to select your top three schools and apply to all of them so the odds are in your favour. The benefit of enrolling your children in a satellite school from your home country is that they will be taught the same style and standard of curriculum as if they were there. So – if a move back is in your five-year plan, or your child graduates and applies to colleges abroad, their school credits will transfer easily and re-taking classes shouldn’t be necessary. But, of course – all of this comes at a price. Currently only those who hold Qatari citizenship are entitled to

When it come to school enrolment, making an informed decision is key! access free public education, so for most expat families – unless fortunate enough to have their company cover school tuition costs as part of their contract – paying out of pocket becomes an added cost. According to the Supreme Education Council’s 2012-2013 Schools and Schooling report, the annual cost of education per child has risen from QR 10,208 to QR 13,026 – which is roughly a $1,000 USD increase. International schools top the list as the priciest, while private Arabiclanguage schools follow a close second. If worst comes to worst and you are waitlisted, an interim solution is home-schooling. There’s a lot of support out there for education in the home and if you’re counting your options, getting in touch with the Doha Home Educators group (www.dohahomeeducators.wordpress.com) may be to your advantage. On the plus side, the majority of private schools in Doha offer one-stop-shopping so to speak – with curricula available from elementary through to middle/junior high and senior high. For families this can offer much needed stability as their children are able to make and maintain a core group of classmates and friends throughout their education in Qatar. Though turnover in teaching staff is high in Doha,

teachers employed here must surpass rigourous standards for classroom experience and teaching hours, curriculum development and subject matter expertise – with many international staff recruited from overseas. The Qatari government, in its annual report, has also promised funding for 85 new schools to be built over the next two years in an effort to tackle placement shortages, while the Supreme Education Council recently denied requests from private schools to further increase tuition fees in an effort to help manage costs. If you’ve reached the bottom of the page and are still feeling overwhelmed – don’t be. From neighbours to community groups (www.dohamums.com), you can find information, support and advice based on experience that will help your family along in its school-search. Tweet us @qatarhappening or send us a message on Facebook and let us know how you get on! n

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! d e n e p p a H It

Al Sadd hoisted the trophy at this year's tournament

2014 sheikh cup jassim the Qatar

teams in e The best ted for th ue compe Stars Leag hy! op coveted tr

Stadium Lekhwiya , 2014 August 13

A Lekhwiya player blocks the ball from Al Sadd

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summer Qatar festival f the

rder o was the o Family fun pening weekend as eo inter day on th came a w e QEC be parts of th d! wonderlan enter hibition C Qatar Ex , 2014 August 12

From giant snowglobes to dance performances -- fun was had by all!

Crowds wander along the central promenade exploring the many kiosks and stalls

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! d e n e p p a H It

Peruvian

Night

t Restauran nal Day Caminito Natio 's ru e P s u celebrate ecial men licious sp with a de Hotel Boutique Zubarah 14 July 28, 20

H.E. Mr. Julio Florian, Peruvian Ambassador to Qatar

's Grand Nando elcomed Opening hotspot w The Nando's staff is ready to get grilling!

eri edina rite Peri-P Our favou newest outlet at M 's it guests to Centrale!

-Qatar The Pearl 2014 August 4,

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The team from the Doha Marriott took home the honours!

Otel INter-H Basketball Tournament

And the crowd goes wild!

Images courtesy of the Doha Marriott

ss hotels acro m all the ! Teams fro for this year's title d e vi ty ci the orts Club Al Sadd Sp 14 July 27, 20

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Phone Directory Hotels / Restaurants Al Gassar Resort 4424-4881 Al Mourjan Restaurants 4483-4423 Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara 4040-5050 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 The 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 Marriott Marquis City Center Doha 4419-5000 Mövenpick Hotel 4429-1111 Mövenpick Tower & Suites 4496-6115 Nando’s Delivery Hotline 4436-0606 Oryx Rotana 4402-3333 4428-1555 Radisson Blu Red Velvet 4408 0700 Sharq Village & Spa 4425-6666 Sealine Beach Resort 4476-5299 Sheraton Doha 4485-4444 St. Regis Doha 4446-0000 The Diplomatic Club 4484-7444 The Ritz-Carlton 4484-8000 4446-5600 The Torch Doha W Doha Hotel & Residences 4453-5021 Wyndham Grand Regency 4434-3333 Zubarah Boutique Hotel 4447-0000

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

Ahmed Hassan Bilal Group

Health / Beauty

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

Hospitals/Emergency

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

4493-4433 4483-0989

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

Ambulance, Police & Fire Department Doha Clinic Hospital

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

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

4438-4333

Emergency Hotline 4435-5999

Pediatric Emergency

4439-2948

Al Ahli Hospital

4489-8000

Qatar Foundation for Child &

Hamad General Hospital

4439-2222

Woman Protection Hotline 4466-6671 / 72

Rumailah Hospital

4439-3333

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

4427-8416

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

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

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

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

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

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

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