AJ Castillo brings his energetic sounds to Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, a Free Concert!

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Accordionist AJ Castillo returns to the Ak-Chin Indian Community to perform in a free concert on Friday, February 15, at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino. Don’t miss his live show, starting at 8 p.m.

Latino artist Castillo is known for his unique accordion sound and style as he offers energetic live performances. Castillo’s solo debut CD was released in 2009, followed by a CD in 2014 that debuted on Billboard at number 15 on the Latin Pop Albums chart, according to his website. His most recent album was released in 2017, so he’s still a busy artist.

A native of Austin, Texas, Castillo grew up in a musical family where his grandfather introduced him to the accordion. Castillo began playing the accordion at age 10, according to his website, and he started a professional music career at age 13 with his family’s band. Castillo continued performing into his late teens and twenties with some of the most revered Tejano music artists before breaking out on his own as a young adult.

An energetic performer, Castillo puts on a show that you won’t forget, complete with his beautiful, custom-made HOHNER accordions. Castillo has won multiple Tejano Music Awards for his unique sound that blends cumbias, jazz, and Cajun music influences with traditional Tejano music. Enjoy his engaging performance!

Guests must be age 21 or older to attend. Gather your friends and make a night of it! Come early to enjoy dinner at one of the casino’s unique restaurants. The Buffet features favorites served up at different food stations, or you can enjoy fine wine paired with small plates at Oak and Fork. Or, Chop, Block and Brew serves up gourmet burgers, steaks, prime rib, and seafood in a rustic, comfortable environment.

Don’t miss the chance to try your luck on the casino floor and try this month’s drink special for just $5. The Dirty Deep Eddy Martini features Deep Eddy vodka and olive juice, shaken and garnished with olives. Bring a date or friends and come on out to enjoy a great show!

Carolyn Sostrom

Carolyn Sostrom is a long-time Arizona resident who loves desert sunsets, warm weather, Zumba, and the Western lifestyle. She attended Saguaro High School in Scottsdale and then Arizona State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Similarly to the protagonist in *The Devil Wears Prada*, Carolyn moved to New York City right after college. She started working for the fashion magazine company Conde Nast but never transitioned to the dark side. After a few years, she left New York in the rearview mirror and returned to her home state, taking a reporter job at the *Apache Junction Independent*. With over 30 years of freelance writing experience, Carolyn especially enjoys writing about community events and profiling individuals who are making a difference in their communities. She had the pleasure of interviewing a variety of cowboy personalities for an article she wrote for the *Scottsdale Independent* about the history of DC Ranch and its roots as a working ranch. Now, her Western adventures with CLN have her diving into the rugged automotive scene, exploring the trucks and rigs cowboys rely on for work, home, and play, a niche where grit meets horsepower. She works at Raising Special Kids, a nonprofit resource center for families of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Carolyn also volunteers with the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix. Carolyn believes that everyone has a story, and she loves connecting with others to hear their stories. She’s dedicated to ethical journalism and accurate reporting, which shines through in her storytelling.