Italo Disco icon Alexander Robotnick (real name, Maurizio Dami) is playing for the first time ever in Dallas on Friday, and you should do what you can to make it out to this extremely rare performance. Robotnick's career began with the quirky "dance cabaret" act Avida, whose 1981 seven-inch is quite different from most of his work, but still worth checking out.

He first gained underground notoriety with the single "Problemes D'Amour" which became a set-staple at important New York spots such as The Loft and The Paradise Garage. After producing a number of Italo classics he went on to do collaborative multimedia work in art and theater productions, and eventually branched out into more world music territory.

Thankfully, his current performances seem to focus more on the era in which he made his name. Not only was I told by a friend that had the privilege of recently performing with him in London that he was amazing live (especially at his age), but I was impressed by this "live edit" take on Charlie's "Spacer Woman" at a recent performance in Russia.

This show show was originally at an art studio, but has since been moved to Brooklyn Jazz Cafe, located at 1701 South Lamar in Dallas. Event is presented by Fresco & Axel.