There are many strange sights to behold on the streets of Jerusalem, from the religious pilgrims who believe they are the Messiah to the rival Christian denominations brawling in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

One of the more unique sites to stumble across is Marsh Dondurma, the eclectic band billed as "Israel's first marching band."

Established in 2005, Marsh Dondurma (named after a Turkish ice cream brand, of course) practices a certain type of creative guerrilla musical theater.

Armed with trombones, saxophones, snare drums, and a tuba, the 15 or so musicians like to perform renegade numbers on the streets of Jerusalem.

At one street performance in Tel Aviv, a group of mentally handicapped men dressed as angels stumbled upon Marsh Dondurma's performance and joined in for a surreal fusion of street art.

After four years, Marsh Dondurma now has a devoted fan following and two CDs. The band plays in Tel Aviv clubs, European music festivals and outdoor parties.

The inspiration for Israel's Marsh Dondurma came when band founder Dotan Yogev was living in New York City. While out one night, Yogev was amazed to see a funky marching band enter a nightclub to perform a rousing number.

It turned out to be Brooklyn's Hungry March Band, which boasts of creating "surprise radical encounters that transform the mundane into the miraculous."

Yogev immediately asked to become a band member. Then he set out to bring the style to Israel.

The musical street theater has been embraced around the world, including San Francisco, which is home to the ever-exotic Extra Action Marching Band.

Some performers, like "Simpsons" animator David Silverman, take the idea to a new level with the famous flaming tuba (technically a sousaphone).

Marsh Dondurma tends to be a little more sedate and less risque than its American counterparts. And the music predictably draws more of its influence from Jewish Klezmer music.

But the band is just as successful at surprising the audience and stirring up a dancing frenzy.