I’ve been to just about every type of Hipster Disco party. You have your signature events, like the annual Halloween and New Year’s Eve parties, where the crew goes all out with space design and décor styling to create an unforgettable experience. Last Halloween featured a giant welded cage bedecked with red LEDs where the DJs played surrounded by costumed revelers. Then throughout the year, they’ll throw a themed bash, like “Cinco de Disco,” “Electric Rodeo,” or “HD 007 Disco Never Dies” where they bring in set pieces and other elements that match the aesthetic–including but limited to mariachi bands and mechanical bulls.
Hipster Disco is the brainchild of Chris “Riv” Rivera and Edgar Hernandez, two friends who wanted to transform Grand Rapids nightlife into something truly spectacular. The enterprise hosts high-caliber parties across the city all year long, inviting guests to enjoy their one-of-a-kind experiences. Rivera leans more into the curation and coordination of the events, while Hernandez uses his art background to focus on space installations and graphic design.
“Hipster Disco emerged after COVID,” Hernandez said. “There were places that we used to frequent, like Rocky’s and these other smaller parties where all the cool cats would go and hang out and dance. Riv brought up this idea of a party series similar to those. We threw a party and it sold out. We did it again, and again, and again, and again.”
Getting dressed for an HD production is a treat. Sure, you can get away with a casual look for most events, but where’s the fun in that? The “Disco Tonk” party saw patrons clad in bolo ties and Western wear, while the “Spy vs Spy” DJ face off this past May was a monochromatic black and white affair. And of course, every New Year’s Eve extravaganza is a stunning display of tuxedos, sequined gowns, and other finery. I myself have worn an LBD, lacy gloves, and a feathered fascinator for the occasion.
Perhaps one of the most interesting draws of a Hipster Disco experience is the flash tattoos. Yes, you read that right. For each event, the team designs a sheet of tattoos tailored to the theme, and guests can get inked on-site by licensed tattoo artists. Reuben Garcia leads the tattoo side of the operation, adding another layer to the visual world the team builds for each party.
Kevin Wolfrom, the group’s resident live painter and creative collaborator, is also part of the core crew, and depending on the event, the team brings in local artists, organizations and sponsors to help shape the experience. Past partners have included Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., Lucid Aesthetic, Nick Oudsema (artist), and Joseph Horn (Velvet Fox Events + Media), with support from brands like Bell’s, Modelo, and Tito’s Vodka. As for venues, they’ve hosted events at Four Star Theater, Luna, SILVA, AK Rikks, Studio COR3, and Linear, just to name a few.
“I think we’ve been very fortunate to work with amazing, creative people, and it’s really helped us to transform spaces and make them come to life,” Rivera said. “A huge part of what Hipster Disco does is we take unassuming spaces and spaces that normally are not designated to host dance parties and for that one night completely transform them.”
People from all walks of life show up for HD events. I met a mom in her 40s last Halloween dressed as Rumi from “KPop Demon Hunters.” When I complimented her choice of costume, she was delighted, telling me how much her daughter loved the movie. At that same party, I chatted with a pair of clowns who pulled a rainbow of handkerchiefs out of their sleeves.
“We’ve definitely hosted and continue to host a very diverse crowd,” Rivera said. “People who really like to let their freak flag fly, if you will, and are there for the music. There are a lot of regulars, which is a very positive trend that we’re doing something right because people are repeat customers. The LGBTQ+ community is also heavily represented at our events, and that for us is really cool; people feel welcome, people feel safe, people feel accepted.”
“One thing that has been a standout that I’m very proud of is when we have our debrief with a venue following up on an event, they usually praise our guests and how respectful everyone is,” Hernandez said. “I really love that about our parties. There is a sense of unity and community; everyone’s respectful to the staff and to each other.”
Wondering what music to expect? The DJs are handpicked by the HD team to play tracks that fit the vibe of the party. You can expect house, disco, and techno music with plenty of bassline, from local DJs and duos like Carto, Swordfight, and Rivera and Hernandez themselves as Ronnie Ferrari and EZ-E respectively. While you may not hear songs you know, the beats will be tailored to the experience they’re going for, which is to get you on your feet.
“The nucleus or the glue that brings people together is the music,” Rivera said. “We definitely have more of a dance culture than the average nightclub where people may be just going there to drink or stand around. We’ve been trying to do more and more rotating DJs, which is not something we were always able to do early on, but we’ve been fortunate to continue to extend that reach.”
Most Hipster Disco parties are 21 and up, but there are a few instances where the team has hosted public events where families are welcome to attend, like the annual Return to the River and World of Winter festivals.
The price of admission depends on the event. You can expect to pay between 20-30 bucks for the Halloween bash (around $15 if you buy early). The NYE party usually offers packages and can include VIP experiences, making those tickets a bit pricier–between $75-100. The HD New Year’s Eve celebration typically includes hors d’oeuvres and bubbles for a midnight toast.
As for what’s in store for their upcoming Halloween party on October 31…you’ll just have to buy a ticket! Without revealing too much, the guys say you can expect a truly unforgettable experience at the Four Star Theater, where they’ve hosted it the past few years. Be sure to show out if you want to have a shot at winning the costume contest.
“We used that crazy cage last year, and we are planning on using it again this year just in a different way,” Hernandez said. “That space allows us to go a little crazy, so people can expect one to two interactive installations.”
The guys have no intention of slowing down. They recently opened an office downtown where they can store their set pieces and brainstorm new concepts. What began as an idea to bring new life to the city after COVID turned into a Grand Rapids mainstay.
“Hipster Disco has grown far more than we could have ever imagined; the reception has been insanely great,” Rivera said. “We’re extremely appreciative of the DJ culture and the DJ friends we meet, the other groups in town that now we talk to and connect with and want to create with. The real-life social networks that we create in this digital age; we get to be in these spaces and come together with other creatives for the love of music.”
Hipster Disco is @hipster.disco on Instagram or you can check them out on their website, hipsterdisco.com.
