Cold Turkey at aMadoda

A weekend continuum - Sunday skop in Woodstock

“No wait you have to do a U-ie.” How could I miss the turn off? It’s the only road packed with cars while the rest of Woodstock is eerily still – well I guess it’s not too eerie considering it’s Sunday and the street lamps have been going for quite some time now. Fast-forward a few moments later and the Bentley is parked.We’re on our way to Cold Turkey, a dub-step party that takes place every second Sunday at aMadoda’s braai in Woodstock Cape Town.

At the end of the road nestled in a cul-de-sac we find aMadoda’s, it’s mostly orange and almost as bright as a Jay Jays clothing store. So tacky its rad, and it juxtaposes perfectly with the grubby train tracks on its right and the bleak industrial building on its left. At the entrance I spot a mate who jovially declares, with a lazy tongue and slits for eyes that he’s been here since three ‘o clock, and I’m inclined to take his word for it. The venue is big and the crowd is even bigger. I squeeze through the masses with some expert crowd surfing, while mapping out the talent – who says men can’t multitask? I’m at the bar. It’s chaos, but the good kind, and the bar staff just can’t get the social lubrication out there fast enough.

Smartie box crowd

“I make music,” I overhear a yank’s conversation to my right, and to my left a couple of okes are delving into the murky depths of politics, class struggle and racial identity. Both conversations capture the essence of the crowd; a seamless blend of colours and creeds, yuppies, artists, tourists, and of course the young and upwardly mobile, drinking until they are not so mobile.

We plonk down in the corner of the outside section next to a palisade fence. There are more tables on the other side but a guard with a keen eye is preventing us from sneaking our beers across– even though everyone on the other side has a drink in their hand. No matter. A young guy comes and sits next to us. ”My name is Fuzzy, and it’s my birthday,” he says peering through flashy glasses. He’s wearing a desert-robe-type-thingy, lots of beads and a huge smile and we chat until he gets grabbed by the collar and pulled to the bar by a friend that’s presumably determined to give him alcohol poisoning as a birthday present.

A cigarette later we meet Sikihle who’s just got back from touring Brazil and some of Europe. Ghetto tech and break beats provide the soundtrack as we muse about what the Spanish see (or hear?) in dirty Dutch house. Then we’re joined by a Namibian who grabs my Windhoek and makes out with it – I imagine she’s homesick – and her friend who although barely able to stand is reciting (his own) poetry.

If Cold Turkey were a cocktail I’d say its four-part Cape Town underground music scene and another four-part ‘music festival vibe’. The crowds disposition is uncannily organic, no reservations and as unclicky as a Germanic language. There’s no trace of that smirk-y, although ‘oft well hidden layer of pretence which is known to stalk Mzoli’s. Here it’s chilled with no skaam’; no social scams only the real deals.

By this stage we’re all pretty jovial we’ve debated, agreed, swapped drinks and become best friends with those around us, fist pumping and swaying to the base heavy beats that’s got heads nodding and feet tapping. The music (although I only got here in time for the last three DJs) has really set the tone it’s been dubby, glitchy, ghetto, soulful, tribal and has hit a varied BPM spectrum. But to anyone who knows anything it’s no surprise considering the awesome lineup. Drum ‘n bass lands and just about the entire crowd shouts their approval. It’s about that time – and we pay our dues on the dance floor which is going off, it’s full, but not ‘concentration camp syndrome’ style.

All in all it was a great night and an awesome way to cap off the weekend, I leave dreading 8am lectures and craving ‘Mackkie D’s’. Next time I’m definitely going to go earlier for the nyama (you can buy meat there and braai).

For less sage-like social commentary and more information on this awesome Sunday skop, check out the entry in our events section. 

By Julian Sendin

aMadodas Braai
1-4 Strand Street | Woodstock | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 447 2133

Opening times: Monday - Thursday: 1pm - 11pm, Friday - Saturday: 1pm - 2am

If you're tentative about jolling on a Sunday then how about going to the Neighbourgoods Market on a Saturday and then afterwards take a walk through to aMadoda's. Be sure to subscribe to our free monthly newsletter, follow us on Twitter and join our CapeTownMagazine.com Facebook Fan Page.