Talented pianist and vocalist Aliyah Visser is making her Gentex Street Performer Series debut
this summer and audiences will get to hear her perform live 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.


Visser has been signing ever since she can remember, always volunteering to sing solos in her church’s
Christmas pageants in her hometown of Zeeland. In 6th grade, she began taking private voice lessons to
hone her talent and piano lessons followed shortly after. Her passion for performing followed her to the
University of Kansas, where the now 19-year-old is entering her sophomore year to pursue a degree in
Music Therapy.


This is Visser’s first year performing on 8th Street in the Gentex Street Performer Series, an opportunity she
has always wanted to try but has never been able to work into her schedule until this year. “I am so grateful
to be here,” said Visser. The Series is a great way to feel connected as a West Michigan arts community. It
has given me a way to do what I love while also being able to better provide for myself as a college student
pursuing 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 24

Balloon Twisters
Balloons by 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 nearly 20 years of experience twisting balloons and is constantly
learning new designs to share with young and old alike, including popular characters, animals, and more!


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!


Dancers
Flow Like Water
Flow Like Water is a high-level performance breakdancing crew from that brings the crowd to their feet
wherever they go. Performing regularly at festivals and events throughout West Michigan, their high energy,
hip-hop beats, and incredible dance skills make them a standout act. More than just performers, Flow Like
Water is passionate about connecting with community.
Lisa Bullis-Dennen
Lisa has been a student and performer of Arab dance for over 20 years. 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 their improvisational nature to
connecting with the audience and music.


Graphic Artists
Caricatures by Britta
Britta Lindemulder has been drawing caricatures since 2008, when she first learned the art at Michigan’s
Adventure. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Illustration from Grand Valley State University in 2011 and
now works as a tattoo artist. Passionate about all forms of art, Britta enjoys connecting with people and
bringing their creative visions to life through her work.


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 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!


Liv for Henna
Alivia Apol is a 16-year-old artist with a passion for creativity, recently focusing her talents on the intricate art
of henna. She has already gained experience applying henna designs at birthday parties and community
events and is excited to return to Downtown Holland for her second year as part of the Gentex Street
Performer Series!


Musicians
Ben Bard
Ben Bard is a solo performer with over a decade of string instrument experience. Inspired by the rich musical
traditions of North Africa, Turkey, and Central Asia, he has mastered instruments such as the Turkish baglama,                                  Arab oud, and most recently, the Afghan Kabuli rabab. Ben is passionate about sharing the beautyand culture                                        of these instruments with the community.


Dan Baker
Dan Baker, based in Grand Rapids, has enjoyed playing the saxophone for over 40 years. He has performed
at venues throughout West Michigan. In 2024, Dan participated in the Gentex Street Performer Series,
played the National Anthem for the West Michigan Whitecaps, and was a strolling musician at the
Christkindlmarkt at the Downtown Market in Grand Rapids.


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.


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.


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.


JLo the Artist
Local musician Jeanette Locher plays the Native flute and enjoys making music from the heart. Jeanette
performers regularly at the Holland Farmers Market and is excited to perform for the Gentex Street
Performer Series for the second summer in a row! She is also an artist and crafter in her spare time.


Julieanne & Her One-Man Band
Vocalist Julieanne Marie and musician Ramoth Gilead are a talented duo who have opened for well-known
artists like Vanilla Ice and Jeremy Camp, and have won numerous talent competitions across the U.S. They
look forward to performing together at the Gentex Street Performer Series for the first time this summer.


Lia Weiss-Gelmi
Lia Weiss-Gelmi is a 20-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. She is majoring in commercial music at CMU and is currently the music director of one of CMU’s a
cappella groups, On The Rox!


Sean Cyphers
Sean Cyphers is an original singer/songwriter and acoustic guitarist who brings an indie-rock vibe to every
performance. His cross-genre influences including Led Zeppelin, John Mayer, Radiohead, Jimi Hendrix, and
more. He looks forward to performing at the Gentex Street Performer Series for the first time this summer.


Steph Gillett
Stephanie Gillett is a longtime singer and performer who began singing at her church and soon expanded to
events like fundraisers, weddings, and other local venues. While she studied voice for many years, she
taught herself guitar too. This summer marks her 10th year as a street performer, a tradition that began in
high school and remains her favorite place to perform.


Tarnished Brass

The Tarnished Brass is a full brass band featuring Randy Bremer, Linda Cole, Bruce Cooke, Steve
Huizenga, John Darling, and Jacob Carlton. Based in Southwest Michigan, they regularly perform a mix of
popular and sacred music at festivals, local churches, and neighborhood care homes. They’ve been a proud
part of the Gentex Street Performer Series since 2016.


Third Class Flynn
Third Class Flynn is an Irish music busking duo, comprised of husband-and-wife Ray and Cindy Veen.
Dressed as the characters Michael and Mary Flynn, Irish immigrants from the late 1900's, the Flynn's tell
their story through the music of Ireland: folk tunes, dance tunes, pub tunes, laments and more.


Other Performers
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.


May & De Fuego
Nick May is a seasoned fire performer with over 13 years of experience, blending dance, theatrics, and
music into captivating, high-energy shows. He creates unforgettable visual spectacles with precision and
passion. Joining him is Gemma Michelini (Gem De Fuego), a rising talent who adds both captivating
performances and logistical support.