Mightyjoecastro.com

Post #1060 – Kids Runway for Research

// September 15th, 2011 // No Comments » // events

I recently donated a signed art print for this weekend’s silent auction at the Kids Runway for Research event in Wilmington, DE.  The event will help raises awareness and support for the Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research and features a fashion show with children who are cancer survivors, as well as live music and other performers.  The event runs from 11a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Chase Center at the Wilmington Riverfront, this Sunday, September 18.  Make it out if you can – this is a great event for a truly worthy cause.  Tickets available online or at the door. And click here for the facebook event page.

For those interested in the print, it is a special, one-of-a-kind, signed  archival giclee print of the painting Friday Morning. Special thanks to Finley’s Art Shoppe in Newark, who were kind enough to donate the cost of framing the print.

Post #1045 – Creative Partners Roundtable

// May 20th, 2011 // No Comments » // events

I’m honored and excited to be participating in Hypno Design’s Creative Partners Roundtable event this weekend in NJ. Brought to you by the same caring folks who put together the annual Create-A-Thon benefit, this event is geared toward lending a hand to over 40 deserving non-profit organizations by offering free advice and consultation on everything from marketing and development strategies to getting the best mileage out of a printing budget.

From the press release: “During this 5-hour “speed dating”-type event, representatives from area nonprofits will be able to seek counsel from experts in a variety of creative disciplines, including graphic design, copy writing, website design, strategic marketing, public relations and social media. The experts will provide any type of marketing-related guidance that the nonprofits need to help take their branding or marketing to the next level. Organizations can ask the experts for advice on web design, marketing strategy, branding, maximizing their use of social media as well as fundraising ideas, volunteer recruitment, and the like.”

For more information as well as updates on this great event, please visit creativepartnersroundtable.blogspot.com.

Post #1035 – 1 in 91 Art Auction

// March 16th, 2011 // No Comments » // art shows, events

I’m super stoked to be included in A.Skate Foundation 2nd annual 1 in 91 Silent Auction, hosted by Upper Class Label. For all my left coast friends, the event takes place Saturday April 2 at the G2 Gallery in Venice, CA – try and make it out if you’re in the area. All money raised will go to the A.Skate Foundation, a great non-profit organization that uses skateboarding as an activity to introduce children with autism into social situations.

For the auction, I donated a brand new collage, entitled Death on the Wings – it’s mixed media on paper,  16″x20″ framed and signed.  This is a one of a kind piece and not a print so, if you’re interested, get your tickets for the event here.  Other artists include Todd Francis, Greg Hunt, Bruce Hall and Mark Gonzales among others.  Did I mention free pizza, wine and beer? Should be a great night.  I’d love to be there in person but, unfortunately, I’ll be stuck here in the Philly suburbs. Sponsored by Skateboarder Magazine, Function Drinks, GBMC, Incipio, Malm Cellars and Spinelli Catering.

Post #1033 – Who, What, When, Whatever

// March 3rd, 2011 // No Comments » // art shows, events, music

It’s been a minute since I last posted so forgive the spillage to come:

There are some cool events happening in Philly this weekend- first up, my good friend Kevin Margitich is having an art opening this Friday, March 4th over at Sweet Mabel in Narberth. And to sweeten the pot, he’s home-brewed some special beers just for the occasion, so get there early before the well runs dry. The show is entitled The Trail to Manatawny which, roughly translated, means “the trail to where we meet to drink.  You get the picture. Good times start at 7pm.

Then, on Saturday night, stop by the Slignluff Gallery where they’ll be hosting an opening bash for their March artist, skater/photographer Jai Tanju.  The show’s entitled Heavy, and features some pretty sick interactive metal photo frames. That party gets going at 6pm. 11 W. Girard Street in scenic downtown Fishtown.

On the music side of things, pick up the latest issue of the City Paper which includes a nice little interview with Curly Castro (no relation)  talking about the release of his excellent new long player Winston’s Appeal. You can download that here for free. And while you’re at it, do yourself a favor and grab Zilla Rocca’s new  Bad Weather Classic, a strong collection of dark and gritty, film-noir style cinematic hip-hop tracks. Gotta admit I’m addicted to the first cut, Tiger Heli – 130 seconds of top shelf paranoia.

And, speaking of Zilla and Castro, what about the 5 o’clock shadowboxer’s Weak Stomach video? It’s in the can, bro, and will be debuting online any day now so keep your eyes peeled.

And speaking of that video, co-director Justin Clowes also just dropped a tasty new video for East Hundred, featuring some beautiful super 8  footage he shot during their tour this past summer. Well done, my man.

Post #1026 – On the Fringe….

// February 7th, 2011 // No Comments » // art shows, events, music

I’ll be showing a random assortment of new and old collages at Fringe Salon in Philly this month and they’re throwing an opening shindig this Saturday night, Feb 12 from 6-10pm.  If you’re like me, I’m sure you’ve been fighting cabin fever this winter so layer up and hit the town ’cause the night will surely be epic.  Wines and snacks, of course, but the evening will also feature a special live performance by noir hip-hop group 5 o’clock Shadowboxers, complete with 3 modern dancers doing their thing during the set, in a hair salon, which should be surreal for sure.  Ivy Glass will also be showing some of her very cool handmade sweater leggings and DJ Jim Redz will be spinning tunes throughout the night.  And it’s free, which makes it cheapskate proof so no excuses. 1728 East Passyunk Ave.

