MARCH
The pick of events, exhibitions and festivals happening in Gulf Air destination cities this month
LONDON
China Design Now
15 March-13 July
As part of the China Now festival, the Victoria and Albert Museum celebrates a new frontier in the world of design, including plans for this year’s Olympic stadium, fashion and graphics. www.vam.ac.uk
DOHA
Doha Cultural Festival
March-April
This annual event features music, dance, theatre, poetry and talks at various venues across Qatar’s capital. www.dohafestival.net
FRANKFURT
Frühlings Dippemess
14 March-6 April
The annual spring outdoor Dippe Fair celebrates the end of winter with fairground attractions, fireworks and local food and drink, plus a chance to buy traditional handicrafts. www.dippemess.de
PARIS
Paris Manga
8-9 March
Fans of this Japanese animation can get the latest models, games and merchandising at this annual event, now in its fifth year, at the Espace Champerret. www.parismanga.fr
DUBAI
Art Dubai
19-22 March
Contemporary and modern galleries from 28 countries, including Germany, Switzerland, the UK and the USA, attend this art fair, which is double the size of last year’s inaugural event. www.artdubai.ae
BANGKOK
Bangkok Blues Festival
13-15 March
In the past, this annual event has drawn artists from Denmark, the USA and Ireland – plus native talent – to Tokyo Joe’s bar and restaurant. www.bangkokbluesfestival.com
MUMBAI
Mumbai International Film Festival
6-13 March
For its 10th year, MIFF introduces Dimension Mumbai, a competition for short films on the city, alongside Indian feature films in competition. The festival shows about 100 films from 40 countries in retrospectives, international cinema strands and director tributes.
www.iff-mumbai.org
KUALA LUMPUR
F1 Malaysian Grand Prix
21-23 March
The second race of the new Formula 1 season is at the Sepang Circuit, ahead of April’s Bahrain GP. McLaren-Mercedes’ Fernando Alonso won here last year – can he repeat the feat now he’s back at Renault? www.malaysiangp.com.my
BAH 03 08
What’s happening in the Kingdom of Bahrain this month
EXHIBITION
THANK YOU BAHRAIN!
28 March
Four women artists will pay homage to Bahrain through an exhibition of their work entitled “Thank You Bahrain!”. Betsheba Wong, Doreen Sackey, Margaret Kent and Rehana Gardiner cite the island as an inspiration for their creative pursuits. But Margaret is retiring to Australia and Betsheba has similar plans of her own, so this exhibition –at Caramel Café – is their tribute to Bahrain and the fond memories they have of the island. +973 1760 1910
FESTIVAL
Extreme Stunts Day
28-29 March
The organisers of Yalla Bahrain! have taken the most popular attractions from past race events at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) and made one big celebration of stunts. The event – at the BIC – will feature extreme and urban sports, including a stunt-bike show, skateboard and BMX demonstrations, plus beatbox and break-dance competitions, with sets from some of the island’s top DJs. +973 1781 4700
MOTORSPORT
University Soapbox Challenge
14 March
Teams across Bahrain are given two weeks to build non-motorised karts that are then raced in Manama. There are points for creativity and showmanship, so expect some crazy-looking entries.
+973 1781 4700
FILM
Drive-in Movie Night
7 March
This popular event returns, but at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), where a transmitter will send sound directly to your car stereo on a selected frequency provided by the organisers.
+973 1781 4700
SPORT
Netball Challenge
7-8 March
Bahrain hosts the 22nd Inter-Gulf Netball Championship at the Bahrain Rugby Club in Saar. Seventeen sides from Dubai, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait – plus five from Bahrain – will compete at the tournament, sponsored by Riffa Views. More than 150 matches will be played. +973 3660 0308
SPORT
OLD IS GOLD AT THE BRC
20-21 March
Veteran rugby players are preparing to battle it out at the Coca-Cola Midnight 10s tournament, organised by Bahrain Rugby Club (BRC). The event is for players aged over 35 and is open to all GCC teams. At least 10 sides are expected to take part in the tournament, which will be played through the night at the club’s grounds. An under-16 team from Rockwell College, Ireland, will also compete against young sides from Bahrain, Dubai and Doha. +973 1769 5809
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