O.C. Music / Dance : OCPS, Center to Sponsor 2 Ethnic Events : In a ‘new era of cooperation,’ the Philharmonic Society and OCPAC will present flamenco and mariachi performances.

In a deal that signals “a new era of cooperation” between the Orange County Philharmonic Society and the Orange County Performing Arts Center, the organizations will jointly sponsor two events next season at the Costa Mesa facility.

The society and the center will present Teatro de Danza Espanola, the Spanish flamenco dance company, on Oct. 6, and Fiesta Navidad, a holiday mariachi celebration, on Dec. 11. The flamenco troupe had already been announced as part of the Philharmonic Society’s 1994-95 “International Festival Series.” The society had announced Fiesta Navidad separately for an unspecified date in December at UC Irvine’s Bren Events Center.

According to the agreement, the center will provide “significant technical and publicity support.” The Philharmonic Society will assume financial responsibility and receive all earned revenues from the events.

“It’s a win-win situation,” center executive director Tom Tomlinson said Wednesday. Tomlinson said the deal will put an end to previous conflicts over the society’s presentations of non-classical music events at the center.

“We felt, as opposed to situations in the past where there has been some acrimony about those presentations, it would be better for us to get together to decide which are appropriate for the building and the community. . . . Presenting them jointly, we alleviate those conflicts.”

Indeed, there was bitter public debate last year when the center’s then-president Thomas R. Kendrick opposed the society’s offering of ethnic programming at the facility. The center board finally overrode Kendrick’s opposition but limited scheduling of such events specifically to the 1993-94 season. The collaboration signals an easing of tensions.

“This has more to do with how we book in the future,” Dean Corey, executive director of the Philharmonic Society, said Wednesday. “It will very much enhance our ability to expand our horizons, both in bringing in some events new to audiences in Orange County and as well as revenues that can help us fund our traditional presentations. It worked out real well.”

“Should we desire,” he added, “we have the access to a lot of the center’s marketing and promotional resources. They make more money if we sell more tickets,” he said, because the center’s rental fees are tied to attendance. “So it’s a very nice arrangement.”

Corey said he had “no reservations” about the joint presentations.

Regarding the move from the Bren Center, Corey said Fiesta Navidad had been originally scheduled there because “we weren’t sure if the center would be available” during that month. “The Bren was available. But the concept of the show is a little different that what we first thought. The proscenium stage (at the center) will be better suited” to the show.

Tomlinson said that collaborating with the society was “an easy decision” to make and one that had the full support of the center’s board. “We’re very pleased with the outcome.”

“We aren’t abandoning our ability or responsibility or desire to be an independent presenter,” he added. “We acknowledge that there is a symbiotic relationship between us and the (regional performing and presenting groups). Our joint and mutual health is somewhat dependent on each other, so to that extent, if we can find ways to work together, then we will.”

He said that “over the next few months, you will see additional collaborations” with Opera Pacific and the Pacific Symphony.

Other events on the Philharmonic Society’s “International Festival Series” include the Vienna Choir Boys (at the center on Oct. 21), Le Ballet National du Senegal (at the Irvine Barclay Theatre on March 9 and 10) and Johan de Meij’s “The Lord of the Rings” played by the California Wind Orchestra under David Warble’s direction, with narration by actor George Takei (at the center on April 30). Information: (714) 553-2422.