Post #1016 – Photoshop Fight Night tonight!

// October 22nd, 2010 // No Comments » // design, events

I’m honored and stoked to be a guest judge at tonight’s Photoshop Fight Night at Wilmington University.nCompetitors/design students will be given a three hour time span to create three completely separate pieces (a flyer, a poster and a banner)  - which is an insanely short amount of time for that much work – and it’s winner take all so there’s no holding back. Sounds like a lot of fun and I’m excited to see what everyone comes up with. Nothing like a tight deadline to bring out the best in designers.  If you’re in Delaware tonight, stop by for the visual carnage. The excitement starts at 5:00pm. Hope to see you there.

Wilmington University – New Castle – Audrey Kohl Doberstein Admissions Center
320 N. DuPont Highway
New Castle, DE 19720
Room: Auditorium
5:00 – 8:00 pm

Post #1012 – Create-A-Thon 2010

// October 14th, 2010 // No Comments » // design, events, Uncategorized

For the past 6 years, I’ve been extremely honored to donate my time each fall to a unique benefit event for Philly area non-profits called Create-A-Thon.  Basically, what goes down, is a group of designers and copywriters donate one solid 24-hour block of time where they create logos, brochures, ads and websites for selected non-profit organizations, free of charge. I’m sure if you’ve been following this site for a while, then you’re more than familiar.

This year, CAT took place October 7-8 and my client was Tree House Books, a real grass-roots non-profit based in North Philadelphia.  Originally founded as a used book store, Tree House quickly evolved into a place where local children can take part in writing workshops, create artwork, perform at open mic events, get homework help or generally express themselves in a warm, encouraging and safe environment. I designed a donor brochure for them as well as a flyer (pictured) and some business cards shaped like bookmarks. I got to work around 10AM Thursday morning and finally wrapped things up around 12:30PM Friday afternoon, so it was long day for sure but, as always, well worth it.  I plan on posting photos of all the completed pieces once I get samples back from the printer.

Special thanks to Burlington Press, who donated the printing this year and to Richard and Allison at Hypno for hosting the event and letting me be a part of it.

For more info on my design work, please visit redatticstudios.com.

Post #1011 – See Pegi Young Live

// October 7th, 2010 // No Comments » // events, giveaways, music

UPDATE: I just got word that the tour has been cancelled. No word yet on whether or not the show will be rescheduled. I’ll pass along info when it comes.

We’re giving away TWO free tickets to see Pegi Young this Saturday night at Johnny Brendas – all you have to do is shoot me an email with Pegi Young as the subject line, and I’ll randomly select a winner Friday night at 5:00 pm.  For those who haven’t heard the album yet, you can check out my review of Foul Deeds in post #997 and download the single Starting Over. She’s only doing a handful of dates and JB’s is a nice sized venue so it should be a great show.  Email me now – we’ve got your Saturday night covered.

Tour Dates:
October 9 @ Jonhny Brenda’s – Philadelphia PA
October 10 @ Jammin’ Java – Vienna, VA
October 11 @ Rams Head On Stage – Annapolis, MD
October 13 @ Joe’s Pub – New York, NY

Post #1008 – Color Mag and Slingluff interview

// September 28th, 2010 // No Comments » // art shows, events, press, video

The latest issue of Color Magazine (8.4) features a photo of the Vans chukka boots I customized for the Society6/Color Magazine/Vans collaboration.   Peep some images here then hunt down a copy at your local book store or skate shop.  Print’s not quite dead yet so show some support and buy a copy because it really is a great mag.

And, as promised, below’s the short interview I did with the Slingluff Gallery about Automatic Amnesia – hope to see everyone at the opening this Saturday.

Joe Castro at the gallery. from Slingluff Gallery on Vimeo.

Post #998 – Where’ve you been hiding?

// August 30th, 2010 // No Comments » // events, movies, music

Sorry for the lapse in posts but understand, dear reader, it’s not due to laziness – we have many, many marshmallows roasting away on the fire right now, so stay tuned if you want s’mores. Speaking of which, save the date – Saturday October 2nd will be the opening for my solo show at the Slingluff Gallery, and we’ll be throwing an after party immediately following next door at the M Room, with three very special bands.  More details to be announced this week.

I did sneak out and catch My Morning Jacket’s set at Penn’s Landing last night. Sitting there, I realized the last time I caught the band was in ’04 so I figured I was overdue.  Totally different line-up this time, and I could be wrong but I’m pretty sure Jim James is the only original member left, which was a bummer simply because I liked how the whole band used to have super long hair, and rocked on stage like Slayer while sounding like Neil Young.  JJ’s voice is still the star of the show, and he did not disappoint.  It was a good two hour set, with tunes from all across the back catalog. The kids seemed to like it.

Scott from Dr. Dog opened up and played a few acoustic tunes, which were decent.  He didn’t play much Dr. Dog material, so I’m not sure if he’s doing a solo album or what but I guess time will tell.  I’ve met Scott a few times, back when his old band Raccoon used to play shows with The Situation, and he was always a nice guy, so it was good to see him out there doing his thing.

Also watched Hot Tub Time Machine which was slightly better than expected – kind of raw and a little low-brow but it had it’s moments. Not great but a decent laugh.  Proceed with caution on that one though.

Plus…..a new Podcast coming in hot this week.  Don’t change the channel!