By Chesney Hearst, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Tonight is the night that The Rio Times presents The Rio DJ Mixup, a one of a kind DJ Industry meets community celebration of nightlife in Rio. Over 200 people have already RSVP’d for what promises to be an evening of DJs, promoters, venue owners and music lovers coming together in the open atmosphere of Mekong Bar in Leblon.
Two DJs will spin during the four hour Rio DJ MixUp event. DJ, lead singer of Pop Will Eat Itself and owner of Mekong Mary Byker will play rare grooves, funk and soul alongside DJ Tee Cardaci of Botafogo Social Club, who will bring his unique blend of soul, funk, disco and deep house.
The venue hosting the event is the Asian-inspired restaurant/lounge/bar Mekong. Opened in Leblon by husband and wife team Englishman Mary Byker and Carioca Ana Vance in August 2010, Mekong also weekly hosts DJs at the bar on Wednesday nights.
“Most of the Botafogo Social Club DJs play here regularly; Tee Cardaci, Mike Frugaletti and Doug Gray. We’ve also had Vivi Seixas, DJ Torha, Duda M, DJ Montano,and Marcelo Vig amongst others,” owner and DJ Mary Byker told The Rio Times. “As Mekong isn’t a club we don’t have a booming sound, so the DJs have to play tunes that fit the environment so it’s different for them as well.”
Mekong is also will known for its variety of drinks and signature drink selections and on the night of the event it will offer along with co-sponsor Absolut Vodka a special drink promotion. Between 7PM and 9PM attendees can buy any drink with Absolut Vodka and get one Absolut Ping Pong cocktail or Lichia Spice free.
Co-sponsor Magnífica Cachaça will also graciously offer from 7PM to 9PM a buy one caipirinha get one free promotion.
The Rio Times along with co-promoters Alto Vidigal, Molotov21, Brazilian Wax, Strikeconcert, Sr2 Fotografia, Galeria Café and Fosfobox are hoping to bring the community together to mingle, share ideas and have fun.
“It is a chance for anyone who is in the scene or just interested in the scene to meet like minded people and develop new relationships,” explained host, DJ and Nightlife Guide editor for The Rio Times, Mike Frugaletti.
However, the night doesn’t have to end at 11PM. There will also be a MixUp Afterparty where co-promoters Fosfobox are offering those with MixUp wristbands R$30 entry to Copacabana’s top underground late-night club. There the Wobble Crew will present UK Dubstep DJ Zed Bias.
What: Rio DJ MixUP @ Mekong
When: 7PM-11PM, Thursday, May 9th
Where: Rua General Urquiza 188 A (@ Rua Dias Ferreira), Leblon, RJ
Entrance: FREE (drink promotion from 7PM – 9PM)
Hear Mary Byker mixes here and Tee Cardaci mixes here.
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