Giggles and Chuckles Carnival Lia McCormick Le-Tran and Thao-Chau Le-Tran are proud owners of Giggles and Chuckles Carnival Cart, a balloon-twisting, face painting, and specialty shop cart now in its third year at the Rivertown Mall. The Balloon Guy Jim Perry, also known as “The Balloon Guy,” has been twisting balloons for more than 30 years. He can make more than 100 different animals, swords, flowers and hats and has been entertaining crowds at the Street Performer Series since 2006. Mady Buursma Mady learned her balloon twisting talents from her mother when she was just 10 years old. She can make 25 different balloon animals, bracelets and swords and enjoys working with children at a variety of community and church events. Caricature and Graphic Artists Caricatures by Britta Britta first learned to draw caricatures during a summer job at Michigan’s Adventure while attending Grand Valley State University for Illustration. She now draws independently at different events and enjoys interacting with costumers while giving them a silly memento they can keep forever. Caricatures by Corey Ruffin Corey is a nationally-renowned caricaturist, having illustrated for events all over the country. Trained under MAD Magazine’s Tom Richmond, his flair for comedy and exaggeration is guaranteed to tickle your funny bone. Gene Haulenbeek Gene is an experienced caricature artist who has earned a great reputation for the quality of his work at a number of different venues. Using a black marker and blender, he is happy to draw creative portraits of you and your friends. Thumb Buddy Loves You “Thumb Buddy Loves You!” is a multi-generational family art project. Grandma Melody Peterson and her granddaughter Clarissa Kovacs work together to create artwork keepsakes out of a child’s own thumbprint. Circus Acts Bangarang Circus Bangarang Circus Arts is a collective of performance artists who share a passion for all things circus and a desire for community. It is their goal to offer the circus arts to everyone who seeks it. Bangarang Circus specializes in aerial arts, hooping and acrobatics. Dancers Allison McDaid
Joe Heemstra Joe is a sophomore at City High School in Grand Rapids. He has been playing electric guitar for seven years, and currently acts as the lead guitarist for the band Vertical Bridge. He has performed as part of the Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts and the Street Performer Series, along with performances at Wealthy Theatre, John Ball Zoo and his church. Josie Vandermolen Josie is a student at Hope College who has been playing instruments since she could walk. She especially took a continued interest in the piano and ukulele. She is studying special education and hopes to infuse music and education in her future classroom. Justin and Abigail Justin Merriman and Abigail Postema have both been interested in music from an early age, starting with their school orchestra program in fourth grade. Despite being high school students, this duet shows a talent and knack for performing that is well beyond their years. Kalamazoo Saxophone Quartet The Kalamazoo Saxophone Quartet is made up of Gail Perkins, Todd Jones, John Blissard, and Scott Robins, who have been playing together for four years. Todd is a Holland resident while the other three reside in Kalamazoo. Kate Morrissey Kate is a sophomore at Portage Central High School, who has been studying vocal music for five years. She has a unique ability to sing theatrical songs from Broadway hits like “Les Miserables,” “Phantom of the Opera,” and “West Side Story.” Kayden Bryce Kayden has been singing all her life, and playing guitar for the last three years. She has performed at a number of venues, including local coffee shops, last year’s Street Performer Series and the Backpacks for Success Music Festival in Detroit. Kayden also loves art, theatre, animals and gymnastics. Kaylie McConnell Kaylie, a sophomore at West Ottawa High School, has been playing the violin for five years and recently began playing the cello. Kaylie will be returning to the Street Performer Series for the fourth year, and is excited to introduce her new electric violin! La Bella Vita La Bella Vita has been singing together for over five years. They sing in many parts, harmonies and languages (Japanese, Spanish, Italian, German, French and English) and have earned top ratings while competing in large and small ensembles. Lane Ellens