NOTEWORTHY
ARTS
The FACT 2012 Retrospective
Katara Amphit’s Opens! heatre
ARTS
It’s been a long time com opened its stunning amp ing, but Qatar’s cultu a spectacu lar show‌ hitheatre, with a star- ral village has finally studded laun ch and atara’s
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a fantas Amphitheatre is annou tic open enter nce -air the weath tainment venue for live Amphithe the grand opening space for er’s pleasant, provi when not only atre. Since opening, of Katara’s the stars. cultural extravaganzasding a artists andprovided a platform Katara has for aspiring musicians, under Qatar And in fitting but also introd to uced a glamorous fashion, Katar and perfo world-renowned a hoste and d breathtakin ceremony, the larges rmers. As home musicians g and leadinattended by the Royalopening the Midd t open air amph to one of itheat le East, Katar g famil dignit y showcasing with a live aries and a is dedic res in contempor music show by legenVIPS, world and the diverse cultur ated to ary es the dary comp of the Amphithe well as classi oser Vang the perfe atre Qatar Philh cal music courtesy elis, as local artistsct stage for intern provides ationa armo of .� the l nic and Soprano Ange Orchestra, The archit ecture Yurlov Mosc la Gheorghiu famed itself is and the inspired byof the amphitheatre Vangelis is ow State Academic amph the a Greek comp Choir. many itheatres that can ancient Roman worked with still be seen parts of the oser bands in the several progressive who to Alexa in ndria, but world from Rome for writin 1960s, but became rock Islamic art with influe g the score famous winning movi the Gulf. to give the place a nces of to the touch of since work e Chariots of Fire. OscarWith the ed He panor on has numerous amic views projects, coastline, acclai including of to the infam the sound med people, theand seating for up Doha’s sheer splen track recrea to ous 80s Bladerunner, dour of the 5000 sci-fi tes place movie Alexa and more recen movie their glory,these ancient theatr tly, nder, es and the in starring Colin is considered and Angelina all in the Midd the largest Farrell Adding to Jolie. As with thele East. old Roman dazzling lightthe visual spectacle acoustic techn theatres, ancie was a show iques regarded nt to be the by a man widely ensure that some were employed to Light Artist one stand centre of world’s ing in the above Doha, who painted thegreatest all over thethe stage could be heard amph to the ambie skies not clearly mesmerisin talking very itheatre, even if they’r nt and hosting the g sounds of Vangelis. e If you havenloudly. show And was ’t already Oscar-win ning Britis none other than Katara Amphitheatre, visited the Irons, round h Actor recommend then we stron gly event nicely ing off the star-s Jeremy is now one that you do so soon, tudded of the cultur as Speaking . not just Doha al epicentresthis , but the whole of president about the event, Katara’s region! said, “It is Abdulrahman Al-K GO: For hulaifi an incredible informa of its facilities tion on Katara honour to Cultural Village, and events,
You have to agree‌ it’s been a pretty interesting year! We took a look through our back issues and found some real gems, so we had to share‌
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log on to
FACT QATA
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The Katara’s g in p e n he T O Amphitheatre Opens! Opening Remember when it was officially inaugurated? Scene That was waaaay back in January. Since then we’ve
As ho one ofme to largest the amph open air eatres in the ith Middle East, Ka tara is dedicate d to showcas ing the diverse cu ltures of the wo rld.
and all www.katara.net .
ARTS
Scene
seen TEDx and Aida in the round. We profiled the opening of Katara Amphitheatre in January and then interviewed Dr Emad Sultan, Deputy General Manager of cultural affairs at Katara, about the opera in October. His love of opera and Aida shone through and we grabbed some great quotes from him about the arts in Qatar. Now we can’t wait to see what else the team at Katara has in store for us!
