By PAM HARBAUGH

It’s about to be party-time, so best get those plans written in stone. Read on for some ideas of what all you artsy types out there may want to do for this weekend and New Year’s. But act fast. Lovers of “the dance” will feel like it’s Christmas all over again with performances by three companies.

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New Year’s Happenings:

AN ELEGANT SOIREE happens every New Year’s Eve at Heidi’s Jazz Lounge in Cocoa Beach. This lovely event includes live music, dancing and excellent gourmet cuisine by Chaîne des Rôtisseurs executive Austrian chef Eddie Deleuil. Vocalist Hella will perform with the Ron Teixeira Trio while celebrants dance amidst the festive surroundings of this utterly delightful jazz club. The four-course dinner features a choice of Wiener Schnitzel, Organic Free-Range Chicken, Tenderloin of Angus Beef and Wild Caught Norwegian Salmon. Plus more. The cost per person is $118 plus tax and gratuity. Go on and dig that money out. It’s a perfect way to celebrate the New Year. Only problem is that seating is limited and availability is dwindling. So call now for reservations at 321-783-6806. Doors open at 4 p.m. Revelers begin arriving around 6 or 7 p.m. Heidi’s Jazz Lounge is at 7 N Orlando Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL. Call 321-783-4559 or visit HeidisJazzClub.com or click on their ad.

A BIT MORE RAUCOUS of an evening will be experienced at the Not Quite Right Theatre in the Eau Gallie Arts District of Melbourne. The evening begins 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31 and includes three shows of improvisation, music by DJE, a champagne toast and a cash bar. Food will be provided by Coasters Pub & Biergarten and includes: wings, quesadillas, shrimp, crab dip, pretzel bites, truffle deviled eggs, salad and dessert. These people work crazy hard to deliver fun and entertainment bounty. Cost is $60 plus sales tax and handling fees. The Not Quite Right Theatre is at 587 W. Eau Gallie Blvd., Melbourne. Visit NQRComedy.com or call 321-428-0146.

BREVARD MUSIC GROUP will help you celebrate beginning 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Space Coast Convention Center in Cocoa. It features an open bar, music by saxophonist Tom Braxton and trumpeter Joey Sommerville, a DJ dance party and a midnight champagne toast. Also available are packages with a four-course dinner and accommodations at the Holiday Inn Express. $95 to $289. The Space Coast Convention Center is at 301 Tucker Ln, Cocoa, FL. Call 321-783-9004 or visit brevardmusicgroup.com/nye-2019.

SWINGTIME NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA features the Melbourne Municipal Band’s 22-piece Big Band Ensemble. The evening includes dinner, a floor show, dancing and champagne toast with balloon drop. Tickets are $125 per person. It begins 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Hilton Rialto Place, 200 Rialto Place, Melbourne. Call 321-339-7705 or visit mmband.net. If you want to spend the night, call the hotel directly at 321-768-0200.

DANCE:

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY will be performed 7 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Saturday at the King Center. This is a co-production of the Melbourne City Ballet Theatre and the National Ballet Theatre of Odessa. It includes a live orchestra by the Satellite Instrumental Music. The production is under the leadership of artistic directors Artem Yachmennikov and Ekaterina Vaganova-Yachmennikov. Tickets begin at $24.50. The King Center is at 3865 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne, FL. Call 321-242-2219, visit KingCenter.com or click here.

BALLET VERO BEACH presents “NUTCRACKER ON THE INDIAN RIVER,” a subtropical take on the Tchaikovsky classic, Sunday, Dec. 30 and Monday, 31 at the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center. The storyline revolves around marie and her family who travel from New York City to Florida and have a spectacular adventure featuring the Indian River Lagoon. The company’s ballet “PREMIERES” will be performed Jan. 4 & 5. That neoclassical ballet features romantic French Songs with staging by Ballet Vero Beach Ballet Master Camilo A.Rodriguez and “Ori,” by Ariel Grossman. “Pairing these two vastly different offerings within one week of each other showcases the depth and breadth of offerings local audiences have come to expect from the young company,” said artistic director Adam Schnell. Tickets are $10 to $75. Visit BalletVeroBeach.org or call 772-564-5537.

