The Musical Ringmaster

He wears more hats than Bartholomew Cubbins, the kid in that book by Dr. Seuss.

He's an actor, a playwright, an emcee, a musician, a singer and a songwriter.

However, this Sunday night at Luna Stage in West Orange, Michael Aquino will perhaps play his best-known role.

Aquino will be curating his Indie Music Circus. No, no elephants, girls in sparkly tights or guys on a high wire. Just a few tunesmiths sitting in the round, playing their songs. Then, talking to Aquino about their craft.

This night has become one of the certainties of life.

"The Indie Music Circus is in its fourth year," said Aquino, who hails from Union City and now lives in Bloomfield. "We've had it at Luna Stage for about 2½ of those years. I started it and I host it. But, of late, the past few shows, I've occasionally brought in a guest host. That's so I can do a few of my tunes. I've been pretty stoked creatively, lately. The songs are really coming."

When asked to illuminate what the Indie Music Circus was, Aquino explained, "It's basically an 'In-The-Round' sort of set-up. We have each of our (three or four) guests play a song. Then, after this first round, I interview the artists, informally. I ask them for a bio, a little history and what the inspiration might be for the tune they just played. It's fascinating, both for me and the audience, to see a song deconstructed like that."

Aquino, who is of Cuban and Puerto Rican descent, finds time to do this when he isn't working on his own stuff. Or doing that play he co-wrote and performed in December called "Mi Casa, Tu Casa." Which makes you wonder when the guy sleeps.

And what of his other projects?

"At this point, I'm probably best-known musically for my two groups, The Sirs and The Quiet and the Loud," he said. "Those were band albums, of course. Currently, I'm working on my first real solo album. I suppose you can classify me as a folk-rock sort of guy. But that's a little misleading. My influences and sounds are very eclectic. Partly because of my Latin heritage. Also, growing up in Union City, I was exposed to so many types of music."

Aquino said some records and genres that have influenced him include singer/songwriters such as Van Morrison's "Astral Weeks," which he describes as "maybe my favorite album." But, unlike many of these same, often uptight types, he also has a lot of love for rap. Tupac, Biggie, all the other giants of the game.

"It's a shame so many people put that kind of music down," he said. "I think it's because of all the sensationalizing, the negative stuff in hip hop, portrayed by the media. Anyone who tells me a story and moves me? That's all I care about. Not the genre. As far as all these type of story songs? It's all folk music as far as I'm concerned."

After Sunday's show, Aquino will return to work on his forthcoming solo album. He also will start planning the next Circus and who he'd like to have on the bill. One possibility he mentions is Rich Deans, a Nutley songwriter, as a possible 'get' for down the line.

"Rich is one of my favorites," Aquino said. "A great Americana songwriter. We met at a song circle and instantly formed a mutual admiration society. Everyone should check him out."

One of the few things this talented songwriter and music booster may not do anytime soon? That might be getting a proper website. He's got a good reason for that, too, even if it's a little bit offbeat.

"There's another guy out there, also named Michael Aquino, who's a well-known satanist," the songwriter said, cracking up. "He write and lectures on Black Magic. I've been known, more than once, to get these creepy e-mails about Satan, that are meant for him. It's pretty unsettling. So, unless I can add a middle initial to my name to show I'm not a believer in evil, I'm just going to let the website slide for a while. You can always check out my Reverb Nation site. Most of the folks who visit me there, or come to Luna? Yeah, that's all good.They're all cool people. And, for the most part, pretty normal."

Info: Michael Aquino will be hosting the Indie Music Circus at Luna Stage, tomorrow night, Jan. 22nd at 6:30 PM. Among the acts will be Johnny Reyes and Carl Croce. Tickets are $5 (12 and under free). For more information go to lunastage.org