ticising RomGran unge search for the most As FACT continues the we were intrigued to , s– talented Qatari designers Ahmad’s latest collection see Dana Riad El-Haj fashion we speak about her Allure and Tops. Here Mickey Mouse. label, inspirations and‌
ions. and emot straight away, from any Arab icthe heart to end.â€? f you ask perso n, or beginning ves that Aida was speak ing n in the He belie choice because any persoh oper a they the perfect like this, such whic Midd le East,will say Aida ,â€? says in an opera the opportunity ty they have , ts depu of art know talen all forms Sulta n, thecultu ral g, Dr Ema d to showcase . “There’s actin ger of gene ral mana on one stage , philharmonic Kata ra. l arts, affair s at , created by singing, choir ballet, visua first The opera orchestra, iques, sounds, set Verdi, was Giuseppe at the Khedivial light techn t else do you it Wha rmed on n. perfo desig nt?â€? In fact, and e in Cairo Opera Hous24, 1871, and want to prese g the work me seein mber after costu anni Dece was by Giov of set and that Dr conducted It is made up of sculptures Mitoraj, bring Bottesini. and tells the tale of designer Igor inspired to has four acts Emad was to Katara. ess Aida who by princ work ved an a i’s is ensla Nubi Verd director red and follow “The stage ,â€? he says. been captu army. We with I will say the Egyptian fantastic artist falls in love soldier ss of what her as she “Reg ardle it is not going Egyptian is an ambitiousmes. However heied or elaborateient because his called Rada ged to be marr eris, to be sufficand statues are all already arran’s daughter Amb sculptures world. They are to the Kinglf is faced with the around the een I met herse stic. betw who fanta choosing to started when “The idea we were looking decision of love and loyalty her own true a friend and rk, and we thought her people. fore a suitably at his artwowe do an opera that ed It is there to officially ‘why don’t s?’ and it evolv way t is dramatic the iconic Katara has his piece ‌ The resul c! urate of there publi lot inaug from tre to the will see a by amphithead, an avid fan of great. You that are inspired , Dr Ema “Verdi reaches your sculpturesthey don’t say Aida le, opera, says,ntly. It’s very simp s the era – insta battle of heart gh it’s full even thou
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so F. Why is fashion important to you? always D. It is what I have wanted to be, a fashion designer – creating beautiful, detailed and rich pieces is what makes me feel accomplished. Sketching and drawing silhouettes
FACT Adores
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the Scottish global alvin Harris is rose to fame with hitmaker who debut album, I his gold-sellingboasted two Top which and Created Disco, le in the 80’s’ Ten Singles, ‘Acceptab ‘The Girls’. Ready for the Weekend, His second album,on the UK Album hit Number OneNumber One single 11 SUN Charts, with one single cementing and one Top Fivestatus. 12 the artist’s a-list worked with a MON He has since producing 13 long list of artists, TUE ping and mixing chart-top likes of 14 singles for the , Dizzee WED Kylie Minogue J. Blige, 15 Rascal, Mary Tinchy THUR the Ting Tings,Rihanna, 16 Strider and FRI no less. played has He 17 of the SAT any alongside care to greats you’d Faithless 18 SUN mention, from Armada and Groove 19 Cox, MON to Tiesto, Carl Afrojack and Rihanna.on 20 TUE He is currently tour a massive world release of 21 WED ahead of the (see p10) album, Rally in Doha - MENA hOG this third studio , which 22 as yet unnamed the THUR (see p10) Rally in Doha - MENA hOG has so far produced l singles 23 successfu hugely FRI (which (see p10) Rally in Doha - MENA hOG ‘Awooga’, ‘Bounce’ Kelis and 24 featured singer Two) SAT debuted at Number 25 and ‘Feel So Close’. SUN be playing Harris will at the 26 on the beach Doha on MON InterContinentallatest Global March 8, in the This is a gig 27 hotel TUE @ Renaissance DJs Beach Party.don’t want to Symposium - Peter Fisk y definitel p12) (see you 28 WED miss! Megastore
