Mexico’s premiere brass ensemble Metales M5 is headed north of the border – way north – to perform at the Chilkat Center Monday.
The show starts at 7 p.m. It is presented by the Haines Arts Council.
The brass quintet mixes classical, contemporary, folk and pop arrangements with Spanish, Mexican and other Latin influences, playing everything from Bach to songs from the “Star Wars” movies.
“It’s not a mariachi band or anything like that,” said arts council president Tom Heywood. “It’s a whole, big mix of stuff.”
Alexander Freund on trumpet, Juan Carlos Quiterio Miguel on French horn, Jose Lopez Juarez on tuba, Roberto Carlos Cruz on trombone, and Oscar Villegas Miranda on trumpet make up the quintet. The group uses costumes, lights, humor and audience interaction to put together a show that isn’t simply playing instruments on stage.
“Brass groups you kind of associate with fun, and they are that. They are a spirited group,” Heywood said.
Heywood wrote and received a grant from the Western States Arts Federation to help pay for bringing the group to Haines. “It was the only way we could get them here.”
“We really need a big audience for them, and everyone will be richly rewarded if they come,” Heywood added.
The group will perform at the Haines School on Tuesday, and will hold a workshop for brass instrument players at the school.
Metales M5 is also traveling to Skagway, Cordova, Valdez, Kodiak, Anchorage and Juneau. Since forming in 2005, the group has traveled throughout the United States, Canada and South America.
Tickets are $18 for adults, $10 for students and $50 for families. They are available at the door or the Babbling Book.