The Gentex Street Performer Series returns to Downtown Holland this week Thursday, June  18 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm with young guitar sensation Fabian Elizardo. 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 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 its 50th Anniversary, with support from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council. 

 

This Thursday, be sure you stop outside of Globe Design and Vision (49 East 8th Street) to see 16-year-old  guitarist Fabian Elizardo doing what he does best…playing fast, hard, and heavy rock music. After receiving a guitar for Christmas years ago from his grandma, he started learning rock music and practicing regularly before performing his first of many shows at the Park Theater in Downtown Holland. While he loves to play covers of classics like Joan Jett, AC/DC, and Black Sabbath, you can also hear original riffs, solos, and even improvised tunes in his shoes. After two years of playing guitar, he started performing in the Gentex  Street Performer Series and loved the experience. This year will be Elizardo’s third summer performing in the  Series.

 

“What I hope to achieve from playing in Downtown Holland at the Street Performer Series is getting even  better at live performing,” said Elizardo, “I also want to share awesome music, which takes time, effort, and  hours of practice to create.” 

 

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 establishments 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 June 20 

  • Acoustic Fun Rock 
    • Musicians Albert Gemmen, Jamison Worst, and Lindsey Burton have been playing together for years in coffee shops and other venues around West Michigan. They perform both original songs and cover music by artists Jack Johnson, Johnny Cash, The Neighbors, and more. This will be their third year performing in the  Series, and they are excited to provide lighthearted acoustic fun rock that is enjoyable for the whole family! 
  • Aidan Rockwell 
    • Aidan Mountford is an 18-year-old singer/songwriter from West Michigan. He has been singing his entire life and started writing songs when he was 12. In March 2023, Aidan was recognized by the Nashville  Songwriters Association as "One to Watch". Aiden attends Interlochen Arts Academy in the singer/songwriter program and takes his inspiration from different styles including pop, country, and folk.  
  • Dan Baker 
    • Musician Dan Baker has been playing the saxophone for over 40 years. He can be found street performing throughout Holland, Grand Rapids, and Ludington as well as performing in jazz combos and jam sessions.  He is a member of the Forest Hills Adult Community Band, and also volunteers as a bedside musician for  Faith Hospice. 
  • Debbie DeRienzo 
    • Debbie DeRienzo is a singer/songwriter who discovered her love of music at a young age. After joining the military in 1999, she found singing and playing her guitar to be a comfort for her and many others. She has been a worship leader since 2000 and in 2018 she began pursuing songwriting. In 2020 Debbie released her first single, and recently wrote a musical that was performed in Hastings, Michigan! 
  • 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! 
  • 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.  
  • Flow Like Water 
    • Flow Like Water is a break dancing crew that performs regularly at festivals and events throughout West  Michigan, bringing the crowd to their feet wherever they go. Their high energy and hip-hop beats are only matched by their amazing dance skills. This highly captivating performance crew seeks to connect within the community through the world of dance. 
  • Gavin Frody 
    • Musician Gavin Frody was born and raised in West Michigan and is a cellist and composer with a love for classical music. He is currently majoring in music at Central Michigan University and performs at various venues and events around Michigan. 
  • Giggles and Chuckles 
    • Giggles and Chuckles, aka Lia McCormick and Chau Le-Tran, have over 10 years of experience twisting balloons into hundreds of shapes, including flowers, animals, helicopters, wands, swords, and more. They have performed at over 1,000 children’s events, in addition to performing regularly at the Gentex Street  Performer Series and the Holland Farmers Market. 
  • Greg Phillips
    • Greg Phillips has been street performing throughout Downtown Holland and at the Holland Farmers Market since 2017. He has played in a rock cover band since 1976 performing in various local venues. He is excited to return to the Gentex Street Performing Series as a solo performer this summer playing classic and soft rock music. 
  • 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 
    • Jahanara 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 Gentex 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. 
  • Lisa Bullis-Dennen 
    • Lisa has been a student and performer of Arab dance for over 20 years 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 her improvisational nature to the way she connects with the audience and music. 
  • Living Statue by LKFelder 
    • Linda Felder uses her previous experience as a clothing store mannequin model and her love of theater to become a living statue. Upon a time of overwhelming grief in her life, she was able to find joy in spending her creative energy creating a new character, The Guardian Angel of Animals. This character symbolizes a vigil for the safety and well-being of all pets and a loving escort over the rainbow bridge when the day arrives. 
  • Mark Cosgrove 
    • Mark Cosgrove is a West Ottawa graduate who has been singing since he was just two years old. In addition to singing in his school’s premier choir group, The Vocalaires, he has also performed as the lead in several high school theatre productions. He also serves as an emcee for assemblies, local talent shows, and high school games. At the Series, he will be performing covers from popular artists from the 60’s to today.  
  • 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. He has been performing in Southwest Michigan for over 12 years with the band Stum Dumb, and Dumber and has been a part of the Series since 2018. He and  Becky Villar will perform original songs as well as covers, ranging from easy rock from the 70s up to current contemporary hits.