Zeeland will roll out a big “Welkom” by the Zeeland High School Dutch Dancers and the Kinder Dutch Dancers, in a performance in their hometown before the official Tulip Time Festival in Holland. The exhibition dance is set for 6 p.m. Monday, April 24, in downtown.

 

By Sentinel staff

Posted Apr 19, 2017 

 

 

This hometown dance has become an annual event, and this will mark the 12th year that downtown volunteers have worked to host ZPS Dutch dancers on their own turf.

The High School dancers will perform the original “Klompen” dance, while the Kinder dancers perform a folk dance that tells a story about a wooden shoe. Both dances are rich in history.

 

“It is so fitting that we can bring our local Dutch dancers downtown Zeeland for a performance before they are officially needed at the Tulip Time Festival,” said Kerri VanDorp, City of Zeeland events coordinator. “It’s a great way to bring the community together to celebrate our culture, celebrate spring and celebrate our kids!”

 

“This year, we are especially excited to host the Kinder Dutch dancers,” she continued. 

“This group of dancers are grades third through fifth. Their performance will include them singing in Dutch and dancing along.”

 

They will be wearing authentic Dutch costumes as well.

 

Both groups will perform on Main Street between Elm and Church streets. The high school Dutch dancers will begin at 6 p.m. with the Kinder dancers following, they will each perform two dances.

 

Michele Gort, winner of the 2017 Tulips In Bloom contest with her piece, “Playful Time,” will be onsite and available to answer questions regarding the piece she created. She will also have prints available for purchase. Gort is a member of the Zeeland Artists Collective at 122 E. Main St.

 

Source: The Holland Sentinel (http://www.hollandsentinel.com), April 19, 2017