PILOBOLUS performs “Shadowland: The New Adventures” 7 p.m. Jan. 13 at the King Center. This unique group uses mixed media to tell a love story and a magical bird. It has touches of sci-fi, film noir and rom-com. Tickets starts at $39.50. The King Center is at 3865 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne. Call 321-242-2219 or visit KingCenter.com.

Nightlife:

THE KRISTEN WARREN QUARTET performs at The Blind Lion in Cocoa Village from 7:30 to 11:30 Saturday. The quartet includes Ethan Baily Gould on guitar, Ashton Baily Gould on percussion and Greg Zabel on Bass…oh, and the amazing jazz singer, Kristen Warren. Seating limited. Two drink minimum. The joint is at 401 Delannoy Ave., Cocoa. Call 321-877-3456.

HOWL AT THE MOON presents a “Kiss the Year Goodbye” party 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. tonight and tomorrow at Riverside Theatre. The New Year Pre-celebration Party and kiss this year good-bye with a complimentary champagne toast, door prize raffle and other surprises. Purchase tickets in advance for best table seats. Between 6 and 9:30 p.m. enjoy a pre-party with festive lights and live music under the oak trees and specials from our outside bar & grill before showtime. $12 to $22. Call 772-231-6990, visit RiversideTheatre.com or click on their ad.

HEIDI’S JAZZ LOUNGE presents Steve Kirsner and Friends on Friday and Hella on Saturday. And of course, with the incomparable Ron Teixeira Trio. Jam session Sunday. Heidi’s will open 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 24. Read more by clicking here. Heidi’s is at 7 N Orlando Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL. Call 321-783-4559 or visit HeidisJazzClub.com or click on their ad.

Come join us on a Monday evening, doors open 4pm,
to usher in the New Year 2019.

Exhibits:

THE 36TH ANNUAL DESIGNERS’ HOLIDAY CRAFT SHOW runs through Jan. 5 at the Fifth Avenue Art Gallery, 1470 Highland Avenue, Melbourne. Call 321-259-8261 or visit FifthAvenueArtGallery.com.

FOOSANER ART MUSEUM is taking a holiday break. It re-opens Jan. 2 where the DEREK GORES: LOCAL EDITION will continue to excite visitors.

FRIENDS AND FAMILY exhibit The Members Show at Studios of Cocoa Beach. The annual show runs through January 21, 2019. The Studios of Cocoa Beach at 165 Minuteman Causeway in downtown Cocoa Beach. Hours are Monday and Tuesday 10:30am-3:30 pm, Wednesday through Saturday 10:30am to 8pm and Sunday 11 am to 4 pm. Call 321-613-3480 or visit studiosofcocoabeach.org.

NANCY DILLEN RETROSPECTIVE runs through March 15, 2019 in Leu Gardens in Orlando. Read a short story about the exhibition by clicking here.

Auditions:

Every Brevard community theater has auditions in January. For a complete list, click here.

Plan Ahead:

JAY LENO performs at the King Center Jan. 4.
A DOLL’S HOUSE, PART 2 opens Jan. 4 at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre.
EVITA opens Jan. 8 at Riverside Theatre.
MELBOURNE CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY presents the Pacifica String Quartet Jan. 11.
THE CRUCIBLE opens Jan. 11 at Surfside Players.
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES opens Jan. 11 at Titusville Playhouse.
BONNIE & CLYDE opens Jan. 18 at the Henegar.
SYLVIA opens Jan. 18 at Melbourne Civic Theatre.
BREVARD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA performs Tchaikovsky & Friends Jan. 19 at the King Center.