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Pop Music

The words and music of Patti Smith were crucial in the rise of what’s now called “alternative” rock. As a poet-turned-rocker, Smith in the 1970s helped create the mold for today’s large array of garage-rocking women.

Although Smith played a rock show recently during Lollapalooza’s New York City stop, her Southern California swing comes in her guise as a wordsmith--a series of spoken-word performances, with acoustic guitar accompaniment, that includes a show at the Coach House. Story, F8.

* Who: Patti Smith.

* When: Friday, 8 p.m.

* Where: Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

* Whereabouts: Take Interstate 5 to the San Juan Creek Road exit and turn left onto Camino Capistrano. The Coach House is in the Esplanade Plaza.

* Wherewithal: $25.

* Where to call: (714) 496-8930.

Theater

Looking to the Irish, South Coast Repertory launches its fall season with the world premiere of “She Stoops to Folly,” Tom Murphy’s adaptation of Oliver Goldsmith’s 18th-Century novel, “The Vicar of Wakefield.”

The title recalls Goldsmith’s famous stage comedy “She Stoops to Conquer,” but the play takes its inspiration from the novel about a vicar whose Job-like misfortunes keep piling up--testing his moral precepts and the strength of his family’s values.

* What: “She Stoops to Folly.”

* When: Opens Friday, through Oct. 8. Performances Tuesday through Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.

* Where: South Coast Repertory Mainstage, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.

* Whereabouts: San Diego (405) Freeway to Bristol Avenue exit north. Bristol to Town Center Drive.

* Wherewithal: $28 to $38.

* Where to call: (714) 957-4033.

Music

The Pacific Symphony will end its ninth annual summer series at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre the same way it has ended other recent summers, with a Tchaikovsky “Spectacular” program, including fireworks. Jack Everly will be the guest conductor. Brian Ganz will the soloist in the popular Piano Concerto No. 1.

This year, there will also be guest principal dancers from American Ballet Theatre dancing the White and Black Swan pas de deux from “Swan Lake.” The Huntington Beach Concert Band will participate in the famous “1812” Overture.

* What: Pacific Symphony Tchaikovsky program.

* When: Saturday, 8 p.m.

* Where: Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, 8800 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine.

* Whereabouts: San Diego (405) Freeway to Irvine Center Drive exit. Turn left at the end of the ramp if approaching from the south, right if approaching from the north.

* Wherewithal: $13 to $49.

* Where to call: (714) 740-2000 (Ticketmaster).

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Small Stuff / Museums

Grandchildren are one of the nicest byproducts of growing old. So it seems appropriate that on Grandparents’ Day, they should also be Grandma and Grandpa’s ticket to a freebie.

On Sunday, the Children’s Museum at La Habra will give free admission to one grandparent with each child’s paid admission of $4. There will be free handouts to help children explore their family tree, and, for the older set, a grandparenting tip sheet and souvenir buttons. At 2 p.m., professional storyteller Judith Helton dons the costume and persona of author Laura Ingalls Wilder, whose “Little House” book series has entertained young readers since 1932.

* What: Grandparents’ Day at the Children’s Museum at La Habra.

* When: Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.

* Where: 301 S. Euclid St., La Habra.

* Whereabouts: From the Orange (57) Freeway, exit at Lambert and drive west. Turn right onto Euclid.

* Wherewithal: Regular admission is $4; free for under age 2. Parking is free.

* Where to call: (310) 905-9793.