Dutch Dance

The 2009 pilot program was comprised of boys and girls from 3rd to 5th grade and was a great success!

If children are interested in participating in the 2010 Kinder Dutch Dance Program please be advised that it is a parent sponsored and supported activity. To indicate your interest, please contact Judy Tuinenga, Dutch Dance Program Director judy [at] tuliptime [dot] com. Please include child's name, school, parent's name(s), address, phone number and email.

In 1933 High school gym teacher Ethel Perry trained twelve students to perform Dutch folk dances. The dancers were called the “Dutch Villagers” and performed to the tune of “Where, Oh Where, Has My Little Dog Gone?” Originally the dancers’ costumes were delft blue with white organdy caps and aprons. Today’s dancers wear costumes patterned after the traditional dress of the Dutch provinces. Each costume is handmade by local seamstresses and carefully inspected before it can be worn in the Klompen Dance performances. There are over 1,300 Klompen Dancers.

To view a complete listing of the Dutch Dance Schedule please click below.

By date
By location

DANCERS!
The Costume Closet has been created to assist dancers who need a costume. If financial hardship is prohibiting you from dancing because you have concerns about being able to have a costume made, please fill out an application. 
Student dancer applications must be postmarked by January 30 of each year.  
Alumni dancer applications must be postmarked by April 1st of each year.  

The Dutch Dance Costume Closet exists because of the generous donations of community members. We need your support! 

DONATIONS!
The Dutch Dance Costume Closet

Date: Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 7:30pm
SNOW DATE: Thursday, January 21, 2010 at the same time and location.

Location: The Gathering Place, located at Christ Memorial Church 595 Graafschap Rd Holland, MI 49423
(Map Link: www.christmemorial.org/index.php?/category/about/topic/directions/)

Come for a fun night at our new location! Besides seeing various options for all 16 costumes, and taking a (sometimes humorous) inside look at the Dutch Dance program, see what's “new” in Dutch Dance, and look ahead with us as we anticipate celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Dutch Dance!
 
This annual event is open to the public and free of charge!

The organizational meeting for Alumni Dutch Dance is generally held in February. Details will be announced as soon as a location is confirmed.  Please check back.

ALUMNI COSTUMES
Alumni Dancers desiring a new costume for the upcoming dance season should contact Janet, our Alumni Costume Director, at 1-269-751-5995 as soon as possible.

Practice and Inspection schedule will be published when available.  Please check back.

Please Note: The Alumni Dutch Dance program is for Dutch Dancers who have graduated from High School or have successfully completed the Community Dutch Dance training program.

Our dancers perform at festivals, parades, weddings, anniversaries, reunions, as well as national and international events. The Kinder Dance group is not available at this time.  A minimum of 30 days notice is required.  

To bring the Tulip Time Klompen Dancers to your special event, please contact: Judy Tuinenga, Dutch Dance Program Director, Tulip Time Festival, Inc., 238 South River Avenue, Holland, MI 49423, (616) 396-4221 ext. 114 or (800) 822-2770, judy [at] tuliptime [dot] com.

Find Dancer Information, Costume Information, and Costume & Dance Instructor Information at www.DutchDance.org

The Netherlands is divided into 12 provinces, 7 of which are represented in costume by the dancers in our festival. Many people are curious as to how the costumes are made and their cost. Each one of the dancers costumes is hand made to fit that individual. In addition to fabrics, wooden shoes and in some cases, specially crafted hats or other accessories must be purchased. If the dancer or a family member makes the costume they will save money in seamstress fees. Total costume costs, including seamstress fees, shoes and all accessories range from $180-$240 per costume.

Dancer costumes are cut from hand made patterns, available only from the Tulip Time Festival Costume Directors. Before a dancer can perform, the costume is inspected to assure that it meets the standard for authenticity and construction.

For those adults who have always wanted to learn Dutch Dancing but never had the opportunity, the Tulip Time Festival Community Dutch Dance program is for you! 

Practices are held twice weekly, in the evenings, from January through mid-March and weekly thereafter until the festival. 

Attendance at the Dutch Dance Style Show held in January is expected.

Please check back in the fall to register for the upcoming Tulip Time Festival. Registration for Community Dutch Dance closes on December 1st in the year preceding the festival year.  

Provided there is enough community interest, this program is offered annually.