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, 01/19/2010 - 7:30pm

The Tulip Time Festival Dutch Dance Style Show will be held at 7:30pm on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at The Gathering Place, located at Christ Memorial Church, 595 Graafschap Rd., Holland, MI 49423.

The style show will be the first opportunity for new Dutch Dancers to consider their costumes for the upcoming Tulip Time Festival.

Dutch Dance Schedule

For the Dutch Dance Schedule, please click here.

Dutch Dance Celebrates 75 years!

Enjoy the celebration through various activities including:

  • Introducing new look for TWO Dutch Dance costumes!
  • Launching new Kinder Dutch Dance Program

Kinder Dutch Dance Group

In celebrating Dutch Dance history, the Tulip Time Festival is pleased to announce the official launch of Kinder Dutch Dance. Children in 3rd, 4th or 5th grade are invited to participate. Children from the greater Holland/Zeeland area schools, church groups, neighborhood groups or any community group are invited to participate in this parent sponsored and supported activity. Without parental/guardian support Kinder Dutch Dance cannot take place.

Kinder Dutch Dance Program Information

Kinder Dutch Dance Registration Form - must be postmarked by December 10th

 

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.

APPLICATIONS must be received in Tulip Time Festival office or postmarked by deadlines below:

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 Dutch Dance Schedule 2010

 - February 24 - Organizational meeting - East K-7 Cafeteria at 7pm. Snow date is March 3, same place, same time. Practice times are assigned at this meeting.

- March 10 - Head Couple Meeting - East K-7 Cafeteria at 7pm

 

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.