Brian McCollum

Detroit Free Press Pop Music Critic

More than 50 performers have been lined up for the this year's Meridian Winter Blast, which will take over Campus Martius Jan. 20-22.

The Detroit-heavy lineup includes thrash-bluegrass band the Native Howl, fast-rising singer-songwriter Zander Michigan and hometown blues queen Thornetta Davis.

New this year is a stage presented by the Movement electronic music festival, as part of a Bedrock Ice Bar that will be situated at Cadillac Square, where Detroit DJs Thornstryker and Ryan Richards will spin on Winter Blast's first two nights.

Entertainment on the family stage will host magic shows, science exhibits and appearances by players from the Detroit Red Wings and Pistons.

Traditionally a February event since its debut more than decade ago, Winter Blast is bumping up on the calendar to coordinate with the final weekend of the North American International Auto Show at nearby Cobo Hall.

Standard Winter Blast admission is $3 or three canned goods, non-perishable items or a children's book. Auto show attendees can obtain free same-day access to the festival.

2017 Winter Blast Entertainment Lineup

(Many artist descriptions based on information provided by Winter Blast)

Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort Stage

Friday, Jan. 20

4:30 p.m. Zander Michigan (Singer-songwriter)

5:45 p.m. Boogie Woogie Kid Trio (Boogie-woogie)

7 p.m. Bricktown Station (Loft rock)

8:30 p.m. Stone Clover (Irish rock ‘n’ roll)

10 p.m. Paul Lamb and the Detroit Breakdown (Blues-classic rock)

Saturday, Jan. 21

11:45 a.m. Sophia Avocado (Singer-songwriter)

1 p.m. AcousticAsh (Singer-songwriter)

2:30 p.m. Kira Blue (Singer-songwriter)

4 p.m. Trey Simon (R&B-pop-soul)

5:30 p.m. Inohs Sivad Evolution (Rock-funk-soul)

7 p.m. The Gasoline Gypsies (Rock n’ roll-country-blues)

8:30 p.m. Roots Vibrations (Reggae-soca)

10 p.m. Dave Hamilton Band (Rock)

Sunday, Jan. 22

11:15 a.m. Handsome Pete (Rock)

12:30 p.m. SIAS (World-pop)

2 p.m. Escaping Pavement (Americana)

3 p.m. Jibs Brown & The Jambros (Rootsy blues)

5 p.m. The Social Bandits (Rock)

6:30 p.m. The Persuasion Band (Party music)

Michigan Lottery Stage

Friday, Jan. 20

4 p.m. Mia Green (Singer-songwriter)

5:30 p.m. The People’s Republic of Casey Cooper (Rock/folk)

7 p.m. Alise King (R&B-blues)

8:30 p.m. Ulterior Motive (Rock)

10 p.m. Thornetta Davis Band (Indie blues)

Saturday, Jan. 21

11:30 a.m. A man named Hooper (Acoustic pop-punk)

12:45 p.m. The Steve Taylor Three (Americana)

2 p.m. Cold Tone Harvest (Americana)

3:30 p.m. Sam Van Wagoner (Blues-pop)

5 p.m. Bobby McManus and his Band (Rock-funk)

6:30 p.m. Nina & The Buffalo Riders (Psychedelic blues-soul-rock)

8 p.m. AwesomeR (Rock ‘n’ roll)

9:45 p.m. SKYrise (Top 40-house-hip-hop)

Sunday, Jan. 22

11:30 a.m. DownRiver Dan (Blues-rock)

12:45 p.m. The 3rd Degree Burn (Rock)

2:15 p.m. The Native Howl (Thrash grass)

3:45 p.m. Madelyn Grant (R&B)

5:15 p.m. Acoustic Madness (Acoustic rock)

6:45 p.m. The Reefermen (Rock-soul)

DTE Energy Family Stage

Friday, Jan. 20

4:45 p.m. Frostology by Michigan Science Center

5:45 p.m. Frostology by Michigan Science Center

6:30 p.m. Detroit Pistons

7 p.m. Cool Tricks & Funny Stuff

7:30 p.m. Punch & Judy Puppet Show

Saturday, Jan. 21

12 p.m. Frostology by Michigan Science Center

1:15 p.m. Cool Tricks & Funny Stuff

2 p.m. Warner Brothers Character Meet & Greet

2:30 p.m. Detroit Pistons Dance Team Performance and Photos

3 p.m. Frostology by Michigan Science Center

4 p.m. Warner Brothers Character Meet & Greet

4:30 p.m. Detroit Red Wings Legend Manny Legace

5:45 p.m. Randyl Lee Magic

6:15 p.m. Frostology by Michigan Science Center

7 p.m. Rosco the Clown

7:30 p.m. Kevin Devine Music Concert

Sunday, Jan. 22

12 p.m. Frostology by Michigan Science Center

1:15 p.m. Detroit Pistons Legend – Rick Mahorn

2 p.m. Warner Brothers Character Meet & Greet

2:30 p.m. Frostology by Michigan Science Center

3 p.m. Detroit Red Wings Legend Jason Woolley

4 p.m. Warner Brothers Character Meet & Greet

4:30 p.m. Frostology by Michigan Science Center

5:15 p.m. Juggling with Tim Salisbury

5:45 p.m. Frostology by Michigan Science Center

DTE Energy Acoustic Stage

Friday, Jan. 20

8:30 p.m. Cayenne & Ginger (Singer-songwriter)

10 p.m. Maticic (Singer-songwriter)

Saturday, Jan. 21

8:30 p.m. Keynote Sisters (Singer-songwriter)

10 p.m. Rosemont (Singer-songwriter)

Bedrock Ice Bar Stage

Friday, Jan. 20

8 p.m. DJ Thornstryker (Techno)

Saturday, Jan. 21

8 p.m. DJ Ryan Richards (Techno)