See A Vision of Elvis, featuring the award-winning performer Rob Kingsley, who is said to have the look, sound and charisma of Elvis Presley, in a show that celebrates the music of The King of Rock 'n' Roll. Starting at 8.30pm, from Dh175, Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, www.platinumlist.net
Enjoy The Legend, a tribute to Bob Marley in celebration of his 70th birthday and hear timeless classics including Is This Love, Three Little Birds, Redemption Song, I Shot the Sheriff and No Woman, No Cry. Doors open at 6.30pm, show starts at 8pm, from Dh100, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, 02 499 8107, www.sbgolfclub.ae
Try local cuisine from food trucks and restaurants at the Emirati Kitchen as part of the Abu Dhabi Food Festival, plus watch demonstrations and a cookery session with chef Wafaei Al Zaham at 5.30pm. From 4pm to 10pm, Dh10 for adults, free for children under the age of 12, East Plaza, Corniche, Abu Dhabi, www.abudhabievents.ae
Get tickets to the Alliance Française Abu Dhabi's first Music Rendez-vous in its outdoor area and enjoy jazz and bossa nova standards with Quiet Nights quartet. On February 7, 6pm to 8pm, from Dh50 for Alliance Française members, Dh60 for non-members, off 32nd Street, near the Irish Embassy, Abu Dhabi, www.afabudhabi.org
Plan to attend Cafe Scientifique. With the planet Jupiter in opposition, the conversation goes outdoors with guest astronomers and astro-photographers. Attendees can look through telescopes and enjoy a guided tour of the night sky and constellations. On February 6, 6.30pm to 9pm, free with registration at www.centraltickets.com, opposite Jebel Ali Equestrian Club and Racecourse, Dubai, www.cafescidubai.com
Compiled by Ellen Fortini
listings@thenational.ae
The biog:
Languages: Arabic, Farsi, Hindi, basic Russian
Favourite food: Pizza
Best food on the road: rice
Favourite colour: silver
Favourite bike: Gold Wing, Honda
Favourite biking destination: Canada
Building boom turning to bust as Turkey's economy slows
Deep in a provincial region of northwestern Turkey, it looks like a mirage - hundreds of luxury houses built in neat rows, their pointed towers somewhere between French chateau and Disney castle.
Meant to provide luxurious accommodations for foreign buyers, the houses are however standing empty in what is anything but a fairytale for their investors.
The ambitious development has been hit by regional turmoil as well as the slump in the Turkish construction industry - a key sector - as the country's economy heads towards what could be a hard landing in an intensifying downturn.
After a long period of solid growth, Turkey's economy contracted 1.1 per cent in the third quarter, and many economists expect it will enter into recession this year.
The country has been hit by high inflation and a currency crisis in August. The lira lost 28 per cent of its value against the dollar in 2018 and markets are still unconvinced by the readiness of the government under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to tackle underlying economic issues.
The villas close to the town centre of Mudurnu in the Bolu region are intended to resemble European architecture and are part of the Sarot Group's Burj Al Babas project.
But the development of 732 villas and a shopping centre - which began in 2014 - is now in limbo as Sarot Group has sought bankruptcy protection.
It is one of hundreds of Turkish companies that have done so as they seek cover from creditors and to restructure their debts.
Zombieland: Double Tap
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Stars: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone
Four out of five stars
