June may be winding down, but the fun is just getting started at the Gentex Street Performer Series in Downtown Holland! Tomorrow night, 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. The Street Performer Series will celebrate 20 years this summer with an exciting line-up of nearly 100 rotating performers throughout the summer, including musicians,  jugglers, balloon twisters, caricature artists, 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.  

 

With their incredible moves and irresistible beats, it’s unsurprising that the breakdancing group Floor  Fienz is one of the most popular acts in the Gentex Street Performer Series. Floor Fienz first started in the Gentex Street Performer Series as the Circle Junkeez in 2007. Then, the group was made up of students and leaders from the local Boys and Girls Club and led by staff member Fidel Mireles. When Mireles moved away five years ago, dance Matthew Perez took over the reins, giving the group the new name of Floor Fienz. Perez’s interest in break dancing goes back as long as he can remember. His dad and uncles were breakdancing in the late 80s, in the early days of the dance, while his brother also used to “pop and lock” when Perez was younger. Today, Floor Fienz meets at Escape Ministries to encourage and support the youth involved in the program. 

 

“As crew, we really enjoy sharing our dance floor with kids and adults who want to show off their own dance moves,” Perez said, “It’s more than a dance. For most of the breaking community, it’s an escape from your personal problems at school, home, work, etc. We tend to express our feelings through dance. You may not  see it on our faces or body language, but when you know a dancer personally, you can tell.” 

 

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.  

 

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.