The countdown has begun.

In less than two weeks, Laura Deichert, entertainment chairwoman for the 1993 Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, will complete her simple task of providing entertainment for thousands of people for 48 straight hours.

Since last October, Deichert and her committee have been acquiring bands and other entertainment. With only 10 days until the marathon starts, she needs to ensure that all performers are ready and willing for the roughly estimated 5,000 people who will attend.

"One of my goals was to get a lot of State College bands represented," Deichert said. "It's good for them -- they can get their name around."

"We want to get a good mix, a good variety," she said. "One of the problems dancers have had is the music being too loud, so we're going to keep it below 90 decibels."

A total of nine bands will perform for free. Among them are local bands Emerald City, the Boxing Oscars and Man Alive.

A Band Bash tomorrow at Player's Sports Bar, 112 W. College Ave., will determine which band gets the final time slot at the marathon.

"Bands would love to play at this spot because there are so many people," Deichert said. "It's nice that they'll donate their time."

Dana Hawk, a drummer for Man Alive, said he is looking forward to performing.

"Last year was a blast," he said. "It's a group effort --everyone's involved."

Deichert admits the marathon is a different experience for the performers.

"From the bands' perspective it's one of the most unusual settings to play in . . . with everyone hallucinating and tired, it seems like they're not getting any feedback," she said.

But Hawk said enthusiasm wasn't a problem.

"It's a very emotional experience -- no one can leave there without being touched," he said. "It's an honor just to be asked (to perform)."

Amber Rolla (senior-international politics) is the committee member in charge of bands.

Last year the committee booked an out-of-town band that didn't show up, so this year the group stuck to State College bands, Rolla said.

"It's really difficult for (bands) to plan for this," she said. "They don't have their schedules when we begin planning, so it's hard to coordinate."

In addition to bands, arrangements have been made for local talent -- such as football players and the energetic Nittany Lion --to appear.

There will also be videos on big-screen televisions with sports highlights and marathon footage, as well as a disc jockey from Larry Moore Productions, 1945 N. Oak Lane, to provide music between bands.

"In the past (the DJ has) been a big ordeal," Deichert said. "The last few years they've done a great job."

The DJ will have a timeline of songs to play to ensure no song is played more than four times, she added.