News24 | WATCH | Cape Town Spur puts a karaoke spin on its usual dining experience – and it was a jam

Topeka Spur in Kenilworth Centre, Cape Town, tried something new - karaoke night - and videos show customers and staff having a ball.

• Videos taken at Topeka Spur gained mass traction following a karaoke celebration of local talent.
• It was held on 19 November and hosted by ‘I am iekie’, the master of ceremony, as well as other local artists.
• On the evening of the event, people from all walks of life connected over a meal and some good music.

A Spur branch in Cape Town has gone viral after a series of Facebook, Instagram and TikTok posts celebrated the talent at a ‘Karaoke Night’, which was held at Topeka Spur.

The videos show staff and customers in Kenilworth Centre, Cape Town, singing along to some greatest hits and classics on Wednesday, 19 November.

The support from the crowd made for a warm environment for all budding participants to showcase their vocal talent - young and old - with most patrons seemingly enjoying it.

The midweek karaoke evening was organised by Topeka Spur’s operating partner, Imraan Sattar, as well as other partners, said the restaurant’s management team.

Popular online presence ‘I am iekie’ was the master of ceremony on the night. He said Sattar approached the group of artists to help increase traffic to the restaurant during a time that is usually quiet.

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The group suggested a Wednesday karaoke night and started promoting the event to ensure that it would be a success.

“We had about one week, during which we marketed the event via social media,” said ‘I am iekie’.

“It was just amazing the first time.”

‘Lekker music brings us together’

Requests for a second night started flooding in.

‘I am iekie’, along with a group of well-known local artists, including Loukmaan Adams, Mujahid George and Mansoor Joseph, got involved in the second Karaoke Night.

The night was divided into four segments, with two winners for each segment. Prizes were available, including R500 and R1 000 vouchers.

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The videos of the second night went viral.

On Facebook alone, I am iekie’s video amassed more than 30 000 views in just over a day, and InnieKaap’s video was watched more than 50 000 times.

“Lekker music brings us together,” said Shanaaz Jassiem on Facebook.

For others, they got to celebrate big milestones on the night.

“A birthday well spent,” said Rashieda le Roux on Facebook.

A ‘welcoming’ atmosphere

Ultimately, the event “was just a whole buzz of fun, laughter and enjoyment”, according to ‘I am iekie’.

“Not just for the customers,” he said. “The staff, they are in on the fun.”

Tables and cameras were adjusted to accommodate the influx of customers and to ensure that everyone got a view of all the action, and the restaurant was packed to capacity.

The management team said:

“You are part of something warm, welcoming, and genuinely fun.

“People gathered, sang together, and transformed an ordinary dinner into a shared moment that brought families and friends closer together.”

Karaoke Nights – a regular feature?

“When is the next one?” asked Firzana Mohamed on Instagram.

The enthusiasm and ongoing requests from customers have encouraged the Topeka Spur management team to seriously consider when the next karaoke evening should be.

“Given the incredible response, we are considering making it a more regular feature,” said the management team.

“Perhaps every second week, except for the last three weeks in December.”

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