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booking Calvin are you about How excited in Qatar? DJ, and having Harris to play Calvin is an awesome that the world, I know I’m super excited! his music a few times around seen him live how to work the crowd and organizer, DJ as well as theand it goes he really knows Doha. Being a is perfect for a lot of Calvin’s music before I know how played dancefloor, so massive tunes. I have ly well on the down amazing when he drops one of hisCalvin’s music people will react event for the country as collaboration with his recent which was This is a massive at the moment status is A-list on the track ‘We Found Love’, the charts topped and with Rihanna single of 2011 the biggest-selling time. for weeks at a and r in Europe ces in hugely popula Calvin was how do you think audien America, so him? I don’t right now, and Qatar will receive Everyone all over the world Calvin is huge be any different here in Qatar. looking to excite think that will it, I’m sure. We are always is at the peak of will be up for and to land Calvin when he and surprise, amazing. his career is simply Harris’s music? Calvin of where are you How big a fan– his first and second albums no one else had new sound that I love his music fresh a producing records incredible, offering a-list artists. is amazingly talented, at the time. He , Dizzee Rascal and otherfew years have for Kylie Minoguehe has released in the last I’m a massive you could say All of the tracks or bombs; so, been danceflo Harris! the fan of Calvin to most about looking forward you are What – so many happy concert? better are always special The beach eventshappy faces; there is nothing the night away people, so many new s of people rocking having fun, meeting than seeing thousand to warming up hottest music, listening to the personally looking forward people, and I’m with my buddy Paul Mendez. for Calvin Harris
at Virgin are on sale and online at GO: Tickets for ntal Hotel, tore.me. Ticketsare the InterContine virginmegas gents www.tickets. and tickets forAge 21+ ladies are QR150, tickets are QR300. QR200. VIP information, log on to only. For moreJs.org. www.GlobalD
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FACT QATAR
Issue.indd
FEBRUARY
Ahmed Al Nuaimi, QTA Chairmanon the current strength
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Despite the has appea fact that d such ‘Thing ing Annoying’ red on s polls om more than That Britons Find Blunt are bec Is Qatmassiv Most once, critica commercial he has still managed It has becomlland tech success. iona e something not least a reg of an amusi to all the fuss the singer, who appea ng irony, tre? and the cen phenomeno gossip. The best rs ambivalent to way to n would comparison to Marmite be to bring up thedescribe him. – you either classic love him or Luckily for hate Blunt, enoug make him h people love a and theref multi-platinum-selling him to ore must make very, very rich, artist, which his critics! it a lot easier to tolera Entitled Back te KLV Ă€UVW DOEXP To Bedlam period of practi DIWHU D WZR \H , recognition, cally no attention DU popularity suddenly exploded or in 2005, largely in to the release thanks single, the of the album’s third instantly recogn ‘You’re Beaut isable iful’.Fiber of the national like The n single With the introductio by Qtel, events nts network remained developme broadband numb other at the ermajorQatar becoming QITCOM, andrecently, spot sure FKDUWV IRU Qisone hub? We’re on in the industry like to the UK R OHVV regional technology a and WKDQ Ă€ One East would Fiftyachiev also think so... YH ZHHNV business like ed the charts in top spot on across the a total of ten 7 countries worldMARCh . Becau FACT seQATAR of Beautiful’ the success of ‘You’r Back to Bedlam e to sell 10 went on million with 2.4 millio copies worldwide, It was the n in the UK alone. in the UK highest-selling album the biggestin 2005, and remains selling album decade in the of its biggest-sellin UK. It WAS the 21st centur g album of the y in the UK, until it was recent Amy Winehly taken over by ouse’s Back Black. to
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Blunt’s secon the Lost Souls, d studio album , All when released in HQMR\ DV PXFK 2007, I compare it to my days but still went VXFFHVV DV WKH didn’t army it’s actual in the Ă€UVW groun ly quite easy copies world on to sell 4.5 millio ded. to stay F. What’s the stran n F. Whic a fan has album, Some wide. Sales of his gest thing h is more fun, shoo J. I think ever said or done was release Kind of Trouble, latest guns or playi most of ting hope, ? ng guitar? at just over d in 2010, currently which J. It depen are pretty my fans, I would ds whom you’re stand either a million copies sane and sensib FACT caugh at! pointing The weirdest thing le! t up with . F. How abou to me has the phone that’s James actually not happened but in Rio for a last month whilst he over playing guitat driving a tank, or Chicawas in fact a securi been a fan, dodgy line show. Despite a decidewas J. Well, they’re r? ty guard! go during very differe me to the groun a concert he tackleIn dead, after (which at one point dly I think that nt things which went d d, not the singer a tank wearsthe novelty of drivin ! the singer enough to was , and would realising I was off and becom g while chat to him call