  Melody Member Username: Melody Post Number: 236 Registered: 11-2007 |
My favorite of all the fests! No drink/food tickets needed! This year there is a carnival, two stages of live, local music, ethnic food, vendors, and more. Here's the musical line up. Fri., Aug. 29 South Stage 6:30 p.m.: Powertrane 8:30 p.m.: Danny D North Stage 7:30 p.m.: Bill Parker & the Motherscratchers Sat. Aug. 30 South Stage Noon: Blair 2 p.m.: Michael Quatro 4 p.m.: Haunted Hearts 6 p.m.: Budget Sinners 8 p.m.: American Mars North Stage 1 p.m.: Earworms 3 p.m.: Bosnian Rock Group (TBD) 5 p.m.: I, Crime 7 p.m.: Hellen 8 p.m.: Four Hour Friends Sun. Aug. 30 South Stage 11 a.m.: Polka Mass with Big Daddy Lackowski and the LaDeDa's followed by the Polka With the Stars Contest 3:30 p.m.: Kielbasa Kings 5 p.m.: Pierogi Eating Contest 7 p.m. Polish Muslims North Stage Polish Rock Bands All Day!! Mon. Sept. 1 South Stage 4:30 p.m.: Shadiamond Le Freedom 6:30 p.m.: Aquarius Void 8:30 p.m.: Speedball North Stage 3:30 p.m.: Polka Floyd 5:30 p.m.: Millions of Brazilians 7:30 p.m.: Grayling | ||
Hamtragedy Member Username: Hamtragedy Post Number: 228 Registered: 10-2007 |
The fist fights at this festival are among the best I've even seen. | ||
Norwalk Member Username: Norwalk Post Number: 321 Registered: 11-2006 |
Ahh the working mans "Labor Day Festival" Don't you dare miss it!! | ||
Melody Member Username: Melody Post Number: 237 Registered: 11-2007 |
"The fist fights at this festival are among the best I've even seen." Well that's what happens when you steal the kishka!  | ||
One_shot Member Username: One_shot Post Number: 386 Registered: 11-2003 |
Didn't this used to be the polish festival? | ||
Detroitplanner Member Username: Detroitplanner Post Number: 1780 Registered: 04-2006 |
Its always been the Hamtramck Labor Day festival. However, it was run as a mostly polish festival for many years. This has changed over time as Hamtramck is much less polish than it used to be. | ||
Lodgedodger Member Username: Lodgedodger Post Number: 192 Registered: 05-2008 |
Sounds like a great time...what is a kishka? | ||
Downriviera Member Username: Downriviera Post Number: 844 Registered: 02-2008 |
Pierogi and potato pancakes, beer, and Speedball, I'm there. | ||
Alley Member Username: Alley Post Number: 482 Registered: 02-2008 |
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K ishka_ "The Eastern European Kishka is a blood sausage made with pig's blood and buckwheat or barley, with pig's intestines used as a casing. It is traditionally served at breakfast." I'll stick with pierogi and glumki, thanks! (Message edited by alley on July 31, 2008) | ||
Jat44 Member Username: Jat44 Post Number: 7 Registered: 03-2008 |
From what I remember, the Hamtramck Festival was always a drunk fest. Always a good time. It was more fun to go from bar-to-bar on Jos. Compau than go to the festival itself. | ||
Hamtragedy Member Username: Hamtragedy Post Number: 235 Registered: 10-2007 |
Agreed. But you can also stop at the party store and grab a bottle of Boonesfarm for breakfast and walk around the fair. | ||
Whittier70 Member Username: Whittier70 Post Number: 162 Registered: 02-2008 |
is this the festival that the boy got shot for his cardi's behind the bank at jos camp and caniff last year? or it was behind the post office. (Message edited by whittier70 on July 31, 2008) | ||
Ggores Member Username: Ggores Post Number: 237 Registered: 10-2007 |
Ah, The Polish Muslims. Reminds me of Lili's 21. I almost feel as if reliving those last few minutes of Life at Lili's. Good Lord, how time flies. I know this has not much to do with the topic of the thread, but gosh-by-gosh, if there were ever a place where a lost soul could drop in an shoot the breeze with Mustah, or a Trash Brat, and discuss general ridiculousness... my my, THAT was THEE PLACE. And that's also why I don't say much about Hamtown anymoe. Sweet memories indeed. (oh, and a hefty Hello to Chuck of Speedball. That cat showed me some good ropes long ago.) (Message edited by ggores on July 31, 2008) | ||
Melody Member Username: Melody Post Number: 239 Registered: 11-2007 |
Ggores -- alot of people feel the way you do. That's a big part of the feel of the festival. People who used to live or hang out in Hamtramck can come back (and bring their family) and experience the bands, bars and food from back in the day. They can also see some up-and-coming kick ass Detroit bands (like Four Hour Friends, Millions of Brazilians, Grayling, etc.). Its also an affordable summer day out, with $4 beers and super cheap pierogi, samosas, games, rides, and free entertainment. Going to the bars or the liquor store definitely helps the local economy, but buying beers from the beer tents helps the city pay for the entertainment. I'll be volunteering in the beer tents all weekend, come see me! (And yes, I think last year there was a shooting over some sunglasses. it happened in the festival area, but long after the festival was over.) | ||
Ggores Member Username: Ggores Post Number: 238 Registered: 10-2007 |
I agree Melody. Hamtown clubs draw many, many good bands, incomparable to the WSU area {sorry kids}, so surprisingly effin' good. But, I try to avoid the place as I don't have many easy escapes - or acquaintance's there anymore - and for some reason, have run into punk Chaldeans late at night while trying to navigate out of there (not a bigoted statement, just too true). As for shootings over sunglasses, that's not really any big deal in the surrounding Detroit area. That's why I wear - The CHEEP Sunglasses. :-) | ||
Detroiterbychoice Member Username: Detroiterbychoice Post Number: 62 Registered: 04-2008 |
Whats the best polka band to see? | ||
Pythonmaster Member Username: Pythonmaster Post Number: 197 Registered: 12-2006 |
Used to play with Bootsy X and the Muslims at Lili's. God I miss the shots of Wisniowka at 2:30 a.m. and the basement graffiti. Great times. Hamtramck, the Paris of Wayne County. | ||
Sludgedaddy Member Username: Sludgedaddy Post Number: 83 Registered: 01-2008 |
Ah yes, beautiful Hamtown. From back in the day, The Mutants,The Reruns, Walkie-Talkies, Polish Muslims, Incredible Mohawk Brothers etal.As a long time and current resident of the area, I believe Muhammad stole the Kiska and the Albanian pipe-bomb throwing contest at the Labor Day Fest is Literally the Bomb. ....and don't forget to compliment that fetching damsel in the black burqa, " I never knew the Elephant Man had a sister." Nice drive-way,kids. | ||
Melody Member Username: Melody Post Number: 242 Registered: 11-2007 |
Geez, jerk alert. What nationality are you? Anyway, I'd say the best Polka band is Big Daddy Lackowski. I love the Keilbasa Kings, but they're kind of un-animated. They are my favorite though. I love Hamtramck's musical legacy from the '80s and early '90s. I played one of my first shows at Lili's, and I loved playing Paychecks in the '90s too. It's even better to see the new wave of bands make history. Deastro, the Muggs, Dead Bodies, Millions of Brazilians, Cetan Clawson, Hard Lessons, etc -- all are loyal to the Belmont, Painted Lady and Smalls (the three best rock bars, as far as Im concerned). | ||
Sludgedaddy Member Username: Sludgedaddy Post Number: 84 Registered: 01-2008 |
Ms. Melody, you can bet your young dupa I'm Polish. Apparently you were not around in the early days of Lili's to have encountered the tongue in cheek humor espoused by the likes of The Mutants, The Polish Muslims or The Incredible Mohawk Brothers. One of the earliest flyers for a show at Lili's read:"Everyone will be there except Thurman Munson" (a NY Yankee catcher killed in a private jet runway mishap in the late 1970's) It looks like the era you recall revolved around the bands wanting to change the world with their music. The above mentioned groups had a lot of fun parodying that idealism. It's no wonder that business ventures in Hamtown such as the selling of beads and art works didn't go over too well with Stosh and Sophie. Enjoy your time working the beer concession at the Labor Day Festival and don't fall for that old line if someone asks you if you ever had kielbasa in the can. Stolat. | ||
Melody Member Username: Melody Post Number: 244 Registered: 11-2007 |
I've only been legally allowed in bars since 2000. Other than that I'm not sure what to say, as I'm not sure what you're talking about. I don't know any bands that are trying to save the world w/ their music, I just am proud and happy that there are still bands happy and excited to play Hamtramck and carry on the city's awesome legacy for having a great, organic and low-key nightlife scene. I will have fun volunteering my time for my city as I have for the last three years (and getting hammered like a good Polish girl), thanks. (Message edited by Melody on August 03, 2008) | ||
Norwalk Member Username: Norwalk Post Number: 322 Registered: 11-2006 |
The Painted Lady Rocks! Todd is the best bartender in Hamtramck! | ||
Edziu Member Username: Edziu Post Number: 52 Registered: 07-2007 |
Jeszcze Polska nie zginela! | ||
Foosie Member Username: Foosie Post Number: 5 Registered: 07-2008 |
