Juggler Philip Anderson is featured entertainer in this weeks Street Performers Series

As the month of June winds down, the Downtown Holland Street Performer Series, sponsored by Gentex Corporation, is showing no signs of doing the same!   The weekly Series continues Thursday, June 30 from 6:30 p.m . to  8:30 p.m, with close to thirty different artists and groups from all backgrounds entertaining the crowds on Eighth Street.  In addition to the scheduled performers, contact juggler Philip Anderson will also make an appearance this Thursday as the “Gentex Performer of the Week.”

Contact juggling focuses on the movement of objects, such as orbs, in contact with the body.  It differs from regular juggling in the fact that the moving objects or props are not released into the air. Contact juggling involves three main techniques: body rolling, palm spinning, and isolation.  Body rolling is when an orb is manipulated around a juggler’s hands, arms and body, while palm spinning is when graceful and fluid movements are used while an object is kept in motion.  Isolation is when an orb is manipulated so that it appears suspended in place.

A seasoned performer from Grand Rapids, Anderson spends many hours a week practicing contact juggling, along with magic, comedy, and acrobatics.  He is thrilled to be able to show off his contact juggling skills at the Series for the first time. “I’ve heard about the Series for years and have always wanted to be a part of it,” said Anderson.  “Friends who have performed in Downtown Holland have encouraged me to participate. I can see why, as I’m already falling in love with Holland!”

Also making their debut at the Street Performer Series this Thursday will be The Daredevil Circus Company.  This Grand Rapids-based group of highly trained artists has traveled around the world performing their act, which includes aerial silks, hoops, and trapeze, fire eating, acrobatics, contortion, and more.  They will be joined at the Series this week by gospel musicians, henna tattoo artists, balloon twisters, steel guitarists, mimes, and many other talented performers.  While the Series is free for all to attend, tipping the performers is highly encouraged.