Tambourine Man

When I hear the word tambourine, I automatically think of Josie and the Pussycats and someone simply shaking the instrument or banging it on their hip. So imagine my surprise to see a tambourine accompany an orchestra and play a principal role in most pieces!


This gentleman, part of a group from Egypt, was at the National Theatre here in Doha and was a joy to watch. He was so energetic and happy. I have never seen someone play a tambourine like that before - never knew there was so much you could do with a tambourine.

You can see a bit of his playing in the video below.

Tambourine Man part 2

Then he got the crowd clapping and joining in during his solo performance. Hope you can see it and enjoy too!

Too much to do

Sometimes it is easy to over commit in Doha. It certainly has felt that way recently. I repeatedly say that when there are things on in Doha you almost feel obligated to go.

So in the past six weeks in Doha we have seen ....

the Qatar Masters Golf Open and followed Adam Scott (who won) and Sergio Garcia.


a football (soccer) skills demonstration

an Arabic concert at the National Theatre with an visiting orchestra from Egypt

women's tennis ATP tour - we saw Maria Sharapova play (she went on to win) and also Venus Williams


Placido Domingo in concert


kids (and adults) cycling, skating, enjoying the Wheels on Heels day down at the Corniche, with stunt bicycle demonstrations

men's and women's gymnastics - an international competition at Aspire Academy


the Doha Players production of The King and I.....

Oh and did I mention that except for Placido Domingo and The King and I, everything else was free entry! And we had close to front row seats at every event! To get so close to so many great athletes / musicians is just fabulous.

There are other things we missed - but where would we have found the time!