The Metro Events Guide: The Hamtramck Blowout returns, plus more local music

This week, we’ve got a wide variety of musical experiences, from the Hamtramck Blowout to Orchestra Hall.

Plus, our first Essential Cooking Dinner of the year! Read on to learn more.

Local music

After a nine-year hiatus, the beloved Hamtramck Blowout music festival is back this weekend with over 150 local acts at 16 local venues. Performances will take place inside bars and on the streets all around Hamtramck on Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2. Some WDET favorites in the lineup include the Craig Brown Band, Duende!, Idiot Kids and Shadow Show. Wristbands are $20 online and get you into all the shows all weekend long. For more information, visit their website. 

Related: Hear artists performing at this year’s Hamtramck Blowout on MI Local

If you’re looking for some Michigan music outside of Hamtramck, head to Ypsilanti on Friday, March 1 to see indie rockers Premium Rat and TOADALLY at Ziggy’s. Premium Rat is local to Ypsi, and Ann Arbor-based group TOADALLY will be releasing their first single on the night of the show. Music starts at 8 p.m. and a $5 cash cover is suggested. For more information, visit Ziggy’s website. 

Or, head to The Lexington in Woodbridge to see No Fun Club, Grey Gardens, Twin Deer and Holy Profane on Friday, March 10. Each of the bands is from the Detroit area, and will be playing Midwest emo, indie rock and/or folk punk. Doors open at 8 p.m. and tickets are $10. For more information, visit No Fun Club on Instagram.

For a more orchestral experience, check out the 46th Annual Classical Roots Concerts at Orchestra Hall. On Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2, the DSO will celebrate the vast musical contributions of African American composers. This year’s celebration features new music from Shelley Washington and a new concerto performed by saxophonist Steven Banks. Tickets start at $15. For more information, visit their website.

Then, start your St. Patrick’s Day early with Michigan’s Irish music sensations Blackthorn. Now in their 24th year of performing in Farmington Hills, Blackthorn will bring Celtic tunes to The Hawk Theatre on Saturday, March 2 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available for $20 online or $25 at the door. Beer and wine will be available for purchase for guests 21+. For more information, visit The Hawk’s website.

Closing exhibits

Sunday, March 3 is the last day to catch ‘Skilled Labor: Black Realism in Detroit’ and ‘LeRoy Foster: Solo Show’ at the Cranbrook Art Museum. Both exhibitions explore the representation of the Black body in personal and cultural contexts, with the latter focusing specifically on the works of the late “Michelangelo of Detroit.” The galleries are open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, and until 8 p.m. on Thursday with free admission. For more information, visit their website.

True stories

The next Moth StorySLAM is Thursday, March 7, and the theme is “dazzled.” Prepare your best 5-minutes story about a time you sparkled, whether it was dripping in diamonds down a red carpet or cruising down Woodward in a Corvette. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and stories start at 7:30 p.m. at the Marble Bar. Tickets are $17.50. For more information, visit our events page.

Fine dining

Join us for our first Essential Cooking Dinner of the year at Basan Detroit on Wednesday, March 6. Chef Eric Lees will showcase his style with a five-course meal and a wine pairing for two seatings, one at 5:30 p.m. and the other at 8 p.m. Tickets directly benefit WDET and Basan. For more information, visit our events page.