For Rob Perez, art and music go together like chocolate and peanut butter.

That's why the painter created ARTSLAM!, which pairs the two during a live creative jam.

“There's no experience like it. Usually I'll be sitting there just drawing in my apartment. With this, you're kind of feeding off the energy of the live band. It's just exciting,” said Perez, a.k.a. Deadbeat Hero. “I've noticed my artwork has really improved.”

Perez, 26, was inspired to plan the event when he saw comic book artist Jim Mahfood perform a live art show at a Comic-Con in San Diego.

ARTSLAM! 11 Ill Livin' will feature music by Muchos Backflips!, dancelikerobots and the Professor Amsterdam and live art by Perez, Freddy Lopez Jr., Joe Delacruz and Gerry Garcia. DJ Doc J will spin and United B-Boys will break dance.

Jessica Belasco | Contributor

WHAT: ARTSLAM! 11 Ill Livin'
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday, March 31
WHERE: Limelight, 2718 N. Saint Mary's St.
HOW MUCH: Admission is $5 for ages 21 and older, $10 for younger than 21. All artwork created during the show will be for sale
INFO: Check it out at myspace.com/artslam