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DDA begins issuing permits to outdoor city performers
Sunday, April 03, 2005
By Myron Kukla
The Grand Rapids Press
HOLLAND -- "American Idol" has nothing on Holland. The area's undiscovered talent is being encouraged to tune up, make up and show up on downtown streets this spring.
That's right, Holland wants street performers to entertain residents and tourists just like they do in the big cities like Chicago.
"We've got a great downtown, and street performers will only add to the experience of being on the city streets in the summer time," said Jill Raywood, MainStreet/Downtown Development assistant.
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The Holland City Council approved an ordinance in February that allows musicians, singers and thespians to perform on downtown streets with a permit.
The regulations require each performer to be 18 years of age, obtain a $10 performance permit and do their thing in one of seven designated sites around the downtown.
A major change in the ordinances, Raywood said, is that street performers -- also known as "buskers" -- can put out their hat or music case to collect donations from appreciative audiences.
"Under the previous ordinance, people could do performances, but not collect money, ... (and) no one was interested in that," she said.
One of the first acts to apply for a license as a Holland busker is Robert Engle, a retired college professor who moved to Holland last year who plays a European street organ and accordion.
"Being a college professor, you also have to be an entertainer in class," Engle said, noting he might be out as early as next weekend if the weather stays nice. "I've always been an entertainer, and now I'm taking it to the streets of Holland."
Engle's European pipe organ has 103 wooden pipes and is like a player piano, with the music produced from automated music rolls. His street organ can play everything from Broadway show tunes to German folk songs.
"These organs are very popular in Europe, but you don't see them very much here," said Engle, who also plays the "button" accordion, a small squeezebox-style accordion.
"I'll probably alternate between the two in different locations to give some variety to my act," said Engle, who also brings along dancing puppets when he performs.
The new performance law allows acts with permits to perform year round downtown from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
"I think most of the entertainment will occur during the spring, summer and fall, but we could get some holiday performers around Christmas," Raywood said.
Each performer can stay at a designated performance site for only two hours, then must move on to make way for another act. They also have to keep 10 feet away from business entrances and sidewalk cafes, and cannot use amplified microphones or instruments. Performers also have to leave the sidewalk area clean after their act.
To protect pedestrians and downtown shoppers, the DDA guidelines state that performers cannot use anything in their act that could cause bodily injuries such as knives, swords, axes or flames. Likewise, acts that include acrobatics, tumbling or unicycling also are not permitted.
Some of the things you can expect to see are singers, musical acts, jugglers, dancers, pantomime artists, actors, magicians and puppeteers.
Downtown visitors also will get a chance to see Dan Drenth, who bills himself as "The Man of Steel" and as part of his act rips large telephone books in half.
"I do an old-fashioned Vaudeville act full of amazing feats of strength including bending steel bars and weight lifting," said Drenth, who performs at fairs and events across Michigan.
He said putting performers on downtown streets is a good idea.
"I believe good performers will bring people downtown to see different things," Drenth said. "I guarantee if they come to see me, they'll have a ripping good time."
The DDA is responsible for setting the rules for performances and granting the permits. The organization has produced a brochure outlining the do's and don'ts of street performing in Holland. Permit applications are available at the DDA office, at 194 1/2 S. River Ave.
Also, to make sure the entertainment stays family friendly, a section of the city ordinance notes that nudity and conduct of a sexual nature will not be permitted.
Sunday, April 03, 2005
By Myron Kukla
The Grand Rapids Press
HOLLAND -- "American Idol" has nothing on Holland. The area's undiscovered talent is being encouraged to tune up, make up and show up on downtown streets this spring.
That's right, Holland wants street performers to entertain residents and tourists just like they do in the big cities like Chicago.
"We've got a great downtown, and street performers will only add to the experience of being on the city streets in the summer time," said Jill Raywood, MainStreet/Downtown Development assistant.
Try our Classifieds
The Holland City Council approved an ordinance in February that allows musicians, singers and thespians to perform on downtown streets with a permit.
The regulations require each performer to be 18 years of age, obtain a $10 performance permit and do their thing in one of seven designated sites around the downtown.
A major change in the ordinances, Raywood said, is that street performers -- also known as "buskers" -- can put out their hat or music case to collect donations from appreciative audiences.
"Under the previous ordinance, people could do performances, but not collect money, ... (and) no one was interested in that," she said.
One of the first acts to apply for a license as a Holland busker is Robert Engle, a retired college professor who moved to Holland last year who plays a European street organ and accordion.
"Being a college professor, you also have to be an entertainer in class," Engle said, noting he might be out as early as next weekend if the weather stays nice. "I've always been an entertainer, and now I'm taking it to the streets of Holland."
Engle's European pipe organ has 103 wooden pipes and is like a player piano, with the music produced from automated music rolls. His street organ can play everything from Broadway show tunes to German folk songs.
"These organs are very popular in Europe, but you don't see them very much here," said Engle, who also plays the "button" accordion, a small squeezebox-style accordion.
"I'll probably alternate between the two in different locations to give some variety to my act," said Engle, who also brings along dancing puppets when he performs.
The new performance law allows acts with permits to perform year round downtown from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
"I think most of the entertainment will occur during the spring, summer and fall, but we could get some holiday performers around Christmas," Raywood said.
Each performer can stay at a designated performance site for only two hours, then must move on to make way for another act. They also have to keep 10 feet away from business entrances and sidewalk cafes, and cannot use amplified microphones or instruments. Performers also have to leave the sidewalk area clean after their act.
To protect pedestrians and downtown shoppers, the DDA guidelines state that performers cannot use anything in their act that could cause bodily injuries such as knives, swords, axes or flames. Likewise, acts that include acrobatics, tumbling or unicycling also are not permitted.
Some of the things you can expect to see are singers, musical acts, jugglers, dancers, pantomime artists, actors, magicians and puppeteers.
Downtown visitors also will get a chance to see Dan Drenth, who bills himself as "The Man of Steel" and as part of his act rips large telephone books in half.
"I do an old-fashioned Vaudeville act full of amazing feats of strength including bending steel bars and weight lifting," said Drenth, who performs at fairs and events across Michigan.
He said putting performers on downtown streets is a good idea.
"I believe good performers will bring people downtown to see different things," Drenth said. "I guarantee if they come to see me, they'll have a ripping good time."
The DDA is responsible for setting the rules for performances and granting the permits. The organization has produced a brochure outlining the do's and don'ts of street performing in Holland. Permit applications are available at the DDA office, at 194 1/2 S. River Ave.
Also, to make sure the entertainment stays family friendly, a section of the city ordinance notes that nudity and conduct of a sexual nature will not be permitted.
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