Tin Roof Tango, a unique musical group based in Dallas, will present a program here at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19 at the Gilmer Civic Center as part of the Upshur County Arts Council’s 2009-2010 season.

The five talented musicians who make up the group use more than 20 acoustic instruments as they play music from six continents.

Organized in 1987 to record Irish music, the band soon added traditional American tunes and in 1990 produced its first recording.

Leader Mark Shelton describes their playing as “a pretty quirky concept.” The three men and two women strike, bow, scrape, pick and shake an assortment of instruments as they offer vocals not only in English, but in Spanish, Yoruba (from West Africa), Japanese and Cajun French.

Their Cajun dance tunes, intense bluegrass and jazz are offered with their trademark high energy, acoustic fusion sound, which comes from the hammered dulcimer, pennywhistle, bodhran, bones and kokiriko as well as mandolin, violin, banjo, guitar and more.

Besides Shelton, the musicians are Jonathan Malone, Rachel Jarvis, Cecilia Hamilton and Young Heo.

There will also be a daytime performance for nursing home and assisted living residents.

Arts Council season tickets are $60 for adults, $50 for those 65 or older and $20 for students. Single ticket prices will be $15 for adults and $5 for students.

Other performances will include a Christmas Show on Dec. 19; The #1 Hits of the Sixties (a variety show from Branson, Mo.) on Feb. 5, 2010, and the American Chamber Brass Orchestra on May 13.

In June, the Upshur County Community Players will present a dinner theatre performance (title to be announced later).