Cass Café Cultural Center · 4620 Cass Avenue, Detroit
Become a Member
The Cass Café has been a gathering place in Detroit's Midtown since 1993. Your membership supports the programs, the people, and the community that make this place what it is.
See Membership LevelsIn 2026, the Chalfonte Foundation acquired the building and established the Cass Café Cultural Center — the nonprofit home for arts, cultural, and community programming in the space, including the food and beverage program that has always made this place what it is. Membership in the Cultural Center is your stake in that mission: supporting the programs, the people, and the community that gather here, and being welcomed in return as part of something that has mattered to Detroit for more than thirty years.
- Invitation to member events, parties, and the Annual Membership Gala
- Discount on ticketed programs including Pancakes with Puppets and Dinner Concerts
- Invitation to Village Radio Detroit and Village Radio Elk Rapids listening parties
- Members' previews for all detroit contemporary exhibitions at the Cass Café Cultural Center and the LaRose House
- Monthly Cass Café newsletter
- Reciprocal member benefits at Elk Rapids Cinema · Chalfonte Theatre · PuppetART · detroit contemporary · CAID
Individual
- All Server benefits, extended to the household
- Discounts on ticketed programs for up to 4 household members
- Invitation to member events and the Annual Gala for the household
- Members' previews for all detroit contemporary exhibitions (household)
- Reciprocal member benefits at partner organizations for the household
Household
- All Cook benefits (individual)
- $1 off any menu item at the Cass Café — every visit
- One free regular coffee or tea — every visit, no occasion needed
- Priority access to reserve space for private events (subject to availability)
- Recognition in the Cass Café annual report
- Invitation to the Annual Gala — Red Carpet Preview
Individual
- All Barista Circle benefits
- One free cocktail, mocktail, fresh juice, or smoothie on monthly Membership Appreciation Day
- Two complimentary tickets to select special screenings or performances per year
- Exclusive invitations to opening receptions for detroit contemporary gallery exhibitions
- Invitation to the Annual Gala — Red Carpet Preview
Ind. or Household
- All Bartender Circle benefits
- Dinner for two during annual Membership Appreciation Week
- Four complimentary tickets to select special screenings or performances per year
- VIP access to the Annual Membership Gala
- Personalized Cass Café gift
- Named recognition in the Cultural Center and on casscafe.org
Ind. or Household
- After your first shift: free Server Membership for one year
- A free bowl of soup after every shift
- If your shift covers a ticketed event: one free ticket to that event plus the bowl of soup
- Monthly newsletter and all standard Server member communications
- Invitations to member events, Village Radio listening parties, and detroit contemporary exhibition previews
- Earn membership upgrades based on shifts worked — see the table below
| Shifts Worked | Period | Membership Earned |
|---|---|---|
| 1 shift | First shift | Server Membership — free annual membership |
| 2 shifts | 1 month | Cook Membership — household annual membership |
| 3 shifts | 1 month | Barista Circle — individual circle membership |
| 6 shifts | 2 months | Bartender Circle — individual or household |
| 10 shifts | 2 months | Chef Circle — individual or household annual membership |
Membership upgrades are awarded at the end of the qualifying period and are valid for one year from the date of award. Shifts can be combined across event types. To sign up for volunteer training, use the button above or visit casscafe.org.
All Cass Café Cultural Center members receive reciprocal benefits at the following partner organizations. Present your membership card at each partner location.
| Elk Rapids CinemaElk Rapids, Michigan | Member discounts on film screenings and events. Access to the Annual Members Gala. Part of the Chalfonte Foundation's network of arts and cultural institutions. |
| Chalfonte Theatre · The PlatformElk Rapids, Michigan | Member discounts on live performances and Village Radio programming at The Platform. Access to Chalfonte Foundation arts programming across northern Michigan. |
| PuppetARTDetroit, Michigan | Member discounts on performances and workshops. Priority access to Pancakes with Puppets at the Cass Café Cultural Center. Detroit's professional puppet theater. |
| detroit contemporary · CAIDDetroit, Michigan | Member invitations to exhibition openings at the Cass Café Cultural Center's Eastside and Westside Galleries, presented by detroit contemporary. Access to CAID programming and events. |
Village Radio WEIE 99.7 LPFM broadcasts from both Elk Rapids and Detroit, connecting two communities through music, culture, and community programming. Members are invited to regular listening parties at both locations — evenings where Village Radio programming takes center stage, DJs and hosts are in the room, and the broadcast becomes a live communal experience. Dates announced monthly in the newsletter and at 997fm.org and casscafe.org.
Monthly Membership Appreciation Day. One day each month, the Cass Café celebrates its circle members. Bartender Circle members receive a free cocktail, mocktail, fresh juice, or smoothie. Barista Circle and above already enjoy a free coffee or tea as a standing benefit every visit — Appreciation Day adds the drink benefit for Bartender Circle. All circle members are encouraged to bring a guest and make a day of it. Dates announced monthly in the newsletter.
Annual Membership Appreciation Week. Once per year, Chef Circle members are invited to a dinner for two on the house. The week is celebrated across all membership levels with special programming, gallery openings, and events exclusive to members.
| Benefit | Server | Cook | Barista Circle | Bartender Circle | Chef Circle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invitation to member events & Annual Gala | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Discount on ticketed programs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Village Radio listening party invitations | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Members' previews — detroit contemporary at Cass Café & LaRose House | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reciprocal benefits at partner organizations | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Monthly newsletter | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| $1 off any menu item per visit | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free coffee or tea — every visit | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free cocktail, mocktail, juice, or smoothie — Appreciation Day | — | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Complimentary tickets to select events (2/year) | — | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gallery opening receptions — detroit contemporary | — | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dinner for two — Appreciation Week | — | — | — | — | ✓ |
| Complimentary tickets to select events (4/year) | — | — | — | — | ✓ |
| VIP access — Annual Membership Gala | — | — | — | — | ✓ |
| Named recognition in the Cultural Center | — | — | — | — | ✓ |
| Recognition in annual report | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Ready to Join?
Every membership directly supports the food and beverage program, the gallery exhibitions, the puppet theater series, the yoga program, and the Village Radio Detroit studio that make the Cass Café Cultural Center what it is. Every level matters.
Memberships can also be purchased in person at 4620 Cass Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48201
info@casscafe.org · (313) 831-3139 · casscafe.org