Chandler Center presents colorful Jarabe Mexicano

Go to a Jarabe Mexicano concert and you get a joyride through a versatile songbook of Mexican folk, rock’n’roll, Tex-Mex, Latin rock and Reggae-Cumbia.

“Jarabe,” after all, translates to “concoction,” consistent with their mix of genres.

To Jarabe Mexicano, the Laveen-based Mexican-American border band, performing and teaching go hand-in-hand as they set out to make everyone feel all right about who they are, no matter who they are.

Jarabe’s colorful cultural tour comes to Chandler Center for the Arts for a 7:30 p.m. show on April 14 and it’s show, “Fiesta en Familia.” is appropriate for the entire family and not to be missed.

Jarabe will share the stage with Southeast Valley-based Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli-AZ, which complements the music with its colorful Mexican folk dancing.

Lauded as cultural ambassadors by the Mexican Consulate in the U.S., Jarabe Mexicano believes every performance on their national tours is an opportunity to create a deeper, more inclusive sense of community for humankind.

Their shows overflow with music and personal stories that highlight what it’s like to grow up along the U.S.-Mexico border.

From romantic ballads fit for a loving serenade to exuberant dance music that will bring people out of their seats, this border fiesta will be one to remember.

“We discuss growing up on the border,” said Jarabe Mexicano leader Danny Brito, of Laveen. “We talk about Mexican things and American things. We celebrate.

“The theme is to be proud of where you’re from. We do it with our music and with our talk. We have segments that sort of develop into a standup comedy thing.”

Their music captures the nostalgic spirit of their border roots.

Performing on stringed folk instruments and accompanied by lively percussion, Jarabe’s dramatic, harmonized vocals in Spanish and English are a celebration of eclectic genres that have gained them the admiration of audiences across the country.

Joining Brito, who plays tarola (percussion), are Gustavo Alcoser on vocals, Kevin Lomes on vihuela and vocals, Eduardo Valencia on guitarron and vocals, and Esteban Smith on guitar.

Their traditional Mariachi string instruments and Norteño-inspired drums complement their dramatic vocals as the multi-generational ensemble embraces change while honoring the past.

The group takes particular pride in education.

Aiming to create a deeper, more inclusive sense of family and community with a special commitment to underserved groups, Jarabe will present a Theatre Kids outreach for a school-age audience at 10 a.m. at the arts center in Chandler the morning of the main concert.

“It’s not much different than our main show,” Brito said. “We don’t really have a set list for them. Sometimes kids want to ask questions between songs and we let them do it. We get them clapping along. It’s organized chaos.

“We just want to make them proud of their culture – and if it’s not the same as ours, that’s fine. We’re always trying to build bridges. That’s our main goal.”

Tickets are $28-$44 and available at chandlercenter.org.