First all-Mexican Dutch Dance squad hits the streets for Tulip Time 2024

Austin Metz, Holland Sentinel
·1 min read

HOLLAND — Holland is steeped in Dutch tradition and history; but it's also home to a large Hispanic community, and this year, one Dutch Dance team aimed to celebrate exactly that.

The "Dutchicans" comprise 12 dancers ranging in age from 22 to 67. They are family, with mothers and daughters and cousins and aunts dancing together.

The Dutchicans pose for a photo. They are believed to be the first-ever all-Mexican Dutch Dance team.
The Dutchicans pose for a photo. They are believed to be the first-ever all-Mexican Dutch Dance team.

It started with Anita Solis, an expert in Dutch Dance since high school. After health issues forced her to take a break from the tradition two years ago, she and her mother found themselves without a group.

At a family gathering about a year ago, the idea was born — why not form a family Dutch Dance team?

Tulip Time's first all-Mexican Dutch Dance team performs Thursday, May 9, prior to the Kinderparade on Eighth Street.
Tulip Time's first all-Mexican Dutch Dance team performs Thursday, May 9, prior to the Kinderparade on Eighth Street.

“I asked everybody and everyone said they wanted to do it,” Solis said. “We formed the group."

It's taken months of practice to make the dream a reality. The team rehearsed every Wednesday for weeks But it's only brought them closer. They had some help, too.

Tulip Time's first all-Mexican Dutch Dance team performs Thursday, May 9, prior to the Kinderparade on Eighth Street.
Tulip Time's first all-Mexican Dutch Dance team performs Thursday, May 9, prior to the Kinderparade on Eighth Street.

"They were so much fun," said Rachel Price Graft, a Dutch Dance director. "Honestly, they've been the most fun group we've had. They've been laughing on the floor, rolling around. It's been great."

Some of the group members made the costumes they've performed in.

"We did 'Sewing Saturdays,' so we got to hang out with some of these ladies who made their costumes (and) see them on a more personal level, which was a lot of fun," Price Graft said.

Tulip Time's first all-Mexican Dutch Dance team performs Thursday, May 9, prior to the Kinderparade on Eighth Street.
Tulip Time's first all-Mexican Dutch Dance team performs Thursday, May 9, prior to the Kinderparade on Eighth Street.

The Dutchicans plan to dance for years to come. They encourage anyone interested in learning Dutch Dance to give it a go.

"You only have one life, so have fun and enjoy life with the people you love the most," Solis said.

— Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: First all-Mexican Dutch Dance squad hits the streets for Tulip Time 2024