back!), we manag nice job, but the n’t release the band es ed about magic me to a played that comes playin other securi and his curren his past experi from ences differeg guitar can be found ty guards on, and the t plans. had to come nt ways. in many and pull him off F. me concert could F. There You’ve had so that the carry on! a bit of SURĂ€OH UHFHQ F. Have between was a bit of a perio you playe WO\ ZKDW a low Midd released Back to Bedlam beingd you been d in the le East befor KDYH J. Well, I’ve up to? I’ve played success. and its commercia e? KRZ LW IHOW Can you rememberl WRXU VR ,¡YH actually been on a world and it was at the Dubai Jazz Festiv RQO\ KDG D OR an amazing al, certain becau took off? ZKHQ WKLQJV Ă€QDOO Z SUR experience \ year I’veplaces. And since JanuarĂ€OH LQ city, se it’s such an incred J. Yeah, there ible new been y last cool. and the audien was a fair cities, so perhapto over 220 differe trepidation, ce were really amoun On the such a huge really. I wasn’t expect of D ELW RI D ORZ s in the UK I’ve nt down the road,same trip I also played had HU SUR ting reactio in Ă€OH EXW LQ WK Oman. of the n, I just wante F. What to make an d visible world I’ve been much H UHVW I’m really about Qatar? enough thatalbum, and if I was ! looking forwa more is make a secon people liked it I lucky F. How my third rd to it! third world world tour (as in, This again I wouldd one, and if I waswould TV showwas it hosting completely make a third one. lucky Buzzcock Never Mind UK tour of the tour he has done, not the s last Nove I was J. surprised, the never third his sense of trepid and That was fun, mber played thereworld‌) and I’ve ation with there was a of people it was a good ? before, so all became! how big it , crowd real thrill to be invited it’s a me. I’m notand it was a new thing I’m really F. Desp to play of a camer very comfortable in for to meetin looking forward to there. success, ite such world it, and g a new a, but I think front wide you seem a very grou to remain with it! I got away every city has a audience, because differe F. Havin be a whole do you keep nded chap. g toure How new thing nt feel, so it’ll your feet ground? on the around the worldd extensively F. Any plans for for me. many place 2012? You know, , and visite J. Well, I was I’ve s, d in what been the ‘Idea know, I think would your for more than army, and on tour now l Tour’ go home now a year, so I’m going which dealt that was a very real you J. Well, wherebe, now? friends and and catch up with to now I’m in with life and death. job, them, which I am now is one And most family, and is Rio! It’s my of in the worldthe most shallow indust have a little one of the break! , and it has ry becau amazing cities in do with music very little to the world, F. Any new relea se of who are inits location and the people ses? No, nothin money, obsess – it’s obsessed g at all, I’m taking a well-d are two thingsed with fame, with because of it. I also love Beirut checking out, a real mixtu which and in the humans have re of religio , (And that’s fair eserved rest! cultur ns constr uctedworld that and the es, and again its enough, we really exist suppose!) that don’t location spirit of the in any GO: 7LFNHWV DUH 4 relevant form. Sydney would an industry audience. And DQG 45 IRU IDQ5 IRU JHQHUDO also be In of really under in which people DGPLVVLRQ DQG DUH D SLW ULJKW YDLODEOH IURP 9LUJ DW WKH IURQW don’t fun the location and on it, because stand what 9LOODJLR DQG /DQGP LQ 0HJDV the sense the real world those WRUHV DW YLUJLQPHJDVWRUH P DUN 0DOOV of , many‌ people have! There WKHP LQ WKH ,QWHU& H $OWHUQD RU RQOLQH DW ZZZ WLYHO\ \RX FDQ EX are so RQO\ ,' UHTX RQWLQHQWDO KRWHO ORE \ LUHG 'RR PRUH LQIR E\ $JH
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Music LIVE in Doha
We’ve had some fantastic concerts over the year thanks to the Global DJs crew; James Blunt, Calvin Harris, Beardyman, DJ Fresh and Alexandra Stan. We have to admit‌ Beardyman was our favourite – he’s just so creative! FACT QATAR DECEMBER
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see James Because we Blunt! tickets for the love you guys so much James Blunt , question: concert thiswe’ve arranged to give month. All you have toaway two premium fan-p do is answ What is the er the follow it name of Jame ing s Blunt’s lates Send your t album? chance of answers to editor@fa winning. Good ctlive.com no later than luck! Sunday 12th February to be in with a
Qatar feb 25/01/20Issue.ind d 11 12 18:35
16
Ahmed Gamal
Kickstarting Local Comedy
Issa El Fahoum
Ameer Skyholder
LOOK OUT FOR‌
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FACT QATAR
BER R OCTO
FACT QATA
J ames Blun LIVE in D t oh ...
