Spring Festival
February 1-6
Head to the Souq Waqif for a fantastic spring festival. Starting at 3.30pm every day, numerous venues will have shows for everyone. Venues include the souq alley, the art gallery, parking area, the outdoor theatre and Al Ahmed field. Every day from February 2-6, the Karameesh Musical Group will play at the Al Rayyan Theatre stage.
Souq Waqif, just off the Corniche and adjacent to Grand Hamad Street.
Handball
February 1
This is the last day of the very successful Handball World Championships. If you’ve got tickets, you’re in for a treat. The bronze and the gold medal matches take place at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall, with the bronze medal match commencing at 4.30pm and the gold medal match at 7.15pm.
To see if any tickets are still available, go to www.qatarhandball2015.com.
Kool and the Gang
February 1
As a big finale to the series of events from the Twenty-Four Hour Funzone, which started on January 16, Kool and The Gang will be playing from 10pm-11pm (Get Down On It, Ladies Night). Come early, though, as there are other acts and activities on with Cirque Eloize, air guitar, graffiti artists, bungee jumping and more. You can pay on entrance.
QR100, 18 or older. Next to Doha Golf Club, West Bay Lagoon. For more information, visit thetwentyfour.qa.
Pre Sports Day run
February 6
Al Sadd Sports Club hopes that 50,000 people will compete in a half marathon (good luck). There is no registration fee and it will start from 7pm, following a set route on the National Day Ceremonial Road in Al Refaa, with participants completing half the distance before turning around and heading back to the initial starting point. You can register online at qatarmegamarathon.com/en/index.html or at kiosks at Al Sadd Sports Club or at various malls on the day of the event.
Al Sadd Sports Club, Al Sadd.
Jazz Unplugged
February 7
Go to Villaggio to hear some grass roots jazz with award winning performers from Jazz at Lincoln Center playing top-quality music, all for nothing. It’s on from 4pm-5pm, at Virgin Megastore. Why not treat yourself and the family?
Virgin Megastore, Villaggio, Al Wabb Street, Muraikh (4495 9060).
Qatar Motor Show
February 6-10
The annual event, showcasing the latest models, motorcycles, newest car equipment and so much more comes to the QNCC for five days. The fifth year this has been running, the event is becoming more popular year-on-year. It is free entrance and you can just turn up. QNCC, Al Gharafa (3340 5808).
Thai spice
February 9-13
Michelin star chef Henrik Yde is coming to Spice Market for one week only for his first ever visit to Doha. The set meal is priced at QR1,200 per person, but is bound to be something particularly special.
Spice Market, W Doha Hotel & Residences, West Bay (4453 5135).
Sports Day
February 10
There will be many sporting activities to partake in throughout the city on this day of sporty celebration. Our personal pick is the Doha Dash, which takes place at Losail Circuit and has an early start of 7am, leaving you free for the rest of the day.
Visit dohadash.com to register. Losial Circuit, Al Wusail, North Relief Road.
Music for winds
February 12
The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra will be playing in the atrium of the Museum of Islamic Art, with an emphasis on wind instruments. This is bound to be a beautiful event and is on from 6-7pm. Enjoy the ambiance, the setting and the classical music.
Museum of Islamic Art, MIA Atrium, Corniche (4422 4444), e-mail MIAevents@qm.org.qa.
Valentine’s Day
February 14
Treat that special someone to a spa deal, a night out, or a great meal (or how about all three!) Look at our Valentines feature in this issue and take your pick and be in the good books for a few more weeks to come.
Various venues and locations.
Workshops with Jacob Melaard
February 15
In this 90-minute workshop, you will learn about the proven and well-tested techniques that will help you deal with emotional eating and food cravings, and enable you to make healthier choices. At the end, you will hopefully have the tools, knowledge and support to embark on a new and healthier journey. The price is QR200 and it runs from 6.30pm-8pm.
Six Senses Spa, Ritz Carlton Sharq Village & Spa, Ras Abu Abboud (4425 6999).
Asian Lunar
February 15-20
You can celebrate Chinese New Year with traditional Pan Asian cuisine such as mapo tofu, ganpengji and dumpling soup, Guangdong style (Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea). And get ready for special fun and surprises all throughout the festival. Quite what that means, were not sure, but we’ve been told they are going to be good.
Hwang, InterContinental Doha The City, West Bay (4015 8888).
Hakkasan Special
February 8-March 1
There is a very special menu to celebrate Chinese New Year at Hakkasan at the St. Regis as well, with a nine-course feast on offer. The menu features small eats to start, such as spicy lamb lupin wrap (it is, after all, the Year of the Sheep). Other courses include sea bass and rib-eye beef, all for QR398 per person. Furthermore, inspired by the “Wishing Tree” in Hong Kong, now you can write your wishes on specially designed ribbons placed throughout the restaurant.
St. Regis Doha, West Bay Lagoon (4446 0170).
Jazz concert series
February 18
In case you missed the event at Villaggio Mall on February 7, or just fancy going to another, the Museum of Islamic Art is partnering with Jazz at Lincoln Center at MIA Park, with the usual excellent jazz on show. It is free entry and on from 7pm-8pm.
Museum of Islamic Art, MIA Park, Corniche (4422 4444), MIAevents@qm.org.qa.
Ruq’af for men and women
Ongoing, until April 30
The simple, clear style of Ruq’ah script makes it ideal for students starting Arabic calligraphy, and the workshops are good fun, too. For women, it is on every Monday and Thursday from 5pm-7pm; for men, every Sunday and Wednesday from 5pm-7pm.
Museum of Islamic Art Classroom, Corniche (4422 4444). haahmed@qm.org.qa.
2015 Qatar Total Open
February 23-28
Last month we had some of the best men tennis players in the world compete at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex (note that we said David Ferrer was an ‘Outside Tip’ and Tomáš Berdych ‘Always a Threat’ – they were the finalists). Well now the best female players on the planet will come to compete in the 2015 Qatar Total Open. Venus Williams will be competing in her third Open in Qatar, alongside players such as Radwanska, Kvitova and defending champion Simona Halep.
Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, West Bay (4440 9666), www.qatartennis.org.
Jewellery & watches exhibition
February 24-28
It’s time to look at all things that sparkle at the QNCC. There will be exclusive collections from luxury brands all over the world. Time to enjoy the elegant time-pieces and marvel at the beautiful jewellery on show.
QNCC, Al Gharafa (3340 5808).
Stars and geeks converge
February 26-27
For the very first time, the IGN Convention comes to Qatar. Ideal for gamers, movie buffs, self-confessed geeks and more, you can get your fill of comics, gaming tournaments, workshops and more for QR75 if purchased in advance, QR1,000 on the door.
QNCC, Al Gharafa (3340 5808), www.ignconvention.com/qatar.
Motocross championships
February 27-28
If you’re in the need for speed and this issue has got you into a motor sport frenzy, you’ll be glad to know that the Motocross world championships are coming to Losail Circuit. Watch the best bikers at the impressive track fight it out. It’s free entrance, too.
Losail International Circuit, Wusail, North Relief Road, www.circuitlosail.com, (4472 9151), tickets@curcuitlosail.com.
Here’s looking at you, DFI
February 27-28
There are four special films being shown by the Doha Film Institute on these two days at Katara. The first showing is at 3pm on February 27, screening Whiplash, then 7pm with Les Choristes. The following day there is a 4pm viewing of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and a 7pm viewing of World War II epic romance Casablanca.
For more details and ticketing information, visit dohafilminstitute.com.
