Kick Off the Holiday Weekend at the Downtown Holland Street Performer Series Tomorrow Night!
For Immediate Release
July 2, 2025
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Kara de Alvare
Marketing Coordinator, Downtown Holland
150 West 8th Street, Holland, MI 49423
616.796.0472 | k.dealvare@cityofholland.com
Kick Off the Holiday Weekend at the Downtown Holland Street Performer Series Tomorrow Night!
Holland, MI – The holiday weekend fun begins in Downtown Holland tomorrow night from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm at the 2025 Gentex Street Performer Series, featuring caricature artist Britta Lindemulder! The entire community is invited to experience the sights and sounds as 25 different performing artists and groups from every background perform free for the public all along 8th Street every Thursday evening through August 14. The Street Performer Series features an exciting line-up of over 75 rotating performers throughout the summer, including musicians, jugglers, balloon twisters, break dancers, henna tattoo artists, and more. The 2025 Street Performer Series is proudly sponsored by Gentex Corporation, with additional funding support provided by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council.
Lindemulder is a skilled caricature artist who has been bringing smiles to faces with her quick, lighthearted portraits since 2008. She first learned the art of caricature while working at Michigan’s Adventure, where she was trained in the classic fast-draw style that remains central to her work today. Over the years, she has continued to develop her artistic abilities across a variety of mediums.
A graduate of Grand Valley State University with a degree in Illustration, Lindemulder has been part of the Gentex Street Performer Series since 2013. Her performances are a favorite among visitors to Downtown Holland, where she captures each person's unique features in just 2–3 minutes. She can draw up to two people, or even a pet in one caricature, creating a fun and personal souvenir for guests to take home. This Thursday, you can find Lindemulder drawing near Mizu Sushi at 99 East 8th Street.
Street Performer Series attendees should note that 8th Street will be closed to thru traffic and parking from Columbia Avenue to River Avenue from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm on Thursday nights to accommodate the crowd. Free public parking for the event is available in the surface lots on 7th and 9th Streets, in the 7th and 9th Street Parking Decks, and at the Holland Civic Center Place. And don’t forget that while the Series is free to attend, tipping the performers is customary, as the Series is a traditional busking event.
The Downtown Holland Social District is also open during the Street Performer Series, meaning that patrons ages 21+ can purchase alcoholic beverages at one of nearly 20 different participating establishment to enjoy while strolling throughout Downtown Holland during the event. For a list of participating establishments, the social district regulations, and the district boundaries, please visit www.downtownsocialdistrict.com.
Street Performer Series Performer Line-Up for July 3
Twisted Balloons
Balloons by Sarah
Sarah Franklin discovered her love for balloon twisting while planning her son’s seventh birthday party, and it quickly became a fun family hobby. She began performing at church and community events to bring smiles to kids’ faces. Sarah is excited to share her talents and spread joy as part of the Street Performers Series for the first time this summer!
Dancers
Floor Fienz
Floor Fienz is a breakdancing group that has been performing together for over a decade at the Series and at fundraisers, car shows, and birthday parties. They keep the crowd entertained with their explosive dance moves and high-energy beats. Their passion for dance and commitment to inspiring the next generation continues to energize every performance.
Michigan Moonwalker
Jake Thompson has been dancing like Michael Jackson since 2016, when he first saw a video of Jackson performing “Smooth Criminal” live. Jacob has performed at numerous high school talent shows and other special events and is excited to show off his skills at the Street Performer Series for the fifth summer in a row.
Mystic
Maribel “Mystic” Garza is a belly dancer with over 20 years of performance experience as both a soloist and member of various dance troupes. She got her start right here in Holland and has been part of the Series since its second year. She loves inviting audiences of all ages to join in the fun, sharing the joy, energy, and artistry of belly dancing downtown each summer.
Graphic Artists
Henna by Anna
Anna Hoskins is a full-time artist who holds both a BFA and MFA in drawing from Kendall College of Art and Design. While she enjoys working in her studio, she loves to combine her passion for art and meeting people by drawing henna tattoos at reunions, birthday parties, weddings and more! She has participated in the Street Performer Series for the last 15 years.
Henna by Jahara
Jahanara Begum has been a Street Performer in Downtown Holland since the beginning of the Gentex Street Performer Series back in 2005. She is a highly skilled and experienced henna artist who uses all natural ingredients that are safe for the skin. Her designs never fail to impress her fans of all ages!
Musicians
Aliyah Visser
Aliyah Visser is a 19-year-old music enthusiast who just completed her freshman year as a Music Therapy major at the University of Kansas. She is a talented pianist with a deep love for creating music and is excited to begin releasing her original songs starting this summer. This will be her first summer at the Gentex Street Performer Series.
Andy Callis
Musician Andy Callis has played the accordion for a number of bands in the Lansing area, including The Lash, Zydecrunch, Heartland Klezmorim, and Atomic Boogaloo. He loves how the accordion can instantly evoke a time and place, as one hears it passing by on a summer evening in the city. He’s excited to be back to at the Street Performer Series this summer.
Ben Bard
Ben Bard is a solo performer with over a decade of string instrument experience. Inspired by the rich musical traditions of North Africa, Turkey, and Central Asia, he has mastered instruments such as the Turkish baglama, Arab oud, and most recently, the Afghan Kabuli rabab. Ben is passionate about sharing the beauty and culture of these instruments with the community.