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FACT QATAR NOVEMBER
ThE MONTh “Tourism is central to Qatar’s vision of creating a The multi-platin um-s diversified is set uptowith perform a liveelling British songwriter FACT catches Ă€UVW WLPH DW WKH gig ,in Doha and gh for the ,QWHU& llou ValenCu RQWLQHQWDO +RWH tine’s Day‌ Mc ed O WKLV Jar behind the Global sustainable the man ts in Qatar, to find out economy.â€? DJs even DONT MISS
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29
We’re currently on a quest to find all the fabulous Qatar-based fashion designers and last month we were very pleased to find Virginia Commonwealth graduate Dana Riad. Her outfits are stunning – grungey yet classy – and her passion is inspiring. We loved our spread of her work in November’s issue (along with our front cover), which was brought to life by this month’s interviewee, photographer Habeeb Mohammed Abu-Futtaim (see page 40), who took all the photos.
F. What and/or who inspires you in your designs? D. Inspirations to design that were always something me suddenly shouted at to. to pay all my attention sometimes Unordinary visuals, architecture and interior design gave me the inspiration times to start a concept. Other simple I take something very g it and minimal, transformin piece. I in to an avant-garde myself want to always de-limit ready-towith designing both that wear and haute couturewith a identifies romanticism grungy feel.
FACT QATAR NOVEMBER
BER R OCTO
FACT QATA
The Fashion Almanac
you F. How long have been working in fashion? on D. I have been working my fashion line - DANA graduated RIAD - ever since I ealth from Virginia CommonW2011. University Qatar in May I graduated with a double Design degree in both Fashion My and Interior Design. just passion towards fashion keeps growing more. It all started with Mickey was I up Mouse. Growing constantly drawing this character wearing clothes, would dresses and gowns. I with even accessorise him ties. hats, shoes and bow in how Eventually my interest took Mickey Mouse was styled me further into the fashion world.
job? F. What’s your day at D. I am currently working JCCTV, Al Jazeera Children’s ion Channel, as a stylist/fash designer and I sometimes design also work on interior but my projects for JCCTV, be fashion label will alwaysnow my number one. Every new DR and then I launch a (DANA RIAD) Collection in a and showcase my pieces namely, couple of boutiques, Dados Boutique at the Pearl-Qatar and at S*AUCE Boutique in Dubai.
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R JANUARY
this residents first its Qatar’s ted with its culture awa evening of hitheatre is inaugura Middle East’s A stunning the Katara’s amp rmance of month, as t – a dramatic perfo public even a, Aida. It stretches favourite oper
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FASHION
FACT QATA
FACT QATAR
FEBRUARY
11
25/01/2012
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for has had many of us LOL-ing* Stand Up Comedy QatarFACT speaks to the man behind can help a while now. This month , about how everyone the chuckles, Bilal Randeree SUCQ get us all ROTFL**.
Alaa Jazmati
Omar Alouba
Stand-up comedy is going places in Qatar thanks to these guys!
