Music Moves Us, a diverse weeklong music festival hosted by the Holland Symphony, will join
the Gentex Street Performer Series in Downtown Holland this Thursday, August 8 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm!
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 15. The Street Performer Series celebrates 20 years this summer with an exciting line-up of
nearly 100 rotating performers throughout the summer, including musicians, jugglers, balloon twisters, break
dancers, henna tattoo artists, and more. The 2024 Street Performer Series is proudly sponsored by Gentex
Corporation in celebration of their 50th Anniversary, with support from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council.
This Thursday, the I AM Dance group, a high school student dance program hosted by the I AM Academy,
will lead the community in a free hip-hop dance demonstration and class at GDK Park as part of the Gentex
Street Performer Series. From 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Thursday evening, event attendees will have the
opportunity to watch the I AM Dance student dancers in action and then learn a variety of hip hop moves
themselves! This event is one of ten free Music Moves Us activities happening in Holland this week hosted
by the Holland Symphony.
Gentex 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
the Series is free to attend, but tipping the performers is customary.
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.
Gentex Street Performer Series Performer Line-Up for August 8
Allison Ann
Allison Eding is a worship leader currently attending Western Theological Seminary for her Master of Divinity.
She was raised on classic rock and enjoys arranging her dad’s favorite songs and today’s hits with her own
folk music twist.
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!
Dan Baker
Dan Baker has been playing the saxophone for 40 years and resides in Grand Rapids with his family. He has
played as a street performer in Holland, Grand Rapids, and Ludington. Dan has participated in jazz combos
and jam sessions, is a member of the Forest Hills Adult Community Band, and volunteers as a bedside
musician for Faith Hospice.
De Leon Family
The De Leon Family consists of Larry and his children Victoria, Valerie, and Emmanuel. The family has been
creating music together for years. They are a bi-lingual Mexican American group that blends a touch of
classic Americana country music with modern day pop classics in both English and Spanish. The natural
blend of their harmonies is unmistakable and enchanting. They are excited to return to Series as a family!
Doodle Face
Brooke Wolf is excited to make her debut as Doodle Face for this year’s Gentex Street Performer Series!
She offers a variety of fun, glitter tattoos with stencils using high quality cosmetic grade glitter that is safe for
skin, latex free, and of course...fun!
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!
Gavin Frody
Musician Gavin Frody was born and raised in West Michigan. He is a cellist and composer with a love for
classical music. He is currently majoring in music at Central Michigan University and plays various
performances around Michigan.
Hannah and Ali Music
Hannah Kok and Ali Podjan are recent high school graduates who love creating together and sharing their
passion for music. Ali has been playing guitar for 6 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!
Juan’s Twist and Splash Balloons
Juan Sanchez is a newly self-taught balloon twister who loves the joy balloons bring to children! He is
looking forward to making his debut appearance at the Gentex Street Performer Series this summer.
Kaylie McConnell
Kaylie McConnell is a Street Performer Series regular for the past decade who wows audiences with her
electric violin and loop system, which she uses to play everything from classical music to popular hits. She
has over a decade of experience as a classical violinist and began playing the electric violin seven years
ago. When not performing, she can be found on the softball field or working at GE Aerospace.
Lia Weiss-Gelmi
Lia Weiss-Gelmi is a 19-year-old student at Central Michigan University who has been playing piano and
singing since the age of three and has been performing at the Gentex Street Performer Series since she was
nine. Through practice and performance, music is what she loves to do most. At CMU she is majoring in
commercial music and is the music director of one of CMU’s a cappella groups, On The Rox!
Lisa Bullis-Dennen
Lisa has been a student and performer of Arab dance for over 20 year and now focuses solely on Egyptian
dance styles. Her goal is to present an authentic and emotionally rich experience. Lisa lives part-time in
Egypt, immersed in the rich history and culture. Her daily experiences adapting to another way of life show
up in her dancing, from the improvisational nature, to connecting with the audience and music.
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 Strum, 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.
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!
Sunday Scaries Acoustic
Musicians Kaitlyn Jacobs, Paul Van Kempen, Sly Burress, and Jill Zuber make up the Sunday Scaries
Acoustic group. Paul plays acoustic guitar while Kaitlyn sings, with Jill playing keyboard and Sly on the
Cajon.
Thatjugglingirl
Kaylin Meyers began juggling in 2019 to train her muscles to recover from an arm injury, and she has loved it
ever since! She won awards at the International Jugglers’ Association Festival, placed in the Top 40 Jugglers
List, and has amassed quite a following online. Kaylin currently works for the Great Lakes Circus Center as a
juggling instructor, and travels around the country to various juggling festivals to learn, teach, and perform!
Trenton Herald Performing since he was just 12 years old, Trenton Herald has a heart for bringing joy through music to
listeners everywhere. With a simple yet soulful approach, Trenton hopes to put a smile on faces and bring
healing to souls from every walk of life.
TripleRoot Band
Erik Boehm, Mitch Ware, and Brett Wild are all lifetime musicians, who have performed with various bands
over the years. They found each other three years ago, and it was magic from the first day. This acoustic trio
features amazing three-part vocal harmonies while playing Americana songs and hits from the 70's and 80's.
They engage the audience and love having fun with them!
