Dutch Dance

The history of Dutch Dance began in 1935 with local high school girls performing at the Tulip Time Festival. They were dressed in costumes and were called “Klompen Dancers.” The precursor to these Dancers began 2 years earlier when a high school gym teacher Ethel Perry trained twelve students to perform Dutch Folk dances. The Dancers, then called the “Dutch Villagers”, performed to the tune of “Where, Oh Where, Has My Little Dog Gone?" but did not perform as part of the Festival. Originally the dancers’ costumes were delft blue with white organdy caps and aprons. In 1953 a compilation of Dutch Folk music was created, Dutch Dance as we know it was choreographed and standards for costumes were developed. Over the years, as information became available, additional costumes were added and revisions were made. 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 Dutch Dance performances. There are currently over 1,300 Dutch Dancers

Dutch Dance Style Show

Tue, 01/18/2011 - 7:30pm

The Tulip Time Festival Dutch Dance Style Show will be held at 7:30pm on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at The Gathering Place, located at Christ Memorial Church, 595 Graafschap Rd., Holland, MI 49423.

Dutch Dance Schedule

For the Dutch Dance Schedule, please click here.

Dutch Dance Celebrated 75 years!

A sincere thank-you to all who have supported the Dutch Dance program for more than 75 years:

Dancers; dance instructors; costume coordinators, costume creators, seamstresses; musicians; parents & family members; choreographers; City of Holland; sound technicians; our schools; our sponsors.

You've provided a wonderful tradition for our community!  We look forward to many more years of celebrating the history and heritage of our community through our Dutch Dance tradition!

Kinder Dutch Dance Group

Join the FUN of being a Dutch Dancer!

The Tulip Time Festival invites all 3rd, 4th or 5th grade children from the greater Holland/Zeeland area to participate in our Kinder Dutch Dance program.

Individual children or groups of children (i.e. theater troupe, sports team, schools, churches, family, neighborhood, etc.) are invited to participate in this parent sponsored, parent supported activity.

Registrations postmarked by Dec. 10, 2010 will be given priority for placement in the program.

Questions? Contact Judy Tuinenga, Dutch Dance Program Director judy@tuliptime.com

To REGISTER, contact Pam, Kinder Dutch Dance instructor at 392-9878 and then send in registration form.

Dutch Dance Costume Closet

The Tulip Time Festival Costume Closet is open to those who are committed to participating in the Dutch Dance Program but are unable to do so due to financial hardship.

A supportive donation towards the Costume Closet will provide a dancer the opportunity to actively participate in this unique cultural community event. All donations are tax deductible and may be sent to Tulip Time Festival, Attn: Accounting/Costume Closet, 238 S. River Ave, Holland, MI 49423. Any donation amount is accepted.

Please contact your costume director to request assistance from the Costume Closet.

Dutch Dance At Your Event

Our dancers perform at festivals, parades, weddings, anniversaries, reunions, as well as national and international events. The Kinder Dutch Dance group is not available at this time.

Alumni Dutch Dance

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

Alumni Dancers who have not danced recently should register for Community Dutch Dance practices to review choreography. Community Dutch Dance begins the first week of January.

Alumni Dutch Dance Schedule 2011

- Early Feb: sign up for Alumni Dance begins. Groups are formed.

DutchDance.org

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

Dutch Costumes

The Netherlands is divided into 12 provinces, 8 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.

Community Dutch Dance

Registration closed for 2010 Festival
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!
To register for the upcoming Community Dutch Dance program, contact Biz at 335-2161 or ebizaterhaar@gmail.com. Please be sure to put "Community Dutch Dance" in the subject line.

 Practices are held on Monday and Thursday 6:30-8:30 p.m. early January through mid-March and weekly thereafter on Wed. evenings until the festival. Attendance at the Dutch Dance Style Show held in January is expected. Provided there is enough community interest, this program is offered annually. In the event of insufficient interest, those registered will be notified of cancellation prior to the organizational meeting.