With the onset of the New Year, Qatar’s bustling calendar promises a lot to look forward to – Canadian rocker Bryan Adams’ concert on March 15, being one of the many such highlights.
As the spate of interesting events kicks off right away from the first week of the first month, including the ongoing treat for tennis lovers, the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, Community tells you of the top five happenings you can’t miss this January:
Paco Renteria
If you have seen Desperado, starring Salma Hayek and Antonio Banderas, you have doubtless enjoyed El Mariachi, a composition of Renteria that is the musical heart of the film. The virtuoso, progressive, flamenco guitar hero, Paco Renteria is also the man behind a piece from the soundtrack of Legend of Zorro, starring Banderas and Catherine Zeta Jones. Strumming his six-string from the age of seven, Renteria was only 22 when he began performing with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Guadalajara in Western Mexico. Ever since, he has composed more than 300 pieces, and performed with biggies like Carlos Santana and Luciano Pavarotti. Regarded as the most successful guitarist in Mexico, Renteria was conferred the Musical Ambassador for Mexico to foreign countries, by former Mexican President Felipe Calderon. Renteria, who composes, produces, and arranges his entire repertoire, has found himself termed as Santana’s successor, despite being the author of his own distinct style called ‘Free Play.’ Katara and the Embassy of Mexico in Qatar are presenting Renteria live in concert on January 28, from 7pm to 9pm, at the Katara Drama Theatre. The entry is free but requires prior registration.
Comedy night
If a night full of laughs is what you’d like, head to Grand Hyatt Doha at 8pm on January 16 and 17 to catch three class stand-up acts. From the much-awaited GCC debut of Danish stand-up sensation Sofie Hagen to the Fender Stratocaster-strapped comedy rocker Rob Deering to ace stage veteran Jack Dathel, The Laughter Factory’s first tour of the New Year, packs in an interesting assortment of funnymen — and woman — and is set to travel throughout Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The tickets are priced at QR140. Laughter Factory’s reassuring words should likely provide succour: “Feeling the January blues? Who wouldn’t be down after the roller-coaster ride that was 2016. But it will soon be a new year – and we’ve got just the ticket to pull you out of that seasonal funk.”
4th GCC Bike & Car Show
After zipping through three successful editions, they are rolling out the fourth in style. Soul Riders MC has thrown an open invitation for you to attend the 4th GCC Bike & Car show in Katara from January 12 to 14. Bike and car enthusiasts are treated to the choicest of customised vehicles, motorcycle rider skills competition, tricycle drift competition, and mini motorcycle competition, among other fascinating activities. “Enjoy watching the amazing bikes and cars, also enjoy your time with your family and friends, there will be games and other activities,” Soul Riders MC says.
Shreya Ghoshal
Top Indian playback singer Shreya Ghoshal is slated to perform in Doha at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiya Arena on the evening of January 13, in a concert presented by Red Apple Events and Media. Ghoshal is a winner of four National Film Awards, six Filmfare Awards and nine Filmfare Awards South (one for Telugu, two for Kannada, two for Tamil and four for Malayalam) to date, earning her the reputation of winning awards in any language that she sings. Ghoshal was only six when she began getting formal training in classical music. At 16, Bollywood filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali spotted her when she won a TV singing reality show. What followed next was Ghoshal making her Bollywood playback singing debut with Bhansali’s successful romantic drama Devdas (2002) for which she received a National Film Award, among other awards, after which she has only conquered new heights in popular music.
The Color Run
Famously known as the “Happiest 5k on the Planet”, The Color Run is a unique paint race that celebrates healthiness, happiness, and individuality. With successful editions in the past, The Color Run, presented by Sahtak Awalan: Your Health First, is expected to witness thousands of participants taking part in this fun run on Saturday morning, January 28, at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) as the ‘Tropicolor World Tour’ finds its way into Doha. The Color Run had more than 225 events in 35+ countries in 2015. “Color Runners are promised a lively island-style experience complete with lots more fun and colour, as they run, walk, dance, jog or even skip through the five kilometre course with their family and friends, whilst getting covered head to toe in colour at every kilometre mark,” the organisers say.
Shreya Ghoshal; Paco Renteria and Sofie Hagen
