To celebrate 20 years of the Gentex Street Performer Series on Thursday, July 25, participating Downtown Holland businesses will be offering select 20% off discounts all day long. From 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm, event attendees can try their hand at playing Plinko or spin the Prize Wheel to win free giveaways from Downtown Holland while supplies last. Attendees can also enter to win one of twenty $20 gift cards to some of Downtown Holland’s most popular shops and restaurants and pose for photographs in front of the custom balloon wall. Downtown Holland will also be releasing a featured video, produced by the City of Holland, on Facebook that morning to mark the special occasion.
Street Performer Series Performer Line-Up for July 25
Aidan Rockwell
Aidan Mountford is an 18-year-old singer/songwriter from West Michigan. He has been singing his entire life and started writing songs when he was 12. In March 2023, Aidan was recognized by the Nashville Songwriters Association as "One to Watch". Aiden attends Interlochen Arts Academy in the singer/songwriter program and takes his inspiration from different styles including pop, country, and folk.
Audrey and Mark Dykema
Audrey Dykema and her dad, Mark Dykema, love singing and making music together! They have played at several coffee house style events and in the worship band at their church. They love to entertain and look forward to playing together at the Gentex Street Performer Series for the second time this summer.
Ben Bard
Ben Bard is a solo performer who has been playing stringed instruments for as long as he can remember. He has fallen in love with the music of North Africa, Turkey, the Levant, Persia, the Balkans, and Central Asia, and as a result, he has been learning the Turkish saz, Arab oud, and most recently Afghan Kabuli rubab. He enjoys sharing the beauty of this instrument and music, as well as the gifts of the Afghan culture.
Brucie Cooke
Bruce began piano and horn lessons when he was a child, playing in church, school and theaters. Since retiring from teaching, he enjoys pursuing his appreciation for music by performing at the Park Theatre, in Downtown Holland, and in churches throughout West Michigan churches, often with the Tarnished Brass Band. He is excited to return to the Gentex Street Performer Series for a 12th summer!
Cassandra Lybrink
Cassandra Lybrink is a member of the Holland Chorale and an editor with The Holland Sentinel. She has been playing and writing music for over 20 years, and her set includes favorites from genres of country to modern pop. When she is not making music or working on the local paper, she can be found enjoying her free time with her husband and son.
Celtic Kilroy Live Statue
Matt “Celtic” Kilroy is a human statue and talented musician who specializes in Irish music. He has over 40 years of experience playing eight different instruments, both as a soloist and with a Celtic band. About a decade ago, he added being a human statue to his repertoire, much to the delight of the crowd!
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.
Dan Mutschler
Dan Mutschler is a self-taught and talented balloon artist who performs regularly at birthday parties, scouting events, art fairs, and fundraisers. He has over 18 years of experience twisting balloons and is constantly learning new designs to share with young and old alike, including popular characters, animals, and more!
Delbert Walling and Haley Houtz
Delbert and Haley met when she was just a teenager taking guitar lessons from Delbert. Her vocal talent was evident then, and after college she returned to the area, and they teamed up to create this powerful duo. Delbert and Haley have been playing together for 14 years and perform a variety of genres with powerful vocals and guitar, with unique arrangements.
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.
Eli LaCroix
Musician Eli LaCroix is excited to return to the Gentex Street Performer Series for the first time since graduating high school ten years ago. Born and raised in the Holland-Zeeland area, Eli is excited to return to the area to perform old and new music after living in New York City for eight years.
Fabian
Musician Fabian Elizardo began playing music at age 13 and found his passion in the guitar. His inspiration comes from anything rock and roll or heavy metal, though he has recently added Spanish style guitar to his repertoire. With a wide variety of musical tastes, he loves to learn new riffs to share with his audiences. Fabian hopes to one day teach music or turn his love of music into a career as a professional musician.
Floor Fienz
Floor Fienz is a break-dancing group that has been performing together for over 10 years in the Gentex Street Performer Series and at fundraisers, car shows, grand openings, and birthday parties. They keep the crowd entertained with their explosive dance moves and high energy beats. Floor Fienz is currently partnering with Escape Ministries to grow a breakdancing class where you can learn their moves, too!
Hannah and Ali Music
Hannah Kok and Ali Podjan are recent high school graduates who love creating music together and sharing their passion. Ali has been playing guitar for six years, and they have both been singing for as long as they can remember.
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 parties and events. She has been participating in the Gentex Street Performer Series for the last 15 years.
Henna by Jahara
Jahara Begum has been a Street Performer in Downtown Holland since the beginning of the Gentex 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!
Madam Mandala
Madam Mandala, aka Lori Lundell, is an incredible hula hoop performer who captivates audiences with her mesmerizing performances. With her unique blend of skill, grace, and artistry, she brings her signature style and energy to the stage. During her performances, she effortlessly weaves her hula hoop through a series of complex and beautiful movements that showcase her incredible dexterity and control.
Mat Emerick
Dressed as a clown, Mat Emerick evokes great mimes like Charlie Chaplin and Marcel Marceau 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.
Mike Villar
Mike has been singing and playing guitar since 1978, has been performing in Southwest Michigan for over 12 years with the band Stum Dumb, and Dumber, and has been a part of the Series since 2018. He and Becky Villar will perform original songs as well covers ranging from easy rock from the 70’s up to current contemporary hits.
Mystic
Maribel “Mystic” Garza is dancer with a passion for the beautiful art of Middle Eastern belly dancing. Since taking her first class over 20 years ago, she has worked on perfecting the art as both a solo and group dancer. She especially loves sharing her art by teaching children at the Gentex Street Performer Series how to belly dance!
Peach Jam
Dani and Lainey Canan, Shayna Gibson, Jack Waalkes, and Charis Snyder are just a few college students from Zeeland who love making music together and performing for the public! They are excited to be a part of the Gentex Street Performer Series for a third year in a row together as a group.
Sebastian Zylstra
Sebastian Zylstra is a freshman at Black River Public School where he plays piano in the school’s Jazz Orchestra and percussion in the Symphonic Band. He has played piano for over nine years and has taken weekly lessons for almost three years. He has just returned from Boston where he played at the Heritage Music Festival and completed an AIM Masterclass with Professor Garry Dolan of Gordon College.
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 over three years ago. He is excited to make his return to the Gentex Street Performer Series this year!