Reprise Party

The San Juan Capistrano Multicultural Arts Series is throwing itself a 10th anniversary party tonight in a celebration that features Tintangel, the South American jazz, pop and traditional music ensemble Huayucaltia--its debut group a decade ago--and a few surprise guests.

The series, which began in November 1989 at the San Juan Capistrano Regional Library, opened a door to an eclectic, folk-based mix of world music and dance. The courtyard and La Sala stages there have hosted groups from Malagasy, West Africa, the Czech Republic, Scotland, Ireland, Japan, Ghana, the Congo, South Africa, Spain, Latin and South America, Mexico and Great Britain.

Other performers have included tradition-steeped U.S. performers such as acoustic bluesmen Cephas & Wiggins and John Hammond; gospel greats the Blind Boys of Alabama; the bluegrass Laurel Canyon Ramblers; and Orange County’s swing and rockabilly aces, Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys.

All for less than the price of some movie tickets--thanks to support from the Friends of the Library, sponsors and volunteers--audiences have been introduced to the likes of California-bred Kenny Endo, the first non-Japanese to earn a natori, or stage name, in classical Japanese drumming (in August 1994), and East Indian musician Debashish Bhattacharya, who played a self-made, 22-string Hindustani slide guitar and jammed with American Bob Brozman and Englishman Martin Simpson in the World of Slide Guitar program (October 1997).

“I think our greatest accomplishment is that we built the prototype model,” said Jose Aponte, the music series’ initial programming director. “Where there was nothing, something was born. Where there was a need, the need was filled. We laid the groundwork for others to follow--like the (Irvine Barclay Theatre), Saddleback College and, to some extent, the Orange County Performing Arts Center. . . . Our goal was to build a structure, an institution, whereby ethnic diversity would exist.”

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During Aponte’s five years as librarian/program director, the focus was on Latin and African-based talent. The series did well, averaging about 25 shows a year. The program has broadened under director Bob Slater to include Hawaiian music (Kawika O’Leinani), traditional Irish folk (Niamh Parsons), the son jarocho music of Veracruz (Tlen Huicani) and traditional Senegalese dance and drum (Halle Ngewel Chi Curr Ghi).

The lineup for the next several months is evidence of the wide variety. Congolese musician Samba Ngo plays Oct. 16; Paraguayan harpist Alfredo Rolando Ortiz appears Nov. 6; a holiday-themed contemporary jazz program with keyboardist Gregg Karukas and vocalist Shelby Flint will be held Dec. 4. Others are Native American flutist and storyteller Elk Whistle, Jan. 8; a theatrical production of “Love Letters,” Jan. 29; Celtic harpist Patrick Ball, Feb. 5; and a return engagement by La Musgana on Feb. 26. (Sound bites of each musical act can be heard online at www.musicatthelibrary.com.)

“We’re committed to presenting art that speaks not just to what is unique about other cultures, but also how differing cultures can impact one another in positive ways,” said Slater, who was a sound technician when the series premiered.

While the mainstream popularity of certain strains of world music seems to vary by decade--Afro-Nigerian pop in the 1970s, female Bulgarian singers in the 1980s and the current Latin pop explosion--Slater said he isn’t concerned with trends.

“I’m more interested in maintaining a certain level of consistency . . . so people know what to expect from us,” he said. “My challenge is to seek-out as much diversity as I can through groups that celebrate the idea of a global community.”

While the San Juan Capistrano Multicultural Arts Series thrives as a cultural bridge builder for the community, it has also given something back to the musicians.

“We’re offering them a family-oriented place to play where the audience is there to see and listen to them,” Slater said. “We’re not a noisy bar or some pickup joint where the music is a secondary consideration.”

It has given a rare forum for many performers.

“We get no radio airplay, so none of the mainstream clubs in Orange County ever book us,” said bandleader-guitarist Ciro Hurtado of the L.A.-based Huayucaltia, whose members hail from Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Mexico and the U.S. “The library was different; they gave us the opportunity to play . . . when no one else did.”

A community of sorts has emerged over the decade, Hurtado added.

“Now we recognize more familiar faces each time we play at the library. It’s very cool because fans will update us on what’s been happening in their lives since our last visit.”

* The San Juan Capistrano Multicultural Arts Series celebrates its 10th anniversary today with Huayucaltia, Tintangel, the visual artwork of Cynthia Reyes-Aponte and surprise guests. San Juan Capistrano Regional Library, 31495 El Camino Real. 5:30 and 8 p.m. $8. (949) 248-7469.