Entertainment

The Marine Corps Marathon features a wide variety of musical entertainment throughout race day. From the first mile to the last, runners and spectators are treated to many exciting performances! MCM Entertainment is presented by Verizon Wireless.

Featured entertainment for 2010 includes:

ALONG THOSE LINES
This Fairfax-based powerhouse sets a new standard for hard rock. The four member band will bring its quaint hometown attitude and explosive stage show to the Lincoln Memorial along the MCM course.

AZUKA-BOM
At mile 13 on Hains Point, runners will feel the rumble of the music as they experience Azuka-Bom, a lifestyle dance-fitness company. Instructors will be on stage featuring KAZAXE, its Mega-Party dance fitness class featuring international beats like Salsa, Merengue, Samba, Bachata and much more! Azuka-Bom!

BAND OF BROTHERS
The Band of Brothers (BOB) USMC Riding Club was established on November 10, 2002 at the Iwo Jima Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony. BOB is made up of retired, former and active duty Marines and FMF Corpsman. BOB is dedicated to supporting veterans, Marine Corps-related functions and charitable organizations in order to keep POW/MIA awareness alive. The purpose of the club is to foster a brotherhood dedicated to veterans and the sport of motorcycle riding. Motorcycles will ride alongside runners on Army-Navy Drive between mile 23 and 24.

BATALA
Batala 2 09 The Batala band of Washington, D.C. is an all-women percussion group formed in 1997 to empower women through drumming, and to expose people to the music and culture of Brazil. The Batala Percussion Band plays rhythms typical of the northeastern region of Brazil in a samba-reggae style. The music, performed on four types of drums, is rooted in traditional African rhythms. Batala is the “Beat-the-Bridge” band located at mile 20 on 14^th Street in NW Washington, D.C.

BILLY CALDWELL
Billy Caldwell, a former US Navy helicopter pilot and fixed wing primary flight instructor is known for his high energy performances, maniac guitar playing and distinctive vocals. Winning over audiences all over the Mid-Atlantic region, singer/songwriter Billy Caldwell produces a wide range of material reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen and John Hiatt.
Billy will be at Mile 9 at M St. and Wisconsin Ave NW on race day.

DEAD MEN'S HOLLOW
Dead Men's Hollow is a Virginia-based, award-winning, "female-infused" bluegrass band. Performing regularly throught the D.C. area, the group draws its influences from bluegrass, country, blues and gospel. The result is a unique sound, fronted by tight three-part female vocal harmony backed by traditional bluegrass instruments. Dead Men's hollow will ease runners along Hains Point.

DIXIE POWER TRIO
Dixie Power Trio 09 Formed in 1992, Zachary Smith & the Dixie Power Trio has developed a reputation as the East Coast's premier "Louisiana variety band"-- capable of playing authentic sounding New Orleans jazz, zydeco, Cajun, street parade, and Louisiana-style funk. The four-piece trio (we blame Cajun math) has carved out a niche as a fun and exciting ensemble capable of entertaining audiences of all ages. The group has shared concert stages with many Louisiana luminaries, including the Neville Brothers, Terrance Simien, Dr. John, Wynton Marsalis, Chubby Carrier, Beausoleil, the Dirty Dozen, and the Olympia Brass Band. Their most recent CD is the 2007 release "Zydeco Dog". The Dixie Power Trio will take the stage at miles 9-10.

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY PEP BAND
GMU This spirited student group generates enthusiasm and excitement at several campus activities and plan to bring it all for the MCM runners just after Crystal City on Crystal City Drive.

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
Marine Corps Marathon runners will capture the Hoya spirit as they race by the Georgetown University Pep Band and Hoya mascot performing outside the university on Canal Road at Mile 5 and again on Miles 8-9 of the MCM course. The 75-member pep band performs at home GU sporting events including football and men’s and women’s team events and in other university functions like Georgetown Day, Hoyathon-a 24-hour charity dance marathon, and at alumni weddings!

LOWLY ENDEAVOR
Lowly Endeavor is a six piece Classic Rock Cover Band that plays all of the classics from when rock was young! Lowly Endeavor will play all the classics from Tom Petty to Billy Joel guaranteed to keep you motivated to reach the MCM finish line! Lowly Endeavor will be located along Constitution Ave. NW at mile 17.

THE MELONHEADS
Melonheads 2010 Delivering the power and drive of a heavyweight knockout punch, the Melonheads will ignite runners as they approach their last few miles. The ‘Heads take pride in faithfully interpreting familiar songs with vocal harmonies, a jackhammer-precise rhythm section and driving guitars.

OASIS ISLAND SOUNDS
Several students from The West Indies formed The Oasis Island Sounds Band in 1988. These students played with various bands throughout the Caribbean and wanted to continue playing music in the United States while pursing college degrees. The band's primary goal is to "Quench your Musical Thirst" with popular dance music of the Caribeen, including Reggae, Calypso & Steel drums. Runners will hear the bands smooth sounds from the Caribbean at Mile 17 by the Vietnam War Memorial on Constitution Ave. NW.

QUANTICO MARINE CORPS SHOWBAND
Quantico Band 09 The Marine Corps Showband, from Quantico, VA, is composed of approximately twelve musicians, and performs popular music from the 60's to today. The Showband brings a high energy performance, entertaining audiences with a mix of pop, rock, county, and funk music styles. The Quantico Marine Corps Showband will be performing at the entrance of the Key Bridge at Mile 4 and in the Finish Festival.

SUN COMMITTEE
Brothers Jason and Seth Barna of Washington, D.C., are experimental indie rockers. In addition to their musical talents the Barna brothers are runners. They keep their musical energy relaxed, focused but at the same time know when to “turn it up” to motivate runners at mile 19.

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS MOUNTED COLOR GUARD
USMC Mounted Color Guard United States Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard will make its MCM debut and perform precision color guard movements on palomino wild mustangs at the start of the MCM. This extraordinary unit is well known for its high-standard training techniques that give riders a unique challenge to become a better horseman and stronger leader of Marines. This extraordinary military unit is the only remaining mounted color guard in the Marine Corps today and has been stationed aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base, Barstow, California since 1967. Look for the Color Guard at the MCM start line.

UPSPIRAL
Uprpiral pulls together a synergistic blend of sounds and will blast the course between miles 10 and 12 with popular tunes from the 90's and today.

USA CHEERLEADERS
The USA Cheerleaders travel throughout the United States and abroad to support the men and women serving in the United States Military. The USA Cheerleaders will be cheering runners at the MCM start line. Runners will also have opportunity to join the cheerleaders at mile 25 to mark their running achievement by banging the MCM finish-line gongs in support of all runners “Gong the Distance!”

WASHINGTON, DC REGIONAL PIPE BAND
Washington Regional Pipe Band The Washington, DC Regional Police Pipe Band will be performing along Jefferson Drive in front of the Air and Space Museum between MCM course miles 19 and 20. The Washington, DC Regional Police Pipe Band is made up of local, state and federal law enforcement professionals in the Washington, DC area and represents 12 different law enforcement agencies.

HIGH SCHOOL BANDS
Blake HS 09 This year, six high school bands from Maryland and Virginia will perform on the Marine Corps Marathon course. The bands, positioned throughout the race, create enthusiasm and motivate runners during the 26.2 mile journey. Come hear your favorite high school band on race day at the locations listed below: