The annual Tulip Festival Dutch Costume Exchange is set for Wednesday, April 5. The event will take place from 2 to 6:30 p.m. at Stadscentrum, located at the corner of Central Avenue and Second Street North in Orange City.

Individuals interested in selling Dutch costumes can bring them to the Tulip Festival office, located at 509 8th Street SE, on Monday, April 3 or Tuesday, April 4.

Sellers should determine the price of their costumes, and are asked to print and fill out the seller’s form. Please note that the Tulip Festival Steering Committee only accepts authentic Dutch costumes for the exchange.

Individuals interested in purchasing Dutch costumes don’t need to have an authentic Dutch costume to sell, and individuals interested in selling authentic Dutch costumes don’t need to purchase others.

 A variety of costumes will be available for purchase for children and adults.

Questions about the Dutch Costume Exchange can be directed to the Tulip Festival office at 712-707-4510.

The Annual Orange City Tulip Festival Extravaganza was held Wednesday, march 15, at Prarie Winds Event Center. The event featured a luncheon and program during which the costumes for the 2017 Tulip Queen and Court were revealed and the 2017 parade marshals were introduced.

Members of the 2017 Tulip Court are Queen Karli Lang is the daughter of Chris and Sherry Lang; Emma De Jong, daughter of Douglas and Jamie De Jong; Olivia Duesenberg, daughter of Gary and Rachel Duesenberg; Sydnee Olson, daughter of Jody and Denene Nibbelink and Chad and Amanda Olson; and Noelle Sampson, daughter of Brent and Teresa Sampson.

The costume this year is from the village of Hoorn which is located in the west Friesland region, in the province of North Holland.  This costume is circa 1850.

In 1850, Hoorn was a seaport village, known for its connection to, and wealth from, the East India Trading Company. The fact that rich sea merchants sought to parade their wealth is evident in the women’s expensive costume– at the time, the skirt would have been made from expensive floral chintz, the apron, and jacket made from a silk, which had probably been imported by the East India Trading company.  In addition, the expensive laces on the hat, the red or coral colored gemstones, dangling from gold earrings and the hats, as well as the gold oorijizer all speak of the affluence that this village boasted.

Queen Karli is wearing a dark red jacket with a peplum, and complimentary floral pattern of gold, greens, and dark red.  Her apron is gold as well.  The beaded purse, with the striking white beads atop the black velveteen, is a design that has been found in the Friesian area at this time period as well.

The Court is wearing a lovely blue jacket, also with a peplum, and the skirt is a floral of greens, dark pink, and gold, on a cream background, with green aprons.

The hats are also very interesting– on the crown, it is comprised of a black skull cap, followed by a lace overlay, and lastly, a layer of royal blue tulle. However, the most interesting part of the hat, in addition to the ornate gold oorijizer and hat pins, is the ruffle at the back.  While it appears to be rolled on dowels, it is in fact given it’s rolled look by an intricate pleating technique.

The 2017 Tulip Court also presented their traveling road show titled “Battle of the Tulips” for the first time. The road show, which the festival royalty wrote and will present to various organizations, schools, and residential care facilities this spring,  tells of the events and attractions at Tulip Festival and gives a detailed overview of their Costumes from Hoorn.

 

 

 

The Tulip Festival Steering Committee has announced the annual Night Show musical production for May 17-20, 2017, as Shrek the Musical.

Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, Shrek the Musical is a Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure, featuring all new songs from Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and a sidesplitting book by David Lindsay-Abaire. Shrek brings all the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage and proves there’s more to the story than meets the ears.

“Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek….” And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand… and his name is Shrek.

Shrek presents a treasure trove of creative opportunities, including costumes, sets, puppets (there is a fire-breathing dragon after all) and more!  Fun for the whole family, Shrek proves that beauty is truly in the eye of the ogre.

“We are thrilled to be co-directing this new musical,” comments Gail Marincovich and Todd McDonald, 2017 Night Show co-directors. “Shrek the Musical is fun, entertaining, and unique, and has a relevant message for people of ALL ages.”

Marincovich and McDonald are joined in the leadership of the 2017 Night Show by Melody De Wit, music director, and Todd Vande Griend, producer.

The cast of Shrek the Musical will consist of approximately 20-30 people. Auditions for the Night Show will take place on Jan. 11, 12, 2017, from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Jan. 14, 2017, from 9 to 11 a.m.  All auditions will take place at a site to be announced. Those wishing to try-out do not need to prepare any material prior to the auditions. Auditions are open to those in high school and adults of all ages.

Tickets for the Night Show will go on sale for $20 each on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, at the Orange City Tulip Festival/Chamber of Commerce office.

The show times are Wed May 17-Saturday May 20 at 8:00 pm.

Shrek the Musical is based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the book by William Steig. Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire. Music by Jeanine Tesori. Originally produced on Broadway by DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions.

Shrek the Musical is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54^th Street, New York, NY 10019. Phone: 212-541-4684. Fax: 212-397-4684. www. MTIShows.com