The 2026 Gentex Street Performer Series will kick off in Downtown Holland one week from today on Thursday, June 11 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm! The entire community is invited to experience the sights and sounds as over different performing artists and groups from every background perform free for the public all along 8th Street every Thursday evening through August 13. The Street Performer Series features an exciting line-up of over 70 rotating performers throughout the summer, including musicians, jugglers, balloon twisters, caricature artists, break dancers, henna tattoo artists, and more. The 2026 Street Performer Series is proudly sponsored by Gentex Corporation, with additional funding support provided by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council.
“The Street Performer Series brings people together and builds community connection,” said Seth Bushouse, Vice President of Human Resources at Gentex. “We’re proud to continue investing in an experience that makes Downtown Holland such a special place each summer.”
The Gentex team will be on hand next week Thursday to celebrate the Gentex Street Performer Series kick-off with their famous prize wheel and fun giveaways for all ages! Stop by their table outside of GDK Park on 8th Street between Central and River Avenues from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm to try your hand at winning a prize and to find out more about the exciting employment opportunities available at the company.
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 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 June 11
Balloon Twisters
Dan Mutschler
Dan Mutschler is a self-taught and talented balloon artist who performs regularly at birthday parties, scouting events, art fairs and more. He has over 21 years of experience and is constantly learning new designs to share with young and old alike. You’ll often find him strolling downtown with one his many creations in hand!
Steve’s Twisted Balloons
Steve is a dad to two beautiful daughters and the owner of “Steve’s Twisted Balloons.” He started twisting balloons for family and friends at birthday parties just four years ago. Aft4er launching his public balloon-twisting career at the Street Performer Series, he has quickly become one of the area’s most sought-after balloon artists for special events, birthday party appearances, and more. He is excited to make his return to the Street Performer Series this year!
Dancers
Flow Like Water
Flow Like Water is a break-dancing crew that performs regularly at festivals and events throughout West Michigan, bringing the crowd to their feet wherever they go. Their high energy and hip-hop beats are only matched by their amazing dance skills. This highly captivating performance crew seeks to connect within the community through the world of dance and entertainment.
Lisa Bullis-Dennen
Lisa has been a student and performer of Arab dance for over 20 years. She now focuses solely on Egyptian dance styles, continuing to learn from the teachers that first taught her the art. Her goal is to present an authentic and emotionally rich experience. Lisa lives part-time in Egypt, immersed in the rich history and culture. During her street performances you can also join in on some of her mini-lessons and wear one of the hip scarves she brings along!
Mystic
Maribel “Mystic” Garza is dancer with a passion for the beautiful art of Middle Eastern belly dancing. Since taking her first class close to 20 years ago, she has worked on perfecting the art as both a solo and group dancer. 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
Alma’s Splash of Color
Alma Sanchez is a talented local face painter from Fennville who performers regularly at birthday parties, festivals, and community events. She uses colorful face paints and glitter in her full-face designs that are popular among all ages!
Be Airbrushing
Libby Geurink is a high school teacher by day, who started an airbrush tattoo business to combine her love for being creative with her love of interacting with people! Libby has been a street performer on her own for several years and is excited to be teaming up with her 14-year-old daughter, Brea, for the first time this summer! Together, they can airbrush a wide variety of colorful designs on the skin, which are always popular with kids at festivals and events
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! Anna has been a Street Performer Series regular for over 15 years.
Henna by Jahara Jahanara Begum has been a Street Performer in Downtown Holland since the beginning of the Street Performer Series. 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!
Oopsie Doodles
A local musician, music teacher, and artist, Mari Jo Koedyker brings a unique form of caricature art to the Street Performer Series! Oopsie Doodles are “blind” caricature drawings done without looking at the page, resulting in a fun and whimsical portrait of her subjects!
Musicians
2 Sides of December
2 Sides of December is a band made of friends and siblings Luke and Lane Buwalda and Carrie and Grant Mosher, who love playing live music! Together, they perform a mix of classic sing-along cover songs and great original songs! These four talented artists love to perform a variety of genres and draw a crowd at every show. They’ve generated a large following, been featured in articles, and accumulated large amounts of views and streams across all platforms!
Arlo Crandell
Arlo Crandell is an up-and-coming local blues-rock guitarist. He started playing guitar when he was just 8 and has been performing bluegrass music with his family ever since. He’s been street performing on 8th Street for many years and has performed regularly at festivals and at the Park Theater. Arlo was even invited onstage to play with the Texas Tenors during their Tulip Time concert in 2024.
