The Hamtramck Music Festival

Two years ago The Metro Times Blowout changed formats. Instead of being held in Hamtramck every March, the Blowout became a muti-city event that takes place much later in the year. A lot of us were distraught until we realized that local charity Ben's Encore was going to step up and start another weekend long party in its place called The Hamtramck Music Festival. This charities focus is to give away music lesson scholarships, give money/instruments to schools, and hold educational workshops throughout the community.

This weekend The Hamtramck Music Festival will take over Ham-town for three days of music fun. This year's festival features a solid lineup of some of Detroit's best musicians. The lineup includes Ryan Dillaha and The Miracle Men, Six and the Sevens, Rogue Satellites, My Pal Val, Julian Paaige, Cold English, Saturday Looks Good To Me, The Beggars, Axe Ripper,  CHARACTERISTICS, TART, 1592, Little Animal, Cold Men Young, The Witches, Detroit-Party Marching Band, Amino Acids, Radio Burns, The ILL Itches, The Erers, Ponyshow, Ancient Language, George Morris & the Gypsy Chorus and many more.

The venues include: 7 Brothers, Baker's Street Car, Cafe 1923, Capo Lounge, Carbon Lounge, Kelly's, The New Dodge, The Painted Lady, Paychecks, Polish Village Cafe, Rock City Eatery, Small's and Whiskey in the Jar.

The festival takes place March 6th- 8th. Tickets for the event are only $10, this gets you into all the bars and all the shows throughout the whole weekend. Wristbands can be purchased in person at at Campau Tower, Detroit Threads, Flipside Records, Found Sound, Peoples Records, Regeneration, Rock City Eatery, Small's, and UHF Records. You can also buy tickets online with a small service fee here. The music will start at 7 p.m. each night of the fest. This year they are also having a kick off party at the Fowling Warehouse (3901 Christopher Street in Hamtramck) on Thursday, March 5th. For more information about the fest, please visit their website here.

~S