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Community Corner

Weekend Guide: Metro Art Expo at Mexicali and Free Meditation

Also, Saturday storytime at the library

For Luke Rizzo, there’s always enough room on his stage for any type of artist.

Rizzo, aka DJ Cloak Dagger, created Metro Art Expo (MAE) in 2008 as a platform to combine a live concert experience with the beauty of an art show. On Saturday, MAE will take over the stage at , a venue that MAE has performed at several times but also where it premiered three years ago.

“The cultural demographic of Teaneck and artistic freedom the Mexicali owners have always allowed is incredible,” said Rizzo. “I spin a vast array of music spanning from Africa to Colombia to Jamaica and Middle Eastern influences. It works there – people come in with a real open mind. There's nothing I vibe off of more than opening someone’s mind, watching them hear and feel something for the first time. That’s my motivation; it moves me beyond description.”

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The 30-year-old Carlstadt resident, who is also the co-founder of Phlamencore Records, said mixing the “raw energy” of a live show with the aesthetics of an art gallery is a natural fit.

“Music is everything to me, but when you combine it with visual art, it creates an aura that really touches your soul,” said Rizzo, who describes his own sound as “lounge-inspired world music.”

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Rizzo said as far as art goes, he’s a self-taught graphic artist who designs all the fliers for the events.

Since launching at Mexicali in 2008, MAE performs regularly throughout Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn; it soon will make a stop in Philadelphia.

Mexicali patrons can expect to see dancing and painting and hear music from around the world. Rizzo calls it a “complete artistic cross-fertilization – an experience that triggers all the senses.”

Saturday’s event celebrates the release of Rizzo’s new song Lumanji EP for Phlamencore Records and will feature Brazilian funk band Sangha Tierra and visual artists Joseph Doeffinger and Alex Khost.

“We’re concluding with an exotic late-night dance party with soulful house legend Joey Mazza and myself on the decks,” said Rizzo. “It's going to be another great night at Mexi!”

Metro Art Expo is scheduled to take the stage at 9 p.m. at Mexicali Live. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here.

Other events this weekend:

Friday, July 1

  • Highway 41 (celebrating the music of the Allman Brothers Band) and The Chinstraps will play at Mexicali Live. Doors open at 6 p.m., and tickets can be purchased here.

Saturday, July 2

  • begins at 11 a.m. at the . Recommended for ages 3 and older.
  • Metro Art Expo brings its mix of music and art to at 9 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m., and tickets can be purchased here.

Sunday, July 3

  • The will hold their from 7 to 8 p.m. The event is free and open to all.
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