Get your butt on over to Ferndale and shake it at the Grasshopper Underground this Friday. It's definitely a testament to their programming that they're not only open every night, but they've been here for five years now! Grab a glow stick and get on over there in Ferndale to have an extra killer time this Friday, with an anniversary party that includes Golf Clap and Chris Lorenzo from the always stellar Dirtybird crew. DJ Dan performs on Saturday, too, as part of the anniversary celebration, and he's most excellent — might as well camp out there all weekend. After these YouTube clips, we've reprinted the club's press release on the event if you need more information. Also, our earlier interview with the club's owner is here.
Ferndale’s Grasshopper Underground Celebrates 5 Years of Championed Sounds and Diverse Music Programming
If you’ve ever been to downtown Ferndale, you’ve noticed the little spot on the nine mile strip full of lights dripping Woodward avenue in a swirl of colors and heavy dance music carrying through the streets. Grasshopper Underground has become an essential part of Metro Detroit’s music scene and has contributed significantly to its growth. The boutique-sized venue provides patrons with an intimate party experience but brings in talent comparable to a multi-million dollar nightclub. Celebrating five years of business, Grasshopper Underground has curated a massive 5 Year Anniversary Party weekend with Dj Dan and Dirtybird’s Chris Lorenzo.
Unlike most entertainment venues, Grasshopper Underground is open 7 days a week. While many venues are defined by the big acts they bring in, this is only one facet of Grasshopper’s operation. The newly renovated upstairs lounge gives patrons a perfect happy hour spot, full of people watching right on Woodward and Nine Mile. Besides being open for a daily happy hour, the venue is keeping it fresh with a new vibe every night. Sundays are Reggae/ Hip-hop night; Mondays switch between ArtBeat (music and art together) and Country CLub Disco; Tuesday is industrial night; Wednesday series have grown with such acts as Norm Talley, Erika and Brendan Gillen of renowned Interdimensional Transmissions and godfather of house Rick Wilhite curated by Walter Glasshouse and sets the scene for hometown heroes to assume the decks; Thursday nights local sound hero Mike Fotias of Paxahau and Audio Rescue Team host “The Decade” - all hits from 1979-1990 and finally it all culminates with Fridays and Saturdays which are reserved for world-class house and techno music. No matter what kind of music you’re into, there’s something for everyone at Grasshopper this summer.
With the rise and fall of many venues over the past 5 years, Grasshopper has sustained because of management’s passion for the music and their sterling professional reputation. “ The talent we bring in love the club as much as those patrons that come to see them," says owner, Troy Ramroop in a recent conversation with Metro Times reporter Alysa Offman.
When asked about the five-year run, Ramroop says, ”It’s been amazing. Tough at times. An absolute roller coaster. The situation has gone from people laughing at the name Grasshopper when we first started to being recognized around the world.” He continues, “Personally for me I don’t know how to describe it. Others say I am too personally attached to this business but this is my dream and spending the past give years realizing this dream just makes me want another 5 years.”
