Plenty of Noteworthy Events on Tap for First Part of the Year

Want to make a New Year’s resolution you might actually keep for more than a week? Try this: Resolve to work off a few calories by getting up, getting out and experiencing some of the fine world music that 1999 will bring.

There are plenty of opportunities to give it a try in the first quarter of the new year. Here’s a broad-based selection of some of the more engaging events:

January

* Tango Buenos Aires: The 25-member Argentine company slides seductively through the insinuating rhythms of tango music--rich with the plaintive sound of the bandoneon--in moves quivering with sensuality. Thursday through Jan. 9 at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. (562) 916-8501.

* “Today’s Stars--Timeless Songs”: A three-hour survey of Russian pop music, complete with scenery, costumes and production numbers featuring a lineup of some of the country’s best-known pop performers. Jan. 10 at the Universal Amphitheatre. (818) 622-4440.

* “Mystical Arts of Tibet”: One of the month’s most unusual events, in which monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery (featured in the soundtrack for the film “Seven Years in Tibet”) promote healing and purification through chants and throat singing. Jan. 15 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. (949) 854-4646.

* “One Earth Tour”: The popular Kodo drummers of Japan return for five performances that feature the gripping sounds of the drums--especially the temblor-like pounding of the massive, 880-pound o-daiko--but the 105-minute program also includes the music of bamboo flutes, xylophones, gongs, etc., as well as mime and dance. Jan. 27-31 at Royce Hall, UCLA. (310) 825-2101.

* Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival: “Slack key” refers to the traditional Hawaiian custom of tuning strings to open chords to allow a wide range of guitar effects. The program is headed by Cyril Pahinui, one of a number of fine guitarists from the Pahinui family. Jan. 30 at Marsee Auditorium, El Camino College. (800) 832-2787.

February

* Salif Keita: The penetrating voice of the albino singer from Mali is one of the singular sounds of global music. Keita appears regularly in the Southland, and his programs are always gripping experiences. Feb. 11 at Royce Hall.

* Ali Akbar Khan: One of the great Indian classical musicians, a revered master of the difficult sarod. Khan will be accompanied by the gifted young tabla player Zakir Hussa. Feb. 28 at Royce Hall.

March

* R. Carlos Nakai: The musician has virtually single-handedly brought Native American flute playing into the mainstream. In “Feather, Stone and Light,” Nakai performs his floating melodies accompanied by guitar and percussion. March 13 at Marsee Auditorium.

* “Gypsy Caravan”: Affords a different take on Gypsy music from that provided by the more pop-oriented ensembles. The program features 40 performers from the tribes of Romania, Russia, Croatia and Hungary, playing music that had an enormous, if subliminal, impact upon many European cultures. March 15 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, March 16 at Royce Hall.

* “Spirit of Ireland”: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the RTE Irish National Radio Orchestra and dancers. March 17 at Royce Hall.

* Solas: An alternative St. Pat’s celebration for Orange County Irish music fans with the stirring contemporary group. March 17 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre.

* Ladysmith Black Mambazo: Or, if you prefer to honor St. Patrick’s day in a completely different fashion, check out South Africa’s superb a cappella choir, first heard by most American audiences in Paul Simon’s “Graceland” album, but a stunningly effective ensemble in its own right. March 17 at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.

* Cubanismo!: High-powered large ensembles have been pouring out of Cuba lately. But none simmers with more sheer energy than trumpeter Jesus Aleman~y’s stirring Cubanismo!, with its big, brassy horn section and churning rhythms. March 28 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre.