By PAM HARBAUGH

Lots to do before the big show — Total Eclipse. The front burner item this weekend is the launch of the Henegar’s newest series, JAZZ LEGENDS. Surfside Film Society has another offering. And a big family solar eclipse happening in Orlando on Monday. Read about those and more below.

Please click onto the sponsors’ ads to show your appreciation of their support of BREVARD CULTURE and don’t look at the sun without special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” (source: NASA).

Theater:

SHREK the Musical opens tonight and runs through Sept. 10 at the Titusville Playhouse. Of course this is the stage version of the 2001 animated movie which is very funny — to both children and adults. Expect a story about the show soon in Brevard Culture. Tickets are $23 to $29. TPI performs at the Emma Parrish Theater, 301 Julia St., Titusville. Call 321-268-1125, visit TitusvillePlayhouse.com or click on their ad.

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM at Melbourne Civic Theatre is one funny show and, as you might guess, is quickly selling out. It runs through Sept. 17. Read a story about it by clicking here. Melbourne Civic Theatre is at 817 Strawbridge Ave., Melbourne. It performs 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays and Saturday, Sept. 2. Several Sunday matinees are already sold out. Tickets are $29 to $31, plus handling. Call 321-723-6935, visit MyMCT.org or just click on their ad.

THE AMISH PROJECT opens tonight and runs through Sept. 10 at Mad Cow Theatre in Orlando. Written by Jessica Dickey, this one-woman play received rave reviews by The New York Times. Ms. Dickey was inspired to write it following the 2006 murder of five girls who were taken hostage at the Nickel Mines Amish school in Lanaster County, PA. At Mad Cow, it is actress Trenell Mooring who will portray seven characters, including the gunman and two young victims. Several guest speakers have been invited to Talkback sessions following select performances. $40, with discounts available for seniors and students. The Mad Cow Theatre is at 54 West Church Street – Second Floor, Orlando, FL. Call 407-297-8788 ext. 1 or visit MadCowTheatre.com.

Concerts:

JAZZ LEGENDS headline act is the sensational Billie Holiday Quintet, four of which performed in the Henegar’s recent production of “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill.” Read more about the series by clicking here. The show begins 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $20 general and $15 students. There is a $3 handling charge. Call 321-723-8698, visit Henegar.org or click on their ad.

SUPERTRAMP: BREAKFAST IN AMERICA will be performed by Classic Albums Live starting 8 p.m. Saturday at the King Center. Tickets are $29.75 to $34.75. The King Center is at 3865 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne. Call 321-242-2219, visit KingCenter.com or click on their ad.

Nightlife:

HEIDI’S JAZZ CLUB is a cool thing to do in the hot summer. The lively spot is busy this weekend with some great entertainment, a wonderful bar and a super bar menu. Steve Kirsner & Friends perform 5 to 8 p.m. Friday followed at 8:30 by Michelle Maihot, who has shared the stage with Mel Torme, Max Roach, Sheila Jordon, Dr. Billy Taylor and Bobby McFerrin. Her Off-Broadway show in New York City won her a Drama Desk Award. On Saturday, the Israeli entertainer Hella joins the trio from 8 p.m. to midnight. And Sunday is the always fun Jam Session from 7 to 11 p.m. Heidi’s is at 7 N Orlando Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL. Call 321-783-4559 or visit HeidisJazzClub.com or click on their ad.

NOT QUITE RIGHT PLAYERS: STAGED perform improv 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday evening at Derek Gores Gallery. The group will improvise an entire play on a set designed by Mr. Gores in cooperation with Funk’s Antiquary. Audience members are encouraged to bring in props that can be incorporated throughout the show. Tickets are $15 plus convenience fees and are available online through nqrcomedy.com. Recommended age 13+. Seating is limited and shows often sell out. No refunds or exchanges.

HOWL AT THE MOON this weekend at Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach featuring dueling pianos by Ken Gustafson and John Kenney. This fun-packed music-filled evening has shows at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The shows invite guests to come enjoy a picnic style dinner while listening to some great music, free. Tickets start at $16. Shows sell out quickly, so purchase in advance. Riverside Theatre is at 3250 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, FL. Call 772-231-6990, visit RiversideTheatre.com or click on their ad.

SURFSIDE FILM SOCIETY will screen and discuss Alfred Hitchcock’s “Family Plot” at 7 p.m. Saturday. $15 (includes soft drink and snack). Surfside Playhouse is at 301 Ramp Road (5th Street South), Cocoa Beach. Call 321-783-3127, visit SurfsidePlayers.com or click on their ad.

Exhibits:

DOMINIC AGOSTINI PORTRAITS exhibition runs through Sept. 22 at the Renee Foosaner Education Center, 1520 Highland Ave, Melbourne. The works on view reveal the photographer’s keen interest in celebrating the heroic in every day people. Read more about it by clicking here. The exhibit is installed in the Frits Van Eeden Gallery. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Admission free. Call 321-674-8923 or visit FoosanerArtMuseum.org.

FLORA & FIBER runs through Aug. 26 at the Ruth Funk Center for the Arts. The exhibit, culled from the Textile Center’s permanent collection, is designed to show how plants inspire hand-weaving and dyeing and how they also inspire both the design and adornment in textile art especially in Asia and later in Europe and America. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. The center is located next to Evans Library on the Florida Tech campus, 150 W. University Blvd. in Melbourne. Admission is free. More information click here or click on their ad.

FIFTH AVENUE ART GALLERY presents BEST IN SHOW exhibition runs throughout August at the Fifth Avenue Art Gallery. A portion of sales from the exhibit will go to the Central Brevard Humane Society. The Fifth Avenue Art Gallery is at 1470 Highland Avenue, Melbourne. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays. Call 321-259-8261, visit FifthAvenueArtGallery.com or just click on their ad.

THE STUDIOS OF COCOA BEACH will feature work by Sally Auman throughout August. The artist combines Encaustic (Wax) Painting with Digital Photography to create unique images. The Studio is at 165 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach. Regular hours are 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. Call 321-613-3480 or visit StudiosOfCocoaBeach.org.

Fur die Kinder:

SUNDAY WITH THE SYMPHONY begins 2 p.m. Sunday at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1955 W. New Haven Ave., West Melbourne. Presented by the Brevard Symphony Orchestra, this fun, family-friendly, event with live music from BSO musicians. You also get the opportunity to meet Music Director and Principal Conductor, Christopher Confessore. FREE for the entire family. Visit BrevardSymphony.com.

SOLAR ECLIPSE CELEBRATION will take place 1 to 4 p.m. Monday in the Seneff Arts Plaza in front of Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando. Organized in cooperation with the Orlando Science Center, you and your little ones will be able to use solar viewing glasses (until supplies are gone) and get informed about the rare event. Free. Dr. Phillips Center is at 155 E. Anderson Street, Orlando, FL. For more information, click here.

Plan Ahead:

12th ANNUAL PURE FLORIDA juried exhibition opens Aug. 29 at the Fifth Avenue Art Gallery.

DOGFIGHT opens Sept. 7 at the Henegar. This is a provocative musical and will be performed in the Henegar’s second floor Studio Theater.

39 STEPS opens Sept. 15 at Surfside Players.

PEPPA PIG event at the King Center Sept. 19.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST opens Sept. 22 at Cocoa Village Playhouse.