FAMILY : Baroque Orchestra Resurrects Papa Bach

Children and their parents can get the lowdown on the 18th-Century doings of Johann Sebastian Bach and sons in “Meet Papa Bach,” an open-air children’s program by the Los Angeles Baroque Orchestra at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood on Saturday morning.

With family as the show’s demystifying theme, L.A. Baroque will introduce the melodies, rhythms and harmonies that raised the eyebrows of the Bach clan’s contemporaries. Acclaimed keyboard player Edward Murray appears at the harpsichord in the title role. He and the other soloists will not only play period instruments but wear historical garb for a theatrical touch.

“The idea is really to humanize baroque music for a general audience,” Murray said, “and present it in an appealing way in costume. We’re (using) Papa Bach and his family, because family is a concept everyone will relate to.”

The family-friendly concert should appeal to “any school-age children up through, say, junior high,” Murray said. If you discover you want more, the company will be performing a full-length adult concert that evening.

* “Meet Papa Bach,” John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, Saturday, 10 a.m., $7; (213) 466-1767. *

Not Just Clowning Around: Did you, or will you, greet a new arrival this year? Think your little bundle will want to go to the circus, in, say 1999 . . . for free?

If so, check out a rather clever marketing strategy from the folks at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus: They will give any baby born in 1994 a free ticket for his or her first trip to the Big Top, whenever that may be.

For junior’s Special Gift Certificate, good for one admission ticket in any city, in this year or any year, parents just have to send their name and address, plus the name and date of birth of their newborn to: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, P.O. Box 39485, Edina, Minn. 55439.

Well over 600,000 certificates were sent out in 1993, the first year of the offer. Talk about a ready-made audience for all those folks in big shoes and funny noses.

FYI: For precocious infants, or for fans in general, the circus will be in town this year July 20-25 at the Long Beach Arena, July 27-Aug. 2 at the L.A. Sports Arena and Aug. 4-14 at the Anaheim Pond.

* Tickets are on sale now at those box offices, or call Ticketmaster at (714) 740-2000 or (213) 480-3232.