History
Red Marines, A Celebration of Life!
This is a story about Mark and Valentin Tarasov, twin brothers, and their friend Dmitri Polozov, who embarked on a voyage to the edge of life called Operation Iraqi Freedom. Some might call it Operation Enduring Freedom.
Upon their safe return to their families from a dark combat deployment, they inspired a warm and shining light among their friends, acquaintances and loved ones that initiated the celebration of LIFE, COMPASSION and CREATIVITY.
In 2004, family and friends gathered on a beautiful lake to greet the sunrise, while dancing and playing music. That was the birth of the RED MARINES Music and Arts Festival!
Coming from a musical family, the twins, Mark and Valentin together with their older brother Eugene Tarasov, led a Russian band called Mobius. Music was their world, however the twins were living in two very different worlds; the second was in the US MARINE CORPS infantry.
Mark and Valentin had been working on the psychedelic trance project called PARUS, when they were called to duty. As the war broke out in IRAQ, they were sent for the initial push assignment. During combat, Eugene kept all their friends and family informed, each step of the way. “We were staying alive for each other and for our great family and loving friends,” Mark and Valentin said.
When his brothers came back from Iraq, Eugene brought together friends, and loved ones to the camping event he had organized in a beautiful mountain range, surrounding a body of water. “When we arrived at the site, all of our closest friends and family were waiting. We sang and celebrated our safe return. Music was very healing and all the war scars of fear and pain were fading.”
“Through the celebration of LIFE, MUSIC and LOVE, dark times let out of our minds. The process of healing had begun for us.” This outdoors event marked the start of a wonderful and memorable tradition.
In celebrating the precious gift of LIFE, which is often taken for granted in day to day hustle, Eugene, Mark and Valentin have decided to bring together a music & arts festival every year since.
“RED MARINES is the celebration of LIFE!”
Here is an article written in Oakland Tribune after the last year’s festival, which was the 4th annual.
