Where: Sunday's concert is on the main quad on Duke's East Campus, just off Main Street in Durham.

What: A free, outdoor pops concert by the Duke Symphony Orchestra. It moves inside Baldwin Auditorium, at the end of the quad, in case of rain.

Who goes: All ages.

What to know before you go: This regular back-to-school tradition at Duke features classic popular works that most people recognize, including Broadway hits, patriotic works and movie themes.

The pieces are selected by members of the Duke Symphony Orchestra, which is made up mostly of Duke students. Starting today, they are meeting in a retreat to pick the music and get it ready for Sunday's performance.

It's a casual, bring-a-picnic-and-lawn-chair kind of concert where parents don't have to worry if their kids want to run around or leave early. Plus it's free, so there's no risk if the kids get rowdy 20 minutes after the show starts.

"We expect that, and it's not a problem in any way," says Elizabeth Thompson, publicist for Duke's music department. "Just follow your child's lead. Let them decide how much they're ready for and do not force it on them, but just see how much they can deal with."

This kind of casual musical encounters is good for kids, she says, and prepares them for ticketed events in concert halls when they're older.

"This is a really friendly way to introduce them," she says. "This is really no risk."

If you can't make this weekend's concert, there are a few other opportunities.

Duke String School, a program sponsored by Duke for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, has concerts scheduled Oct. 11 and Dec. 6 at Baldwin Auditorium. During both free concerts, the younger kids perform at 3 p.m., chamber groups at 4 p.m. and older musicians at 7 p.m.

The Duke Chorale Christmas concert is another great stop for families. The concert is at 7 p.m. on Dec. 2 at Duke Chapel, but Thompson advises concert goers to get there as early as 6 p.m. to get seats. The only admission cost is one nonperishable food item.

The chorale sings some of the pieces, but the audience will have plenty of opportunities to sing some Christmas favorites. And the chapel is all dressed up for the holiday.

For more information, contact Thompson at 660-3333 or by e-mail at ethomps@duke.edu. Go to maps.duke.edu for directions.

If you can't make it to free pops music in Durham, how about Pops in the Park at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary. Gates open at 4:30 p.m., local performers start at 5 p.m. and the N.C. Symphony starts at 7 p.m. Sunday. This is a free performance. Lawn chairs, blankets and picnics are allowed. Go to boothamphitheatre.com for details.

Get your tickets for Raggs Live Dance Party! The band of colorful canines from "Raggs," the public TV series, is back with two shows at 2 and 6 p.m., Sept. 13, at Carolina Theatre of Durham. The show was created by a Charlotte mom and her daughter almost 20 years ago. It now airs on TV around the world. This interactive 90-minute dance party features some of their songs, including "What's the Dealio?" and "Stand Back, Brain Attack," and lots of dancing. Tickets start at $19 for adults and $12 for children. Call 560-3030 or visit www.Raggs.com for tickets.

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