ENTERTAINMENT

Eugene is full of great, local musical talent.  So, it won’t surprise you to find inspiring, funky and unique groups along the race course to keep participants entertained (distracted?) as they Run in the Footsteps of Legends.

2024 on course entertainment

Rob Tobias and Friends

Rob Tobias writes and plays roots music inspired by folk-rock, blues, jazz, reggae, pop, sing-along, Jewish and other spiritual styles. Rob performs with his groups, The Northwest Express, Rob Tobias & Friends and Maya Love (Harrison, Lennon and Dylan Tribute band).

Rob Tobias has been performing at venues and festivals in the Northwest for over 25 years. Saturday and Holiday Market, The Oregon Country Fair (Veneta), Whirled Pies, The Beergarden, Oakshire Brewing, Sam Bonds Garage, Friendly Neighborhood Picnic, Art & The Vineyard and the Public House (Springfield).


Eugene Taiko is a community-based Japanese drumming ensemble that has been performing for audiences throughout Oregon since 1989. "Taiko" simply means "drum" in Japanese, but Eugene Taiko truly brings its drums alive with powerful beats and spellbinding rhythms. Performing modern interpretations of traditional pieces as well as their own compositions, the members of Eugene Taiko bring their energetic enthusiasm to each of the group's performances.


Fode Sylla is a dynamic circus performance artist from Conakry, Guinea, who specializes in dancing and drumming. Sylla received circus arts training at the esteemed Centre d'art acrobatique KEITA Fodéba (TINAFAN) from 2005-2007. He is well-versed in West African dance styles, having performed with the nationally renowned Ballet Mervielle de Guinea as well as Amoussou, an Ivory Coast dance troupe. Sylla was recognized for his talents in 2007 and recruited to the perform in the United States with UniverSoul Circus, America’s premiere multicultural circus. Sylla thrilled thousands in the U.S. and abroad with his dynamic and explosive acrobatic, breakdancing and aerialist routines. In 2010, he joined Canadian-based circus Cavalia Odysseo. In 2014, Fode settled in the mountains near Bend, Oregon where he lives today with his wife Carol, where he lives today. This year, Fode is a featured artist in the City of Eugene’s Studio Without Walls events which take place on select Fridays throughout the summer. During the pandemic, Fode teaches select Afro Beat classes via Zoom.


Family DUO “TWO ACCORDIONS” is a unique collaboration between father and daughter, both renowned musicians, accordion champions from the United States. Diversity of styles such as Classical, Tango, Jazz, Pop, Original music and more...

Accordion DUO “TWO ACCORDIONS” today is one of the most successful and popular groups in this genre. Their versatility, world class musicianship, creativity, in addition to unforgettable stage presence and finesse make their show a “must see”. Both of them are World Accordion Champions, the winners of International Accordion Competitions in the USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Italy, and France. Duo “TWO ACCORDIONS” is unquestionably one of the most striking duos in the United States.


Samba Ja plays a variety of events such as parades, festivals, weddings, and stage shows. Some events we've played include Oregon Country Fair, Northwest Folklife, Honk!Fest West, Eugene Celebration, U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials.

We've also played many local events such as Saturday Market, First Friday Art Walk, and Whiteaker Block Party. We've played more events than we can count for the City of Eugene, City of Springfield, and local Parks & Rec groups.


We come together to sing gospel music in the African American Tradition rooted in American Music. Our Program had served the community for 35+ years serving all of Oregon from outdoor events for Lane County, Saturday Market and Holiday Market, Eugene Marathons, Eugene Streets, and other events. Indoor Concerts, serving Churches, Medical Homes, The Hult Center, The Shedd, the Veteran Homes and countless performances on the Coast and locations throughout Oregon.


Stereo Minds has been creating music and supporting arts in the Lane County community for over twenty five years and play original music that will warm your heart and get your feet tapping in the same set. Austin's guitar, vocals and harmonica are a crowd favorite and Matrisha's earthy drumming and backup harmonies are a beautiful compliment to the variety of songs performed by this group.


The Beat Crunchers are fresh, funky, and live. They get the booty shaking and keep it shaking with their mighty Brazilian percussion and exuberant horns. The Beat Crunchers take you on a breathless tour of the world's best dance parties, Afropop to Balkan to Cumbia. This is a band that turns everything it touches to a divine rug-cutting boogie-down, be it a childhood cartoon theme song or a funked-up Rachmaninov prelude. The Beat Crunchers resist boxes, and enable you lovely dancers to do the same.


Neri Rodriguez y Los Cumbiamberos

Neri Rodriguez y los Cumbiamberos play cumbia music from Colombia.


Cuchulain is a low-voiced songwriter with a wry wit. The NPR Music-featured folk singer released an album of long distance pandemic collaborations called FEAT on Nov 5 that has been called "an as-yet-unpublished portion of the Great American Songbook." Cuchulain's deep baritone and clever lyrics have drawn comparisons to Randy Newman, Leonard Cohen, and Johnny Cash. From rooms as big as the Kennedy Center or as small as a friend's living room, Cuchulain's lyrics have brought laughs and tears to audiences across the US.