Rick Wakeman is back to give an...

Rick Wakeman is back to give an assist to ASSIST, a Christian group based in Garden Grove. The English progressive-rock star will play two regular concerts at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano with his band (including his 19-year-old son, Adam) on June 25 and June 27, but he’ll make an earlier stop this Sunday for a solo piano performance at the Village Church, 17101 Armstrong Ave., Irvine. The concert, starting at 6:30 p.m., will benefit ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times), an organization that has established sister-church and pen pal programs that link Americans with counterparts in Russia and Romania. ASSIST’s founder, Dan Wooding, is a transplanted Englishman who was the first reporter ever to interview Wakeman in his pre-Yes days, and subsequently collaborated with the rocker on an authorized biography, “Rick Wakeman, the Caped Crusader.” Wakeman has recorded two benefit albums of religious music for ASSIST, “In the Beginning” and “Prayers.” After Wakeman plays, Wooding will interview him on stage about his life and times, and then will throw open the floor for questions from the audience. Admission is free; a collection for ASSIST will be taken. Information: (714) 474-9229.