Clockwise from left: Ameer Skyholder, Mohana, Ousama Itani, Alaa Jazmati, Hala Bilal and Mohamed Khateeb.
Mohamed Khateeb
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as Britain or America because n accountant in a past it’s a development process, but life, a reporter by day he’s hopeful for its future; “The and a comedian first and industry is growing at a pretty foremost, Bilal Randeree decent pace and an exciting future aka Halal Bilal is on a mission to get is ahead,â€? he predicts. the comedy scene in Qatar truly live Bilal has performed around the and laughing. world in countries such as England two over Bilal moved to Doha just and South Africa. In Qatar, he and a half years ago from South says, the beauty as well as the down settling of hopes the in Africa challenge of performing is that and integrating himself into the everyone is so mixed – audiences comedy scene, until he found there and performers alike. “Earlier this was no scene. So he set up Stand year we had ten comedians on Up Comedy Qatar (SUCQ), which of ten different nationalities. stage aims to nurture “local home grown Each one comes with a group of grassroots comedy about the type friends and family and then there of issues that we, the people who are at least 20 or 30 nationalities live here, deal with on a daily basis.â€? in the audience‌ I don’t think Since then SUCQ has come a long anywhere else in the world has so way - “Across town from dingy many different people attending on coffee shops and back rooms to a regular basis.â€? such Katara, to the Pearl, to hotels.â€? At the moment Bilal is looking for Bilal says the group has inspired corporate and individual sponsors many local people to get started in to help SUCQ get to where it wants stand-up. to be – entertaining the world with It has also attracted quite a home grown Qatari humour. “We following, as shows have been selling don’t guarantee that all the jokes out and they’re looking to get bigger are funny to everyone,â€? he admits and better. As with everything, honestly and with a grin. “But we however, SUCQ needs the funding do guarantee that everyone who to make this happen – to allow the comes out has a good time.â€? talent of Qatar to be promoted, reach their showcased and encouraged to reach GO: If you would like to help SUCQcomic map just goals and put Qatar on the world’s the world stage. contact Bilal and the team on halalbilal@gmail.com. on Twitter and You can also follow @SUCQatar Bilal says the comedy scene check out SUCQatar on Facebook. may not be at the same stage
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FACT QATAR NOVEMBER
November Events 8th
SUCQ @ Carnegie Mellon University
15th
SUCQ @ Bistro 61
22nd
SUCQ @ Bistro 61
TBC key! If you don’t know lol */** Shame on you for needing a on the floor laughing) by (laugh out loud) and rotfl (rolling to the 21st century. now then you’re an embarrassment Gtg, ttyl!
A comedy workshop for budding comedians For more information visit www.sucq.org
University in Qatar (CMUQ), Date: Nov 8, 2012 Venue: Carnegie Mellon 7:30pm Education City, Qatar Foundation. Time: Performers: is a Team Expat: who came to Qatar from Texas. He Ousama Itani is an improv comedianan improvisational comedy troupe located in founding member of Antique Limax, Austin. origin. He joined SUCQ in 2009 when are unique Issa El-Fahoum is a comedian of Palestinian in an Indian school, his experiences he was only 14 years old. As an Arab but hilarious. him Team Qatar: who lived abroad for a few years, giving Hamad Al-Amari is a Qatari comedian of other cultures, and also learn how to mimic the opportunity to learn intricate details has shared some wicked accents. Qatari Stand Up comedian, and heDean Mohammed Fahad Kamal is the first Gabriel Iglesias, Edwin SanJuan, like comedians famous with the stage Obeidalla, Aron Kader and Ted Alexandro. comedy in Referee: of SUCQ and unofficial godfather of Our very own Halal Bilal - founder Qatar.
FACT QATAR NOVEMBER
Comic Relief
Our pals at Stand Up Comedy Qatar have gone from strength to strength this year and we love watching the scene grow. They’re constantly looking for sponsors and backers to encourage local talent to reach the world’s stages, so our article in November’s issue about the crew and their plea has pride of place right here.
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