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Driving simulator at IGN convention.
From cheering on international tennis stars to seeing how the other side lives at a luxury jewelry and watch expo to spending the day gaming, shopping or dancing, there are plenty of things to do around town over the next few days.
Here are our picks:
IGN Convention
Qatar’s first gaming convention, a two-day long event that focuses on promoting international movies, video games, comics, and pop culture within the region, as well as showcasing local talent and artists, will kick off tomorrow, Feb. 26 at the Qatar National Convention Center.
Popular international gaming website IGN is hosting the event, which was postponed from last fall. The conference will include workshops, artists and developers at the dedicated Artist Alley, gaming celebrities and day-long gaming tournaments.
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Cosplay contest
The event will also feature a cosplay costume contest on Friday, Feb. 27 at 6pm. Another attraction is the “Girnaas Game Jam,” a mobile game development challenge.
Entrance to that competition is free, and participants can sign up as individuals or as teams of up to four members. They will have 24 hours to create their game, which should be developed for iOS, Android and Windows Phone.
Day passes to the gaming convention cost QR75 if purchased in advance or QR100 at the door, and can be bought at various venues around Doha, including Virgin Megastores. For more information, schedule, and ticket venues, visit the event’s website here.
Qatar Total Open
Watch several of the world’s biggest tennis stars, including reigning Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, battle it out at the Qatar Total Open, which runs through Sat, Feb. 28, at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.
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Victoria Azarenka
The event is open to the public, and tickets for most matches are still available. They range in price from QR35 to QR300 and can be bought online here. For more information about the order of play and rankings, visit the event’s website here.
Note: Anyone over the age of two years old will need a ticket to enter the venue. Additionally, children under the age of five years old will be allowed in the stadium complex, but not in the stands.
Dabka dance festival
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Dabka festival
In celebration of the popular Levantine folk dance Dabka, Katara Cultural Village is hosting a two-day Dabka Festival on Feb. 26 and 27 at the Katara Amphitheatre.
The event is free and open to the public, and features daily workshops, performances and lectures.
On the last day, dabka dancers from Syria, Palestine, Jordan, and Lebanon will join in a final performance, featuring their respective iterations of the dance. For more information and a schedule of events, visit the festival’s website here.
Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition
The 2015 Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition is now open to the public, and features some 500 of the biggest local and international brands showcasing and selling exquisite pieces.
Chantelle D'mello
Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition 2015
Over 100 brands are making their debut at this year’s show, which will be held until Sat, Feb 28, in Halls 3-7 at the Qatar National Convention Center. Some prime attractions include a Qatar-inspired Faberge egg, the first that the house has produced in 99 years, and a large collection of old, authentic Qatari jewelry at the Al Fardan pavillion.
The event is free and open to residents ages 12 years and older from noon to 10pm on weekdays and Saturday, and from 4 to 10pm on Friday. Residents will be required to register on-site with their Qatar ID or passport, or can do so online to expedite the process.
German choir concert
The German School in Doha is hosting a fundraising concert by Madchenchor Hamburg, an award-winning choir comprised of 49 women ages 14 to 22 years old, this Friday, Feb. 27 at 7pm.
Tickets to the event cost QR50 for employed adults and QR25 for students. Proceeds will go toward buying instruments for the German School’s music department. To reserve tickets, residents can email info@dohayouthchoir.com or purchase them at the door.
Doha Mums yard sale
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Doha Mums yard sale
The Doha Mums Club is hosting a spring yard sale featuring “pre-loved items” on Friday, Feb. 27, at the West Bay campus of Doha College.
The event costs QR5 for adults, and children under 10 years old enter for free. Refreshments will be available in the school cafeteria.
Proceeds from ticket and merchandise sales will go toward funding the Doha Mums children’s library.
Bonus:
- Entrapment art exhibition: Qatari photographer Reem Al Mohannadi will reveal her latest collection, Entrapment, featuring photographs printed directly on aluminum metal, tomorrow, Feb. 26, at 7pm at the Katara Art Center (Building 5). The exhibition is free and open to the public, and will run until March 5.
- Pizza-making classes: The newly refurbished La Veranda restaurant at the Sheraton Doha has begun hosting pizza-making classes for the public every Saturday from 3pm to 5pm. The classes cost QR150/person and are hosted by Italian Chef Federico, Every Saturday from 3-5pm and cost 150QR. Due to limited availability, advance bookings should be made by calling +97444853000 or emailing F&Breservations.doha@sheraton.com.
What are your weekend plans? Thoughts?
(The post Six things to do in Qatar this weekend (Feb. 25-28) is from Doha News.)