Flashback: Street Performing in Holland, Michigan - Where I Earned Their Attention

Before theaters, conferences, and black tie galas, there was a sidewalk outside Fifth Third Bank in downtown Holland, Michigan.

From 2013 to 2017, that little brick-lined block became my summer stage. Golden hour sunlight, the sweet smell of Kilwins waffle cones, and the buzz of Tulip Town aglow created the perfect backdrop. I’d show up with a doctor’s bag of tricks, a whole lot of energy, and the kind of fearless ambition only an 18-year-old could pull off.

And somehow, the audience showed up too.

Evenings like this taught me how to read a crowd and roll with anything.

Every Thursday night, families, locals, and out-of-towners gathered. Kids with balloon animals. Adults who “don’t usually like magic” but stuck around for the finale. At one point, we packed so many people onto that street stretch, we had to change locations because we were blocking pedestrian traffic. True story.

Those Holland summers are where I earned my chops. Where I learned how to grab focus from across the street.How to turn a casual audience into a full-blown performance. How to earn every second of someone’s time and make them laugh, wonder, and stay.

I met incredible people out there. A few of you still follow my journey today — from live performances to private events, corporate stages, and even TV. That stretch of pavement was the spark. And to this day, there’s still nothing quite like the raw magic of performing for a group that wasn’t expecting it.

A Legacy of Sidewalk Stages

Street performing has a long, rich history. Some of the world’s most iconic entertainers got their start on sidewalks and public stages. Penn & Teller. Robin Williams. Rod Stewart. Ed Sheeran. BB King. There’s something powerful about learning to hold engagement with nothing but presence, timing, and a little grit.

And to this day, there's nothing quite like getting strangers to stop and watch you. It's raw. It's real. And it teaches you how to earn every second of people's focus. Who knows, maybe the next big act is in Holland this summer, working the same block I once did.

This photo looks like it belongs in a Renaissance gallery titled "Boy Attempts Sorcery, Audience is Skeptical."

Shoutout to the Sponsors

Thanks to the Holland Street Performer Series, sponsored by Gentex, for giving up-and-coming artists a real place to grow. These events don’t just entertain. They launch careers.

If you ever saw one of those early shows in Holland, drop me a note. I’d love to hear from you.

Looking for entertainment that actually connects? Let’s make your event unforgettable.

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