Don’t miss the opportunity to see the talented De Leon Family Band at the Gentex Street Performer Series tomorrow night! Every Thursday evening this summer, 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 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm as part of the Gentex Street Performer Series. An exciting line-up of over 75 rotating artists performs 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.
Take one listen and it’s easy to see that musical talent runs deep in the De Leon family. The family band is led by Victoria De Leon on vocals, with her father Larry on guitar, her brother Emanuel on percussion, and her sister Valerie on backup vocals. The family first began playing music in church and they now serve together on the worship team at Holland First Assembly of God. Victoria also studies Commercial Music and Vocal Performance as part of the acclaimed Belmont University music program in Nashville.
Outside of church, the family performs a mix of classic and modern songs, from Van Morrison and Amy Winehouse to Coldplay and Chris Stapleton. This is their third year participating in the Street Performer Series, where they enjoy spending time together and sharing a little bit of joy through their music.
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 30
Balloon Twisters
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!
Steve’s Twisted Balloons
Steve Tamayo is a dad to two beautiful daughters and the owner of Steve’s Twisted Balloons. He began twisting balloons for family and friends at birthday parties just over four years ago and launched his public balloon-twisting career right here at the Gentex Street Performer Series. He’s excited to return this year and continue bringing smiles and fun to Downtown Holland!
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
Be Airbrushing by Elizabeth Geurink
Libby Geurink is a high school math teacher by day and an airbrush tattoo artist by night, combining her love of creativity with her passion for connecting with people. For the past five years, she has brought vibrant, colorful designs to life at festivals and events, making her a favorite among kids and families at the Gentex Street Performer Series.
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
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.
Arlo Crandell
Arlo Crandell is a blues-rock guitarist who started playing guitar when he was eight and has been performing bluegrass music with his family at various venues since then. When he was 13, he started playing blues guitar, watching other artists like Stevie Ray Vaughn. Arlo was even invited onstage to play with the Texas Tenors during their Tulip Time concert in 2024.
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.
Brucie Cooke
Bruce began piano and horn lessons when he was a child, playing in church, school, and theaters. Since retiring from teaching, he has pursued his love of music by performing at the Park Theatre, in Downtown Holland, and in churches throughout West Michigan, often with the Tarnished Brass Band. He is excited to return to Series for the 13th summer!
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!
David Dilsizian
David Dilsizian studied at Berklee College of Music. A talented singer and pianist, he has performed with a number of well-known artists, including Gloria Estefan, Casting Crowns, Laura Bell Bundy, and Rachael Lampa. David currently is the music director at Marne United Methodist Church and teaches private voice and piano lessons.
Doug Marlink
Doug Marlink is a talented banjo player who first began playing banjo in the mid-1970’s. He performs mostly bluegrass and some jazz music on the banjo. He is a street performer regular who can often be found performing both on the streets of Downtown Holland and at the Holland Farmers Market.
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.
Holland Doctors of Jazz
Led by Jeff Carroll, musicians Dave Benjamin, Tim Denbesten, Nate Hanson, Bob Keeley, and Micah Vanderhill make up Holland Doctors of Jazz. These highly experienced and talented musicians have been playing a variety of jazz and big band tunes together for the past several years, performing at community events, restaurants, and stages throughout West Michigan.
Maddy Grace
Maddy Kok is a recent nursing graduate from Calvin University who has been passionate about music since childhood, teaching herself guitar at 11 and performing publicly since middle school. She loves sharing her music to create a fun, family-friendly atmosphere and bring joy to others at the Street Performer Series and beyond.
O'Malley's Cousins
Musicians JD Gonzales and Andrew Veenstra-Banning lead O'Malley’s Cousins, a lively Grand Rapids-based band born from strong friendships and a love of music. Blending Celtic, folk, and Americana with high-energy performances, they bring the spirit of a family jam session to every stage. When the music starts, everyone’s a cousin!
Sebastian Zylstra
Sebastian Zylstra is a talented sophomore at Black River Public School where he plays piano in the school’s jazz orchestra. He has played piano for over 9 years and has taken weekly lessons with Radu Corneanu for almost 4 years. Sebastian looks forward to continuing his musical journey at the Gentex Street Performer Series.
Shawna and Matt Veenstra
Shawna and Matt Veenstra are a father-daughter duo who bring covers of both classic and contemporary pop music to the Series. Matt is a band director at Holland Christian Schools for 5th-8th graders and also spends some of his free time with a cover band called “Reckless Davey”. Shawna is currently a senior at the University of Arizona studying music education.
Twenty4Hours
Musician Luke Buwalda, Grant Mosher, Landon Troast, Cristian Lin, Cassie Mosher, and Levi Troast make up the band Twenty4Hours. The band is an energetic and uplifting group known for their talent across a wide range of genres. With a strong presence on local stages and social media, they’ve built a growing fanbase through their dynamic social media, performances.
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.
Whiskey & Wine
Mike and Becky Villar perform an eclectic mix of popular music from the 1970s to today, featuring acoustic guitar and rich vocals with smooth harmonies. They have been a part of the Gentex Street Performer Series for the past seven years and are looking forward to returning to 8th Street again this summer.
Other Performers
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.