Brian Markaity
Brain Markaity is an office chair engineer at Haworth who grew up in a lively musical family. Having taken piano lessons for eight years as a child, he recently rekindled his passion for playing the piano and singing. Embracing a longtime dream, Brain is stepping out into the streets to share his music with the community for the very first time.
Charis and Shayna
College students Charis Snyder and Shayna Gibson are a singing duo who play guitar and a number of other small instruments. They are both Street Performer Series veterans, having recently performed with the band Peach Jam, a popular favorite at the event. They perform a mix of pop, R&B, jazz, rock, and so much more!
Chris Clayton Loop
Chris Shideler is a solo musician based in Grand Rapids who takes listeners on a journey with his music. He found his passion for live looping years ago, and through hard work and practice, he has been making music ever since. Chris’ favorite part of performing is showing the crowd how he builds songs up and breaks them back down as he plays.
Dying Will Be Easy
Brothers James and Ben Woiwode, along with their friend Cameron Hurd, have been making music together for more than a decade in the West Michigan area as Dying Will Be Easy. This guitar, upright bass, and mandolin trio have a broad repertoire covering blues, Irish folk and modern rock. You can often find them playing on events and stages throughout West Michigan.
El Em En Oh Pea
Albert Gemmen, Jamison Worst, and Lindsey Burton have been playing together for several years, bringing a relaxed, nostalgic sound to summer gatherings and backyard barbecues. Their performances aim to create a chill atmosphere where audiences can sing along or simply enjoy the music in the background. They are also active participants in the street performer scene.
Gavin Frody
Musician Gavin Frody, a West Michigan native, is a talented cellist and composer with a deep love for classical music. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music composition from Central Michigan University and regularly performs at events and venues throughout Michigan. He is thrilled to be returning to the Gentex Street Performer Series again this year.
Isabel Noguera
Singer-songwriter Isabel Noguera has been performing since she was ten years old. She’s performed at many open mic nights and around the streets of South Haven and Saugatuck. Influenced by artists like Chappel Roan and Rosie Tucker, her sound sits somewhere between indie folk and rock, with subtle touches of dream-pop. She sings all her own original music.
JLo the Artist
Local musician Jeanette Locher plays the Native flute and enjoys making music from the heart. Jeanette performers regularly at the Holland Farmers Market and is excited to perform for the Gentex Street Performer Series for the second summer in a row! She is also an artist and crafter in her spare time.
Mark Cosgrove
Mark Cosgrove is West Ottawa graduate who has been singing since he was just two years old. In addition to singing in his school’s premier choir group, The Vocalaires, he has also performed as the lead in a number of different high school theatre productions. At the Series, he will be performing covers from popular artists from the 60’s to today.
String Theory
Greg Howard and Dean Michaels are a Celtic harp and acoustic guitar duo who have been performing together across West Michigan since 1990. They’ve played for dinner parties, weddings, receptions, and church events, and have been part of the Holland street performing scene for nearly a decade, delighting audiences with their unique blend of harp and guitar.
Victoria De Leon and Family
Victoria De Leon is a freshman music major at Belmont University in Nashville and a Street Performer Series veteran. She performs a mix of R&B, modern, and classic pop music, accompanied by her sister Valerie, brother Emanuel, and father, Larry De Leon.
Other Performers
Celtic Kilroy: The Irish Street Musician
Matt Kilroy, known as Celtic Kilroy, performs as a human statue called The Irish Street Musician. Since his debut in Grand Haven in 2012, he has become a popular act at events across Michigan and beyond, including the Michigan Irish Music Festival, Sparta Celtic Festival, and Milwaukee Irish Fest. Matt is a long-time favorite in the Gentex Street Performer Series.
Connor Scholten
Connor Scholten first began yo-yoing as a young child in 1997, and he first performed for the public as part of the first ever Street Performer Series in 2005. He has since worked full time as a yo-yo designer, coached the top players in the world, and taught yo-yo to thousands of people online. He is also the 2017 and 2018 National Yo-Yo Contest Winner.
Mat Emerick
Dressed as a clown, Mat Emerick evokes great mimes like Charlie Chaplin, Marcel Marceau, and Red Skelton in his act. With over 40 years of professional experience performing at festivals, schools, libraries, and theatres, he brings smiles to all ages with his comedy and juggling skills.
May & De Fuego
Nick May is a seasoned fire performer with over 13 years of experience, blending dance, theatrics, and music into captivating, high-energy shows. He creates unforgettable visual spectacles with precision and passion. Joining him is Gemma Michelini (Gem De Fuego), a rising talent who adds both captivating performances and logistical support.
About Gentex Corporation:
Gentex Corporation is a supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and electronics to the automotive industry, dimmable aircraft windows for aviation markets, and fire protection products to the fire protection market. The company was founded in Zeeland in 1974 and is Ottawa County’s largest employer.
About Downtown Holland:
Located in the heart of the City of Holland, just minutes from the shores of Lake Michigan and adjacent to the campus of Hope College, Downtown Holland is a premier shopping, dining, and special events destination like none other! Downtown Holland offers over 100 locally owned boutiques, shops, and galleries, along with breweries, cafes, and restaurants for every taste. Downtown Holland is also home to unique cultural attractions, an award-winning farmers market and beautiful parks. We can’t wait to welcome you! For more information and the latest Downtown Holland news and updates, visit us at www.downtownholland.com, follow Downtown Holland on Facebook and Instagram, subscribe to our monthly newsletter, or call 616.796.1210.