Traffic set out for a rethink earlier this year; moving away from its primary direction as an art gallery and towards community-focused learning and research activities.
Putting that plan into action over the summer, the team has set up an impressive atelier in its middle gallery space. "The Studio" not only has several workstations loaded up with sewing machines and all manner of tools, but also a CNC cutting machine and laser-cutting facility. Throughout this month, you can drop in on Traffic and take part in workshops for sharing some of these skills, led by professionals in their fields.
From Sunday to Thursday (10am to 7pm), walk-in fashion design workshops are being held, led by Lejla Redjla. The designer offers skills in using a sewing machine, making better use and shape of varying fabrics as well as installing zippers and buttonholes - a hands-on intro to the craft or the opportunity to brush up and make use of the equipment for more experienced seamsters.
On Tuesdays (5pm to 7pm) and Saturdays (3pm to 7pm), The Studio hosts classes in learning to use and make best use of the laser-cutting machine. The workshops show how to use computer software to correctly render an object that the laser will cut out of wood, acrylic, plastic, fabric, leather and paper. A valuable tool and a fine opportunity to understand how this key piece of kit can be used for all manner of creative projects.
Both the laser cutter and fashion atelier are open-use and all workshops are free to take part in, with the option of participants making a donation. For details, visit www.viatraffic.org.
Expert advice
“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”
Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”
Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
So what is Spicy Chickenjoy?
Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Company profile
Company: Eighty6
Date started: October 2021
Founders: Abdul Kader Saadi and Anwar Nusseibeh
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Hospitality
Size: 25 employees
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investment: $1 million
Investors: Seed funding, angel investors
