Toast of the Town … Hamtramck’s Blowout once again shakes, rattles and rolls

Photo by Christopher A. Jablonski

Charles Sercombe
Toast of the Town hasn’t been out and about much in recent months but, last weekend, Hamtramck was abuzz.
Once again, Hamtramck was bustling with music lovers and the sound of music.
That’s because the Hamtramck Blowout once again returned, this time organized by local folks, and not under the auspices of the alternative weekly publication the Metro Times.
The Metro Times long ago gave up the yearly music festival because, well, that’s just the way things go eventually.
It was recently resurrected by volunteers from the Hamtramck Labor Day Festival after a number of people noted that the yearly tradition of trudging around Hamtramck in uncertain March weather to hear their favorite bands and DJs was something not to ignore.
For a change, the weather this weekend was perfect, with no sneaky ice storms or freaky snowfalls, or freezing temps. Instead, it was unseasonably warmish, and people spilled out of local bars and halls, enjoying the fresh air and plotting where to hoof it to next.
Some 150 bands and acts performed, in over a dozen venues.
Toast hopped around for a bit on Saturday, enjoying the many new faces of folks discovering the charm of Hamtramck for the first time.
And, as usual, it’s amazing how much talent the Detroit area has to offer – a tradition that has carried on for decades.

Money from the $10 ticket sales for the entire weekend will go toward offsetting the never-ending costs of putting on the Labor Day Festival.
Here’s hoping there’s a new life to the Blowout — and with many more years ahead.
When it comes to good food and great times, Hamtramck has plenty to offer. In this column, we’ll talk about what’s happening at our bars, restaurants and at other events throughout the city.
Posted March 8, 2024