MARCHING MANIA

Their name almost holds them back from indicating their true greatness. Sure, MarchFourth Marching Band is a marching band, kind of, but in a way so unlike what you are picturing in your mind. Drawing inspiration from many genres, their performance is part circus, part vaudeville and, only then, part marching band.

Propelled by electric bass, percussion and a brassy horn section, it's the costumed dancers, acrobatic stilt walkers, unicycles, life-size marionettes and additional theatrics that define MarchFourth.

MarchFourth writes and performs its own material while drawing inspiration from an eclectic range of worldwide influences, such as Eastern European gypsy brass, Latin, funk, afro-beat, big-band, jazz and rock.

They will be taking over the Artisphere Ballroom (1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; across from the Ballston Metro) Wednesday at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 at artisphere.com.

SONGWRITER SINGS

When songwriter Karla Bonoff heard that Linda Ronstadt had performed her song "Lose Again" at one of her concerts, she knew she had made it. A songwriter at the early age of 15, Bonoff frequented L.A.'s popular music venue Troubadour for inspiration and heard some of the musical greats such as Jackson Browne, James Taylor and Elton John. Bonoff stepped in front of the mic and started performing. She's recorded songs for several major motion pictures, including the original 1984 "Footloose" and has written songs for artists including Wynonna Judd.

She'll be joining forces with folk musician Steve Forbert at the Barns at Wolf Trap (1635 Trap Road, Vienna) Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Forbert is also a veteran musician and is best known for simplistic sound.

Tickets are $27 and the show starts at 8 p.m.