I've only been legally allowed in bars since 2000. Melody, You were 2 when I was under-age drinking at the first fest in '81? Gawd I hate middle age! | ||
Foosie Member Username: Foosie Post Number: 7 Registered: 07-2008 |
The fist fights at this festival are among the best I've even seen. The best fights were those back in the day(80s) Hamtramck south-side Albanians vs. displaced poletown polish boys (and girls). Nasty stuff! | ||
Boo_girl Member Username: Boo_girl Post Number: 2 Registered: 08-2008 |
For all you festival fanatics-don't miss the return of Toledo's own Polka Floyd Show performing on the North stage at 3:30 on Monday, Sept. 1. For those who missed last years set, Polka Floyd play the music of Pink Floyd-polka style! www.polkafloyd.com | ||
Melody Member Username: Melody Post Number: 277 Registered: 11-2007 |
<img> | ||
Melody Member Username: Melody Post Number: 278 Registered: 11-2007 |
Oops....I was trying to post the flyer for this... http://a395.ac-images.myspacec dn.com/images01/123/l_1d421427 1e394404a11aabc09d94bc82.jpg | ||
Ddaydave Member Username: Ddaydave Post Number: 551 Registered: 04-2005 |
I Haven't missed the Labor Day Festival in 20 years. I will be there for sure. Ddaydave proud supporter of local music | ||
Professorjackson Member Username: Professorjackson Post Number: 36 Registered: 02-2006 |
I read they are having a day of Polish rock bands and was intrigued. Is that really happening? Anyone know who the Polish rock bands might be? | ||
Melody Member Username: Melody Post Number: 279 Registered: 11-2007 |
Sunday is all Polish bands of some sort. A polka band, the Polish Muslims, etc. Generations is a rock band of Polish people, but I don't know how many Polish songs they do, if any. One of my bands, Swamp Sisters, are performing as Siostrej Czarne Wody. We're a pop/rock band but we're throwing in some traditional Polish. | ||
East_detroit Member Username: East_detroit Post Number: 1989 Registered: 11-2003 |
 | ||
Melody Member Username: Melody Post Number: 280 Registered: 11-2007 |
Thanks East! Oh yeah, wrestling is also back this year at the Hamtramck Festival. It'll happen Saturday afternoon. | ||
Greebomusic Member Username: Greebomusic Post Number: 9 Registered: 08-2008 |
"For all you festival fanatics-don't miss the return of Toledo's own Polka Floyd Show performing on the North stage at 3:30 on Monday, Sept. 1. For those who missed last years set, Polka Floyd play the music of Pink Floyd-polka style! www.polkafloyd.com" Say Hi to Ken for me! I played in the Hamtramck haunts through the 90's and always had a blast. Our rehearsal space was on Mitchell. Haven't been back to a Fest since '98 though. | ||
Downriviera Member Username: Downriviera Post Number: 901 Registered: 02-2008 |
I'll be there for Speedball. Wonder if they'll be doing any revved up Polish rockabilly. | ||
Stromberg2 Member Username: Stromberg2 Post Number: 104 Registered: 10-2006 |
Danny D is THE biggest asshole!! | ||
East_detroit Member Username: East_detroit Post Number: 1991 Registered: 11-2003 |
Now that I can no longer park in front of a house where Grandma had the lawn chair waiting, whats a good place to park for the festivities? | ||
Melody Member Username: Melody Post Number: 282 Registered: 11-2007 |
There's a large city lot on Yemens just east of Jos Campau by Polish Village within walking distance from the festival. Other than that, street parking...it's not as bad as it seems | ||
East_detroit Member Username: East_detroit Post Number: 1992 Registered: 11-2003 |
Cool, thanks! | ||
Hamtragedy Member Username: Hamtragedy Post Number: 276 Registered: 10-2007 |
Yeah, I never have a huge problem parking in front of my own house during the festival, which is at the east end of my block, AND I'm on a one-way heading east. If you head north up Mackay (firestation is at the corner of Mackay and Caniff), the farther north you head the easier is becomes to park on the streets. You can even park on the east side of Mackay. Then again, if you have to walk any distance, Hamtramck flowers are all in full bloom right now. | ||
Sludgedaddy Member Username: Sludgedaddy Post Number: 123 Registered: 01-2008 |
Plenty of free parking north of Carpenter and west of Jos. Campau. I'm sure the many crack houses there will be having specials and don't forget to patronize the many working girls who frequent the strip around Mother Waddles Auto sales. | ||
Hamtragedy Member Username: Hamtragedy Post Number: 278 Registered: 10-2007 |
Uh, don't park there. Don't hit that party store at Halleck either. Plus, those hookers are NASTY! |
