MERCED — Longtime Merced musician RC Essig is teaming up with fellows artists tonight to celebrate his birthday -- and the end of the world.

Essig is partnering with DLM Live to wind out the Mayan calendar at the Multicultural Arts Center with a night of music featuring performances by El Olio Wolof, Rademacher, Awahnichi and Radioactive Cauliflower, according to a press release.

Tickets for the all-ages show are $10. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m.

Essig, co-owner of The Partisan in downtown Merced and a staple of the local music scene for more than a decade, will perform in each of the bands for what he is calling, "RC's Incredibly Egotistical End-of-the-World Celebration."

"So, the world may end. And I figure if it does, at least I will be doing what I love to do with the people that I love to do it with for people that hopefully love some part of something that I created," says Essig.

"And if it doesn't, well then I will just wake up the next morning, drink some coffee, and write a song," Essig said in the release.

The show will mark the first performance by El Olio Wolof since announcing their retirement in January of 2011.

Essig was the frontman for the Merced-based band that performed for more than a decade, recording two full-length albums and toured across the United States.

Wolof is noted for it's Shel Silverstein-style lyrics and and unique sound.

Fresno-based Rademacher is also reforming after a 9-month hiatus and will feature Essig on bass.

Awahnichi, Essig's current project, features one other member, Vanessa Hofmann, on keyboard. Awahnichi recently played the Great American Music Hall in Merced.

Essig will also perform a handful of solo songs from his days as Radioactive Cauliflower.

Assuming we make it through Dec. 21, the show will be another collaboration with the Merced Arts Council at the Multicultural Arts Center.