Brucie Cookie
Brucie Cookie Brucie began piano and horn lessons when he was a child, playing in church, school, and theaters. After retiring from a career teaching high school, he continues to pursue his passion for music by performing with solo and with various groups at the Park Theatre, in Downtown Holland, and in churches throughout West Michigan, often with the Tarnished Brass Band.
Charlotte Ashley
Charlotte Ashley is a 15-year-old cover artist and song writer! She covers a wide range of music and writes her own pop and folk music. Music has been her passion for years and she loves performing for people — especially with her guitar and keyboard. Charlotte plays for her school all the time, but she is excited to start performing for bigger crowds at the 2026 Street Performer Series.
Cool Garbage
Cool Garbage is a jazz band made up of West Ottawa High School Jazz Band students. Together, they play a wide variety of genres including jazz, funk, Latin, Afro-Cuban, R&B, and alternative pop. They love performing together and sharing their love for music by playing their hearts out for the crowd.
De Leon Fam
De Leon Fam
The De Leon Family has been playing music together their entire lives. They are a bi-lingual Mexican/American duo that blend a touch of classic Americana/country with modern day pop classics in both English and Spanish. The natural blend of their harmonies is unmistakable and enchanting. This year marks three years of the band being part of the Street Performers Series in Downtown Holland.
Greg Phillips
Greg has played music with the Flint-based, classic rock cover band "Group Therapy" for the last 50 years. Since moving to the Holland area, Greg has participated in the Street Performer Series since 2019 and can often be seen playing classic rock covers in Downtown Holland and at the Holland Farmers Market
Isabel Noguera
Isabel Noguera doesn’t just write songs—she builds emotional landscapes out of melody and unflinching honesty. Her sound is raw but intentional and her music is a collision of Indie Rock with a soulful acoustic sound. Imagine Chappel Roan meets Mitski. Armed with a guitar, she transforms each song into a sonic journey that lingers long after the last note.
John Henry and Friends
John Henry is a talented studio and live musician that utilizes 'live-on-the-spot' created loops. John performs regularly at various venues throughout West Michigan, including restaurants, parties, and festivals. While his music crosses all genres, you can fully expect to hear covers of great songs from the 80s, 90s, and beyond! John also likes to play with his friends, expect to see him solo or with Laurie Penning as a backup singer at the Street Performers Series.
Jordan Crum
Jordan is a solo singer/songwriter who lives in Holland. Music has always been a meaningful way for him to connect with people, and he loves creating moments that will create nostalgia and joy for others through his music. He has been performing for over 10 years and is very excited to be a part of the Street Performer Series this summer
Silverado Band
West Michigan natives Harold Woodrum, Tom Bourne, Mackenzie Woodring, and their newest member, Scott Rogers, make up the Silverado Band. They play a wide variety of music including polkas, waltzes, and line dances that are sure to entertain a crowd at a wedding, bar, private parties…and at the Gentex Street Performer Series!
Sunset Rumble
Sunset Rumble is a band full of born and raised Michiganders. They have performed live and recorded in studios for over 40 years now. They grew up on Memphis soul and Motown as well as Detroit Rock & Roll. They were part of the Street Performer Series in 2017 and then moved away to California for seven years, but now they’re back to what they call “home” right here in Holland. They love to get audiences clapping their hands and tapping their toes.
Other Performers
Celtic Kilroy Live Statue
Matt “Celtic” Kilroy, is a human statue and talented musician who specializes in Irish music. He has 40 years of experience playing eight different instruments, both as a soloist and with a Celtic band. Nine years ago, he added his human statue act to his repertoire, much to the delight of the crowds.
Mat Emerick
Mat Emerick delights audiences of all ages with his whimsical and zany mime, clown and juggler act. He loves to involve the audience in his routine, and this interactive experience is what makes the show so fun. No one knows exactly what’s going to happen next… including him!
May & De Fuego
May & De Fuego is a fire-born performance duo where rhythm meets flame. Combining expressive dance, fire manipulation, theatrics and curated soundscapes, Nick May and Gem De Fuego deliver a visually captivating experience that turns every stage into a living story.
That Juggling Girl
Kaylin Meyers, known as That Juggling Girl, hails from Muskegon. She first began juggling at the age of 17. Since then, she’s gained over half a million followers online with hundreds of millions of views, has been featured on the world top 40 jugglers list, received an honorary international award from the International Jugglers’ Association, and has performed and taught internationally from California to New York and beyond.
