Fiesta Week continues in Downtown Holland at the Gentex Street Performer Series tomorrow night! Hosted in partnership with Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP), Fiesta Week is a celebration of the culture and contributions of the local Latinx community held each year in Downtown Holland. The entire community is invited to join the celebration from July 16 – 20, 2025 for a week of children’s activities, live music, dancing, food, and fun!
Tomorrow night LAUP will host a special Fiesta performer showcase as part of the Gentex Street Performer Series from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm at the Downtown Holland splash pad adjacent to the Courtyard Marriott Hotel. Throughout the evening, attendees can enjoy free performances by the Ballet Folklorica Sol Azteca youth dancers, the West Michigan University Steppers, and the La Fuerza Dance Crew from Grand Rapids, with DJ Alpha1 spinning the beats between acts. You won’t want to miss this high-energy celebration of Latinx music and dancing!
The mission of LAUP is to empower Latinos to participate in creating a better community for all through advocacy, education, and celebration. Their vision is to be the center of influence in the Latino community that builds bridges to opportunities and creates pathways to success for all. LAUP’s numerous programs and services include a small business hub, workforce development, youth program for elementary, middle school, and high school students, an ESL and digital literacy program, Spanish language classes, document translation and interpretations services, and more.
The Street Performer Series title sponsor, Gentex Corporation, will also be on hand for Fiesta Night! Look for their table outside of GDK Park on 8th Street for a chance to spin their famous prize wheel to win great prizes and Gentex swag. Learn about career opportunities at the corporation as well, including opportunities on their Spanish-language production line.
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 Thursday, July 17
Balloon Twisters
Jim Perry “The Balloon Guy”
Jim Perry "The Balloon Guy" has been entertaining children of all ages with his remarkable balloon twisting skills for more than 40 years. He is West Michigan's premier balloon twister, doing 250-300 events a year. He is a graduate of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College and travelled the country for four years with different circuses.
Balloons by Sadie
Sadie Laarman is a junior at Zeeland East High School who discovered her love for balloon twisting in 6th grade and has been creating colorful balloon animals ever since! Sadie is passionate about the arts and is actively involved in various art programs at school. She’s thrilled to be returning to the Gentex Street Performer Series for her second summer!
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.
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
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!
Delbert Walling and Haley Houtz
Haley met Delbert when she was just a teenager taking guitar lessons. Haley’s vocal talent was evident then, and after college when she returned to the area, they teamed up to create a powerful music duo. Delbert and Haley have been playing together for 15 years now and perform a variety of music genres with powerful vocals and guitar and unique arrangements.
Detachable Emotions
Sean Halloway of Detachable Emotions is a talented singer-songwriter and guitarist with a long history in music. His music is deeply rooted in his own emotions and personal experiences and placed out into the world to touch people’s hearts. He performs both original music and covers of popular songs.
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.
Eli LaCroix
Musician Eli LaCroix is excited to return to the Gentex Street Performer Series, eleven years after graduating high school. Originally from the area, Eli has spent the last eight years living and performing in New York City. Now back in his hometown, he's looking forward to sharing both new material and old favorites with the community that helped shape his musical journey.
Evan VandenBerg
Evan Vanderberg has been playing guitar since the age of nine and loves connecting with others through music. He has performed at the Park Theatre, with various bands, and as part of his church’s worship team for the past three years. This summer, he is attending a music and leadership camp at Hope College to further develop his skills as both a musician and a leader.
Grand Haven Harmonics
Grand Haven Harmonics is an all-female a cappella group featuring Sami DeVries, Tarah Schultz, Stephanie Salamasick, Reina Jacobson, Debbie Derienzo, and Jill Jacobson. Rooted in the art of collective singing, their diverse repertoire spans love songs and patriotic pieces with the goal of uplifting spirits and fostering unity through acapella music.
Hannah & Ali Music
Hannah Kok and Ali Podjan share a deep passion for creating and performing music together. Ali, who has been playing guitar for seven years, is currently studying cosmetology, while Hannah is pursuing a marketing degree at Calvin University. Both have been singing for as long as they can remember. They are excited to return for another year at the Series.
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.
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!
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.
Suits and Ties
Suits and Ties is a saxophone duet comprised of Evan Talsma and Joshua Bush. They have both been playing the saxophone for over six years and are always looking for ways to bring joy to their audience through music. They mix the unique sound of the saxophone with popular music from well-known artists, movies, TV shows and more that people know and love!
Sunday Scaries Acoustic
Sunday Scaries Acoustic is a Holland-based cover band featuring musicians Kaitlyn Jacobs, Paul Van Kempen, Nate Danis, and Jill Zuber. Since forming in 2021, they’ve entertained local crowds with a vibrant mix of pop, funk, soul, and dance hits—ranging from The Temptations to Bruno Mars. Their passion for music and connection shines through every performance.
The Mid-Coasters
Julian and Annika Kus are a father-daughter duo who perform cover songs with a blend of acoustic guitar, keyboard, vocals, and hand percussion. They’ve been making music together for several years, took part in last year’s Gentex Street Performer Series, and will be performing at the Muskegon Lakeshore Art Festival this coming June.
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.
