Toast of the Town …5/4/12

Steve Hughes reads from his new issue of “Stupor,” which he will be doing again on May 12.

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 other events that can be found throughout the city.

By Charles Sercombe

Excuse Toast for making a shameless plug for this Saturday night (May 5).

Please, please, if you are a rock and roll fan, or more specifically a fan of the 1980s, head on over to that venerable old haunt, Paycheck’s Lounge.

There are a few good reasons to go. One is that it’s a rare night to see the Orange Roughies and Junk Monkeys perform. If you are too young to know who they are, throw caution to the wind and check them out.

You will not be disappointed.

Another reason to go is that this night’s performance is a fundraiser for a dear, dear friend of Toast, Mark Rowe, or as his many friends call him, Morrocco.

You know, as we age, the bad stuff starts to happen. Such as cancer, for example.

Yeah, the “C” word.

Morrocco, old buddy, has it bad. As in esophageal cancer.

It gets worse. The guy has no insurance. You don’t want to know how many friends of Toast have found themselves in similar situations.

But that’s a topic for another day.

That’s Mark Rowe (left) with Toast and good pal Terry Murphy kicking up some Toronto fun in better days back in the 1980s.

Saturday is a day for a celebration of a good friend. And it’s a return to some really good music.

Toast wishes all of our readers could hop on a time machine and travel back to the good old days of Paychecks in the mid-1980s when Hamtramck was an incredible music Mecca.

Hey, what are we saying? You don’t need a time machine for Saturday. It’s all going to happen one more time.
Hop on board.

Keep next Saturdays open in your calendar. On May 12, Hamtramck resident Steve Hughes will debut his newest issue of “Stupor” at Leopold’s Books, near Wayne State University, on 15 E. Kirby.

Stupor is one incredible collection of things overheard and things just plain made up.

Hughes, a working-class bon vivant (kidding), has been kicking out these fascinating glimpses of people’s conversations and ruminations for over a decade.

The latest issue has been getting some national attention. It’s also a double-plus special issue because Hughes has teamed up with international art star Matthew Barney.

It’s going to be an incredible night of words and … beer. Yes, beer and art. Can anyone think of a better combination?

OK, beer and bowling.

Do you know of a cool bar, a great restaurant or just a nice place to hang out? If you have tips on special events or just want to shine some light on your favorite spot send a message to news@thethehamtramckreview.com or call us at (313) 874-2100